A is For Alibi, By Sue Grafton
(Reviewed by Dom)

It’s hard to believe, but Sue Grafton’s alphabet mystery series is coming up on its 30th anniversary. She introduced us to one of the genre’s most likable characters, private investigator Kinsey Milhone, with this 1982 nail-biter.

The basic plot focuses on a woman who was imprisoned for eight years for allegedly murdering her husband. Now she’s out and looking to find the real killer. That’s where Milhone comes in.

Grafton does a good job in showing us the first glimpses of her protagonist, a heroine who so far has solved her way through 21 novels (the latest, U is For Undertow). But this is where it all began. …

The author for our August selection turned 70 this year, and has quite the resume. Sue Grafton is the daughter of a novelist, and published her first book by age 22. Then she turned her sights on television, where she spent 15 years turning out screenplays. But don’t look for her books to reach either the small or the big screen; Grafton has refused to allow her books to be made into movies or tv shows.

I read the first Kinsey Milhone book years ago, and immediately understood why she has so many fans. The books, including this volume, are tight, entertaining mysteries, great for either a weekend around the house, or an afternoon by the pool. Many people say that Grafton redesigned the genre. Pick up a copy this month and find out why.

Pick your copy this month for 20% off at all Tattered Cover Book Store locations!  Just look for the Dom and Jane Book Club.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 at 4:40 AM and is filed under Dom and Jane Book Club. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.