As of February 2021, there are 25 books in Sue Grafton’s “Alphabet series”. The series follows the investigative career of private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional Santa Teresa, California.
The novels are titled using the letters of the alphabet, with each book title having a word associated with it beginning with the letter being featured. The series started with “A is for Alibi” in 1982 and was most recently concluded with “Y is for Yesterday” in August 2017.
The books in the series are considered some of the most acclaimed mysteries in contemporary literature and have garnered a strong fan base over the years.
What is Sue Grafton’s last book?
The final novel in Sue Grafton’s iconic mystery series is titled “Y Is for Yesterday”. This book was released on August 22nd, 2017, just over a year before the beloved author’s death from cancer at the age of 77 in 2019.
This novel is the 26th book in her ‘Alphabet Series’, and like her previous works it follows private detective Kinsey Millhone as she investigates a crime in the small Californian town of Santa Teresa.
In this instance, her investigation leads her to a group of high school teens whose sophisticated prank goes terribly wrong and a teacher who suffered serious repercussions as a result.
As well as exploring themes of justice and morality, the book is a fitting end to the long-running series, as Kinsey reflects on her life and attempts to find closure on her cases. Spanning over three decades, Grafton’s ambitious Alphabet Series created a well-loved world of mystery and intrigue, and provided the blueprint for a whole new genre.
Did Sue Grafton finish the alphabet series?
No, sadly Sue Grafton did not finish the alphabet series. She was working on the book “Y is for Yesterday” at the time of her death in December of 2017. However, the novel was never completed. Before her death, Grafton spoke about her plan for the ending of the book saying, “Well, as far as I know, the letter Y will be a sort of retrospective look atl the good and the bad, the joyful and the sad of Kinsey’s life.
I think it’ll bring the series to a satisfactory conclusion. ” Unfortunately, Grafton’s vision was never carried out. Despite not having a happy ending in real life, Grafton accomplished her dreams and left a positive mark on the world of mystery fiction.
Do you have to read Sue Grafton in order?
No, you don’t have to read Sue Grafton in order. Grafton’s books feature the private detective Kinsey Millhone, who investigates cases of all types, so none of the books are dependent on the prior titles for necessary background or backstory.
Grafton’s writing style and character development are such that reading the books in order isn’t necessary – though some readers have recommended that new readers start with the first book in the alphabet series, “A Is for Alibi”.
Grafton’s books are generally suspenseful, layered mysteries that are enjoyable to read in whatever order you decide, even without reading them sequentially.
What is the twenty third novel in Sue Grafton’s alphabet series of mystery novels?
The twenty third novel in Sue Grafton’s alphabet series of mystery novels is “W Is for Wasted”. It follows Kinsey Millhone, a private investigator based in Santa Teresa, California, as she investigates the death of Ernest “Ernie” McLeod, the mentor and adoptive father of her young friend Billy Polo.
While Ernie appeared to have died of natural causes, Kinsey discovers evidence that someone was out to get him and follows a path of clues that take her from the backwoods of Montana to an upstart colony on the California coast, where past and present collide.
Along the way, she uncovers a complex network of motives and suspects, as well as a decades-old conspiracy that could have dire consequences not only for her home town, but for the whole of the United States.
Will Sue Grafton books be made into movies?
At this time, there have been no definitive plans announced to make any of Sue Grafton’s mysteries into movies. The author was reportedly in talks to sell the movie rights to her series before her death in 2017, but those plans came to an end when she passed away.
Her family has since declared that no movie rights would be sold for any of her books in order to honor her wishes.
In addition, Grafton also had no interest in having her books made into movies. She thought that there were too many differences between books and movies that would make a faithful adaptation to the screen difficult.
She was also concerned that Hollywood would alter the characters and story in order to make more money.
Although fans may be disappointed that Grafton’s books won’t be turned into movies, they can still enjoy her works in the form of the books they were originally written as. Her books offer an engaging and well-developed mystery that can’t be matched by any movie.
How many books are in the alphabet series?
There are 26 books in the Alphabet Series by Beverly Cleary. The series includes books from A to Z, and each book expresses a certain concept or emotion of a child from A (Anne of Green Gables) to Z (Zooman Sam).
The books are written for kids ages five to nine and include characters from various stories and novels. Some of the books in the Alphabet Series include: A is for Anna; B is for Basil; C is for Cottage; D is for Daisy; E is for Ebenezer; F is for Francis; G is for Gertrude; H is for Huckleberry; I is for Ivy; J is for Jane; K is for Kitten; L is for Lad; M is for Mischief; N is for Nestor; O is for Otter; P is for Pansy; Q is for Quill; R is for Rose; S is for Scarecrow; T is for Tiptoe; U is for Ursula; V is for Vixen; W is for Walter; X is for X-Ray; Y is for Yankee; and Z is for Zooman Sam.
Each of the 26 books in the Alphabet Series takes readers on an imaginative and fun journey centered around learning a new letter of the alphabet.
How does the Bone Collector book end?
The Bone Collector book ends with a bang as Lincoln Rhyme is able to apprehend the Killer of the Month Club, a dangerous serial killer and his henchmen. After the investigation, Lincoln is able to prove that the criminal mastermind behind the serial killings is a wealthy, high-profile businessman.
Lincoln and his team disable the explosives and other booby-traps that the Killer had set, and apprehend him.
At the conclusion of the book, Lincoln Rhyme perseveres and is able to provide justice for the victims of the serial killer. The final scene of the book is a poignant moment of closure between Lincoln and Amelia Sachs as they sit in a bar and reflect on the horror of the case.
Lincoln expresses his appreciation and gratitude for Amelia, who had been instrumental in bringing justice to the victims of the killer. The ending scene is a testament to the strength of the partnership between Lincoln and Amelia, and the many obstacles that they together overcame to bring the killer to justice.
What is the book the last apothecary about?
The Last Apothecary is a historical fiction novel by author Belinda Roth. Set in 17th-century Amsterdam and London, the story follows Sara de Vos, a young Dutch girl with a mysterious past. Though she appears to be an orphan, she has a hidden secret that sets her apart from all the other children around her.
She is the daughter of a renowned apothecary, a man who created powerful medicines that could be used to save lives—or to fuel dark magic.
As Sara grows up, she must cope with the danger of her unique abilities and confront the secret society of apothecaries who wield the knowledge of her father’s creations. She must also use her skills as an apothecary to keep her loyalty to the cause alive, even as those who seek to stop her become increasingly powerful.
The book follows Sara as she struggles to balance her responsibilities to those she loves and protect, with her inner desire to grasp the full knowledge of her father’s craft. Throughout the journey, she discovers her own strength and courage, coming to terms with her power and discovering her place in both worlds—the mysterious and the ordinary.
What should I read after Sue Grafton?
After reading Sue Grafton’s phenomenal body of work, you may wish to explore other mystery authors! Here are some great thriller writers who write in a noir style similar to Grafton’s:
– Raymond Chandler, who wrote classic detective stories like The Big Sleep and Double Indemnity.
– Agatha Christie, whose murder mysteries such as Murder on the Orient Express and The ABC Murders are known and loved around the world.
– Dashiell Hammett, creator of the iconic detective Sam Spade and author of novels like The Maltese Falcon.
– Patricia Highsmith, renowned for her psychological thrillers like Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
– Sara Paretsky, who wrote the iconic V.I. Warshawski private detective series.
– Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch series, featuring an LAPD homicide detective.
– Arnaldur Indridason, who wrote a popular series of Icelandic detective novels.
– Henning Mankell, acclaimed for his Wallander crime series.
– C.J. Box, who penned the Wyoming-based Joe Pickett series.
– Harlan Coben, renowned for his fast-paced mystery thrillers.
– Tana French, author of the Dublin Murder Squad series.
Whether you’re looking for classic detective stories, psychological thrillers, or modern suspense novels, these esteemed authors are sure to keep you guessing!
Is author Sue Grafton still alive?
Yes, author Sue Grafton is still alive. Born on April 24, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky, Grafton began writing almost as soon as she could put pen to paper and has enjoyed a long and flourishing career in crime fiction.
Her “Alphabet Mystery” series began with the publication of A is for Alibi in 1982 and has since continued with twenty-five published titles, with X to be the next in the series. She continues to write and is active in the literary world, often giving interviews and attending literary events.
Grafton has also been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America. As of September 2020, at the age of 80, Sue Grafton is still actively writing and is a vibrant presence in the world of crime fiction.
What happened to author Sue Grafton?
Sue Grafton, author of the bestselling “Alphabet Mystery” series of detective novels, passed away on December 28, 2017 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 77. She had recently been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and was in treatment at the time of her death.
Grafton was best known for her popular series of books that featured private detective “Kinsey Millhone”, and began with the book “A” Is For Alibi. Grafton wrote over two dozen novels in the series, with her last being “Y” Is For Yesterday, published in 2017.
Many of Grafton’s novels were adapted for television, and she also wrote the screenplay for “Once Upon A Crime” (1992), starring John Candy and James Belushi. She was awarded the Bowdler Dagger Award for lifetime achievement from Crime Writers’ Association, the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award from the UK Crime Writers Association, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the US Private Eye Writers of America.
She was an incredible author and her works will continue to live on through her characters. Her fans can find solace in her words and will always remember her for her incredible work.
How old is Sue Grafton?
Sue Grafton was born on April 24, 1940, in Louisville, Kentucky. She passed away on December 28, 2017 at the age of 77. She was an American author of detective novels and was best known for her “alphabet series” featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone.
Grafton wrote 22 books in the alphabet series beginning with A Is for Alibi in 1982 and ending with Y Is for Yesterday in 2017.
Where is Sue Grafton from?
Sue Grafton was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She was the youngest of three children and the only daughter. She attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri and the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
After working as a TV scriptwriter in Hollywood for two years, she moved back to Louisville and began writing mysteries.
Her first novel, “A is for Alibi”, was published in 1982 and went on to become an international bestseller. Grafton gathered a large fan base with her “alphabet series” of crime novels, featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone as its protagonist.
She has also written several non-series books, most notably the thriller “The Lolly-Madonna War”, and the novella “Solitaire”. Grafton passed away in 2017, but her books will continue to be enjoyed by readers around the world.
Where did Kinsey Millhone live?
Kinsey Millhone lives in Santa Teresa, California, a fictional town based on Santa Barbara. She lives in a small apartment in a converted Victorian house at 805 Alice, owned by her friend, Henry Pitts.
The location of 805 Alice is given as being at the southwest corner of Chapala and Bath Streets but it does not appear to exist in real life. Her apartment is on the top floor, and the house also contains other tenants renting rooms.
Kinsey often uses her vehicle, a yellow Ford Mustang, to get around town and distances from her apartment to other places are often mentioned.