Mystery & Thriller· United States
A Is for Alibi
by Sue GraftonAggregate Editorial Score55/100
★Edgar Award
Published 1982244 pagesEnglish
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Sue Grafton's A Is for Alibi (1982) stands as one of the most significant works of mystery & thriller of its era. Private investigator Kinsey Millhone is hired to find the real killer of a divorce lawyer whose wife has just been released from prison after serving time for his murder. Grafton's debut launched one of the most popular mystery series of the 20th century, the alphabet mystery series. Themes of detective, women, California run through the work. The book has received recognition from Edgar Award 1982.
Book Details
About the Category
🔍 Mystery & Thriller
Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.
Explore all Mystery & Thriller books →Country of Origin
🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United States →Editorial Assessment
A Is for Alibi by Sue Grafton sits within the tradition of mystery & thriller that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1982 in United States, it engages with detective, women, California, murder in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
Critics and institutions have consistently placed A Is for Alibi among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Edgar Award 1982. Our aggregate score of 55/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals.
Readers coming to A Is for Alibi for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of detective, women, California, murder is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at.
A Is for Alibi reflects Sue Grafton's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Edgar Award
winner · genre
198242
Sue Grafton is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of mystery thriller.
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