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Female Sleuths in Mystery Novels

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Women Help To Solve the Mystery

Do you love a great mystery novel? Books have always been an integral part of my life. There is little that I enjoy more than to sit down with a good book in my hand and escape for a little while. My genre of choice is the mystery novel and I particularly enjoy the books written with a female sleuth. She can be an actual detective, a private detective, forensic pathologist, or just a woman who loves to solve a mystery. Her occupation doesn't matter to me at all; it is the way she goes about solving the mystery that intrigues me.

Not only do I love to read mystery novels, but I also sell used books both on line and in an Antique Mall in my local area. I find that the mysteries are the hardest for me to let go of because I usually have this need to read them first.

Our assignment this week for Rocket Moms was to write a lens about our niche or an area where we have some expertise. I have chosen to write about some of my favorite female sleuth characters and some of the authors who have made a woman their main character.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Miss Marple Collection
V. I. Warshawski - Female Private Invest...
Read the first V I Warshawski Book

Probably the first female sleuth for me

Since I started reading at a fairly early age, my guess would be that my fascination with the female sleuth began with the Nancy Drew Mysteries. I do remember reading them voraciously as a young girl and wishing that I could find a friend like Nancy.

Nancy Drew was a 16 year old amateur detective who was helped often in solving a mystery by her two friends Bess and George.

Although the books show the author as Carolyn Keene, there were several ghostwriters who actually wrote the novels for children and young teens to enjoy.

There were 56 books published in the original Nancy Drew Mystery Series running from 1930 through 1959 by Grosset and Dunlap. Beginning in 1959 the publisher began to modernize the previous volumes up to Number 34. The books are wonderful for young and old who enjoy the female mystery novels.

Image Credit: Nancy Drew Book Cover

Get the Nancy Drew Starter Set

Nancy Drew Starter Set

by: Carolyn Keene

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

Includes the first six books in the series, a great nostalgic journey for the adult and a wonderful gift for a young reader.

Agatha Christie

Created Miss Marple

Agatha Christie has been deemed the best selling author of all time with sales being over 2 billion across the globe.

Miss Marple of St Mary Mead has always been a favorite female sleuth of mine. This almost grandmotherly character who had keen observations of human nature could solve the strangest of mysteries with such interesting ways of looking at the clues before her.

Agatha Christie had a learning disability, possibly dysgraphia, which caused her to not be able to spell correctly and really had a tough time with remembering numbers. It is reported that she couldn't even balance her own checkbook. Yet, she gave us so much joy in reading her mystery crime novels.

Image Credit: Agatha Christie

Miss Marple Collection

Marple: The Classic Mysteries Collection (Caribbean Mystery / 4:50 from Paddington / Moving Finger / Nemesis / At Bertram's Hotel / Murder at Vicarage / Sleeping Murder / They Do It with Mirrors / Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side)

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

V. I. Warshawski - Female Private Investigator

by author Sara Paretsky

Victoria Iphigenia Warshawski is a fictional female private detective created by Sara Paretsky. "Vic", as her friends call her is a bit abrasive, intelligent, athletic and some what of a slob. She specializes in "white collar crime" and seems to find herself drawn in to murder cases. I find her sarcasm extremely funny.

The first V. I. Warshawski book by Paretsky Indemnity Only was published in 1982. Fourteen books have been published with "Vic" as the sleuth since then.

Deadlock was made into a movie in 1991 starring Kathleen Turner. The name of the movie was appropriately V. I. Warshawski.

V I Warshawski Books:

Indemnity Only (1982)
Deadlock (1984)
Killing Orders (1985)
Bitter Medicine (1987)
Blood Shot (1988)
Burn Marks (1990)
Guardian Angel (1992)
Tunnel Vision (1994)
Hard Time (1999)
Total Recall (2001)
Blacklist (2003)
Fire Sale (2005)
Hardball (2009)
Body Work (2010)

Read the first V I Warshawski Book

Indemnity Only (V.I. Warshawski Novels)

by: Sara Paretsky

Amazon Price: $3.11 (as of 05/31/2012)

If you haven't read any of the V I Warshawski books, this would be a good one to start with as it was the first book.

Kinsey Millhone - Female Sleuth

by author Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone is a fictional female private detective created by author Sue Grafton. Kinsey is the main character of Grafton's Alphabet Series which started with A is for Alibi in 1982. Kinsey lives in the fictional town of Santa Teresa, California and finds herself solving all sorts of mysteries while working as a P.I. She can be quite brash and isn't above bending the laws to get the information she needs. There are some lovable and eccentric characters in her life starting with her landlord Henry. The books in the series are funny, entertaining, and usually have a twist or two before the mystery is solved.

Kinsey stars in the following books:

"A" is for Alibi (1982)
"B" Is for Burglar (1985)
"C" Is for Corpse (1986)
"D" Is for Deadbeat (1987)
"E" Is for Evidence (1988)
"F" Is for Fugitive (1989)
"G" Is for Gumshoe (1990)
"H" Is for Homicide (1991)
"I" Is for Innocent (1992)
"J" Is for Judgment (1993)
"K" Is for Killer (1994)
"L" Is for Lawless (1995)
"M" Is for Malice (1996)
"N" Is for Noose (1998)
"O" Is for Outlaw (1999)
"P" Is for Peril (2001)
"Q" Is for Quarry (2002)
"R" Is for Ricochet (2004)
"S" Is for Silence (2005)
"T" Is for Trespass (2007)
"U" Is for Undertow (2009)

Kinsey Millhone Collection

Sue Grafton: Three Complete Novels; A, B & C: A is for Alibi; B is for Burglar; C is for Corpse

by: Sue Grafton

Amazon Price: $6.31 (as of 05/31/2012)

If this series is new to you, I would suggest getting this collection of the first 3 books.

Additional Female Sleuths to read:

Sarah Kelling
Kay Scarpetta
Henry O
Eva Wylie
Nina Reilly
Jacobia Tiptree

Temple Barr in the Midnight Louie Mystery Series

written by Carole Nelson Douglas

Around since 1992, Temple Barr along with the cat Midnight Louie has been solving mysteries as a female sleuth. This series of books is written by Carole Nelson Douglas.

Douglas has been praised for not only creating stories with the typical dead body type mystery but also bringing to light contemporary issues such as stalking, insanity, and familial responsibility. The books are witty and fun to read with a great female sleuth character and her cat.

This author and series was highlighted from one of my reader's request. I look forward to reading them in the future.

Catnap - The First in the Midnight Louie Mystery Series

Published for the first time in 1992, Catnap is the first book in the Midnight Louie Mystery series featuring the female sleuth Temple Barr and her cat Midnight Louie.

Catnap: A Midnight Louie Mystery (Midnight Louie Mysteries)

by: Carole Nelson Douglas

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

Dana Stabenow Writes Books With A Female Sleuth

Kate Shugak Series

Back in 1992 Dana Stabenow introduced the world to her female sleuth, Kate Shugak. Kate is an Aleut living in Alaska with her half wolf and half husky named Mutt. The female sleuth in this long series of books is strong willed and definitely her own woman. You get a good feel about Kate being a Native Alaskan and her sense of family and environment along with a great mystery that keeps you wondering just how it will end.

A Cold Day For Murder (1992)
A Fatal Thaw (1992)
Dead In The Water (1993)
A Cold Blooded Business (1994)
Play With Fire (1995)
Blood Will Tell (1996)
Breakup (1997)
Killing Grounds (1998)
Hunter's Moon (1999)
Midnight Come Again (2000)
The Singing Of The Dead (2001)
A Fine And Bitter Snow (2002)
A Grave Denied (2003)
A Taint In The Blood (2004)
A Deeper Sleep (2007)
Whisper to the Blood (2009)
A Night Too Dark (2010)

A Cold Day For Murder

The first in a series of Kate Shugak - female sleuth

A Cold Day for Murder (Kate Shugak Mystery)

by: Dana Stabenow

Amazon Price: $3.90 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $7.99

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Lily Bard - Female Sleuth

Charlaine Harris writes about female sleuth Lily Bard a cleaning woman for many people in the town of Shakespeare, Arkansas. I haven't read this series yet but it does look promising. If you can shed some light on these mysteries, please tell us in the comment section.

Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard Mysteries, Book 1)

by: Charlaine Harris

Amazon Price: $171.64 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $20.95

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Introducing A New Female Sleuth

Margaret Singer

Author Carol Bergman has created a baby boomer female sleuth Margaret Singer who teams up with New York State Police Senior Investigator Charlie Griffith to solve the disappearance of a decorated Iraq veteran, David Rizzo.

Say Nothing: A Margaret Singer Murder Mystery

by: Carol Bergman

Amazon Price: $11.30 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $13.95

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Female Sleuth Vicky Holden

A Margaret Coel Series

In 1995 Margaret Coel wrote the first book in what is now known as The Wind River Mysteries. Vicky is an Arapaho attorney on the reservation and helps solve mysteries with her friend Father John O'Malley. There are currently 14 books in this series.

The Eagle Catcher (A Wind River Reservation Myste)

by: Margaret Coel

Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $7.99

Clare Cosi Is the Female Sleuth

in the Coffeehouse Mystery Series

I highly recommend reading Cleo Coyle's series of books known as the Coffeehouse Mysteries featuring Clare Cosi as the female sleuth. Clare is the manager of a coffeehouse called The Village Blend. Not only do you get a great mystery, Coyle gives wonderful coffee history, methods of brewing, and recipes for making interesting cups of my favorite beverage. These books are delightful! On What Grounds is the first book in the series.

On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 1)

by: Cleo Coyle

Amazon Price: $3.81 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $7.99

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Leslie Bolt is a Female Sleuth

Detective Leslie Bolt, a new female sleuth, is one fun gal to solve a mystery with. This gun hoarding, Harley riding female is edgy, sarcastic, and lovable. In her first murder mystery, but I hope it isn't her last, Victoria Roder introduces her readers to a most interesting character in Leslie Bolt. I have also reviewed Bolt Action for people who love a female sleuth.

Bolt Action

by: Victoria Roder

Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $4.99

A Clerical Mystery Series With A Female Sleuth

Oh, I just love this series by Aimee and David Thurlo! The main sleuth is Sister Agatha who belongs to a small monastery of cloistered Nuns. She is the extern Nun which means that she is the connection between the other Sisters and the outside world. In the first book, Sister Agatha helps the local law enforcement figure out who murdered a Priest who celebrated Mass for the Sisters in their chapel. A funny part of the mystery is when the antiquated car that is owned by the monastery breaks down...Sister Agatha refers to it as the "AntiChrysler"...and they are given a Harley with a sidecar to use. Picture a Nun in her habit tooling on down the road on a motorcycle.

I think you will love this wonderful series that has humor and mystery along with the inner workings of the monastery. I know I have enjoyed it!

Bad Faith: A Sister Agatha Mystery (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries)

by: Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

Amazon Price: $3.42 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $6.99

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Pen Your Comments Here

Mysterious comments, your favorite female sleuth, or just a note to say you stopped by may be penned here.

Reply

Glenn Gnabasik Apr 27, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete

The Lydia Chin series by SJ Rozan is pretty good. NYC, Chinatown, and her American sidekick Bill Smith make for a pretty good read.

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Lemming13 Apr 20, 2012 @ 5:38 am | delete

Super lens! I'm an old school Miss Marple lover, but you've given me lots of fresh reading material to try - thank you!

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Wednesday_Elf Apr 6, 2012 @ 8:49 am | delete

I'm a huge Mystery fan and Kinsey Milhone is my favorite female sleuth! I've been a fan ever since 'A is for Alibi' debuted. :)

Reply

BuckHawk Apr 3, 2012 @ 10:04 am | delete

Another Whodunit fan here! I learned of a few more that I will be adding to my summer reading list.

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agoofyidea Mar 5, 2012 @ 2:12 pm | delete

My favorite female sleuth is Mary Russell, by Laurie R. King. I like your choices, too. Oh, and I would add Trixie Beldon to the list too.

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kendrafowler Feb 12, 2012 @ 1:35 am | delete

I loved mystery stories right from the time I started reading books. And like you, mysteries featuring Female sleuths were my favorites. I kind of picturized myself in every female sleuth character that was portrayed in the book and it thrilled me so much. Nancy was the first one that I came across, then Miss Marple. There are so many others that I am yet to read.Great lens!!

Reply

Star_Reader Feb 5, 2012 @ 3:39 pm | delete

I love mystery books with female sleuths. I have read many of the books you mentioned on your blog, and you have given me a few new books to read, thanks! One of my favorite female sleuth series that I didn't see on your list are "The Stephanie Chalice Mysteries" by Lawrence Kelter. Stephanie is smart, sexy, independent, and she mean's business working in the NYPD as the top PI.

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Terrie_Schultz Feb 3, 2012 @ 6:49 pm | delete

I adore mysteries! I loved Nancy Drew as a kid, and I still love Agatha Christie. I'll have to check out some of the others you have recommended.

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floridainvestigator Jan 8, 2012 @ 11:56 am | delete

Great lens on fictional female private investigators. If you need any information or ideas about real private investigators, please check out my lenses. Thanks!

Reply

jptanabe Nov 27, 2011 @ 7:29 pm | delete

Oh you've given me so many new books to read - I love mystery books, and female sleuths especially those Native American ones, would be just great to read about! Blessed
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