48 pages • 1 hour read
Sue GraftonA Is For Alibi
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1982A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Kinsey Millhone
Kinsey Millhone, the protagonist and narrator of the novel, embodies a strong, determined personality that navigates a series of complex investigations. Millhone is a private investigator in her early 30s, reflecting a modern approach to her work, built on a foundation of professionalism and a keen eye for detail. She operates in a world often dominated by men, showcasing a fierce independence and self-reliance that not only defines her character but also breaks away from traditional gender norms of the time.
Millhone has a complex personal history. She has experienced loss, having endured the dissolution of two marriages, a backdrop that offers a rich layer to her personality, where resilience meets vulnerability. Her relationships in the novel, both professional and personal, navigate a spectrum of emotions, offering a glimpse into her inner world that oscillates between a guarded disposition and a willingness to connect genuinely. Her background in law enforcement, highlighted by her training as a police officer, has equipped her with the skills and the mindset to dive deep into criminal investigations. She has a meticulous approach to her work, often going above and beyond to unearth the truth, a trait that is vividly showcased in her relentless pursuit of clues and answers in the investigation central to the novel.
During the narrative, Millhone transforms from a detached professional to an empathetic individual with a deeper understanding of human nature and the intricacies of personal relationships. Millhone defies genre norms as a female detective in the traditionally male-dominated genre of police procedurals. She embodies the novel’s feminist themes, as she navigates gender stereotypes and challenges in her personal and professional life.
Nikki Fife
Nikki Fife, a round secondary character, is the catalyst that sets the plot into motion. After serving eight years in prison for the alleged murder of her husband, Laurence Fife, Nikki embarks on a relentless journey to unearth the truth and clear her name, a mission that comprises the novel’s primary narrative arc. Her main motivation is regaining custody of her son, making it clear that more than her well-being is at stake.
Nikki is depicted as determined and fearless, resolute in confronting a society that has branded her as a criminal. Her direct characterization reveals Nikki’s mindset, a complex amalgamation of vulnerability and strength, shaped by her turbulent relationship with Laurence and his betrayal.
Nikki’s presence in the narrative transcends her direct involvement in the case. Like Millhone, Nikki undergoes a personal transformation throughout the novel. Her character arc is a redemption journey as she tries to clear her name. Not only does she want justice, but she also yearns for closure and a chance to rebuild her life on her terms. Nikki also exemplifies the novel’s feminist themes, as she deals with the gendered assumptions people make about her and her supposed guilt. That Millhone takes on Nikki’s case shows that she relates to Nikki and her plight of not being believed. Although Millhone is the primary investigator, she and Nikki form a team and rely on each other for moral support.
Laurence Fife
Laurence Fife is the murder victim around whose death the entire mystery revolves. Even in death, his life and actions continue to wield a significant influence, catalyzing the events that unfold and steering the paths of those investigating the secrets he left behind. This makes him a pivotal presence, helping to construct the network of relationships and personal dynamics central to the plot.
Seen through the lens of others, Laurence is indirectly characterized; anecdotes, flashbacks, and reflections of other individuals offer fragmented glimpses of a personality that fluctuated between charm and cruelty.
Laurence’s marriage to Nikki, laden with infidelity and betrayals, undergirds the unfolding mystery. Like his partner Charlie Scorsoni, Laurence has a magnetic personality that masks a dark side, the details of which only become clear after his death. His portrayal adds another layer of psychological depth to the investigation, requiring a continuous reassessment of his true nature as more facts come to light.
Charlie Scorsoni
Charlie Scorsoni is the novel’s antagonist, a role that only becomes apparent toward the novel’s end. As Laurence’s attorney, he occupies an ambiguous moral space, especially in his homme fatale role as Millhone’s love interest.
From the onset, Charlie is showcased as having considerable depth and a deep understanding of the legal intricacies that surround Laurence’s life and death. His connections stretch beyond professional boundaries, venturing into personal realms that tie him to key figures in the narrative, including Millhone and Nikki. This duality casts him as a potential antagonist and a potential red herring, building the novel’s mystery and suspense.
The discovery of Charlie’s criminal undertakings, extending far beyond embezzlement to cold-blooded murder, marks a pivotal point in the unraveling of his character. This depth of deceit is revealed when Millhone discovers that he was siphoning funds from the estates he represented and that he murdered Libby Glass, who had discovered his fraud. These revelations show a darker side of Charlie, presenting him not just as a source of knowledge but as a man capable of heinous crimes to secure his own interests. The discovery of Charlie’s involvement in Gwen’s hit-and-run death finally unveils Charlie as the novel’s antagonist. Charlie’s death unravels the plot’s complicated web of deceit, ultimately providing a rounded exploration of his character and a satisfying narrative resolution.
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By Sue Grafton
