Sue Grafton

Sue Taylor Grafton (April 24, 1940 – December 28, 2017) was an American author and one of the most successful mystery writers of the late 20th century. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Grafton initially studied writing in college but worked as a television scriptwriter before turning to novels. Her breakthrough came with the introduction of Kinsey Millhone, a hardboiled female private detective operating in the fictional California city of Santa Teresa, in the novel 'A' is for Alibi (1982). This marked the beginning of her famous 'Alphabet Mystery' series, with each book titled with a successive letter of the alphabet, from 'A' through 'Y.' The series became a cultural phenomenon, selling millions of copies and being translated into numerous languages. Grafton's creation of Kinsey Millhone was revolutionary—a strong, independent female protagonist in a genre traditionally dominated by male detectives. The character evolved authentically over the course of the series, aging in real time alongside readers. Grafton's meticulous plotting, memorable characters, and witty narrative voice set her apart in the mystery genre. Her work appealed to both devoted mystery fans and mainstream readers, making her one of the best-selling authors of her era. Although she passed away before completing the series at 'Z' is for Zero, her legacy encompasses 25 novels featuring Kinsey Millhone and established her as a literary giant of the mystery genre.