"I" is for Innocent by Sue Grafton, 1992

 

About the author: Sue Taylor Grafton (1940 – 2017) is best known as the author of the 25 "alphabet series" ("A" Is for Alibi, etc.) novels featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California (based upon Santa Barbara). She was the daughter of detective novelist C. W. Grafton.

Major characters:

Lonnie Kingman, attorney

Kenneth Voigt, Kingman's (and Kinsey's) client
David Barney, architect, acquited of Isabelle''s murder

Laura Barney, RN, David's first wife

Herb Foss, David's attorney

Curtis MacIntyre, informant, habitual offender

Rhe Parsons, Isabelle's friend

Tippy Parsons, Rhe's daughter

Kinsey Millhone, P.I.

Dead prior to the story:

Isabelle Barney, David's ex

Locale: (fictional) Santa Teresa, CA

Synopsis: P.I. Kinsey Millhone is settling into her new office, a room leased from attorney Lonnie Kingman. Kingman has a new client, Kenneth Voigt. His ex-wife, Isabelle, had divorced him, then been murdered. Her new husband, David Barney, was tried and acquited for the crime. There is a considerable estate involved, so Voigt, convinced of Barney's guilt, hires Kingman to bring a civil wrongful death case against him; which would deprive Barney of Isabelle's fortune. Kingman hires Kinsey to try to find some evidence, which was lacking in the criminal trial. There is a bit of urgency, as the five-year statute of limitations is about to run out.

Kimsey gets a lead: Curtis MacIntire had shared a jail cell with Barney, who supposedly admitted the crime to him. It looks good, but then MacIntire's story falls apart, and Kinsey uncovers a rock-solid alibi for Barney; making their case much worse instead of much better.

Review: I am working my way through the 25-title 'Alphabet series' for the second time. These are great 'beach reads' and I always enjoy relaxing with one. 

There is an enjoyable plot line running through it, with landlord Henry Pitts having a visit from his overly-health conscious brother William. (If you like Martha Grimes' Richard Jury / Alfred Wiggins byplay, it's the same setup).  

I did find it difficult to unravel the various marriage combinations, but here they are, in order:

• Unnamed man married Isabelle (her #1). Ended with his death in boating accident.
• Kenneth Voigt (his #1) married Isabelle (her #2). Ended in divorce.
• David Barney (his #1) married Laura. Ended in divorce.
• David Barney (his #2) married Isabelle (her #3). Ended with her death by gunshot.