Women Mystery Writers (Androski, 1995)

 

[This three-part annotated bibliography "WOMEN MYSTERY WRITERS,"

by Helene Androski, is number 74 of the series "Wisconsin

Bibliographies in Women's Studies," published by the University

of Wisconsin Women's Studies Librarian's Office, 430 Memorial

Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53706; email:

the Women's Studies Librarian. The three parts are entitled "Mean

Streets," "Tea at the Vicarage," and "Making a Statement."]

 

 

 

 

                           WOMEN MYSTERY WRITERS

                                 SERIES I

 

                               MEAN STREETS

 

The following authors all feature gritty realism or hard-boiled

atmospherics in addition to strong female lead characters in

their writing. Since most series are best read in order, the

first book in each series is noted.

 

Ayres, Noreen (US)

Series Character: Smokey Brandon, forensics expert and ex-

stripper

Setting: Orange County, California

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A WORLD THE COLOR OF SALT, 1982

 

Barnes, Linda (US, 1949- )

Series Character: Carlotta Carlyle, P.I.

Setting: Boston

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A TROUBLE OF FOOLS, 1988

     Edgar Award winner.

 

Burke, Jan (US)

Series Character: Irene Kelly, reporter

Setting: Southern California coastal city

Time: contemporary

First book in series: GOOD NIGHT, IRENE, 1993

     Multiple award nominee. More attention to romance than is

     typical for hard-boileds.

 

Cody, Liza (Britain, 1944- )

Series Character: 1) Anna Lee, P.I. 2) Eva Wylie, professional

     wrestler and junkyard guard

Setting: London

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) DUPE, 1980 2) BUCKET NUT, 1992

     Multiple award winner. 2) Eva is one of mystery fiction's

     most unusual characters.

 

Cornwell, Patricia (US, 1956- )

Series Character: Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner

Setting: Richmond, Virginia

Time: contemporary

First book in series: POSTMORTEM, 1990

     Multiple award winner. Not for the squeamish; much autopsy

     detail.

 

D'Amato, Barbara (US, 1938- )

Series Character: Cat Marsala, freelance reporter

Setting: Chicago

Time: contemporary

First book in series: HARDBALL, 1990

     Much comment on social issues.

 

Dawson, Janet (US)

Series Character: Jeri Howard, P.I.

Setting: Oakland, California

Time: contemporary

First book in series: KINDRED CRIMES, 1990

     Multiple award nominee. Strong sense of place for the Bay

     area, particularly its US Naval installations. Written by a

     former naval officer.

 

Dunant, Sarah (Britain)

Series Character: Hannah Wolfe, P.I.

Setting: London

Time: contemporary

First book in series: BIRTH MARKS, 1992

     British Crime Writer's Association Award winner. Much

     comment on social issues.

 

Dunlap, Susan (US, 1943- )

Series Character: 1) Veejay Haskell, meter reader 2) Jill Smith,

     police officer 3) Kiernan O'Shaughnessy, P.I. and forensic

     pathologist.

Setting: 1) Northern California 2) Berkeley, California 3) San

     Diego, California

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DEATH, 1984 2)

     KARMA, 1984 3) PIOUS DECEPTION, 1989

     Anthony Award winner. Strong sense of place in all three

     series.

 

Fyfield, Frances (Britain, 1948- ) aka Frances Hegarty

Series Character: 1) Helen West, Crown Prosecutor 2) Sarah

     Fortune, solicitor

Setting: London

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) A QUESTION OF GUILT, 1988 2) SHADOWS ON

     THE MIRROR, 1989

     Multiple award nominee. Much comment on social issues.

 

Grafton, Sue (US, 1940- )

Series Character: Kinsey Millhone, P.I.

Setting: Southern California

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A IS FOR ALIBI, 1982

     Multiple award winner.

 

Grant-Adamson, Lesley (Britain)

Series Character: 1) Laura Flynn, P.I. 2) Rain Morgan, reporter

Setting: London

Time: Contemporary

First Book in Series: 1) TOO MANY QUESTIONS, 1991 2) DEATH ON

     WIDOW'S WALK, 1985

 

Kelly, Susan  (US)

Series Character: Liz Connors, freelance writer

Setting: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE GEMINI MAN, 1985

     Anthony Award nominee. Strong sense of place for Cambridge.

 

Matera, Lia (US)

Series Character: 1) Willa Jansson, lawyer 2) Laura Di Palma,

     lawyer

Setting: San Francisco

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) WHERE LAWYERS FEAR TO TREAD, 1987 2) THE

     SMART MONEY, 1988

     Multiple award nominee.

 

Melville, Jennie (Britain, 1922- ) aka Gwendoline Butler

Series Character: Charmian Daniels, police detective

Setting: London environs

Time: contemporary

First book in series: COME HOME AND BE KIND, 1962

 

Meyers, Annette (US, 1934- )

Series Character: Xenia Smith and Leslie Wetzon, headhunters for

     Wall Street brokerage firms

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE BIG KILLING, 1989

     Strong sense of place for both financial district and

     theater district (Leslie is an ex-dancer) in New York.

     Written by a Wall Street headhunter and former assistant to

     theater producer Hal Prince.

 

Muller, Marcia (US, 1944- )

Series Character: Sharon McCone, P.I.

Setting: San Francisco

Time: contemporary

First book in series: EDWIN OF THE IRON SHOES, 1977

     Multiple award winner. Considered the founder of the female

     hard-boiled private eye genre.

 

O'Connell, Carol (US)

Series Character: Kathleen Mallory, police officer

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: MALLORY'S ORACLE, 1994

     Edgar Award nominee. Sociopathic main character.

 

O'Donnell, Lillian (US, 1926- )

Series Character: 1) Norah Mulcahaney, police officer 2) Gwen

     Ramadge,  P.I.

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) THE PHONE CALLS, 1972 2) A WREATH FOR

     THE BRIDE, 1990.

     One of the first writers to feature a female police officer.

 

Paretsky, Sara (US, 1947- )

Series Character: V.I. Warshawski, P.I.

Setting: Chicago

Time: contemporary

First book in series: INDEMNITY ONLY, 1982

     British Crime Writers' Association Award winner. Much

     comment on women's issues. Written by the founder of Sisters

     in Crime, an organization to promote women's detective

     fiction.

 

Paul, Barbara (US)

Series Character: Marian Larch, homicide detective

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: RENEWABLE VIRGIN, 1985

     Comment on social issues and sexism in police force.

 

Prowell, Sandra West (US)

Series Character: Phoebe Seigel, P.I.

Setting: Montana

Time: Contemporary

First book in series: BY EVIL MEANS, 1993

     Shamus Award nominee.

 

Smith, Julie (US, 1944- )

Series Character: 1) Rebecca Schwartz, lawyer 2) Skip Langdon,

     homicide detective

Setting: 1) San Francisco 2) New Orleans

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) DEATH TURNS A TRICK, 1982 2) NEW ORLEANS

     MOURNING, 1990

     Edgar Award winner. Strong sense of place for both settings.

 

Spring, Michelle (British)

Series Character: Laura Principal, P.I.

Setting: London and Norfolk, England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE, 1994.

     Look at an England the guide books don't show.

 

Walker, Mary Willis (US)

Series character: 1) Kate Driscoll, dog trainer 2) Molly Cates,

     crime reporter

Setting: Texas

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) ZERO AT THE BONE, 1991 2) THE RED

     SCREAM, 1994

     Multiple award winner. Much comment on social issues.

 

Wheat, Carolyn (US)

Series Character: Cass Jameson, lawyer

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: DEAD MAN'S THOUGHTS, 1983

     Edgar Award nominee. Unblinking look at the criminal justice

     system. Written by a former Legal Aid lawyer.

 

 

 

Key to Awards:

 

Anthony: named for Anthony Boucher. Chosen annually at

Bouchercon, a convention of mystery fans.

 

Edgar: named for Edgar Allan Poe. The most prestigious award in

mystery fiction. Given annually by the Mystery Writers of

America.

 

Shamus: given annually by the Private Eye Writers of America.

 

 

 

                           WOMEN MYSTERY WRITERS

                                 SERIES II

 

                            TEA AT THE VICARAGE

 

Although not all of their works are set in an English village,

the following mystery writers all feature a minimum of violence

or other distressing subject matter. The lead characters,

however, are strong females. Since series are best read in order,

the first book in each series is noted.

 

Albert, Susan Wittig (US)

Series Character: China Bayles, herbalist and former lawyer

Setting: Pecan Springs, Texas

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THYME OF DEATH, 1992

     Multiple award nominee. Includes information on herbalism.

 

Beaton, M. C. (Britain) aka Marion Chesney

Series Character: Agatha Raisin, retired advertising executive

Setting: Cotswolds, England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: AGATHA RAISIN AND THE QUICHE OF DEATH,

     1992

     Cross Miss Marple with a barracuda and you get Agatha

     Raisin.

 

Davidson, Diane Mott (US)

Series Character: Goldy Bear, caterer and single mother

Setting: Colorado

Time: contemporary

First book in series: CATERING TO NOBODY, 1990

     Multiple award nominee. Includes recipes.

 

Dentinger, Jane (US)

Series Character: Josh O'Roarke, actress

Setting: New York City, Los Angeles

Time: contemporary

First book in series: MURDER ON CUE, 1983

     Much theater detail. Witty.

 

Douglas, Carole Nelson (US)

Series Character: 1) Irene Adler, opera singer 2) Temple Barr,

     public relations freelancer and her cat, Midnight Louie

Setting: 1) London and Europe 2) Las Vegas, Nevada

Time: 1) 1880s 2) contemporary

First book in series: 1) GOODNIGHT, MR. HOLMES, 1990 2) CATNAP,

     1992

     1) Sherlock Holmes pastiche. Good period detail. 2) For cat

     lovers.

 

Fraser, Antonia (Britain, 1932- )

Series Character: Jemima Shore, TV journalist

Setting: London and England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: QUIET AS A NUN, 1977

     Inside look at media power elite by one of its members.

 

Frazer, Margaret (US)

Series Character: Sister Frevisse

Setting: Convent near Oxford, England

Time: 1450s

First book in series: THE NOVICE'S TALE, 1992

     Edgar Award nominee. Good period detail.

 

Gordon, Alison (Canada)

Series Character: Kate Henry, baseball reporter

Setting: Toronto

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE DEAD PULL HITTER, 1989

     Much baseball detail and strong sense of place for Toronto.

 

Hall, Mary Bowen (US)

Series Character: Emma Chizzit, salvage operation owner

Setting: Sacramento, California

Time: contemporary

First book in series: EMMA CHIZZIT AND THE QUEEN ANNE KILLER,

     1989

     Over-60 main character.

 

Hardwick, Molly (Britain)

Series Character: Dorian Fairweather, antiques dealer

Setting: Kent, England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: MALICE DOMESTIC, 1986

     Many allusions to literature and art.

 

Harris, Charlaine (US)

Series Character: Aurora Teagarden, heiress and ex-librarian

Setting: Georgia small town

Time: contemporary

First book in series: REAL MURDERS, 1990

     Agatha Award nominee.

 

Hess, Joan (US, 1949- )

Series Character: 1) Claire Malloy, bookstore owner and single

     mother 2) Arly Hanks, police chief

Setting: 1) Ozarks 2) Arkansas small town

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) STRANGLED PROSE, 1986 2) MALICE IN

     MAGGODY, 1987

     Multiple award nominee. Humorous.

 

Holt, Hazel (Britain)

Series Character: Sheila Malory, literary scholar and widow

Setting: Devon, England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: MRS. MALORY INVESTIGATES, 1989

     Over-60 main character. Written by Barbara Pym's literary

     executor and very much in her style.

 

Linscott, Gillian (Britain)

Series Character: Nell Bray, Suffragette

Setting: England and Europe

Time: Edwardian Era and World War I

First book in series: SISTER BENEATH THE SHEET, 1991

     Good period detail and information on Suffragette movement.

 

McCrumb, Sharyn (US)

Series character: Elizabeth McPherson, forensic anthropologist

Setting: Appalachia and Great Britain

TIme: contemporary

First book in series: SICK OF SHADOWS, 1989

     Edgar Award winner. Humorous.

 

Moffat, Gwen (Britain, 1924- )

Series Character: Miss Melinda Pink, mountaineer

Setting: England and United States

Time: contemporary

First book in series: LADY WITH A COOL EYE, 1973

     Over 60 main character. Much information on mountain

     climbing.

 

Monfredo, Miriam Grace (US)

Series Character: Glynis Tryon, librarian

Setting: Seneca Falls, New York

Time: 1840s-50s

First book in series: SENECA FALLS INHERITANCE, 1992

     Agatha Award nominee. Good period detail on 19th Century

     women's rights movement and other social issues.

 

Newman, Sharan (US)

Series Character: Catherine LeVendeur, nun and scholar

Setting: France

Time: 12th Century

First book in series: DEATH COMES AS EPIPHANY, 1993.

     Multiple award nominee. Good historical detail.

 

Page, Katherine Hall (US)

Series Character: Faith Sibley Fairchild, caterer

Setting: Massachusetts small town

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE BODY IN THE BELFRY, 1990

     Agatha Award winner. Includes recipes and much New England

     atmosphere.

 

Peters, Elizabeth (US, 1927- )

Series Character: 1) Amelia Peabody, Egyptologist 2) Vicki Bliss,

     art historian 3) Jacqueline Kirby, librarian

Setting: 1) England and Egypt 2) Munich 3) New York City

Time: 1) 1880s 2&3) contemporary

First book in series: 1) CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK, 1975 2)

     BORROWER OF THE NIGHT, 1973 3) THE SEVENTH SINNER, 1972.

     Agatha Award winner. 2) Good period detail and information

     on Egyptology.

 

Pickard, Nancy (US, 1945- )

Series Character: Jenny Cain, philanthropic foundation director

Setting: Massachusetts small town

Time: contemporary

First book in series: GENEROUS DEATH, 1984

     Multiple award winner. Much insight into dysfunctional

     families.

 

Piesman, Marissa (US)

Series Character: Nina Fischman, lawyer and her mother, Ida

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: UNORTHODOX PRACTICIES, 1989

     Jewish main character. Humorous.

 

Rich, Virginia (US, ?-1984)

Series Character: Eugenia Potter, widow and gourmet cook

Setting: Iowa and New England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE COOKING SCHOOL MURDERS, 1982

     Over-60 main character. Recipes included.

 

Roberts, Gillian (US) aka Judith Greber

Series Character: Amanda Pepper, private high school English

     teacher

Setting: Philadelphia

Time: contemporary

First book in series: CAUGHT DEAD IN PHILADELPHIA, 1987

     Anthony Award winner.

 

Roome, Annette (Britain)

Series Character: Chris Martin, housewife turned reporter

Setting: English town

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A REAL SHOT IN THE ARM, 1989

     British Crime Writers Association Award winner.

 

Rowe, Jennifer (Australia)

Series Character: Verity Birdwood, TV researcher

Setting: Australia

Time: contemporary

First book in series: GRIM PICKINGS, 1991

     "The Agatha Christie of Australia"

 

Rowlands, Betty (Britain)

Series Character: Melissa Craig, crime novelist

Setting: Cotswolds (England) village

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A LITTLE GENTLY SLEUTHING, 1990

     Good view of English village life.

 

Smith, Joan (Britain, 1953- )

Series Character: Loretta Lawson, feminist literature professor

Setting: London

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A MASCULINE ENDING, 1988

     Irreverant look at academic politics.

 

Trocheck, Kathy Hogan (US)

Series Character: Julia Callahan Garrity, cleaning service owner

     and ex-police officer

Setting: Atlanta

Time: contemporary

First book in series: EVERY CROOKED NANNY, 1992

     Multiple award nominee. Comment on social issues.

 

Wentworth, Patricia (Britain, 1878-1961)

Series Character: Maude Silver, P.I.

Setting: England

Time: 1930s-60s

First book in series: GREY MASK, 1928

     One of the few female professional P.I.'s among the Golden

     Age mysteries. Over-60 main character.

 

 

 

Key to Awards:

 

Agatha: named for Agatha Christie. Given annually by Malice

Domestic to honor mystery fiction that features an amateur

detective, no excessive violence, and emphasizes character,

relationships, and setting, i.e. "cozies."

 

Anthony: named for Anthony Boucher. Chosen annually at

Bouchercon, a convention of mystery fans.

 

Edgar: named for Edgar Allan Poe. The most prestigious award in

mystery fiction. Given annually by the Mystery Writers of

America.

 

 

 

 

                         WOMEN MYSTERY WRITERS

                           SERIES III

 

                           MAKING A STATEMENT

 

The following writers all use the medium of mystery fiction to

comment about social or environmental issues as well as to

entertain. They all feature strong female main characters. Since

series fiction is usually best read in order, the first book in

each series is noted.

 

Baker, Nikki (US, 1962- )

Series Character: Virginia Kelly, financial analyst

Setting: Chicago

Time: contemporary

First book in series: IN THE GAME, 1991

     African-American lesbian main character.

 

Barr, Nevada (US)

Series Character: Anna Pigeon, US Park Ranger

Setting: various national parks

Time: contemporary

First book in series: TRACK OF THE CAT, 1993

     Multiple award winner. Environmental themes.

 

Bland, Eleanor Taylor (US)

Series Character: Marti McAllister, police officer

Setting: Lincoln Park, Ilinois

Time: contemporary

First book in series: DEAD TIME, 1992

     African-American main character.

 

Bowen, Gail (Canadian)

Series Character: Joanne Kilbourne, professor

Setting: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Time: contemporary

First book in series: LOVE AND MURDER, 1991

     Canadian Crime Writers' Association Award winner. Comments

     on feminism.

 

Carlson, P(atricia) M. (US, 1940- )

Series Character: 1) Maggie Ryan, student and then statistician

     2) Marty Hopkins, Deputy Sheriff

Setting: 1) Upstate New York and New York City 2) Southern

     Indiana

Time: 1) 1960s-70s 2) contemporary

First book in series: 1) AUDITION FOR MURDER, 1985 2) GRAVESTONE,

     1993

     Multiple award nominee. 1) comment on Vietnam War's effect

     on the homefront 2) comment on single-parenthood, sexism.

 

Corpi, Lucha (US)

Series Character: Gloria Damasco, P.I.

Setting: Los Angeles

Time: contemporary

First book in series: EULOGY FOR A BROWN ANGEL, 1992

     Chicana main character.

 

Cross, Amanda (US, 1926- ) aka Carolyn Heilbrun

Series Character: Kate Fansler, professor

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, 1964

     Highly literary. Comment on sexism in academe. Written by

     feminist literary scholar.

 

Douglas, Lauren Wright (Canada)

Series Character: Caitlin Reece, P.I.

Setting: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE ALWAYS ANONYMOUS BEAST, 1987

     Lesbian main character. Strong sense of place for Vancouver.

 

Greenwood, D.M. (Britain)

Series Character: Theodora Braithwaite, Deaconess

Setting: England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: CLERICAL ERRORS, 1991

     Look at Church of England politics by an insider.

 

Hager, Jean (US)

Series Character: 1) Molly Bearpaw, Cherokee advocate 2) Tess

     Darcy, bed and breakfast owner

Setting: 1) Oklahoma 2) Ozarks, Missouri

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) RAVENMOCKER, 1992 2) BLOOMING MURDER,

     1994.

     1) Native American main character; use of Cherokee lore.

 

Harris, Lee (US)

Series character: Christine Bennett, ex-nun

Setting: New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: THE YOM KIPPUR MURDER, 1992

     Edgar Award nominee. Each book features a different

     religious tradition.

 

Hart, Ellen (US)

Series Character: 1) Jane Lawless, restauranteur 2) Sophie

     Greenway, food critic

Setting: Minneapolis

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) HALLOWED MURDER, 1989 2) THIS LITTLE

     PIGGY WENT TO MURDER, 1994

     1) Lesbian main character.

 

Kelly, Nora (US)

Series Character: Gillian Adams, history professor

Setting: Vancouver, British Columbia and Cambridge, England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: IN THE SHADOW OF KINGS, 1984

     Comment on sexism in academe.

 

King, Laurie (US)

Series Character: 1)Kate Martinelli, police officer 2) Mary

     Russell, theology student

Setting: 1)San Francisco 2) Sussex, England

Time: 1) contemporary 2) 1890's-1920's

First book in series: 1) A GRAVE TALENT, 1993 2) THE BEEKEEPER'S

     APPRENTICE, 1994

     Edgar Award winner. 1) Lesbian main character 2) Sherlock

     Holmes pastice with good period detail.

 

McQuillan, Karin (US)

Series Character: Jazz Jasper, safari owner

Setting: Kenya

Time: contemporary

First book in series: DEADLY SAFARI, 1990

     Strong wildlife conservation theme and sense of place for

     Kenya.

 

Maron, Margaret (US)

Series Character: 1) Sigrid Harald, police officer 2) Deborah

     Knott, lawyer

Setting: 1) New York City 2) North Carolina

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) ONE COFFEE WITH, 1982 2) THE

     BOOTLEGGER'S DAUGHTER, 1992

     Multiple award winner. 1) comment on sexism in police force

     2) comment on social and political conditions in the New

     South.

 

Moody, Susan (Britain)

Series character: 1) Penny Wanawake, photographer 2) Cassandra

     Swan, bridge professional

Setting: England

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) PENNY BLACK, 1984 2) DEATH TAKES A HAND,

     1993.

     1) African-British main character.

 

Neely, Barbara (US)

Series Character: Blanche White, house cleaner

Setting: North Carolina and Boston

Time: contemporary

Style: traditional

First book in series: BLANCHE ON THE LAM, 1992

      Multiple award winner. African-American main character.

 

Padgett, Abigail (US, 1947- )

Series Character: Barbara "Bo" Bradley, child abuse investigator

Setting: San Diego, CA

Time: contemporary

First book in series: CHILD OF SILENCE, 1993

     Multiple award nominee. Manic-depressive main character.

 

Scoppettone, Sandra (US), aka Jack Early

Series Character: Lauren Lauranao, P.I.

Setting: Greenwich Village, New York City

Time: contemporary

First book in series: EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS MINE, 1991

     Shamus Award winner. Lesbian main character.

 

Shankman, Sara (US), aka Alice Storey

Series Character: Samantha Adams, investigative reporter

Setting: Atlanta, Georgia and southern United States

Time: contemporary

First book in series: FIRST KILL ALL THE LAWYERS, 1988

     Recovering alcoholic main character. Comment on conditions

     in the South.

 

Slovo, Gillian (South African, 1952- )

Series Character: Kate Baeier, journalist and P.I.

Setting: London

Time: contemporary

First book in series: MORBID SYMPTOMS, 1984.

     Leftist political overtones. Author is the daughter of anti-

     apartheid activists.

 

Stabenow, Dana (US)

Series Character: Kate Shugak, former District Attorney

Setting: Alaska

Time: contemporary

First book in series: A COLD DAY FOR MURDER, 1992

     Edgar Award winner. Aleut main character.

 

Van Gieson, Judith (US)

Series Character: Neil Hamel, P.I. and lawyer

Setting: New Mexico

Time: contemporary

First book in series: NORTH OF THE BORDER, 1988

     Shamus Award nominee. Environmental themes.

 

Wesley, Valerie Wilson (US)

Series character: Tamara Hall, P.I.

Setting: Newark, New Jersey

Time: contemporary

First book in series: WHEN DEATH COMES STEALING, 1994

     Shamus Award nominee. African-American main character.

 

Wilson, Barbara (US, 1950- )

Series Character: 1) Pam and Penny Nilson, printers 2) Cassandra

     Reilly, translator

Setting: 1) Seattle 2) worldwide

Time: contemporary

First book in series: 1) MURDER IN THE COLLECTIVE, 1982 2) GAUDI

     AFTERNOON, 1990

     British Crime Writers Association Award winner. Lesbian main

     characters.

 

Wings, Mary (US)

Series character: Emma Victor, feminist activist

Setting: Boston and San Francisco

Time: contemporary

First book in series: SHE CAME TOO LATE, 1987

     Lesbian main character. Much comment on women's issues.

 

 

 

Key to Awards:

 

Agatha: named for Agatha Christie. Given annually by Malice

Domestic to honor mystery fiction that features an amateur

detective, no excessive violence, and emphasizes character,

relationships, and setting, i.e. "cozies."

 

Edgar: named for Edgar Allan Poe. The most prestigious award in

mystery fiction. Given annually by the Mystery Writers of

America.

 

Lambda: given anually by the Lambda Book Report for the best

mystery novel featuring a gay or lesbian detective.

 

Shamus: given annually by the Private Eye Writers of America.

 

 

 

                              by Helene Androski

                              University of Wisconsin-Madison

                              1995