The BEST Female Detective (In Fiction) Is....

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 9 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #442 in Books, #34,405 overall

Kinsey Millhone! This girl sleuth is the creation of author Sue Grafton.

Kinsey is the best female detective in fiction-land because each novel that she appears in has gotten better and thicker (=more great writing to read)!

I also love the concept that all of her adventures take place in the '70s and pretty much happen together. Although it has taken many, many years for Ms. Grafton to write the Kinsey books, Kinsey's stories only cover a few years of her life.

With each novel, we discover more about Ms. Millhone. We learn about her failed relationships and jobs; we learn about her community; we learn to understand her motivations.

Kinsey is living her life in a larger way with each addition to the series!

So far, Kinsey still makes bad choices when it comes to boyfriends, but she is great at choosing her men friends. For example, her baking landlord/neighbor.

She is also becoming more successful all around! She goes from being an employee to being a business owner. Kinsey, for the most part, accomplishes what she sets out to do.

What one characteristic do I admire the most in Kinsey? Her organization.

She documents all of her findings for each case on postcards - one fact per card. Her method reminds me of the way I studied for tests in college. I took copious notes in class. I read over those notes and highlighted the important facts, then I copied each of those highlighted facts on a postcard. It helped me understand what the class was about and helped me remember.

If you do not agree, don't hold your tongue. Tell me who you think is the best female detective in fiction!

 

The best fictional female detective is Kinsey Millhone!

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Yes, you're right!

Laniann says:

I have read every book and I do love her. There are others that are also good for different reasons.

CherylK says:

This is a tough one for me...I love Kinsey Millhone and have read every single book. But V.I. Warshawski is also my fave...y'know, there's no reason they both can't be the best. Totally different m.o.'s, for one thing...

BevsPaper says:

Oh I love Kinsey! I've read everyone of them and await U is for...

Mountainside-Crochet says:

I've read (several times each), and own, ALL the Sue Grafton alphabet series starring Kinsey Millhone. One of my favorite authors, and my ALL-TIME favorite kick-ass PI!

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

Well, she is pretty darn good, but I stopped reading them at about 'M'.

And of course, Eleanor is the best ;=D 'non fiction' sleuth!

No way, Monkeybrain!

K says:

I like Eve Dallas :>)

Stazjia says:

I always liked Kinsey but best detective? I think that's a tough one. She's definitely better than Patricia Cornwell's pathologist who irritates me. I like Sara Paretsky's VI Warshawski and Val McDermid's Carol Jordan as well as many others whose writers makes them come to life for me. I can't choose a best fictional female detective.

fefe says:

I never read the Kinsey Millhone books yet so I will have to say I still like Nancy Drew better :). Maybe I will read them then I'll have to change my vote.

 

Kinsey's Biography 

Kinsey's fictional life so far.

I am providing a link for you to Kinsey Millhone's Biography. It is written by her creator, Sue Grafton. Since I am not as talented as Ms. Grafton, I decided to send traffic to her.

Read and Enjoy!
Kinsey Millhone
Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone mystery series

Father of the Mystery Genre:

Edgar Allan Poe

1841-Fiction's 1st fictional detective, Auguste C. Dupin, appears in Edgar Allan Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue: The Dupin Tales

Another Opinion on Who the Father of the Mystery Genre Is--- 

Also find info about the creator of the female detective!

I am open to all opinions! Here is one:
Wilkie Collins: Inventor of the Crime Novel?
Most famous for his novels The Moonstone and The Woman in White, writer Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) has been credited with inventing the detective novel genre although most of his books could be described as 'sensation novels'. In fact, it's probably Edgar Allen Poe who really invented the modern cri

Mother of the Detective Fiction:

1878- Anna Katherine Green becomes the 1st woman to write a detective novel. It was: The Leavenworth Case

1st Fictional Female Amateur Sleuth

Ms. Green created the 1st feminist detective, Amelia Butterworth, in 1897 in That Affair Next Door (Large Print Edition)

Blogs About Female Mystery Authors 

Who knows what might show up here?

I just entered the key search words (women mystery authors) and am letting Google do the work.

Let the mysterious fun begin:
Author Exchange Blog: Author Interview with DEBBI MACK
The Lipstick Chronicles: "Best" Books of 2009
New Author Recommendations, Please! | Crime, Thriller & Mystery ...
The Santa Barbara Independent Welcome to the Gun Show

Would You Make a Good Detective? 

Try these Brain Teasers with a mysterious slant:

The Least Likely Suspect - Brain Teasers Forum


detective



Post and discuss new brain teasers, riddles, logic puzzles, eye illusions, and other brain teasing stuff.

This particular link asks you to solve a mystery!



(Image from Microsoft Clip Art)

Come Join My "Girls Detecting" Group 

Kinsey Millhone and Sue Grafton are there!

Visit my Girls Detecting Group page and create a lens or submit one you have written.

Critera: the author must be a woman and her the detective should be a girl!

Oh, and the lens must be one of quality (ie..no generic titles for the modules, please).

Click here to join "Girls Detecting" in Squidoo Groups!

girl detective

Discover a new female detective: 

Kinsey Millhone books are easy to find.

I challenge you to find new authors.

Sue Grafton ABC Gift Collection: "A" Is for Alibi, "B" Is for Burglar, "C" Is for Corpse

The first three Kinsey mysteries. These books are shorter than the books later in the series, so it won't take you long to find out if you like Kinsey the best!

Baltimore Blues: A Tess Monaghan Novel (Tess Monaghan Mysteries)

I just love Laura Lippman books. Not all of her novels feature my second favorite female detective, Tess Monaghan. If you like Sue Grafton, give Ms. Lippman a try. FYI: Kinsey novels are set in California in the '70s; Ms. Lippman usually has Maryland as her setting.

That Affair Next Door and Lost Man’s Lane

Read a "vintage" author. Expand your experience!

Sign In, Please. 

Let me know who (must be a female) you (don't have to be female) like to read.

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  • Reply
    DUMC DUMC May 16, 2009 @ 9:17 am
    What fun reading! I must take the Brain Teasers!
  • Reply
    CherylK CherylK Apr 15, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
    A very fun lens! Girl detectives rock!
  • Reply
    Stazjia Stazjia Apr 10, 2009 @ 3:52 am
    I guess Wilkie Collins still gets the prize for first female detective with The Law and the Lady published in 1875 but it's a close run thing. Nice lens.
  • Reply
    Mountainside-Crochet Mountainside-Crochet Mar 7, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
    Favorite female mystery/suspense writers - Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, Catherine Coulter's FBI series, Linda Fairstein's Alex Cooper mystery series, Lisa Gardner, Julie Garwood, Tess Gerritson, Tami Hoag, Faye Kellerman, Iris Johansen, Elizabeth Linington (also wrote under Dell Shannon & Leslie Eagan), T.J.MacGregor (mother & daughter writing team), Margaret Maron, Kathy Reichs, Mariah Stewart, and Kate Wilhelm's Barbara Holloway series.... to name a few :).

    I also have quite a long list of favorite male authors, but that's for another time.... another place.

    Enjoyed your debate, I love Kinsey. I DO wish Sue Grafton wrote faster .... brought her books out at least once a year, instead of her every other year routine. I get impatient waiting for the next 'chapter' in the life & times of Kinsey & friends.
  • Reply
    Margo_Arrowsmith Margo_Arrowsmith Feb 4, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
    Nice ***** debate

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