Three Complete Novels: A is for Alibi / B is for Burglar / C is for Corpse

Kinsey Millhone #1-3

by Sue Grafton

A New York Times bestselling author appears for the first time ever in an omnibus edition! Old fans and new friends will welcome this collection of Sue Grafton's first three alphabet crime novels: A Is for Alibi, B Is for Burglar, and C is for Corpse . The award-winning mysteries all feature former cop turned detective, Kinsey Milhone, one of the most loved heroines of modern mystery fiction.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense

768 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 1999

About the author

Sue Grafton was a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She is best known for her “alphabet series” featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. Prior to success with this series, she wrote screenplays for television movies. Her earlier novels include Keziah Dane (1967) and The Lolly-Madonna War (1969), both out of print. In the book Kinsey and Me she gave us stories that revealed Kinsey's origins and Sue's past.

Grafton never wanted her novels to be turned into movies or TV shows. According to her family she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of these things, and out of respect for Sue’s wishes, the family announced the alphabet now ends at “Y”

Grafton was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, three Shamus Awards, and many other honors and awards.

Grafton had three children from previous marriages and several grandchildren, including a granddaughter named Kinsey. She and her husband lived in Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay.

Months ago bought this book, friend recommended. Read all three books, not my kind of mystery or thriller. Kinsey as a PI does find who did what and why, but author's long, long description of characters hair, makeup, clothing and furnishings gets boring. Too many unnecessary details makes the book boring.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had always thought I would read these stories in order. I started librarianship when she was already famous and the game was to see who could correctly come up with the title. A is for Alibi, What would the rest be? So now I've read the first three. I haven't decided if I'll keep reading them or not. "A" was the best of the three. Compelling characters and a good mystery. B rather depressed me. C, which I just finished has mostly annoyed me. I'm not completely sold on the logic of the whodunit. I'll check out the ratings for D (for deadbeat as I recall) and decide then if I'm going to commit to reading 23 more books, although I suppose it might be less since I know I read some before. I'm glad I at least read these since this had been on my mental to do list. So at least the first three are off the list.

[Daniel Sevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've avoided Kinsey Millhone until now because I thought she might be a little cozy, but these first three entries hit the ground running as solid PI stories with a good cast of characters in each and some perfectly acceptable plotting. I might have been half a beat ahead of Kinsey in the final third of each book, but I enjoyed these enough to read further at some point. I'm hoping they become more sophisticated, and I'm willing to stick around and see.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little depression recently sent me back to the 80's and to a few mysteries I read at that time. I liked the first three Kinsey Millhone novels better when I originally read them but they hold up fairly well. They stories are compact, the plots logical and the characters are just quirky enough to be real. Although Grafton really hits her stride in the next few novels (up until L),these three give us an idea of the series potential. They're not the strongest in the series but they're far better than those in the second half of the alphabet.

[Tom Heavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oldie

But a goodie. How did they do anything before cell phones? Quite well I guess. Working my way through the alphabet.

[Octavia Cade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and reviewed the three books collected here separately, so this is basically for my own records. I rated them all as three stars, so the collected rating is (easily) the same. Looking at them as a group, I think I'm struck most by two things. The first is that, as the books go on, I'm increasingly seeing them as straight mysteries, rather than a combo of mystery and thriller. The second is how interested I am in Kinsey. I'm not extraordinarily compelled by her, to be honest, and it may just be a function of having spent three books with her now rather than one, but I was largely indifferent to her in the first book. In each subsequent volume, however, I like her a little more. I suspect that Grafton was simply improving as a writer as she wrote the series, and the character work gets better as a result. If the trend continues, I look forward to liking the protagonist even more in the future!

[Gabriela Hammersmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinsey Millhone is witty, cheeky, very VERY descriptive and smart. But that’s who she is, I noticed she gets sidetracked and describes somebody’s long nails and then ends it with an early memory which I actually enjoyed so much (I am that same way) the descriptions made me chuckle at points, and it gave me a mental image of what these people looked like which made it very comical. I sped through this book so fast and can’t wait to read the other series and see what the other stories bring for her.

I highly recommend reading the series beginning with A.
There are things from each case that make it into the other books and she does a great job going back and giving a little glimpse, but it gives more backstory if you read them in the obvious alphabetical order.

Respectfully submitted,

G.H

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about a single female detective Kinsey Millhone provided a fresh way for me to see how traditional roles for women have expanded in the last century. The suspense is not great since the solutions come into view without much effort on the part of the reader; however, I found myself intrigued not only by the solving of the crime, but also by the way Kinsey described people and situations and the way she was drawn or repulsed by them. In each of the novels, Sue Grafton added more to Kinsey's character by sharing background information and developing the supporting characters. I plan to read more of these alphabet murders.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sue Grafton was a new author to me. I had the opportunity to pick up this volume for a dollar, and thought that it would give me insight into what kind of writer she was, and if I wanted to read more. These stories were just alright, but nothing to get excited about. I think I will hold onto this book; and if I happen to run across some for a dollar, and if the day arises that I don't have anything else to read ...

[Meri-Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started listening to these after finishing Y is for Yesterday since it had been sooo many years since reading them the first time. I think I liked them even better this time. I know I appreciated the little details even more! Kinsey is a great character and all of her adventures are good reading.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

These A,B,C....books were so popular when I worked at the Corner Bookstore in Ithaca, NY, in the early 80's!!! It's fun to read them for the first time now. Such detail of American culture of the times in addition to a likeable protagonist with very definite likes and dislikes. I shall read them all.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading something from Grafton. While the stories kept me interested enough to keep reading, I don’t know that I’m interested in continuing the series. I did enjoy the “C” book the best out of the three books. However, having said that I was more interested in the little side mystery within the story than I was in the main storyline.

[hugo van der wildt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik heb enkel A van alibi gelezen. Trouwens ik heb deze omnibus niet.
Dus de eerste letter van de letteerreeks van Sue. Sue is een grote waarde.
Spannend vanaf het begin.
Het verhaal mooi opgebouwd tot aan het plot.
Kinsely Millhone, privé detective moet een 8 jaar oude zaak terug bekijken. Dus een cold case.
Gaat Kinsely de echte dader vinden?

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read as always.

My second me through the series and they are as good as I remember. Lucky for me it has been 20+ years so the stories are fresh. You can never go wrong with Sue Grafton.

[Kathy Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read any of Sue Grafton's book and I came across this one at a book sale. It is terrific. I enjoyed all of the books. The books were written before cell phones and internet and it made them interesting to see how solving crimes as a PI was done back then.

[Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me some Kinsey

[April Mc Vey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great intro to series . My eyes only fell asleep a couple times as I have read these same intros or explanation in other books

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

RIP Sue. I had to listen to a few of these stories on my commute to & from work. They are totally predictable and a perfect way to kill some 6am driving time.

[Versana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining read. Fun keeping up with the changes in the main characters life over the series.

[Margaret Dydek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real nail-biter!

Fast paced. Never a dull moment. Lots of interesting characters. A mystery within a mystery. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Jimmie Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very simply plots etc...not worth finishing

[judith Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue grafton

I love sue Grafton, even though they are now older books, I still really love her style of writing. Thank you

[Stephanie Nunley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

It is an excellent mystery. Fast pace story and great characters. I love the protagonist. She fits perfectly. Thank you.

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 abridged audiobook
Second time reading the series

[Bakahri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this detective series

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these books! Sue Grafton's sense of humour is craftfully weaved through the stories and characters. She kept me guessing and entertained throughout. Highly recommend.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. I couldn’t really get into the book. While the main character was mildly interesting, she felt very flat and predictable.

[Mana Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice having the first 3 books!

[Thomas Schoonover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m finding Kinsey to be quite entertaining. On to D-E-F.