Sue Grafton (1940–2017)

"A" is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
"A" is for Alibi" is the first book in Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series, featuring Kinsey Millhone, a 32-year-old Private Investigator residing in California. I've just begun this series and found this book quite enjoyable. The mystery is compelling, suspenseful, and makes for a quick read. Kinsey's character is fiercely independent, and she's portrayed in a way that makes you feel intimately acquainted with her. Nikki Fife, recently released from prison after serving eight years for the murder of her husband Laurence, enlists Kinsey to uncover the real culprit. As Kinsey delves into the investigation, she discovers a similarly executed murder that occurred days after Laurence'sÃÆ’¢â‚¬â€the victim being Libby Glass, the accountant for Laurence's law firm, poisoned in the same manner. With the trail cold for eight years, Kinsey is aware that uncovering the truth will be challenging. She starts piecing together the profiles of those involved and the events leading to Laurence's death. However, her probing does not sit well with someone who is intent on keeping the truth buried. As Kinsey edges closer to the truth, she finds herself in peril, with a determined adversary attempting to thwart her efforts.… (more)

Kinsey Millhone, a private detective in California, is hired to locate a woman’s sister who went missing after leaving to spend the winter in Florida. As Kinsey looks into the circumstances she begins to suspect criminal activity and walks a fine line between her role and the police. Kinsey is both stubborn and confident and probably crosses that line, but successfully untangles the connections between the missing woman, a series of burglaries, and a fatal house fire. This is a decent, straightforward mystery if somewhat dated, having been published in the 1980s.… (more)

Malek Construction is a mega-million-dollar company that grew out of modest soil to become one of the big three in California construction—and one of the few still in family hands. Today, the three Malek sons stand to inherit a fortune, but in order for any one of them to claim his share, the missing fourth brother must be found.
Now it’s up to Kinsey Millhone to find Guy Malek, the man who, eighteen years ago, vanished without a trace. Did he run away—or was he abducted? Did he intend to make something of himself on his own, apart from the wealth and prowess of his family, or were his motives something more sinister?
The ties that bind. The rivalries of brotherhood. The fall of an empire… As Kinsey tries to unravel the mystery of the missing Malek brother she finds herself in a heart-stopping race against time in which loyalties are tested, greed is rampant, and no one—including Kinsey herself—is safe…… (more)