Grafton, Sue (1940– )

US writer. In the 1980s she created a popular crime fiction series, known as the alphabetical series, featuring the no-nonsense private detective Kinsey Millhone. She has published a new instalment in the series at regular intervals, and by 1997 she had reached the letter M (M is for Malice). Her other books include A Is for Alibi, G is for Gumshoe, and K is for Killer. Grafton was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated from the University of Louisville in 1961. Based in Santa Barbara, California, she has also worked as a screenwriter. Her fiction is characterized by a skilful balance between plot and character.