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A is for Alibi Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of A is for Alibi


"A is for Alibi" covers the investigation by Kinsey Millhone into the death of Laurence Fife. She starts looking into the murder of Laurence Fife by an unlikely person, the murderer. His wife Nikki Fife was charged and convicted of murdering her husband, after being released eight years later she gives Kinsey the task of finding the real killer.
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Kinsey finds out about a second death, of Libby Glass, by the same means just several days after the death of Laurence Fife. Because of the similarities it was believed that Nikki had killed her as well, since the young accountant was rumored to be having an affair with Laurence. Nikki Fife, however, was never prosecuted for the second death.

The review of this Book prepared by Amy Honan




Nikki Fife had plenty of reasons to poison her philandering husband, Laurence. But after serving eight years in prison for murder, she insists she is innocent and hires Kinsey Millhone, a private eye, to find the real killer. During her investigation, Kinsey finds no shortage of colleagues and former lovers who might have wished ill on Laurence, a ruthless divorce attorney. But what about Libby Glass, a young accountant for Laurence's firm, poisoned just four days after Laurence died? Laurence's elusive former secretary may have some answers, but when she is shot just before Kinsey's meeting with her, the private eye begins to put the pieces together. The question is: Can she make all the pieces fit before she becomes the killer's next target?
The review of this Book prepared by Felicia Jordan




Laurence Fife was a slick divorce lawyer and a slippery ladies man until someone killed him. The jury believed that it was his pretty young wife, Nikki, so they sent her to prison for eight years. Now Mikki's out on parole and Kinsey Millhone'a in for trouble. Nikki hires Kinsey to discover who really killed her husband. But the trail is eight years cold, and at the end is a chilling twist even Kinsey doesn't suspect-a second eight year old murder and a brand new corpse.
The review of this Book prepared by Boppy




Kinsey Millhone, a PI, is hired by Nikki Fife to dig up an eight year old murder case which Nikki has just been in prison for for eight years.
The review of this Book prepared by Xan Kwan Ti




Sue Grafton's alter ego, Kinsey Millhone is such a likeable character. I could identify with her throughout the entire book. She's the type of gal I could have a few beers with and exchange stories. Her intuition and street smarts make her an excellent and believeable PI character. In the pursuit of justice, she is hired to investigate a crime for which her client was imprisoned, but claims she is innocent. As she digs deeper, Kinsey opens a can of worms sufficient to strangle & confuse even the keenest of mystery lovers - you'll get hooked on Grafton and want to read her entire alphabet series.
The review of this Book prepared by Donna Maroz




This is the first in a series of books by Sue Grafton. The book is an easy read, and sucks you right in from the get go. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see "who done it!"
The review of this Book prepared by Darcey



Chapter Analysis of A is for Alibi

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 55%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 18.3%How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) 16.7% Tone of story    -   Dry-cynical How difficult to spot villain?    -   Moderately Challenging Time/era of story:    -   1980's-1999 What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot?    -   90% Special suspect?    -   lover Murder of certain profession?    -   lawyer creatures Misc. Murder Plotlets    -   solving long-past murder Kind of investigator    -   hard boiled/private eye Kid or adult book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot?    -   feelings towards lover Crime Thriller    -   Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown)    -   Yes

Main Character

Gender    -   Female Profession/status:    -   private investigator Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Race    -   White/American

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   California

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment Explicit sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references Unusual forms of death    -   poisoning Unusual form of death?    -   Yes Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like A is for Alibi

Sue Grafton Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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