Colleen Barnett - Mystery Women, Volume One (Revised): An Encyclopedia of Leading Women Characters in Mystery Fiction, 1860-1979

Mystery Women

Mystery Women

An Encyclopedia of Leading Women Characters in Mystery Fiction

Vol. 1 (1860-1979)
Revised

Colleen Barnett

Poisoned Pen Press

Copyright 1997 by Colleen Barnett

Revised Edition 2007

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001086357

ISBN: 9781615950089 ePub

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

Poisoned Pen Press

6962 E. First Ave. Ste 103

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

www.poisonedpenpress.com

To those who sustained me during the lengthy gestation period of this book by their affection, encouragement and active support:
John (1922-2004)
Patricia, my sister and dearest friend
Jerry and Susan
Andrew and Laura
Cathie and Steve
James
Maggie
Tom and Vonne
Ted and Cathy
The Collins girls
and
The grandchildren

Contents

Growing up in the 1930s and 1940s in a household where books were important, I moved quickly beyond the Nancy Drews and Judy Boltons to search for more mature female characters, most frequently in the mystery novel. The rare specimens available included Harriet Vane (too sophisticated for my tastes then) Jane Marple (too old, then); but I delighted in Agatha Christies minor heroines: Tuppence Beresford and Eileen Bundle Brent.

My interest in mystery stories was a resource to me as I moved through college, marriage, and parenthood; it was an antidote for cabin fever. Through mystery stories I toured distant lands when personal travel was impossible. Mystery stories created tensions, but provided solutions, and involved exciting characters. I particularly enjoyed female series investigators who showed enterprise and independence.

My decision to collect novels containing female series investigators was triggered by Maggie, my younger daughter, who requested a book with a strong heroine. She had read Elizabeth Peters first Amanda Peabody and enjoyed it. My interest in the evolution of the female series sleuth came even earlier, combining my own early values with my professional awareness of the need for positive role models so young women could see themselves as capable. I had at various times worked in a social services agency, a family practice attorney, and a mediator in custody battles.

Since this project began in 1975, I have read thousands of mysteries. I am indebted to Michelle Slungs Crime on Her Mind and Patricia Craig and Mary Cadogans The Lady Investigates for initial coverage. Allen J. Hubins Crime Fiction, 1749-1980 and subsequent editions provided a plethora of names, supplemented by the first three editions of Twentieth Century Crime and Mystery Writers and the magazine, The Armchair Detective. More recently I have benefitted from new names and titles found in Willetta L. Heisings editions of Detecting Men and Detecting Women.

Wisconsins excellent inter-library system provided books not locally available. The librarians at the Boscobel Library and Southwestern Wisconsin Library System filled long lists of needed items. Until recently the University of WisconsinMadisons Inter-Library Loan Department helped me obtain rare books from the Library of Congress. Used book dealers and staff at mystery bookstores were unfailingly helpful. Mary Helen Becker of Booked for Murder in Madison, Wisconsin shared her knowledge and enthusiasm. Jeff Hatfield of Uncle Edgars in Minneapolis provided insights and encouragement.

Not everything came easy. Some of the books were unpleasant or difficult reading. Justifiably some books could not be removed from their library settings. I traveled to academic and public libraries across the United States, Canada, and England for access to rare books.

My children, their spouses, and my nieces utilized card catalogs and computers in the communities in which they lived to direct me to obscure mysteries. Members of my family waited patiently as I dawdled in libraries and used bookstores. My son Andrew, a public librarian and computer guru, not only initiated me into the wonders of the librarys reference section, but supplemented my basic knowledge of the computer to turn out a presentable manuscript.

Probably the most generous support came from my husband John who subsidized thousands of dollars spent each year on book purchases. He has endured countless overcooked meals while I read just a few more pages.

I am grateful to Peg Eagan and Larry Names of Ravenstone/E.B. Houchin Publishing for their initial support. They had faith in my work at a time when I wondered if my research would ever get into print. When Ravenstone went out of business, I was deeply discouraged as to prospects for the future. Fortunately while attending the 1999 Bouchercon at Milwaukee, I picked up a pamphlet Imprints which listed specialized publishers. Poisoned Pen Press was identified for its dedication to the genre and interest in preserving the historical aspects of the mystery novel. My subsequent contacts with Robert Rosenwald verified the commitment of Poisoned Pen Press. They realized as I did that the publication of Mystery Women was not a financial venture, but a reference work which would be useful to librarians, add to awareness of how women have fared in the mystery genre over the years, and direct mystery lovers to works they might enjoy. My current editor, Joe Liddy, has proved to be a great help, and I hope will continue to work with me over the next two volumes.

As I have spent over twenty-five years on the research, I wanted to pass it on to others who enjoy mysteries as I do, and as an expression of gratitude to the genre itself for the pleasure it has provided me. I am particularly grateful to authors who widened my horizons, challenged my assumptions, and explored issues of concern to women.

Each book utilized in this research was reviewed in a written format. From the accumulated books on a character, a biography was prepared. Some books were boring; others, personally distasteful and therefore merely skimmed for basic information.

My criteria for inclusion included: the number of significant appearances; emphasis on the novel and occasionally a collection of short stories; the exclusion of books of interest primarily to juveniles or young adults, but the inclusion of negative characters, women who were anti-heroes. The most difficult factor to evaluate was whether the character (sometimes a spouse, lover or assistant) played a significant role. My decisions were inevitably subjective. Defining the mystery itself was a personal task as there were crossovers with science fiction, romance, westerns, and horror series. Other far more noteworthy researchers have defined mystery series differently than I did. For the errors, omissions and failure to properly evaluate an authors material, I accept full responsibility. I will welcome corrections and additions, hopefully of a kindly nature.

In order to make the work meaningful, I increased my knowledge of the social, legal, political and economic status of women over the past 140 years. That lent itself to a chronological approach that had both defects and advantages. It made it possible to document observable trends, but more difficult to locate sleuth biographies in the appropriate era.

This volume covers the female sleuths from 1860-1979. It will be followed by Volume II, 1980-1989;