List of female detective characters

This is a list of fictional female investigators from novels, short stories, radio, television, films and video games.

A

* Abigail Adams, future first lady, detects in 1770s Massachusetts in a series by Barbara Hambly (as Barbara Hamilton) began in 2009.
* Hilda Adams is a nurse who takes jobs to investigate, in series by Mary Roberts Rinehart, begun in 1914 with '' The Buckled Bag''; played by Joan Blondell in a Warner Bros. film, ''Miss Pinkerton'' (1932). Rinehart then adopted this movie nickname for use in her Adams stories.
* Portia Constance Adams is a Canadian amateur detective who mysteriously inherits the 221B Baker Street townhouse in 1930 in a book series by Canadian Angela Misri launched 2014.
* Riley Adams CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
* Laura Ackroyd is an investigative reporter who solves crimes in West Yorkshire with her boyfriend DCI Michael Thackery in a book series begun by Patricia Hall (Maureen O’Connor) in 1994.
* Irene Adler is an opera singer in the short story " A Scandal in Bohemia" by Arthur Conan Doyle begun in 1891; later appeared as a Pinkerton detective in a series of books by Carole Nelson Douglas begun in 1990, played by Charlotte Rampling in ''Sherlock Holmes in New York'' (1976 film); by Anne Baxter in ''The Masks of Death'' (1984 TV movie); by Gayle Hunnicutt in ''Sherlock Holmes'' (1984 TV series pilot); by Morgan Fairchild in ''Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady'' (1992 TV movie); by Rachel McAdams in ''Sherlock Holmes'' (2009 film); by Lara Pulver in Sherlock (TV series, 2010-); by Natalie Dormer''
* Adelia Aguilar is a medieval forensic specialist in a series by Diana Norman (writing as Ariana Franklin) (2006-2010).
* Flavia Albia spin-off book series of Lindsey Davis' successful series featuring private investigator Marcus Didius Falco. Flavia Albia, his adopted daughter, has grown from a troubled teenager to a feisty widow and who is an investigator in her own right. The series begins in 89AD, shifting the background from the reign of jovial Vespasian to the darker time of his paranoid son Domitian.
* Louisa May Alcott, not yet a famous writer, takes to sleuthing in a series by Jeanne Mackin (writing as 'Anna Maclean') begun in 2004.
* Claire Aldington is an Episcopalian priest and psychologist in New York City in a five-book series by Isabelle Holland (1984-1990).
* Finny Aletter is a stockbroker in two books by Yvonne Montgomery (1987–1990).
* Nikki Alexander is a forensic anthropologist/ pathologist played by Emilia Fox (2004–) in the BBC thriller series Silent Witness by Nigel McCrery (1996-).
* Jaime Allen is a patrolwoman/undercover cop in ''Dark Blue (TV series)'' (2009–10).
* Becky Altringer is a private investigator in California and New Mexico who exposed the Motion Picture Association of America in This Film is not yet Rated.
* Angela Amalfi is a food critic in a culinary mystery series by Joanne Pence begun in 1993.
* Cherry Ames is a nurse in 27 mysteries (1943–1968), some by Helen Wells and others by Julie Campbell Tatham. The nurse theme was inspired by World War II.
* Anaya is an Asari detective in Nos Astra on the planet Illium in the video game ''Mass Effect 2''.
* Leanne "Pepper" Anderson (played by Angie Dickinson) is a police detective on the NBC ''Police Woman (TV series)'' (1974–1978).
* Angela Anderson (played by Abigail Spencer) is an FBI agent on Lifetime TV series ''Angela's Eyes'' (2006).
*Karen Andersen is a London PI who goes undercover to investigate Jihadi brides in a series by Louise Burfitt-Dons starting with "The Missing Activist" in 2018
* Mici Anhalt is an investigator for the NYC Crime Victims Compensation Board in three novels by Lillian O'Donnell beginning with "Aftershock" in 1977.
* Callie Anson is an Anglican cleric in novels by US-born and UK-based Kate Charles begun in 2005, after having debuted in a 2002 short story.
* Susanna, Lady Appleton is a 16th-century gentlewoman and herbalist in a series by Kathy Lynn Emerson begun in 1997.
* Katherine Ardleigh is a sleuth in Victorian England in a series by Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert (writing as 'Robin Paige') begun in 1994.
* Sarah Armstrong is a criminal profiler and Texas Ranger in a series by Kathryn Casey begun in 2008.
* Jessie Arnold is a champion Alaskan dog sled racer who solves crimes with boyfriend Alex Jensen, a state trooper, in a series by Sue Henry begun in 1991.
* Carol Ashton is an Australian Detective Inspector in a series by Claire McNab begun in 1988.
* Lady Emily Ashton (later Lady Emily Hargreaves) is a Victorian aristocrat in a series by Tasha Alexander begun in 2005.
* Kate "Ash" Ashurst (played by Caroline Catz) is a Detective Inspector on ITV series ''Murder in Suburbia'' (2004–05).
* Beth Austen is an Illinois English professor appearing in Mark Twain, George Eliot and Charles Dickens novels by Edith Skom (1989–1998).
* Jane Austen, the novelist, is a sleuth in a series by Stephanie Barron (a.k.a. Francine Mathews), begun in 1996.
* 'Cat' Fortunati Austen is a Sicilian-American Jersey Shore entertainment reporter, a cop's widow and baby sister to six brothers - five cops and one priest - in a series by Jane Rubino begun in 1995.

B

* Molly Morganthau Babbits is an amateur detective who picks up clues in her job as switchboard operator (''The Girl at Central'', 1915) and subsequently occasionally works as an undercover private eye for a team of lawyers in books by Geraldine Bonner.
* Kate Baeier is a journalist and private investigator in London in a series by Gillian Slovo begun in 1984.
* Renée Ballard is an LAPD detective who works “the late show” out of the Hollywood Station in a series by novelist Michael Connelly. The series includes '' The Late Show'' (2017), '' Dark Sacred Night'' (2018), and '' The Night Fire'' (2019).
* Lily Bard is a cleaning woman and karate expert in Shakespeare, Arkansas, in a series by Charlaine Harris begun in 1996.
* Natalie Barnes is the owner manager of a Bed and Breakfast on an island off the coast of Maine in a cozy series by Karen MacInerney begun in 2006.
* Carolyn Barek is a New York City detective (played by Annabella Sciorra) on the NBC series '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' (2005–06).
* Temple Barr is a public-relations consultant and amateur detective in the ''Midnight Louie'' series by Carole Nelson Douglas begun in 1992.
* Vicki Barr, flight stewardess, is the heroine in a series of 16 mystery books for girls, published 1947–1964, by Helen Wells and Julie Campbell Tatham.
* Hercule Barton (エルキュール・バートン Erukyūru Bāton?), named after Hercule Poirot, is one of four girl detectives at the Milky Holmes Detective Agency. Her special gift ("Toy") is superhuman strength. They work to combat people who use their gifts for evil in various products by the Tantei Opera Milky Holmes media franchise.
* Friday Barnes.
* Alma Bashears is an attorney called home to Appalachia after her brother is arrested for murder, at the outset of the Appalachian Trilogy (published 1997–2003) by Tess Collins.
* Bast is a graphic artist by day, and an active urban Witch in her private life, who solves murders within the Pagan community in a series of three books by Rosemary Edghill, beginning in 1994.
* Lucille "Lucy" Bates is an Eastern city police officer (later sergeant) played by Betty Thomas on the NBC series ''Hill Street Blues'' from 1981 to 1987.
* China Bayles is an herbalist and ex-lawyer in a series by Susan Wittig Albert begun in 1992.
* Madeline Bean is a Hollywood caterer who solves murders in a series by Jerrilyn Farmer begun in 1998.
* Amanda and Lutie Beagle are spinster sisters who inherit a detective agency in two books (1940 and 1941) by Torrey Chansler (writing as Marjorie Torrey) better known as a children's author and illustrator.
* Olivia Beaumann is an amateur sleuth in an Australian culinary series by Goldie Alexander begun in 2002.
* Danielle "Dani" Beck is a New York City detective (played by Connie Nielsen) on the NBC series '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (2006).
* Jo Beckett is a ‘deadshrinker’ or forensic psychiatrist brought in to examine the lives of murder victims to look for reasons for their deaths, in a series of books by Meg Gardiner begun in 2008.
* Kate Beckett is a New York City homicide detective (played by Stana Katic) on the ABC series ''Castle'' (2009-2016).
* Jane Bee is a housemaid in the Royal Household in three books by Douglas Whiteway (writing as C.C. Benison) begun in 1996.
* Trixie Belden is a girl-detective starring in a multi-author series created by Julie Campbell Tatham (debuted 1948; last book 1986).
* Fran Belding is a detective (played by Elizabeth Baur) on "Ironside" (1971–75).
* Annika Bengtzon is a crime reporter in a series by Swedish writer Liza Marklund begun in 1998.
* Olivia Benson is a New York City detective (played by Mariska Hargitay) on the NBC series '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (1999-).
* Tuppence Beresford solves crimes with husband Tommy in a series of novels and short-stories by Agatha Christie debuting in 1922. The Secret Adversary, the book which introduced the detectives, became a silent film in 1929, filmed in German and with character names changed - Tuppence became Lucienne Fereoni, played by Eve Gray. Tuppence was subsequently played by Francesca Annis in Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime (1983–1984); by Greta Scacchi in a 2006 episode of Agatha Christie's Marple where the detectives join forces; and by Catherine Frot in French film adaptations 2005 and 2008.
* Fredrika Bergman is a civilian working with a police unit in Sweden in this series by Kristina Ohlsson. Books in the series are: Unwanted, Silenced, The Disappeared and Hostage.
* Siri Bergman is a psychologist with problems of her own in this series by sisters Camilla Grebe and Asa Traff. Set in Sweden, books in the series are: Some Kind of Peace and More Bitter Than Death.
* Myka Ophelia Bering is a Secret Service agent (played by Joanne Kelly) on the Syfy series ''Warehouse 13'' (2009–).
* Jill Bernhardt is a Deputy DA and one of the four women crime solvers in 'The Women's Murder Club' books by James Patterson; played by Laura Harris on the 2007-2008 ABC series '' Women's Murder Club''.
* Mirabelle Bevan is an ex-Secret Service agent turned debt collector who solves mysteries in a series set in 1950s Brighton by Scottish author Sara Sheridan begun in 2012.
* Verity Birdwood is a TV researcher who solves murders in six books by Australian Jennifer Rowe (1987–1995).
* Eleanor Raye "Ellie" Bishop a former analyst for the NSA and who is now a Probationary Agent with NCIS played by Emily Wickersham
* Modesty Blaise retires from the underworld and puts her unusual skills to work assisting British Intelligence and others in a comic series (1963–2001), three films (1966, 1982, 2003), and a series of novels and short stories beginning in 1965.
* Anita Blake is a vampire hunter in a fantasy series by Laurell K. Hamilton begun in 1993.
* Clare Blake is the Commander of a detective murder squad (played by Amanda Burton) in the British TV series The Commander on ITV (2003-2008).
* Eliza Blake is a TV anchor and sleuth is a series by Mary Jane Clark begun in 1998.
* Naomi Blake is a blind ex-policewoman who solves crimes with her policeman husband, Alex, in a British series by Jane Adams begun in 2005.
* Antonia "Ant" Blakeley is a tango instructor and dancer who solves crimes in two books by Lisa Fernow begun in 2014.
* Ursula Blanchard is a young widow and lady-in-waiting at the court of Queen Elizabeth I in a book series by Valerie Anand (writing as Fiona Buckley) begun in 1998.
* Torchy Blane is a spunky girl detective, played by Glenda Farrell, in a series of 1930s movies.
* Vicky Bliss is an art historian in a book series by Barbara Mertz beginning in 1973 with ''Borrower of the Night''.
* Molly Blume is an Orthodox Jewish true-crime reporter and author who appears in a series of books by Rochelle Majer Krich (2002–2005).
* Kensi Blye is an NCIS Special Agent (played by Daniela Ruah) on " NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–).
* Judy Bolton is a "girl-detective" in a series created by Margaret Sutton in 1932. She has been called a "more complex and believable role model for girls." While never quite as popular as Nancy Drew, the series lasted through 1968 with 38 sequential titles/adventures.
* Stella Bonasera is a crime scene investigator (played by Melina Kanakaredes) on the CBS series ''CSI: NY'' (2004–2010).
* Lacy Bond is a detective played by Sondra Currie in the 1974 film Policewomen.
* Theolinda "Dol" Bonner was a private detective in '' The Hand in the Glove'' and several Nero Wolfe mysteries created by Rex Stout (debuted in 1937). Her first name is really Theodolinda, from which the Dol comes. See "Nero Wolfe of West Thirty-Fifth Street" by William S. Baring-Gould, Viking 1969.
* Laura Bow is a Tulane University student and daughter of a detective in the 1920s, and the player character in Sierra On-Line's 1989 computer game " The Colonel's Bequest" and its 1992 sequel "The Dagger of Amon Ra."
* Lindsay Boxer is a police detective in the '' Women's Murder Club'' series by James Patterson (debuted 2001); played by Angie Harmon on the 2007-2008 ABC series '' Women's Murder Club''.
* Rosemary Boxer is a gardener and amateur sleuth with her business partner Laura Thyme in the UK television series Rosemary and Thyme (2003–2006).
* Joanna Brady is a sheriff in Cochise County, Arizona in a series by J. A. Jance begun in 1993.
* Beatrice Adela Lestrange Bradley is an elderly private detective and polymath psychoanalyst in a series of 65 novels by Gladys Mitchell begun in 1929. Diana Rigg starred in a 1998-1999 BBC television series based on the books.
* Bo Bradley is a bipolar child abuse investigator in San Diego, California in a series by Abigail Padgett (1993–1997).
* Nell Bray is a suffragette in a series by Gillian Linscott begun in 1991.
* Aya Brea is a New York City police detective in the 1998 video game '' Parasite Eve'' and its 2000 sequel ''Parasite Eve II''.
* Temperance Daesee Brennan is a forensic anthropologist in a series of novels by Kathy Reichs begun in 1997; played by Emily Deschanel on the Fox series '' Bones'' (2005–2017).
* Amy Brewster is an upper class, overweight lawyer and financier who solves crimes for her friends in three books by Sam Merwin Jr. (1945–46).
* Lily Brewster runs a guest house in New York with her brother Robert in a series by Jill Churchill begun in 1999.
* Sydney Bristow is a CIA agent (played by Jennifer Garner) on the ABC series ''Alias'' (2001-2006).
* Charlotte Brontë, the author, sleuths in a series by Laura Joh Rowland begun in 2008.
* Loveday Brooke is an early "lady detective" created by Catherine Louisa Pirkis (debuted 1894). In the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the story "The Redhill Sisterhood", she was played by Gayanne Potter and in "The Mystery of Redstone Manor" (an original story by Chris Harrald) on the BBC Radio 4 series ''The Rivals'' she was played by Honeysuckle Weeks.
* Verity Browne is a left-wing journalist who sleuths with Lord Edward Corinth in a 10-book cosy series set in the period between WWI and WW2 by David Roberts (2001-2009).
* Anita Burgess is an operative with the Douglass Detective Agency in the novella ''Sign Of The Dragon'' by C. M. Eddy, Jr. published by ''Mystery Magazine'' in 1919.
* Sarah Burke is a Tucson homicide detective in a police procedural series by Elizabeth Gunn begun in 2008.
* Aiden Burn was a New York City detective and forensic scientist played by Vanessa Ferlito on the CBS series " CSI:NY" (2004–05).
* Mary Louise Burrows is a 15-year-old who sets out to prove her grandfather not guilty of treason, in ''Mary Louise'' (1916) by L. Frank Baum (author of ''The Wizard of Oz'') under the pseudonym Edith Van Dyne. This was the first in a series of ten stories for adolescents known as The Bluebird Books in which Mary Louise and her friend Josie O'Gormon take on tough challenges.
* Amelia Butterworth is a nosy society spinster who assists Ebenezer Gryce of the New York Metropolitan Police Force in "That Affair Next Door" (1897) and three other novels by detective fiction pioneer Anna Katharine Green.

C

* Chamki Detective is Chamki's alter ego from ''Galli Galli Sim Sim'', India's version of ''Sesame Street''. As Chamki Detective, she loves to find and solve interesting mysteries on the Galli.
* Christine Cagney (Sharon Gless) is a New York City police detective on CBS series ''Cagney & Lacey'' 1982–1988.
* Jenny Cain is the director of a philanthropic foundation in a series by Nancy Pickard begun 1984–1995.
* Miranda Callendar is a detective on the BBC One '' Jekyll'' 2007.
* Anna Cameron is a Glasgow police sergeant in a series by Scottish Karen Campbell begun 2008.
* Letitia 'Tish' Carberry was embroiled in comic adventures in short stories in the ''Saturday Evening Post'', and from 1911 in books, by Mary Roberts Rinehart.
* Carlotta Carlyle is a 6'1" former Boston city cop turned private detective in a series by Linda Barnes (writer) begun 1987.
* Caroline Carmichael is a CIA intelligence analyst in a series of books by Francine Mathews who held such a job herself for some years.
* Mary Carner is a store detective in five books by Zelda Popkin 1938–1942.
* Sandra Carpenter (Lucille Ball) is an American dancer in London who helps police investigate the death of a friend in film Lured 1947.
* CeCe Caruso is an LA based biographer of crime writers and film makers who becomes involved in mysteries in the course of her work, in a series by Susan Kandel.
* Emily Castles is an amateur sleuth in a British mystery series by Helen Smith.
* Jordan Cavanaugh is a forensic pathologist played by Jill Hennessy in the NBC series ''Crossing Jordan'' 2001–2007.
* Lady Grace Cavendish is a 13-year-old girl at Queen Elizabeth I's court, in a series for children by Patricia Finney, but with author credit given to 'Lady Grace'.
* Laura Caxton is a Pennsylvania State Trooper turned vampire hunter in a fantasy series by David Wellington (debuted 2006).
* Lois Cayley is an adventurous young woman in an early mystery novel by Grant Allen (1899).
* Catherine Chandler is a NYPD detective played by Kristin Kreuk in ''Beauty & the Beast''.
* Corinna Chapman runs a bakery in Melbourne and solves neighbourhood puzzles in a series commenced 2004 by Australian Kerry Greenwood.
* Nora Charles is a Nob Hill heiress married to Nick Charles, a retired Pinkerton detective. The pair solves a crime in ''The Thin Man'' by Dashiell Hammett and in the successful movie of the book, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Five movie sequels to "The Thin Man" were made, followed by radio and television series. Witty banter between husband and wife was a hallmark of the book and films.
* Annabeth Chase is a criminal prosecutor, played by Jennifer Finnigan, in the television series '' Close to Home'', broadcast on CBS 2005–2007.
* Lydia Chin is a private detective in New York City with partner Bill Smith in a series of books by American novelist S. J. Rozan (debuted 1994).
* Denise Cleever is an undercover agent in a series of books by Australian crime novelist Claire McNab (debuted 2000).
* Nancy Clue is an amateur detective and lesbian parody of Nancy Drew in a series of books by American crime novelist Mabel Maney (debuted 1992).
* Phyl Coe was a 'beautiful lady detective' in ''Philco's Mysteries of the Air'', a radio program sponsored by Philco Radio Tubes in 1936. The next season the detective was changed to a man, Phil Coe.
* Nikki Collins is a debutante and detective story enthusiast, played by Deanna Durbin, who sees a murder from a train in the comedic mystery film Lady on a Train (1945).
* Kat Colorado is a private investigator in Sacramento, California in a series of books by American crime novelist Karen Kijewski (debuted 1989).
* Harper Connelly is an investigator in a series of books by American crime novelist Charlaine Harris (debuted 2005).
* Gail Connor is an attorney based in Miami, Florida who works cases with her lover Anthony Quintana. The series was written by Barbara Parker and first appeared in 1994.
* Natalie Cook (Cameron Diaz) is a private detective in the 2000 film ''Charlie's Angels'' and sequel '' Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'' 2003.
* Bertha Cool is a private investigator in the '' Cool and Lam'' series by American A. A. Fair 1939–1970; Jane Darwell in a lost 1955 TV show based on 1939 debut ''The Bigger They Come''; Benay Venuta in pilot based loosely on ''Turn On The Heat'' 1958, perhaps never aired.
* Alexandra Cooper is a Manhattan prosecutor in a series by American Linda Fairstein begun 1996.
* Beka (Rebekah) Cooper is a King's Provost Guard who can talk to spirits, polices the fantasy kingdom Tortall in the Provost's Dog trilogy by Tamora Pierce 2006–2011.
* Iris Cooper is a flapper-era college student in Oregon who solves crimes with journalist Jack Clancy in three books 1984–1989 by K. K. Beck (also writes Jane Da Silva series).
* Miranda Corbie is a private investigator in San Francisco, California in the 1940s in a series by American Kelli Stanley begun 2010.
* Meg Corey is an amateur sleuth whose adventures start after she inherits a colonial house and apple orchard in a series by Sheila Connolly begun 2008.
* Maureen Coughlin is a former Staten Island native who becomes a police officer in New Orleans in a series by Bill Loehfelm begun 2006.
* Miranda "Randy" Craig is an amateur sleuth who solves mysteries related to academe in Edmonton in a series by Janice MacDonald begun 1994.
* Bess Crawford is the daughter of military man and a battlefield nurse in World War I in a series by Charles Todd begun 2009.
* Lady Lara Croft is an English archaeologist explorer who finds missing artifacts and fights danger in Tomb Raider games begun 1996 and '' Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'' films begun 2001.
* Stella Crown a biker and dairy farmer in Pennsylvania solves mysteries in a series by Judy Clemens.
* Florence Cusack is a young lady detective in stories by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace 1899–1900; played by Elizabeth Conboy in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the story "Mr. Bovey's Unexpected Will".

D

* Daisy Dalrymple is a journalist, married to a Detective Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, in a historical mystery series commenced 1994 by Carola Dunn, are adventurous orphaned sisters living in a boarding school, in a series 1934–1979 by the Stratemeyer Syndicate most famous for creating the Nancy Drew mysteries.
* Kathryn Dance is an agent with the California Bureau of Investigation and an expert in body language, in Monterey, California, in two novels 2006 and 2007 by Jeffery Deaver.
* Jo Danville is a New York City police detective and former FBI Special Agent played by Sela Ward on the CBS series '' CSI: New York'' 2010 to 2013.
* Ziva David is a former agent of the Israeli Mossad and an agent of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service played by Cote de Pablo on the CBS series '' NCIS'' from 2005 to present.
* Charmian Daniels is a detective in a series of books by English crime novelist Jennie Melville (debuted 1962).
* Eve Dallas is a New York City police lieutenant in the 21st century in the ... in Death series of books by American novelist J. D. Robb (debuted 1995).
* Mrs Elizabeth Darcy (née Bennet) from Jane Austen's ''Pride and Prejudice'' sleuths with her husband is a series by Carrie A. Bebris debuted 2004 with "Pride and Prescience".
* Elizabeth Darcy is a sleuth in the 2011 novel ''Death Comes to Pemberley'' by P. D. James.
* Phoebe Daring is a 16-year-old who sets out to prove her twin brother Phil is innocent of bank fraud in '' The Daring Twins: A Story for Young Folk'' (1911) by L. Frank Baum and likewise defends another innocent man in Phoebe Daring (1912).
* Jane Da Silva is an expatriate lounge singer and widow who returns to Seattle after her uncle leaves her money on the condition that she solves hopeless cases, in a book series started 1993 by K. K. Beck who also wrote the Iris Cooper and Jack Clancy series.
* Dorcas Dene is a young lady detective who works with a private investigator to support her mother and husband in two series of short stories by George R Sims, 1897 and 1898.
* Chloe Decker is the lead female Detective in the Fox TV show Lucifer.
* Hailey Dean is a prosecutor in the novel ''The Eleventh Victim'' by American television commentator Nancy Grace (debuted 2009).
* Kate Delafield is a lesbian LAPD homicide detective in an occasionally romantic eight-book series by Katherine V. Forrest (debuted 1984).
* Evan Delaney is a lawyer turned freelance journalist in a series by Meg Gardiner commenced 2002 with "China Lake".
* Sarah Booth Delaney is a modern, impoverished, southern belle in a series by Carolyn Haines, commenced 1999 with ''Them Bones''.
* Elena Delgado is an FBI agent played by Roselyn Sanchez on the CBS series ''Without a Trace'' from 2005 to 2009.
* Jade del Cameron, an American rancher's daughter who has served as an ambulance driver in WWI, is the protagonist of Suzanne Arruda's historical mystery series set in 1920s Africa.
* Sister Mary Teresa (Emtee) Dempsey detects in a series by Ralph McInerney, author of the Father Dowling mysteries, writing as 'Monica Quill', begun 1981.
* Bo Dennis, from the Canadian television series ''Lost Girl''.
* Denver Doll called the "Detective Queen" is a dime novel hero by Edward Lytton Wheeler beginning in 1882 in Beadle's Dime Novels.
* Flavia de Luce is the curious, brilliantly scientific, morbid youngest daughter of motherless three girls in Buckshaw manor, who gets caught up in murders near the 1950s English village of Bishop's Lacey, aged 11 when Alan Bradley began a proposed six-book series with ''The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie'' in 2009.
* Anna Detroyer a Native American detective based in Miami, Florida, who investigates urban fantasy cases, created by Lela E. Buis.
* Claire De Witt is a pot smoking PI who uses dreams and omens to find the truth in New Orleans, by Sara Gran, the start of a new series begun 2011.
* Eve Diamond is an ''LA Times'' reporter in a book series by Denise Hamilton begun 2001.
* Rosa Diaz is a bad-ass detective in Brooklyn's 99th precinct in comedy show Brooklyn Nine-Nine
* Mary DiNunzio is a Philadelphia area attorney in the all female Rosato law firm headed by her mentor Bennie Rosato.
* Trixie Dixon, girl detective, is the fearless, hot and sassy partner—in banter and in business—of Black Jack Justice, created by Decoder Ring Theatre writer Gregg Taylor. "When it comes to detective work, Jack and Trixie agree on the facts. Clients cry, clients lie, clients dicker over the bill. But if they can cut to the happy ending without cutting each other's throats, it'll be a miracle!"
* Maisie Dobbs takes over a London private investigation agency after her mentor retires, familiar with psychology from his training and her nursing in WWI 1910–1929 for the Maisie Dobbs (novel) series by Jacqueline Winspear begun in 2003.
* Piper Donovan is a wedding caterer is a series by Mary Jane Clark.
* Alex Drake Keeley Hawes is a DI and psychologist in the BBC series Ashes to Ashes 2008–2010.
* Frankie Drake Lauren Lee Smith is the head of a private detective agency in prohibition-era Toronto, Canada, from the CBC television series '' Frankie Drake Mysteries'' 2017-.
* Jessie Drake is a divorced homicide detective in a series of novels by Rochelle Majer Krich begun 1993.
* Nancy Drew is one of the best-known "girl detectives", starring in a multi-authored series of books created by Edward Stratemeyer begun 1930. Played in film by Bonita Granville in ''Nancy Drew – Detective'' (1938), '' Nancy Drew... Reporter'' (1939), ''Nancy Drew: Trouble Shooter'' (1939), and '' Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase'' (1939); by Pamela Sue Martin and Janet Louise Johnson on the ABC series ''The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries'' from 1977 to 1978; by Maggie Lawson in the 2002 television movie ''Nancy Drew''; and by Emma Roberts in the 2007 film ''Nancy Drew''.
* Margaret "Meg" Duncan is a girl mystery solving series under publisher pseudonym Holly Beth Walker, illustrated by Cliff Shule 1967–1972.
* Sabrina "Bree" Duncan Kate Jackson is a private detective on the ABC series ''Charlie's Angels'' 1976–1979.
* Olivia Dunham Anna Torv is an FBI agent on Fox ''Fringe (TV series)'' 2008–2013.
* Constance Dunlap is a reformed thief and detective in a series of short stories by American crime novelist Arthur B. Reeve begun 1913.
* Calleigh Duquesne Emily Procter is a crime scene investigator in the CBS series ''CSI: Miami'' 2002–2012.

E

* Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) is a NYC detective on the NBC/ USA series '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' 2001–2010.
* Amber Eckart is a Seattle private investigator in a series of books by Eric Plume.
* Puck Ekstedt is a literature student from Stockholm in several novels by Dagmar Lange and the TV-series Crimes of Passion (TV series).
* Robin Ellacott is a London-based temp-turned-investigator in the Cormoran Strike series by J.K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith.

F

* Doran Fairweather is an antique dealer and amateur detective in a series of books by English novelist Mollie Hardwick (debuted 1986).
* Nola Falacci is a New York City detective played by Alicia Witt on the USA series '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' in 2007.
* Erica Falck is a biographer who teams up with her police detective husband in this Swedish series by Camilla Lackberg. Books in the series are: The Ice Princess, The Preacher, The Stonecutter, The Gallows Bird, The Hidden Child, The Drowning, The Lost Boy and Buried Angels.
* Kate Fansler is a literature professor and amateur sleuth in a series of books 1964–2002 by Amanda Cross.
* Brodie Farrell is a "finder" of lost objects in a series of books by British crime novelist Jo Bannister (debuted 2001).
* Clare Fergusson is an ex-army helicopter pilot and Episcopalian minister who solves crimes in a series by Julia Spencer-Fleming, commenced 2002.
* Sister Fidelma is a lawyer and religieuse in 7th-century Ireland in a series of books by "Peter Tremayne" (debuted 1994).
* Phryne Fisher is a wealthy aristocratic jazz age detective in a series of books by Australian crime novelist Kerry Greenwood (debuted 1991).
* Josephine Flanagan is an ex-junkie hired to track down a college girl in Hell's Kitchen in the 1950s, in Sara Gran's ''Dope'' (2006).
* Flavia Gemina is a rich girl in ancient Rome in The Roman Mysteries book series debuted 2001 by Caroline Lawrence and the BBC television series first broadcast 2007.
* Flavia Nubia is an African girl, and former slave, in ancient Rome in The Roman Mysteries book series debuted 2001 by Caroline Lawrence and the BBC television series first broadcast 2007.
* Jessica Fletcher is an author and amateur detective played by Angela Lansbury on the 1984–1996 CBS series ''Murder, She Wrote''.
* Meredith "Merry" Folger is a Nantucket police officer appearing from 1994 in a series of novels by Francine Mathews.
* Marianne Folkesson is a civil servant whose job it is to take care of the belongings of people who die without any next of kin. She appears in the standalone novel Shadow by author Karin Alvtegen. Set in Sweden.
* Solange Fontaine is a private investigator in short stories by F. Tennyson Jesse (1888–1958), also the author of ''A Pin to See the Peepshow'' and ''Murder and its Motives''.
* Maggie Forbes is a police Inspector in London, played by Jill Gascoine in ''The Gentle Touch'', a British TV series 1980–1984, as well as its follow-up ''C.A.T.S. Eyes'', 1985–1987.
* Ellie Foreman is a documentary filmmaker in Chicago in a series debuted 2002 by Libby Fischer Hellmann.
* Malin Fors is a 30-something divorced mother of a teenage daughter, and an ambitious detective inspector, in Linköping, Sweden in a series commenced 2007 by Mons Kallentoft.
* Sarah Fortune is a solicitor and freelance unpaid sex therapist who unravels mysteries that she finds around her in a series commenced 1989 by Frances Fyfield.
* Diana Fowley is an FBI agent played by Mimi Rogers on the Fox series ''The X-Files'' from 1998 to 1999.
* Charlie Fox is a personal protection agent and de facto detective in the book series written by British novelist Zoe Sharp.
* Nea Fox is a private investigator in a series of books by British-German crime novelist Amelia Ellis (debuted 2005).
* Dame Frevisse is a Benedictine nun in 15th-century Oxfordshire in a series of books by "Margaret Frazer" (debuted 1992).
* Joe Frye is a female detective first appearing in 2005 and now playing a leading role in P.J. Parrish's Louis Kincaid series.
* Erika Furudo is an amateur detective in the Umineko no Naku Koro ni series of visual novels (debuted 2009).

G

* Kelly Garrett is a private detective played by Jaclyn Smith on the 1976–1981 ABC series '' Charlies Angels'' and the 2003 film '' Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle''.
* Angela Gennaro is a private detective with partner Patrick Kenzie in Boston, MA in a series of books by American novelist Dennis Lehane (debuted 1994).
* Carol Ann Gibson is an attorney in Washington D.C. who becomes involved in investigations in a series of four books by Penny Mickelbury, commenced 1998.
* Stella Gibson is Detective Superintendent in the British-Irish crime drama series '' The Fall''.
* Gunnhildur Gisladottir is a police sergeant in Iceland in a series by English writer Quentin Bates, commencing with Frozen Assets (2011) (also published as Frozen Out).
* Mrs Gladden is the protagonist in Andrew Forrester Jr's ''The Female Detective'' (1864).
* Cordelia Glauca (コーデリア・グラウカ Kōderia Gurauka?) is a girl detective who can see and her things others cannot, working with the Milky Holmes Detective Agency to combat evil doers in various products of the Tantei Opera Milky Holmes media franchise.
* Gladys 'Gladdy' Gold is an ex-librarian and murder mystery fan, retired to Florida, who takes up sleuthing in a book series by Rita Lakin commenced 2005.
* Rachel Gold is a St. Louis-turned-Chicago defense attorney, series begins 1993.
* Ginny Gordon is a teenaged girl in a series of books 1948–1956 by Julie Campbell Tatham.
* Beverly Gray is the protagonist of the Beverly Gray Mystery Stories by Clair Blank.
* Cordelia Gray is private investigator in the 1972 novel ''An Unsuitable Job for a Woman'' and its 1982 sequel ''The Skull Beneath the Skin'', both by English crime novelist P. D. James. Gray was first played by Pippa Guard in the 1982 British film adaptation, and later by Helen Baxendale in the jointly-produced ITV/PBS television adaptation, the first series broadcast 1997 and the second in 1999.
* Hazel Green is a resourceful girl in four books for children 1999–2003, by Odo Hirsch.
* Sophie Greenway is the detective in a culinary mystery series of books by American crime novelist Ellen Hart (debuted 1994).
* Lady Julia Grey is a sleuth in Victorian Britain in historical mysteries by Deanna Raybourn commenced 2007.
* Tammy Gregorio is an FBI Special Agent in the series NCIS: New Orleans, played by Vanessa Ferlito
* Fiona Griffiths is a Welsh police detective in this series by Harry Bingham. She has a rare condition called Cotard's Syndrome, in which the sufferer is so detached from the world that they believe they are dead. Books in the series are: Talking to the Dead; Love Story, With Murders; and The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths.
* Thóra Gudmundsdóttir is an Icelandic lawyer and detective in a series of books by Icelandic crime novelist Yrsa Sigurðardóttir (debuted 2005).

H

* Jane Halifax Rebecca Gibney is a forensic psychiatrist on the Nine Network series ''Halifax f.p.'' 1994–2002.
* Grace Hanadarko Holly Hunter is an Oklahoma City police detective in TNT series '' Saving Grace'' 2007–2010.
* Emily Hanson is a geologist and amateur investigator in a series of books by American geologist and crime novelist Sarah Andrews begun 1994.
* Sigrid Harald is a police lieutenant in New York City in a series of books by American crime writer Margaret Maron begun 1981.
* Myrtle Hardcastle is a 12-year-old amateur sleuth and aspiring detective in 1890s Victorian England in the series of novels by Elizabeth C. Bunce, first appearing in ''Premeditated Myrtle'' in 2020. She solves murder mysteries partnering with her governess Ada Judson and cat Peony.
* Stella Hardesty is a middle-aged woman in rural Missouri who runs a sewing shop and helps women with abusive husbands and boyfriends, having killed her own husband a few years before by Sophie Littlefield begun 2009.
* Benni Harper is a folk art museum curator and amateur detective in San Celina, California in a book series by American writer Earlene Fowler begun 1994.
* Nikki Harper is a realtor in Hollywood who becomes an amateur sleuth to help a friend in trouble, in ''The Bad Always Die Twice'' by Cheryl Crane.
* Grace Hart Sandra Bullock is an FBI agent in film '' Miss Congeniality'' 2000, and sequel '' Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous'' 2005.
* Ellie Haskell is an amateur detective in a series of books by English crime novelist Dorothy Cannell begun 1984.
* Barbara Havers is a policewoman in a series of books by American crime novelist Elizabeth George begun 1988; played by Sharon Small on the BBC series '' The Inspector Lynley Mysteries'' 2001–2007.
* Julie Hayes is a young woman mixed up in dramas on the seedy side of Manhattan, in a series of four books by Dorothy Salisbury Davis 1976–1987.
* Madelyn "Maddie" Hayes (Cybill Shepherd), private investigator, owns Blue Moon Detective Agency with detective David Addison Jr (Bruce Willis) ABC Moonlighting (TV series) 1985–1989.
* Tamara Hayle is an ex-policewoman and private investigator in Newark, N.J. in a series by Valerie Wilson Wesley begun 1994.
* Judy Hill is a policewoman in a series of books by British crime novelist Jill McGown (1947–2007) begun 1983.
* Nikki Hill is a prosecutor in Los Angeles in a series by Christopher Darden and Dick Lochte begun 1999.
* Nikki Heat is a fictional homicide detective in New York City for the series of books inspired by NYPD homicide detective Kate Beckett, partner to fictional murder mystery author Richard Castle, a character on the Castle (TV series), begun 2009.
* Igi Heitmann is a graduate student in psychology who decides to investigate her private detective father's final case in this series by Pernille Rigg set in Norway. Books in the series are: The Butterfly Effect and The Golden Section.
* Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye is a 12th-century abbess who solves crimes with the help of knight Josse d'Acquin in a series by Alys Clare begun 1999.
* Dixie Hemingway is an ex-policewoman and pet sitter in Sarasota Florida in a series by Blaize Clement (1932–2011) begun 2005.
* Dido Hoare is an antique bookseller and amateur detective in a series of books by Canadian crime novelist Marianne Macdonald begun 1996.
* Vicky Holden is an Arapaho lawyer in the Wind River Reservation book series by Margaret Coel begun 1995.
* Emma Hollis is an FBI Special Agent played by Klea Scott on the Fox series ''Millennium'' 1998–1999.
* Barbara Holloway is an attorney in Eugene, Oregon, in a mystery series by Kate Wilhelm begun 1991.
* Patricia Anne Hollowell is a retired school teacher in Alabama in the 'southern sisters' series by Anne George (died 2001) 1996–2001.
* Charlotte Holmes attributes her detective activities to a mythical brother "Sherlock" in a historical mystery romance series by Sherry Thomas beginning with A Study in Scarlet Women, 2016.
* Enola Holmes is the 14-year-old sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes and has run away from boarding school to make a living as a finder of missing persons in as book series for children grades 6–9 by Nancy Springer begun 2007. She is also the protagonist of the 2020 Netflix film, Enola Holmes
* Shirley Holmes is the great-grandniece of Sherlock Holmes and a 12-year-old amateur sleuth in the Canadian mystery television series The Adventures of Shirley Holmes.
* Laura Holt is the head of the Remington Steele Agency, played by Stephanie Zimbalist in the TV series Remington Steele 1982–1987.
* Sandra Hope is a real life expert female private investigator featured as a Sex Decoy on Fox Reality Channels 'Sex Decoy Love Stings' begun 2008.
* Elfie Hopkins played by Jaime Winstone is an aspiring teen detective who isn't afraid to fight violence with violence in the 2012 film of the same name.
* Lili Hoshizawa is an energetic 13 year old who uses horoscopes and astrology to solve crimes, and sometimes transforms into 'Detective Spica', in the manga Zodiac P.I. 2001–2003.
* Jeri Howard is a private investigator in Oakland, California in a series by Janet Dawson begun 1990.
* Robin Hudson is a "third-string correspondent" and amateur investigator in a series of books by Canadian journalist and crime novelist Sparkle Hayter 1994–2002.
*Cissy Huntington is a Los Angeles interior designer to the rich and famous turned amateur sleuth when she finds her Beverly Hills client dead in the library. Blood Red and Iced Blue are the first two in the murder mystery series by Sherri Leigh James began in 2019.
* Jessica Huntington a lawyer turned amateur sleuth in the Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series of books by mystery writer Anna Celeste Burke, commencing with A Dead Husband (2103).
* Irene Huss is a police detective in novels by Swedish writer Helene Tursten 1998–2007. Books in the series are: Detective Inspector Huss, The Torso, The Glass Devil, Night Rounds, The Golden Calf, The Fire Dance and The Beige Man

I

* Sonya Iverson is a NYC news producer in a series of books by Australian fashion journalist Elsa Klensch begun 2004.
* Bonnie Indermill is a NYC office temp series by Carole Berry begun 1987.
* Dr. Maura Isles is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Chief Medical Examiner and a forensic expert working at the Boston Police Department in books by Tess Gerritsen begun ''The Apprentice'' 2002; played by Sasha Alexander on TV ''Rizzoli & Isles'' 2010–2016.
* Hannah Ives is a Chesapeake Bay area breast-cancer survivor in series by Marcia Talley begun 1999.
* Kate Ivory is an Oxford romance writer in series by Veronica Stallwood begun 1994.

J

* Jill Jackson is a Sydney cop in series by Leah Giarratano begun 2007.
* Bella James is an actress/amateur sleuth in a series of books by Canadian author Alexis Koetting begun 2015.
* Gemma James is a Scotland Yard detective in a series by American Deborah Crombie begun 1993.
* Smilla Qaaviqaaq Jaspersen is an isolated woman, who doesn't accept the police conclusion that a neighbour boy's death is accidental and investigates it herself, in Danish author Peter Hoeg's ''Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow'' (1992).
* Mrs Jeffries is a housekeeper to Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon in Victorian England who leads the staff to solve his cases in a series by Emily Brightwell begun 1993.
* Jane Jeffry is a Chicago widow with three children who solves murders in a series by Jill Churchill begun 1989.
* Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) is the Deputy Chief in the Major Crimes Division at Los Angeles TNT series ''The Closer'' 2005–2012.
* Vivian Johnson (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) is an FBI agent on the CBS series ''Without a Trace'' 2002–2009.
* Casey Jones is an unlicensed PI and ex-con, tough and brash, in a series by Katy Munger (co-creator of sexual '' Tart Noir'') begun 1997.
* Jessica Jones is a New York private detective and journalist and former superhero, the main protagonist of the Marvel comic series Alias (2001–04) and The Pulse (2004–06), and has subsequently appeared in The Avengers and other titles. She is married to Luke Cage. It is notable that most of her back-story is retconned into the history of other characters such as Spider-Man.
* Lena Jones is a private investigator and former policewoman in western U.S. in a series by Betty Webb begun 2001.
* Jimm Juree is a Thai crime reporter forced to return to a rural area to look after her mother and the rest of her family, in a series by Colin Cotterill begun 2011.
* Charlotte Justice is an African-American Los Angeles Police Department Detective in a series by African-American Paula L. Woods begun 1999.
* Jennifer Jareau, Criminal Minds

K

* Julia Kalas is a poorly reformed criminal sent to central Texas by Federal Witness Protection in ''Nine Days'' and ''South of Nowhere'' by Minerva Koenig. The series debuted in 2013.
* Sarah Keate, a nurse by profession, is the only recurring sleuth created by longtime, prolific mystery novelist Mignon G. Eberhart. (Susan Dare, a fictional mystery author who appears in a collection of Eberhart short stories, is generally not considered a "recurring" character.) Keate is featured in Eberhart's first five novels, beginning in 1929, and also appears in some 1930s Hollywood films. In the mid-1930s, Eberhart shifted her focus to standalone mysteries, and she brought back Keate only twice in the remaining 55 years of her career.
* Sarah Kelling is a Beacon Hill, Boston amateur in ''The Family Vault'' (Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn Mystery #1) by Charlotte MacLeod begun 1979.
* Irene Kelly is a reporter in ''Goodnight Irene'' by Jan Burke, begun 1992.
* Kitty Keene is a former chorus girl in '' Kitty Keene, Inc.'' a radio show first broadcast 1937 in Chicago. Played successively by: Beverly Younger, Gail Henshaw and Fran Carlon.
* Kylie Kendall lesbian, former Australian bartender, inherits a private LA detective agency in ''The Wombat Strategy'' 2004 by Claire McNab, also known for Claire Ashton and Denise Cleever series.
* Maeve Kerrigan is an Irish police detective on the London Metropolitan Police force in a series by Jane Casey. The series debuted in 2010.
* Joanne Kilbourn is a Saskatchewan political advisor, later political science prof and commentator by Gail Bowen begun 1990. Six of the books were made into movies for television, by Shaftesbury Films and CTV.
* Sally Kimball was bodyguard and assistant to '' Encyclopedia Brown'' in the children's book series by Donald J. Sobol, which began in 1963.
* Sammy Keyes is the protagonist of the mystery series Sammy Keyes, by Wendelin Van Draanen.
* Samantha Kinsey is young owner of a mystery bookshop, and amateur sleuth, played by Kellie Martin, in Mystery Woman, a US series of made for TV movies debuted 2003.
* Jacqueline Kirby is a librarian, then romance novelist, in four books by Barbara Mertz published 1971, 1974, 1984 and 1989.
* Kyoko Kirigiri is the Ultimate, or Super Highschool Level Detective in the visual novel series ''Danganronpa'', started in 2010 with '' Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc''.
* Jill Kirkendall is a New York City detective played by Andrea Thompson on the ABC series ''NYPD Blue'' from 1996 to 2000.
* Abby Knight runs a flower shop in Indiana in a cozy series by Kate Collins, commenced 2004.
* Micky Knight is a New Orleans lesbian private investigator in a series by Jean M. Redmann, commenced 1990 with Death by The Riverside.
* Wendy Knight is a female detective in the Knight & Culverhouse series of books by Adam Croft, commenced 2011 with Too Close For Comfort.
* Deborah Knott is a judge and daughter of a North Carolina bootlegger in a series of books by American crime novelist Margaret Maron (debuted 1992).
* Maria Krause is a forensic scientist in Denmark in this intense, dark and disturbing novel by Susanne Staun.

L

* Magdalene La Batarde is a whoremistress in 12th century London in books by Roberta Gellis also writer of historical romances.
* Mary Beth Lacey ( Tyne Daly) is a New York City police detective on CBS series ''Cagney & Lacey'' 1982–1988.
* Skip Langdon is a former debutante turned New Orleans police officer in a series by Julie Smith (novelist), begun ''New Orleans Mourning'' 1990.
* Meg Langslow is a Yorktown Virginia blacksmith in a comic murder series of books by Donna Andrews (author) begun 1999.
* Charlotte La Rue 59, is a New Orleans house cleaner in a series by Barbara Colley begun 2002.
* Lauren Laurano is a lesbian New York PI in ''Everything You Have is Mine'' #1 by Sandra Scoppettone 1991–1999.
* Jane Lawless is a restaurateur and amateur investigator in a series of books by American crime novelist Ellen Hart begun 1989.
* Loretta Lawson is an amateur investigator in a series of books by English journalist and crime novelist Joan Smith begun 1987.
* Aimee Leduc is a French-American private investigator in contemporary Paris in a series by Cara Black begun 1998.
* Anna Lee is a private investigator in a series of books by English crime novelist Liza Cody (debuted 1980); Imogen Stubbs in LWT ''Anna Lee (TV series)'' 1993–94.
* Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous stripper, is also an amateur sleuth, in two books 1941 and 1942 by Craig Rice, nom de plume of Georgianna Ann Randolph.
* Judith Lee was a teacher of the deaf who used lip reading skills and jujitsu to help her investigations by Richard Marsh begun 1916.
* Madison Lee (Demi Moore) is a former private detective in the film '' Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'' 2003.
* Adrienne Lesniak is a New York City detective played by Justine Miceli on the ABC series ''NYPD Blue'' 1994–1996.
* Catherine LeVendeur is a novice in a convent in 12th Century France who appears in a series of historical mystery novels by Sharan Newman.
* Ingrid Levin-Hill is 13 year-old who is mixed up in mysteries in her home town of Echo Falls, in a book series for children aged 10+ debuted 2006 by Peter Abrahams.
* Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman) is a New York City detective on the ABC series ''NYPD Blue'' 1993–94.
* Marie Lightfoot is a Florida true-crime author in three books by Nancy Pickard 2000–2002.
* Gemma Lincoln runs a Sydney Australia security firm in a series by Gabrielle Lord begun 1999.
* Sarah Linden see Sarah Lund.
* Ann Lindell is a Swedish police inspector in series by Kjell Eriksson begun 1993.
* Erin Lindsay is a detective in the Chicago Police Department's Intelligence Unit on Chicago P.D. (2014–present)
* Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton) is a middle-aged Manhattan resident who drags her husband Larry and friends into investigating the supposed death of a neighbour in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery 1993.
* Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) is a senior agent detective that works for California Bureau of Investigation in TV series The Mentalist 2008–2015.
* Dr Eve Lockhart is a forensic pathologist assigned to a cold case squad in the British TV series Waking the Dead, subsequently the lead character in The Body Farm, a spin-off series.
* Kate Lockley was a Los Angeles police detective played by Elisabeth Röhm on the WB television network series ''Angel'' from 2000 to 2001.
* Sarah Lund is a police Detective Inspector, played by Sofie Gråbøl, in a 2007 Danish television series '' The Killing'' (''Forbrydelsen'') in which each episode covers a day in the investigation of a murder. A second Danish series was broadcast in 2009. The series was re-made in English for AMC and broadcast in 2011 with Mireille Enos playing the lead detective, renamed Sarah Linden, with the story transposed to Seattle.
* Josefina "Jo" Lupo is a former US Army Ranger and Eureka town deputy played by Erica Cerra on the 2006–2012 Syfy series '' Eureka''.
* Lucy Lutz is a LAPD detective played by various actor s in the WitchCraft Horror Series, She appears in the seventh, ninth, eleventh, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth movies of the series as a supporting character and is the lead in the tenth movie.

M

* Marti MacAllister is an Illinois police detective in a series of books by Eleanor Taylor Bland (debuted 1992).
*Jo Martinez is a NYPD detective in the 2014 ABC television series Forever
* Mitin Masi is a fictional female detective character created by Indian writer Suchitra Bhattacharya
* Charlene Mack is an African-American, lesbian private investigator from Detroit. The Charlie Mack Motown Mystery Series debuted in 2016.
* Mackenzie is a private detective who becomes part of the "Great Detective Society", in the ''Touch Detective'' series of video games, developed by BeeWorks.
* Rory Mackenzie is an attorney who returns to her hometown of Ransom River, California, and finds herself in hostage drama in a thriller by Meg Gardiner, who also writes two series featuring Jo Beckett, and Evan Delaney.
* Catherine Macleod is an investigative reporter in the western United States in a series debuted 2008 by Margaret Coel.
* Rhona MacLeod is a forensic scientist in a series of books by Scottish crime novelist Lin Anderson (debuted 2003).
* D.D. McCall is an L.A. police detective and partner of the title character, played by Stephanie Kramer from 1985 to 1991 on the NBC series ''Hunter (1984 U.S. TV series)''.
* Blue McCarron is a reclusive lesbian social psychologist appearing in two novels by Abigail Padgett, who also writes a series featuring Bo Bradley.
* Claire McCarron is a private investigator in New York in the 1987 CBS television series Leg Work.
* Jessica McCay is a detective played by Simone McAullay on the 2008 Nine Network series ''The Strip''.
* Sharon McCone is a California private detective in a series of books by American crime novelist Marcia Muller (debuted 1977).
* Ali McCormick is a detective sergeant, played by Julie Stewart, leading a task force of Canadian homicide detectives investigating unsolved cases in the CTV series ''Cold Squad'' (aired 1998–2005).
* Connie McDowell is a New York City detective played by Charlotte Ross on the ABC series ''NYPD Blue'' from 1998 to 2004.
* Logan McKenna is a newly widowed woman rebuilding her life and solving murders in CA and OR small beach town locations in books by Valerie Davisson series starting in 2014.
* Sally McMillan solved crimes with husband police commissioner 'Stewart McMillan' in the TV series McMillan and Wife which starred Rock Hudson and Susan St James and aired 1971–1977.
* Maxine McNab is a widow in her 60s, travelling in her Winnebago with her miniature dachsund, Stretch, in books by Sue Henry.
* Andy McNally is a Police Officer in the 15th Division, played by Missy Peregrym in a Police Drama TV Series Rookie Blue debuted 2009 airing on NBC Universal Global Networks in Canada.
* Elizabeth McPherson is a detective in a series of books by American crime novelist Sharyn McCrumb (debuted 1984).
* Stoner McTavish is a lesbian travel agent in Boston, Massachusetts in droll humored mystery books with a bit of the macabre, 1985–1997 by Sarah Dreher (1937–2012).
* 'Madame Liu-Tsong is a Chinese art dealer and detective, in The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong. The television series ran for one season in 1951 and starred Asian actress Anna May Wong. The show, produced by Dumont, is perhaps the first TV detective show featuring a woman, and it certainly was the first American TV show to star an Asian American in the leading role. Sadly, all copies of the show were destroyed.
* Maddie Magellan is a pushy and impatient reporter and crime writer who starts investigations which magician Jonathan Creek resolves, in the BBC series Jonathan Creek 1997–2009. Maddie is played by Caroline Quentin.
* Gianna Maglione is a lesbian police detective in charge of a Washington D.C. hate crimes unit in a series by Penny Mickelbury commenced 1994.
* Katie Maguire is an Irish police detective who gains a reputation for catching Cork's killers, often at great personal cost in a series by Graham Masterton commenced 2003.
* Lady Harriet Makepeace is policewoman in an elite unit of London's Metropolitan Police, working with a male partner from a very different background in the NYPD, in the British television series Dempsey and Makepeace, aired 1984–86, and played by Glynis Barber.
* Casey Maldonado and her companion the Grim Reaper investigate murders in a series by Judy Clemens.
* Kathleen Mallory is a police sergeant with a dark past in New York City in a series of books by novelist Carol O'Connell (debuted 1994).
* Munch Mancini is an auto mechanic and amateur sleuth with a dark past in Los Angeles, California in a series of books published 1995-2005 by deceased novelist Barbara Seranella (1956–2007).
* Jane Marple is an elderly amateur investigator in a dozen books by English crime novelist Agatha Christie (debuted 1930). Played by Margaret Rutherford in '' Murder, She Said'' (1961), '' Murder at the Gallop'' (1963), '' Murder Most Foul'' (1964), and '' Murder Ahoy!'' (1964); by Angela Lansbury in ''The Mirror Crack'd'' (1980); by Ita Ever in ''A Pocket Full of Rye'' (1983); and by Helen Hayes in ''A Caribbean Mystery'' (1983) and ''Murder with Mirrors'' (1984). Played by Joan Hickson on the 1984–1992 BBC One series ''Miss Marple''.
* Veronica Mars is a teenage amateur detective played by Kristen Bell on the 2004-2007 UPN/ CW series ''Veronica Mars''.
* Cat Marsala is a freelance investigative reporter in Chicago in a series by Barbara D'Amato commenced 1990.
* Lizzy Martin is a doctor's daughter in Victorian England who becomes a lady's companion after her father dies with large debts. She investigates crimes with the help of policeman Ben Ross, in a series commenced 2006 by Ann Granger.
* Rina Martin is a former actress, who played a PI on television, in a series by Jane Adams, debuted 2007.
* Saz Martin is a private investigator who starts her business with government funding for the unemployed, in a series started 1994 by Stella Duffy.
* Kate Martinelli is a police officer in San Francisco, California in a series of books by American crime novelist Laurie R King (debuted 1993).
* Jo Martinez is a NYPD homicide detective on the 2014-2015 US TV show ''Forever''.
* Rebecka Martinsson is a lawyer in Sweden in this series of psychological thrillers by Asa Larsson. Books in the series are: Sun Storm (also published as The Savage Altar), The Blood Spilt, The Black Path, Until Thy Wrath Be Past and The Second Deadly Sin.
* Sister Mary Helen is an elderly crime solving nun in San Francisco, debuted 1984 in a series by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie (1933–2009), a nun in the order of St Joseph of Carondelet.
* Daphne Matthews is a forensic psychologist in a series of books by American suspense novelist Ridley Pearson (debuted 1988).
* Cassie Mayweather is a homicide detective played by Sandra Bullock in 2002 film ''Murder by Numbers''.
* Patricia "Paddy" Meehan is Glaswegian journalist and investigator in a series of books by Scottish crime novelist Denise Mina (debuted 2005).
* Carlotta Milburn is a Long Island socialite who, with her husband Tony, must solve a mystery which happened the night before in a wild party, in a mystery comedy film of 1935, Remember Last Night? featuring Constance Cummings.
* Kinsey Millhone is a private investigator and former policewoman Santa Teresa, California in the " alphabet mystery" series of books by American crime novelist Sue Grafton (debuted 1982).
*Perveen Mistry is a Parsi lawyer and detective in British India in the book series by Sujata Massey
* Mirette is a 10-year-old girl who travels the world and takes part in investigations in the '' Mirette Investigates'' book and animated television series.
* Anna Mironova (Aleksandra Nikiforova) is a young Russian spiritualist sought by locals and the recently deceased to solve crimes, leading her to cross paths with the town's police inspectors, in the late 19th century period television series ''Detective Anna'' 2016–2017.
* Tess Monaghan is a private investigator and former journalist in Baltimore in a series of books by American journalist and crime novelist Laura Lippman (debuted 1997).
* Lindsay Monroe is a New York City detective and crime scene investigator played by Anna Belknap in the CBS series CSI: New York 2005–2013.
* Victoria Moretti is deputy sheriff to Walt Longmire, Wyoming sheriff, in a book series commenced 2004 by Craig Johnson, and in the TV series played by Katee Sackhoff.
* Debra Morgan is a police detective in the ''Dexter'' series of books by American crime novelist " Jeff Lindsay" (debuted 2004); played by Jennifer Carpenter on the 2006-2013 Showtime series '' Dexter''.
* Alex Morrow is Glaswegian detective in a series of books by Scottish crime novelist Denise Mina (debuted 2009).
* Margaret Moss is an actress turned private detective in this Swedish series by Kjersti Scheen. The only book translated to English so far is Final Curtain.
* Nora Mulcahaney is a NYC police detective appearing in 17 books by Lillian O'Donnell, beginning in 1972.
* Kate Mulcay is a reporter in Atlanta, Georgia in books by reporter Celestine Sibley. Kate first appeared in 1958 in ''The Malignant Heart'', as Katy Kincaid, along with her future husband, policeman Lieutenant Mulcay. Her character returned to solve mysteries in five books published 1991–1997.
* Alex Munday is a private detective played by Lucy Liu in the 2000 film ''Charlie's Angels'' and 2003 sequel '' Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle''.
* Jill Munroe is a private detective played by Farrah Fawcett on the ABC series ''Charlie's Angels'' 1976–1977.
* Kris Munroe

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