Female Detectives on TV and in Books

Detective Dames Prove That Mystery-Solving Can Be Sexy

January 23, 2013

Female Detectives on TV and in Books

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by Tara Block 3

Happy birthday, Mariska Hargitay! The Law & Order: SVU star and daughter of '50s sex symbol Jayne Mansfield turns 49 today. As a huge crime-drama junkie, I've been watching Mariska play her onscreen alter ego Detective Olivia Benson since she began the role in 1999. My TiVo is always filled with the murder mysteries and courtroom dramas that are aplenty on TV these days, and I'm especially happy to see so many women in the leading roles.

Many of us grew up reading and watching smart, tough female detectives like Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, and Jessica Fletcher, and there's also a new lady to add to the bunch: Sherlock Holmes's sidekick, Dr. Joan Watson (played by Lucy Liu), on Elementary. The show is currently in its first season, and we're loving the female version of the iconic detective doc!

These women prove that having brains can be sexy — no push-up bra required. So let's take a look back at the crime-solving characters who've paved the way for today's female detectives, and see what makes them all — the old and the new — great role models.

1 / 20

by Tara Block 3

Happy birthday, Mariska Hargitay! The Law & Order: SVU star and daughter of '50s sex symbol Jayne Mansfield turns 49 today. As a huge crime-drama junkie, I've been watching Mariska play her onscreen alter ego Detective Olivia Benson since she began the role in 1999. My TiVo is always filled with the murder mysteries and courtroom dramas that are aplenty on TV these days, and I'm especially happy to see so many women in the leading roles.

Many of us grew up reading and watching smart, tough female detectives like Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, and Jessica Fletcher, and there's also a new lady to add to the bunch: Sherlock Holmes's sidekick, Dr. Joan Watson (played by Lucy Liu), on Elementary. The show is currently in its first season, and we're loving the female version of the iconic detective doc!

These women prove that having brains can be sexy — no push-up bra required. So let's take a look back at the crime-solving characters who've paved the way for today's female detectives, and see what makes them all — the old and the new — great role models.

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3 Comments

Qthushbear

Qthushbear 4 weeks 5 days

Not a bad list… But how could you leave out Honey West? I may be wrong, but as far as I can ascertain, she was one of the first female private eyes featured on the small screen. And what about Emma Peel from The Avengers? Classy, sexy, and tough.

mix tape 1 year 40 weeks

I read all of the Nancy Drew novels when I was a kid. I think she was always an idol for me both in character and style. Such class!

jadenirvana 1 year 40 weeks

Awesome post! I'm writing my first mystery novel now, so hopefully someday you'll have a new heroine to add to your list:)