A is for Alibi Audiobook By Sue Grafton cover art

A is for Alibi

A Kinsey Millhone Mystery

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A is for Alibi

By: Sue Grafton
Narrated by: Mary Peiffer
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When Laurence Fife was murdered, few mourned his passing. Plenty of people had reason to want him dead. But the police thought his wife Nikki , with motive, access and opportunity, was the #1 suspect. The jury thought so too.

Eight years later and out on parole, Nikki hires Kinsey Millhone, a gutsy P.I., to find the real killer. The trail is cold, but Kinsey finds a lead that brings her face-to-face with the murderer!

This is the first in the popular series featuring California investigator Kinsey Millhone. She's 32, twice divorced, no kids, an ex-cop who likes her work...and who works strictly alone!

Don't miss the other titles in the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mystery Series.©1982 Sue Grafton (P)1993 Books on Tape Mystery Fiction Suspense

Critic reviews

"Grafton has created a woman we feel we know, a tough cookie with a soft center, a gregarious loner....Smart, well-paced and very funny." (Newsweek)

Featured Article: Best Mystery Series—Listens That'll Take You Right to the Crime Scene


While a standalone mystery is great when you're in the mood for a one-and-done, sometimes you want to feed your craving with an entire mystery series—knowing there's a world and characters you can keep coming back to for the satisfaction of solving crimes. With audiobooks, you get the added bonus of sinking deeper into the setting, clues, and suspects as the story is performed for you, so you'll feel like you're alongside detectives, ready to bust a case.

Featured Article Best Mystery Series Listens That'll Take You Right to the Crime Scene
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Great beginning to a wonderful series. It is obviously an older recording as the editing is not as smooth as later books. Mary Peiffer is great as Kinsey and is fluid at doing the other character voices. The story is a fresh perspective on the classic detective genre and still reads fresh 36 years later. If you are looking for a series that will give you hours of enjoyment start here. Sadly, the Alphabet ends with Y.

The first in a great series and one of the best.

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I was 16 years old when this book was published, so I remember the ‘80s. No cell phones or personal computers and motel rooms for less than 20 dollars! I really like Kinsey Millhone character and share some of her outlooks on life and relationships, having chosen to remain single myself after a divorce and a couple failed serious relationships. I suspect she’ll eventually find her match, though. I also love the descriptions of Southern California, as I grew up there. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!

Fun trip back in time

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would if they cared more for plot than character

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something set in the 19th century

What three words best describe Mary Peiffer’s voice?

Hard-edged but loose

Did A is for Alibi inspire you to do anything?

Yes; I believe I will stick with lighter fare like Janet Evanovich and Lisa Lutz

Any additional comments?

I had to quit listening because I couldn't believe she had sex with someone she thought might be dangerous. Idiot.

Couldn't Finish

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The story was well written for a first book. The narrator was very robotic. Worth the listen during a long drive.

Story good - Narration robotic

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Narrator did not make a clear enough distinction between various characters. Especially the male voices.

Very good story narration left much to be desired.

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This wasn't the most stimulating thriller I have ever read, but it was entertaining. I would put it in the category of "beach fare." I will purchase others in the series and hope they get a little more stimulating. If not, then I know not to expect great literature.

Not Totally Awful

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It's as fresh and sassy as it was back in the 20th century. Plus it's fun to see things when she's telling you things for the first time: the car, the lifestyle, the back story. And a tricky ending brought off well. We owe Sue Grafton a great debt for taking up this challenge and scoring with all 26 books. .

best because the first

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First time reader and loved it! looking forward to B and the rest of the series.

First time reader

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… just not excellent. I started with “W” which was excellent in story and narration. Could be me, but it was hard to keep
up with the characters, and narrator has a robotic tone. Felt like Alexa was reading to me. I do plan to continue the series in order. I may have enjoyed this book better had I heard this one first. Don’t pass up. Just keep in book order because Kinsey Millhone is quite the character.

Not bad …

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I love Sue Grafton. Even though I have read this book several times and own the paperback it was fun listening to it.

Enjoyed it

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