'A' is for Alibi 'B' is for Burglar 'C' is for Corpse

London: Macmillan, 1982-7. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Fine. 8" by 5". None. Signed first UK editions of the first three of Sue Grafton's popular detective series, the 'Alphabet Murders'. In the original unclipped dustwrappers. In three volumes, being the first three novels in Sue Grafton's 'Alphabet Murders' series. The first edition thus of these works, being the first UK editions. Each volume is signed by the author to the title page. Each in the original unclipped dustwrapper. '"A" Is for Alibi' is a crime novel, set in the fictional city Santa Teresa in southern California. The novel follows the thirty-two year old private detective Kinsey Millhone, who is hired to solve the murder of a prominent divorce lawyer Laurence Fife. He had been killed eight years previously and his recently released wife was arrested for the death. The lawyer's death was linked to a similar death of a woman in Los Angeles. Both had died after taking poisonous oleander capsules, which had been substituted for allergy pills. ''B' is for Burglar' sees Millhone hired by Beverly Danziger to try and find her missing sister, who was last seen getting into a cab intending to fly down to Boca Raton, Florida. However, it appears that she disappeared along the way. Millhone suspects that there might be a link between Elaine's disappearance, and the death of her Santa Tereas neighbour who was apparently killed by a burglar. ''C' is for Corpse' opens with Millhone at the gym, where she meets Bobby Callahan, who was nearly killed nine months previously. He is convinced that it was an attempt on his life, and that he might still be in danger. Kinsey agrees to investigate, despite there being little information. She is then pulled into a complicated web of intrigue surrounding Bobby and his rich but dysfunctional family. Written by Sue Grafton, who is best known for this influential and popular series of detective novels, known as the 'alphabet series'. She started writing her detective novels after a bitter divorce and custody battle, which resulted in Grafton imagining ways to kill or maim her ex-husband, providing inspiration for this detective series. Sadly, Grafton died before she was able to finish the series, writing a total of twenty-five novels only, ending with ''Y' is for Yesterday'. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dustwrappers. Externally, fine. Dustwrappers are fine, though the dustwrapper for ''C' is for Corpse' has some light spots to the flyleaves. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine