by Justin Hienz

From the Kinsey Millhone books, by Sue Grafton
Nominated by Brenda Kuhlman

As a kid I was mesmerized by 1960s images of female detectives like Honey West or Agent 99: women who were strong, smart and drop-dead gorgeous in heels. Enter Kinsey Millhone twenty years later, who doesn't own heels. Neither do I. Plus, like me, she cuts her hair with toenail scissors, owns only one all-purpose dress, secretly craves Quarter-Pounders and has a soft spot for octogenarians. Shes not fearless, not always smart. But she does the right thing in the end.

 

I first picked up G is for Gumshoe while going through an ugly divorce. I'd been feeling weak and vulnerable. One day I heard myself say out loud,"What would Kinsey do?"

I've since read every book from A is for Alibi to T is for Trespass, and there are still times I say, "What Would Kinsey Do?" Grafton has kept me strong!