Female Sleuths

            If you enjoy reading mysteries solved with a feminine touch, here are the latest available from some well-known authors.

            Patricia Cornwell’s series of crime novels, originated in 1990 and features Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner who relies on forensic science and her own natural intelligence to identify murderers. Kay, her family members, and friends are often endangered during the hunt for the killer, but are rescued at the end. Most recent books include Flesh and Blood and Depraved Heart.

            Krista Davis has written a series of books featuring Sophie Winston, the Domestic Diva; an event planner who always runs into murder. Recent titles include The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss and The Diva Wraps it up.

            Janet Evanovich’s most famous series is the one featuring bounty hunter Stephanie Plum who, with the help of her grandmother, friends and co-workers, is always able to solve the mystery, although things usually don’t go smoothly. These are ‘romantic adventure’ novels. The series begins with One for the Money, recent entries are Top Secret Twenty-One and Takedown Twenty.

            Joanne Fluke is the author of the Hannah Swensen culinary mystery series. Series titles currently number eighteen, featuring Hannah who is a bakery owner and amateur sleuth. You’re sure to get recipes for baked goods as well as the answer to whodunit. Recent titles are Double Fudge Brownie Murder and Blackberry Pie Murder.

            Sue Grafton is the author of the “alphabet mysteries” featuring Kinsey Millhone, a private investigator whose stories are set in late 1980’s California (the fictional Santa Teresa). On the surface, Kinsey is an independent, self-sufficient person. However, as the series progresses, the reader learns of her many personal issues.  A is for Alibi was published in 1982. The series now nears the end of its run; the 24^th entry, X, will be published very soon.