Mystery book series with curmudgeonly fiftyish (?) woman sleuth?
February 7, 2024 6:42 PM Subscribe
Please help me identify this vaguely remembered book series, from the late 1990s/early 2000s, featuring a slightly cranky but very sharp female investigator, set in the US but with a couple of instalments in the UK (or vice versa)?
The books featured fairly classic Agatha Christie-type plots, not cosies but not much overt violence either. The main character was a single or divorced professional woman in her fifties (give or take a few years), professionally employed as something other than a cop, maybe a journalist or a private investigator, something that made getting involved in murder investigations make at least some sense. She was irreverent, with a sense of humour, but fell short of "wise-cracking." The victims always kind of deserved it, and the books touched on social issues like cross-racial adoptions and the (then) the war on drugs, etc., as well as the challenges facing older women in the workplace. There was a little bit of a romantic backstory between her and one of the cops she ran across, but it was not a major element. Her best friend was a gay man who worked in politics somehow.
Even if you can't help me identify this particular series, please hit me with anything you know of that might scratch this particular itch.
The books featured fairly classic Agatha Christie-type plots, not cosies but not much overt violence either. The main character was a single or divorced professional woman in her fifties (give or take a few years), professionally employed as something other than a cop, maybe a journalist or a private investigator, something that made getting involved in murder investigations make at least some sense. She was irreverent, with a sense of humour, but fell short of "wise-cracking." The victims always kind of deserved it, and the books touched on social issues like cross-racial adoptions and the (then) the war on drugs, etc., as well as the challenges facing older women in the workplace. There was a little bit of a romantic backstory between her and one of the cops she ran across, but it was not a major element. Her best friend was a gay man who worked in politics somehow.
Even if you can't help me identify this particular series, please hit me with anything you know of that might scratch this particular itch.
Response by poster: Thanks, not VI, similar vibe, but much less well-known. I don't think it was Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone either.
posted by rpfields at 7:38 PM on February 7, 2024
posted by rpfields at 7:38 PM on February 7, 2024
Jan Burke's Irene Kelly books, maybe?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:07 PM on February 7, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:07 PM on February 7, 2024 [2 favorites]
Sounds like the work of Amanda Cross. This was the pen name of Carolyn Heilbrun.
posted by muhonnin at 3:53 AM on February 8, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by muhonnin at 3:53 AM on February 8, 2024 [2 favorites]
This sounds like you would enjoy Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton.
https://www.mcbeaton.com/us/books/agatha_raisin_mysteries/
Beaton is deceased, so the most recent ~three books were written by co-author, but the series started in 1990s and published ~annually so plenty to work through.
posted by subwaytiles at 7:53 AM on February 8, 2024 [1 favorite]
https://www.mcbeaton.com/us/books/agatha_raisin_mysteries/
Beaton is deceased, so the most recent ~three books were written by co-author, but the series started in 1990s and published ~annually so plenty to work through.
posted by subwaytiles at 7:53 AM on February 8, 2024 [1 favorite]
The Zoe Boehm books by Mick Herron?
posted by alby at 9:14 AM on February 8, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by alby at 9:14 AM on February 8, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Casey Jones series by Katy Munger perhaps.
posted by Enid Lareg at 9:58 AM on February 8, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by Enid Lareg at 9:58 AM on February 8, 2024 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you, I think it was Casey Jones!
But I really appreciate all the other answers as well. You've given me a few things to check out.
If anyone has any other examples of series along this vein, please share them. Thanks!
posted by rpfields at 4:20 PM on February 8, 2024 [2 favorites]
But I really appreciate all the other answers as well. You've given me a few things to check out.
If anyone has any other examples of series along this vein, please share them. Thanks!
posted by rpfields at 4:20 PM on February 8, 2024 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Pallas Athena at 7:03 PM on February 7, 2024 [1 favorite]