Questions About A Is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone #1)

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Answered Questions (5)

I only have some of these books do I need the whole series to understand the story?

Robin They are better in order as you learn more about the characters and relationships as the stories go along. If you are only reading for the mystery, I …moreThey are better in order as you learn more about the characters and relationships as the stories go along. If you are only reading for the mystery, I guess the order wouldn't matter.(less)

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I am maybe 25% into this and it seems really slo-o-o-o-w. Does it take off at some point?

Eloise Sarah As the main character is a private investagator the first half is a little slow in terms of digging up information and plodding along. However the act…moreAs the main character is a private investagator the first half is a little slow in terms of digging up information and plodding along. However the action and twists and turns come about inthe last half of the book so stick with it!(less)

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I like to read suspenseful mystery books without the author having to include an unnecessary sex scene in it. So does the Kinsey Millhone series contain any scenes like that? Thank you

Hazel Bright I hate gratuitous sex scenes as well. There is a pretty serious sex scene in the book, quite graphic, but I would not call it unnecessary because it d…moreI hate gratuitous sex scenes as well. There is a pretty serious sex scene in the book, quite graphic, but I would not call it unnecessary because it develops the characters. As sex scenes go, it is extremely well-written. (less)

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Would you class this character/novels as modern hard-boiled noir detective in the same genre Sam Spade, Lew Archer, Philip Marlowe etc?

Hazel Bright I would put Grafton's Kinsey Milhone in the same league with MacDonald's Lew Archer. MacDonald was a huge influence on Grafton, and in fact, she named…moreI would put Grafton's Kinsey Milhone in the same league with MacDonald's Lew Archer. MacDonald was a huge influence on Grafton, and in fact, she named her fictional setting Santa Teresa to honor MacDonald, since the town was originally devised by him in his novel, The Moving Target. I myself prefer Grafton's work to that of Dashiell Hammett and Philip Marlowe. It is deeper and more nuanced than their work, in my opinion.(less)

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Just read the first book in the series and there is no physical description of Kinsey ever offered. Is she blonde, brunette? Short hair? Tall? skinny? My mind now pictures her as this lady lawyer who runs ads on my local TV stations, but I thought it remarkable that she is never described.

Melissa Hartfiel She is definitely described in later books. Brunette, cuts her hair herself, 5ft 6 or 5ft 8 - can't remember off hand - and relatively fit (she's a ru…moreShe is definitely described in later books. Brunette, cuts her hair herself, 5ft 6 or 5ft 8 - can't remember off hand - and relatively fit (she's a runner). I've read all the books and have a very vivid picture of Kinsey in my head. Grafton develops the character (and all the recurring characters) beautifully as the series progresses. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

This is a great series. I was saddened to hear of the authors passing. Has anyone seen the television movies she wrote?

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Why do authors use the f word in their stories? It adds nothing useful and, in my opinion, only tarnishes their work. Not that she cares, I won't be reading this author again.

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Rest in Peace Ms Grafton and thank you for all the hours of entertainment. (?)

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