Sue-Grafton-Obituary

Sue Grafton

Age 77

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AGE
77

Obituary

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sue Grafton, author of the best-selling "alphabet series" of mystery novels, has died in Santa Barbara. She was 77.

Grafton was surrounded by family, including husband Steven Humphrey, when she died Thursday after a two-year battle with cancer, her daughter, Jamie Clark, posted on the author's website.

"Although we knew this was coming, it was unexpected and fast. She had been fine up until just a few days ago, and then things moved quickly," the posting said.

Grafton began her "alphabet series" in 1982 with "A is for Alibi." Her most recent book, "Y is for Yesterday," was published in August.

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"Many of you also know that she was adamant that her books would never be turned into movies or TV shows, and in that same vein, she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name," her daughter wrote. "Because of all of those things, and out of the deep abiding love and respect for our dear sweet Sue, as far as we in the family are concerned, the alphabet now ends at Y."

Humphrey said Grafton had been struggling to find an idea for "Z'' while undergoing treatment and losing weight.

"Nothing's been written," he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "There is no Z."

He added with a laugh, "Nobody in this family will ever use the letter Z again."

The fictional heroine of the series, Southern California private detective Kinsey Millhone, was Grafton's alter ego, she told The Seattle Times earlier this year.

"I'm an introvert, so doing half of what Kinsey is beyond my poor capabilities," Grafton said. "But it's fun to get to live her life without penalty."

Her husband agreed that Grafton was Kinsey.

"Yes, as Sue said, 'We're one spirit in two bodies, and she got the good one,'" Humphrey said.

While Grafton aged, her heroine didn't quite as much.

"So when I started, she was 32, and I was 42. Now, she is 39, and I am 77. So there's a little bit of injustice there, but she is single," she told NPR in an interview earlier this year. "She's been married twice. She has no kids, no pets, no house plants."

She said she was looking forward to reaching the end of the alphabet with "Z is for Zero."

Grafton began writing at 18, and wrote her first novel at 22. "A is for Alibi" was the eighth novel she wrote, and the third she had published.

On her blog, she said her ideas come from everywhere.

"I read newspapers, textbooks on crime. I talk to private investigators, police officers, jail administrators, doctors, lawyers, career criminals. Ideas are everywhere," she said.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Grafton stayed tied to her roots, dividing her time between a home there and her home in California. In addition to her husband and daughter Jamie Clark, she is survived by another daughter, Leslie Twine, and her son, Jay Schmidt.

Grafton's remains will be cremated and the family will hold a private memorial Sunday. Memorials also will be held in Louisville and New York City.


By JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press



Copyright © 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Thank you for the many hours of sometimes exciting and always interesting reading you’ve provided for me. You are missed.

To the family of Sue Grafton, and especially to Sue, You are my hero. Your books are fantastic. I have just finished V is for vengeance. And now I don´t know what I´ll do with myself Kinsey has inspired me. And I just wanted to put a note on this memory blog so that your family will know that you have meant the world to me and brought so much joy to so many people you will live on forever through all of us. Thank you for all the adventures you have given us through Kinsey. Tanya Wood

I still miss you! I'm rereading a "bit of the alphabet" these days ...that makes me happy. I'm eternally greatful. Folks like you and Robert B. Parker are rare treasures.

I said goodbye to a dear dear friend today when I read the last two words of Y IS FOR YESTERDAY..."Kinsey Millhone"
I put off reading this last book for as long as I could...didn't want to say "Good Bye" to someone I've known since 1982. Oh so bittersweet...Kinsey, I just know you are enjoying your Chardonnay with Henry,William, Rosie and perhaps Dietz...sitting back and just waiting for that next client. And Sue? Thank you for giving me a wonderful, life changing...

Bei libri , grandi personaggi.

I just loved her Kinsey Milhone mysteries

I wanted to be Sue Grafton's (with a bit of Kinsey thrown in) friend. Her wit and imagination will continue to be unsurpassed by anyone. I cherish the hours I spent in her books. God broke the mold with this one.

Kinsey you got me through an unplanned unwed pregnancy at 40. I could really relate to her unconventional life. Finished her last book 13 years later. Was sad to hear her passing.

How Sue Grafton will be missed? Let me count the ways!!!! My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones. I remember meeting Sue once when she was signing books in NYC book store . . . she was so open and friendly . . . i had read all of her books up until that time and was so happy to be able to share a few words, and later, a few letters with her.