Agatha Christie was a trailblazer in many ways. The British crime writer helped to popularize the mystery genre and was one of the most prominent female writers of her time. But she also challenged convention by having a woman as one of the main investigative minds in many of her novels. Miss Marple was an amateur sleuth who possessed a quick wit and was adept at uncovering the most complex of mysteries.
However, a lot of mystery novels through the years, and even to the present day, haven’t followed Christie’s lead and included female detectives in the role of chief case-crackers. Here are some female detectives who have bucked the trend though.
DCI Jane Tennison
It was a TV role made famous by Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren, but Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison began life on the pages of a novel by Lynda La Plante. Tennison first appears in the novel Prime Suspect and through a series of books, La Plante details her rise through the ranks despite the numerous challenges along the way.
DI Kate Burrows
Burrows first appears in acclaimed crime writer Martina Cole’s 1993 novel the Ladykiller. Detective Inspector Burrows must stand out in the male-dominated police force and possesses a tough demeanor and seriously intense work ethic to get her through. However, her personal life isn’t so straight-laced as she discovers that the man she has fallen love with is a notorious gangster.
Lisbeth Salandar
More in the amateur investigator role, Lisbeth Salandar is the creation of Swedish author Stieg Larsson and appears in the Dragon Tattoo series of books in which she uses her great intellect, hacking skills and resourcefulness to uncover corruption and violence against women.
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