My Favorite Fictional Female Detectives

They may not all be detectives in the technical sense but these ladies of investigation are among my favorite reading companions, some for decades. So settle in with a cup o' joe and find a dame you want to spend some time with among these varied and colorful gumshoe girls.

The Chief's Wife - Earlene Fowler has been writing the Benni Harper series since the early 90's. When the series opened, Benni was a young widow in Central California ranching country who had the love and support of her quiet father, feisty grandma Dove and the extended family of her best friend, Elvia. She's the curator of the local folk museum and a quilt crafter and all the books are named for quilt patterns (Goose on the Pond, Irish Chain). The mysteries are often complicated and emotional and more than once have brought up her deceased husband, Jack. But my favorite part of the Benni books is the relationship she weathers with her new husband, Chief of Police Gabe Ortiz. Fowler has created two very human characters with sorrows and distrust to overcome, tempered by deep love and respect. You can always count on Benni and the rest of her ensemble cast, which now includes a step-son and her favorite cousin, Emory, for a solid mystery and a roller coaster ride of emotion.