Book Series with Female Protagonists - recommendations?

[perfectparanoia]

I am currently reading the Janet Evanovitch series about Stephanie Plum.

Link to first book

I am enjoying them immensly. They require very little brainpower and I can really get into the main character because she is both a woman and accident prone (just like me).

The problem is, I am going to run out of them in, give or take, two weeks.

I was hoping my fellow dopers could recommend some good reads with Female Protagonists. Preferably series since I read so damn fast.

Also, I don't buy books, I use the library so old is okay.

[MegaBee]

The Hunger Games

[Barkis is Willin']

I guess if you like crime/mystery there are quite a few.
Patricia Cornwell has a ton of books featuring Kay Scarpetta, starting with Postmortem.
James Patterson has the Women's Murder Club series, starting with 1st to Die.

I just finished the Mistborn trilogy, which is fantasy but features a pretty cool female protagonist.

[perfectparanoia]

I have read the first two hunger games and have the last on hold.

Logging other suggestions in my wanted list (our library has the best online software).

[cher3]

The Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs is kind of similar, although with not quite as much comedy. They bear very little resemblance to the TV series, apart from the heroine's profession.

[chrisk]

If you're open to science fiction, I think Anne McCaffrey had some good female protagonists, though not all of her books have one, (Dragonquest, The White Dragon, and Dragondrums have male protagonists, for instance.)

Originally Posted by cher3

The Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs is kind of similar, although with not quite as much comedy. They bear very little resemblance to the TV series, apart from the heroine's profession.

I've heard it said that the 'Bones' tv series was based more on Reichs' own work with the FBI than on her novels.

[Sigmagirl]

Laurie R. King writes the Mary Russell series, about Sherlock Holmes' wife, and also a series about a lesbian San Francisco police detective named Kate Martinelli, though I think she has more or less concluded that series.

Laura Lippman writes about a Baltimore private detective named Tess Monaghan, and Sara Paretsky writes about Chicago P.I. V.I Warshawski. J.A. Jance writes two series, one about a former newscaster in Arizona named Ali Reynolds, and one about an Arizona sheriff named Joanna Brady.

I mostly read mysteries and thrillers, as you see.

[Hentor the Barbarian]

I'd strongly recommend Nevada Barr, and her Anna Pigeon books. They are consistently good, and Barr is a strong writer.

I'd recommend about the first half of the Kay Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell. I really soured on her books when they took a turn towards unrealistic drama amongst her characters and away from the meat of the mysteries.

For frame of reference, I started out on the Stephanie Plum series, but after about six or seven, the formula of the books got too overwhelming, repetitive and boring for me.

Robert B. Parker wrote several Sunny Randall books, which I enjoyed.

ETA: I'd also recommend Kathy Reichs. The books are quite different than the TV show. I have not read all of them yet, though.

[perfectparanoia]

Wow! I am so thankful!

I have been stabbing around looking for new series and in less than an hour, I probably have enough to get me through 2012.

Why didn't I think of asking earlier?

Keep them coming.

[Maggie the Ocelot]

Pretty much anything by Tamora Pierce. Start with the Song of the Lioness Quartet. You'll find her in the YA section, but it's just good fiction that happens to have a young protagonist.

The Tiger and Del series by Jennifer Roberson - this is Sword & Sorcery genre, but it's awesome. The POV character is male, but the story is about his adventures with his female partner Del, and she is a huge part of things, not a sidekick at all but a true partner.

[Mrs. Cake]

Joan Hess has two entertaining mystery series with female protagonits - the Arly Hanks "Maggody" books and the Claire Malloy books.

Also recommend Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody mysteries - period egyptology mysteries with probably my favorite female character out there. Best if you start at the beginning with "Crocodile on the Sandbank" and read them in order if possible.

[Mister Rik]

Kat Richardson's "Greywalker" series is excellent.

[Barking Dog]

I quite dig Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series starting with Moon Called. She has writtern a few other books, which I haven't read, but I do know they all feature female protagonists.
And also Kat Richardson's Greywalker series.

Based on your strong like of Janet Evanovitch, possibly you might like Julie Kenner's series about a demon hunting soccer mom, or Kim Harrison's Hollows series.

word of warning, these are all fantasy books. I read mostly SF. The only non-SF novel that I'd recommend that fits the OP unfortunately I can't remember the title of. It was somethign I'd borrowed from my grandmother.

[Lynn Bodoni]

If you like fantasy, try the Deed of Paksennarion by Elizabeth Moon: Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold. Another fantasy series is Barbara Hambly's Windrose chronicles: The Silent Tower, The Silicon Mage, and Dog Wizard. This series has both a male and female main character, and female supporting characters as well. The women are not just love interests or mothers...they actually have jobs and interests of their own.

I agree that Joan Hess's books are entertaining. The Claire Malloy books are especially fun if you've lived through having an adolescent daughter, and the Arly Hanks/Maggody books are about a woman who is THE police force in a small town full of interesting characters. I particularly like Raz Buchanon's pedigreed sow, Marjorie. Raz is very fond and protective of Marjorie. The Maggody books are better if you can read them in order, though they can also stand alone.

For frame of reference, I started out on the Stephanie Plum series, but after about six or seven, the formula of the books got too overwhelming, repetitive and boring for me.

This. When the books stop being fun, stop reading them. I think that she's up to 18 now, and she should have stopped a long time ago.

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Cake

Joan Hess has two entertaining mystery series with female protagonits - the Arly Hanks "Maggody" books and the Claire Malloy books.

I came in to recommend the Maggody books. They're funny as hell--the focus tends to be more on the wacky characters surrounding Arly than on the mystery itself. If possible, read them in chronological order, as there is some character development over the course of the series, although this is fairly peripheral.

[Jophiel]

Also in fantasy is Elizabeth Moon's "Deed of Paksenarrion" series.

Linked book is actually a compilation of the first three novels with an additional couple sequels also available (and a couple books from the same setting but not about Paks).

Edit: Beated by Lynn Bodoni by one minute!

[Der Trihs]

If you like fantasy:

God Stalk and its sequels in the Kencyr series by P. C. Hodgell.

The Paksenarrion trilogy by Elizabeth Moon. (EDIT to which I was double ninjaed)

Patricia C. Wrede's Cecelia and Kate series and her Magic & Malice duology.

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

Originally Posted by Jophiel

Edit: Beated by Lynn Bodoni by one minute!

Me too! (About reading the Maggody books in order.) How she do dat?

[Lynn Bodoni]

It's one of my Stealth Admin powers. I'm also composing three emails on different accounts at this very moment. And drinking tea. All while suffering through dry socket (dental complication).

If I was organized, I'd be dangerous.

[drillrod]

I enjoyed Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series.

[Tapiotar]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Cake

Also recommend Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody mysteries - period egyptology mysteries with probably my favorite female character out there. Best if you start at the beginning with "Crocodile on the Sandbank" and read them in order if possible.

I've got to ditto these. They are funny -- they start out spoofing the intrepid Victorian gentlewoman explorer subgenre -- but they are also great adventures, with Egyptology! great character development! great supporting characters! cats! Long live Amelia Peabody and Emerson!

[Der Trihs]

Originally Posted by Tapiotar

I've got to ditto these. They are funny -- they start out spoofing the intrepid Victorian gentlewoman explorer subgenre -- but they are also great adventures, with Egyptology! great character development! great supporting characters! cats! Long live Amelia Peabody and Emerson!

Which reminds me, if the OP doesn't mind the occasional chapter with a male viewpoint character, Gail Carriger's steampunkish/Victorian Parasol Protectorate series is good, and amusing. The main protagonist is female, a "soulless" lady named Alexia Tarabotti.

[Lynn Bodoni]

Another fantasy series is Barbara Hambly's Windrose chronicles: The Silent Tower, The Silicon Mage, and Dog Wizard. This series has both a male and female main character, and female supporting characters as well.

I should have noted that the first two books are actually one book in two volumes. That is, Tower and Mage are not stand alone books, you need to read them in that order. There's a cliffhanger at the end of Tower that is resolved in Mage.

[JLRogers]

Originally Posted by perfectparanoia

I am enjoying them immensly. They require very little brainpower and I can really get into the main character because she is both a woman and accident prone (just like me).

Sounds like the Twilight series is perfect for you.

If you really don't mind books that require little brainpower the Southern Vampire Mysteries series has a female protagonist as well.

[Lsura]

If you're open to urban fantasy, perhaps the October Daye novels by Seanan McGuire or C.E. Murphy's Walker Papers. I prefer the latter, myself, though enjoyed both.

[Eleanor of Aquitaine]

For something fun and cozy, try The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith. This series features a Motswana woman (of traditional build) who becomes Botswana's first female private detective. These are quiet, charming books.

[Max Torque]

If you prefer non-fantasy: I recently read and really enjoyed Lisa Lutz's entire Spellman Files series. It's about a family of private investigators who are constantly tailing, wiretapping, and investigating one another. Funny books loaded with little mysteries.

If you like urban fantasy: Nancy Holzner's Deadtown series. The protagonist is a demon-slaying shape-shifter named Victory Vaughn. She lives in Deadtown, a section of modern-day Boston populated by zombies and other paranormal entities.

More urban fantasy: Hunger and Rage by Jackie Kessler. First two books of a series about modern teenagers who become Riders of the Apocalypse. The first book, dealing with the rider Famine, has the most realistic, searing, painful depiction of anorexia I've ever read.

I just finished the Tomorrow, When The War Began series, which is kinda like Red Dawn in Australia. A group of seven teenagers goes on a long camping trip, and when they return to their small coastal town, it (and the rest of the country) has been invaded by a foreign army, all the residents rounded up into prison camps. The story's told from the perspective of one of the girls in the group, Ellie.

Someone on this board once mentioned the Bloody Jack series; I started and finished the first book yesterday, so it's a quick read. The story follows Mary Faber, an orphan in 1790s London who disguises herself as a boy named "Jackie" and gets a job as a cabin boy aboard a pirate-hunting ship. The Kindle edition of the first book is only $1.99 right now.

[aruvqan]

Janet Evanovich has a few other series, there are :
Bibliography

Single Romance Novels

(originally written under the name Steffie Hall)

1. Hero at Large (1987)
2. Foul Play (1989)
3. The Grand Finale (1988)
4. Thanksgiving (1988)
5. Manhunt (1988)
6. Ivan Takes a Wife (1988)
7. Naughty Neighbor (1992)
8. Love Overboard (2005)

Elsie Hawkins Series

1. Back to the Bedroom (1989)
2. Smitten (1990)
3. Wife for Hire (1990)
4. Rocky Road to Romance (1991)

Stephanie Plum Series

1. One for the Money (1994)
2. Two for the Dough (1996)
3. Three to Get Deadly (1997)
4. Four to Score (1998)
5. High Five (1999)
6. Hot Six (2000)
7. Seven Up (2001)
8. Hard Eight (2002)
9. To the Nines (2003)
10. Ten Big Ones (2004)
11. Eleven on Top (2005)
12. Twelve Sharp (2006)
13. Lean Mean Thirteen (2007)
14. Fearless Fourteen (2008)
15. Finger Lickin' Fifteen (2009)
16. Sizzling Sixteen (2010)
17. Smokin' Seventeen (2011)
18. Explosive Eighteen (2011)
19. Notorious Nineteen (November 20, 2012)

Other Stephanie Plum

1. The Last Peep (1997)
2. Visions of Sugar Plums (2002)
3. Plum Lovin' (2007)
4. Plum Lucky (2008)
5. Plum Spooky (January 6, 2009)

Diesel Series

1. Wicked Appetite (2010)
2. Wicked Business (June 19, 2012)

The Barnaby Series

1. Metro Girl (2004)
2. Motor Mouth (2006)
3. Trouble Maker 1, Trouble Maker 2 (2010)

Full (Max Holt) Series with Charlotte Hughes

1. Full House (1989)
2. Full Tilt (2003)
3. Full Speed (2003)
4. Full Blast (2004)
5. Full Bloom (2005)
6. Full Scoop (2006)

Hot (Cate Madigan) Series with Leanne Banks

1. Hot Stuff (2007)

I also like Lois McMaster Bujold, she has :
Cordelia Naismith

1. Shards of Honor (1986)
2. Barrayar (1991)—Hugo Award winner, Locus Award winner, 1992,[11] Nebula Award nominee, 1991[12]
3. Cordelia's Honor (1996)—Combined edition of Shards of Honor and Barrayar with an afterword by the author.

Chalion series

In the fantasy-genre Chalion universe:

• The Curse of Chalion (2001) Hugo, Locus Fantasy, and World Fantasy Awards nominee, 2002[20]
• Paladin of Souls (2003) (sequel to The Curse of Chalion) Hugo, Nebula and Locus Fantasy Awards winner, 2004[21]
• The Hallowed Hunt (2005) Locus Fantasy Award nominee, 2006[22]

Sharing Knife series

The Sharing Knife is another fantasy-genre series:

• Beguilement (2006)
• Legacy (2007)
• Passage (2008)
• Horizon (2009)

Other titles

• The Spirit Ring (1993) Locus Fantasy Award nominee, 1993[23

David Weber has :
Honor Harrington series

1. On Basilisk Station (April 1993) ISBN 0-671-57793-X
2. The Honor of the Queen (June 1993) ISBN 0-671-57864-2
3. The Short Victorious War (April 1994) ISBN 0-671-87596-5
4. Field of Dishonor (October 1994) ISBN 0-671-57820-0
5. Flag in Exile (September 1995) ISBN 0-671-31980-9
6. Honor Among Enemies (February 1996) ISBN 0-671-87723-2
7. In Enemy Hands (July 1997) ISBN 0-671-57770-0
8. Echoes of Honor (October 1998) ISBN 0-671-57833-2
9. Ashes of Victory (March 2000) ISBN 0-671-57854-5
10. War of Honor (October 2002) ISBN 0-7434-3545-1
11. At All Costs (November 2005) ISBN 1-4165-0911-9
12. Mission of Honor (June 2010) ISBN 1-4391-3361-1
13. A Rising Thunder (March 6, 2012)[13][14] ISBN 1-4516-3806-X
14. Shadow of Freedom[15] (March 5, 2013) ISBN 1-4516-3869-8[16]

Works related to the Honor Harrington series

Worlds of Honor anthologies

Short stories related to the Honor Harrington series—edited by David Weber

• More Than Honor (January 1998) ISBN 0-671-87857-3
• Worlds of Honor (February 1999) ISBN 0-671-57855-3
• Changer of Worlds (March 2001) ISBN 0-671-31975-2
• The Service of the Sword (April 2003) ISBN 0-7434-3599-0
• In Fire Forged (February 2011) ISBN 1-4391-3414-6

Wages of Sin sub-series

• Crown of Slaves with Eric Flint (September 2003) ISBN 0-7434-7148-2
• Torch of Freedom with Eric Flint (November 2009) ISBN 1-4391-3305-0 [17][18]

Saganami sub-series

• The Shadow of Saganami (October 2004) ISBN 0-7434-8852-0
• Storm from the Shadows (March 2009) ISBN 1-4165-9147-8
• Cauldron of Ghosts (forthcoming)

Young adult series

Weber's chronologically earliest Honorverse novel, it focuses on Stephanie Harrington and the discovery of treecats.

• A Beautiful Friendship (October 2011) ISBN 978-1-4516-3747-2
• Fire Season[19] (forthcoming, October 2012) with Jane Lindskold, ISBN 978-1-4516-3840-0
• The Treecat Wars with Jane Lindskold[20][21] (forthcoming) with Jane Lindskold

These are SF/Fantasy focused.

Lois Bujold writes very strong female characters, I would recommend starting with her. Some of all of these authors are available free as ebooks on BaenEbooks.com so you can either read the whole book, or go to the author's listings and get sample chapters to decide if you want to invest in the books.

What types of books are you willing to have a go at reading, SF. fantasy, romance, chick lit, urban horror chick lit [Mary Janice Davidson has a series called Undead and <various> that is a funny take on a fashionista into shoes that gets turned into a vampire. ]

[Gray Ghost]

I don't believe that Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series has been mentioned yet. All are creative, very well done, riffs on English literature. Definitely in the 'Modern Fantasy' camp, but explicitly not cheesy like Twilight.

[Der Trihs]

The Curse of Chalion has a male protagonist.

[perfectparanoia]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

What types of books are you willing to have a go at reading, SF. fantasy, romance, chick lit, urban horror chick lit [Mary Janice Davidson has a series called Undead and <various> that is a funny take on a fashionista into shoes that gets turned into a vampire. ]

I am not the biggest fan of Science Fiction or Fantasy but I do like vampires, werewolves, etc. Romance...not so much. It's okay if there is romance built into it but not straight up. Chick lit is fine.

I have read all the Amelia Peabody books. They are amongst my favourites. I have read Twilight (those books are like crack).

I also like Kelly Armstrong's books.

And I have read ever Sookie Stackhouse book that has been put out.

So, really the key is that they are:

Not very intelectually intensive
Female protagonists
Many books as I read fast

So far, I have 13 new series to try from all the suggestions (limited mostly by the availability at the library of the books). If you guys have more, keep it up. This is great!

[Airk]

I see that Sharing Knife and Cordelia's Honor already got mentions, so I'll just toss in Sabriel by Garth Nix; There are other books in the series, but this one is far and away the best, and the protagonist is completely awesome.

[Balance]

Originally Posted by Mister Rik

Kat Richardson's "Greywalker" series is excellent.

Seconded. I'm still not sure if I actually like the protagonist, but I definitely like reading about her.

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

God Stalk and its sequels in the Kencyr series by P. C. Hodgell.

Seconded, thirded, then passed by fiat. Jame is my favorite protagonist of either sex, ever. (As to her accident-prone-ness..."In this household, invalids do not come casually tumbling downstairs.") If you do ebooks, they're available directly from Baen for $5 each.

[Gyrate]

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

I don't believe that Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series has been mentioned yet. All are creative, very well done, riffs on English literature. Definitely in the 'Modern Fantasy' camp, but explicitly not cheesy like Twilight.

Just what I came in to recommend. Fforde is a freaking genius - he manages to work in a lot of subtle in-jokes into an enormously complicated and intricate plot (for example, something the character does overtly in the first book of the series pops up in the fourth at a key moment). If you like Pratchett you'll probably like Fforde.

Originally Posted by Hentor the Barbarian

For frame of reference, I started out on the Stephanie Plum series, but after about six or seven, the formula of the books got too overwhelming, repetitive and boring for me.

Same here, and I started getting bored at about the same point. The Will-she-won't-she-and-with-whom stuff wears thin after a while, but it's fun early on. Also, I'd hate to be her auto insurer.

Originally Posted by Eleanor of Aquitaine

For something fun and cozy, try The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith. This series features a Motswana woman (of traditional build) who becomes Botswana's first female private detective. These are quiet, charming books.

Seconded. The BBC television series based on these (starring Jill Scott) is also very good.

Philip Reeve has a number of books with strong female protagonists, although they're rarely happy. The Mortal Engines books have a male and a female lead (and later another young girl becomes a key character), and the prequels in progress (the Fever Crumb books) have a female lead as well. Also check out his Here Lies Arthur - another young female lead and an interesting but cynical take on Arthurian legend.

[Mister Rik]

Originally Posted by Mister Rik

Kat Richardson's "Greywalker" series is excellent.

Originally Posted by Balance

Seconded. I'm still not sure if I actually like the protagonist, but I definitely like reading about her.

I'll admit that a lot of the appeal for me is the protagonist being based in Seattle. The first couple books had the action taking place in locations I've actually visited and so could see in my head. I've also done a bit of exploring of older parts of Seattle on foot, so for some of the non-specified locations I was able to picture likely places where the scene might be taking place. The author also mentioned, in the first book, I think, a Seattle business that is owned by a guy I worked for over here in Wenatchee, WA (well, I actually worked for his wife, who was from here; they bought a local bar and I cooked for them there). Labyrinth, the 4th(?*) book in the series has important scenes in and around Leavenworth, WA, about 25 miles from Wenatchee, and the author did a great job of describing it accurately.


*Book Pet Peeve: Publishers who don't number the books in a series, even when the books need to be read in a certain order to fully understand the story. The hardcopy books in this series have no numbers on the covers, my Kindle copy of Labyrinth just says: "Labyrinth: A Greywalker Novel". The only place I've found the proper sequence is Amazon.com, where they've added "Book One", "Book Two", etc. to the descriptions.

[Eleanor of Aquitaine]

Originally Posted by Mister Rik

*Book Pet Peeve: Publishers who don't number the books in a series, even when the books need to be read in a certain order to fully understand the story. The hardcopy books in this series have no numbers on the covers, my Kindle copy of Labyrinth just says: "Labyrinth: A Greywalker Novel". The only place I've found the proper sequence is Amazon.com, where they've added "Book One", "Book Two", etc. to the descriptions.

Have you ever looked at goodreads.com? It's really excellent for looking up book series. The book titles always have a number and a link to the series list. An author's page will have links to all of their book series. Here's the Greywalker series: http://www.goodreads.com/series/41939-greywalker

[Missy2U]

Diane Mott Davidson has a series of cooking related murder mysteries featuring Goldy the caterer that I truly LOVE!

[tim-n-va]

Lisa Scottoline might be a good option. The ones I've read have a female lead, most but not all are legal thrillers.

[Truman Burbank]

Carol O'Connor's Mallory books are a good series of crime fiction, not for someone looking for primarily light-hearted diversions, though. The premise is that she is a functioning sociopath, who tries to act 'as if' she has a conscience. This is WAY before Dexter, I must point out.

[Mister Rik]

Originally Posted by Eleanor of Aquitaine

Have you ever looked at goodreads.com? It's really excellent for looking up book series. The book titles always have a number and a link to the series list. An author's page will have links to all of their book series. Here's the Greywalker series: http://www.goodreads.com/series/41939-greywalker

Hey, thanks!

[Sigmagirl]

Originally Posted by tim-n-va

Lisa Scottoline might be a good option. The ones I've read have a female lead, most but not all are legal thrillers.

Yes, the series set in the Rosato & Associates law firm are great. Her more recent standalone books are a little too formulaic urban-mom-in-danger for me. The OP asked for series, and I definitely recommend the Rosato series. Each member of the all-woman firm is featured in various books.

[aruvqan]

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

The Curse of Chalion has a male protagonist.

I suppose that Iselle and bertriz are crossdressers? There are more than enough strong female characters to balance out Cazaril.

[maggenpye]

Terry Pratchett's YA Tiffany Aching series; Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith & I Shall Wear Midnight.

Very easy to read, very funny. If you like them enough, you can move into the Discworld proper and read the other Witch books. Really though, all the books are very good (and there's heaps of them) and as there's usually a good straong female character lurking about somewhere if they're not centre page.

[Malthus]

Originally Posted by Airk

I see that Sharing Knife and Cordelia's Honor already got mentions, so I'll just toss in Sabriel by Garth Nix; There are other books in the series, but this one is far and away the best, and the protagonist is completely awesome.

Second this. Sabriel is awesome.

How about a vicous female anti-hero, set out on a noir-tinged soul-destroying quest for bloody vengence? If anyone wants that, I recommend Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.

You can't have all these upright, empowering heroines without a little antidote ...

[Annie-Xmas]

Originally Posted by Missy2U

Diane Mott Davidson has a series of cooking related murder mysteries featuring Goldy the caterer that I truly LOVE!

Google "culinary mystery" and you'll have series to read for the rest of your life and then some. I like Joanne Fluke, Cleo Coyle, Joanna Carl, Laura Childs, Ellen Crosby & Michelle Scott, for starters.

[Der Trihs]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

I suppose that Iselle and bertriz are crossdressers? There are more than enough strong female characters to balance out Cazaril.

They aren't the protagonist in The Curse of Chalion, however.

Originally Posted by Malthus

Second this. Sabriel is awesome.

How about a vicous female anti-hero, set out on a noir-tinged soul-destroying quest for bloody vengence? If anyone wants that, I recommend Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.

You can't have all these upright, empowering heroines without a little antidote ...

I also recommend Sabriel.

The main protagonist of Brandon Sanderson's excellent Mistborn is a girl named Vin, who is also more towards the badass end of the spectrum. "I'm not a good person or a bad person. I'm just here to kill things."

[Airk]

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

They aren't the protagonist in The Curse of Chalion, however.

Yeah, you really can't make a case for anyone other than Cazaril being the protagonist of Curse of Chalion; The whole story is from his point of view.

[Malthus]

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

The main protagonist of Brandon Sanderson's excellent Mistborn is a girl named Vin, who is also more towards the badass end of the spectrum. "I'm not a good person or a bad person. I'm just here to kill things."

Cool. I'll check that out.

I like badass protagonists!

[Pai325]

I recommend anything by Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters. They are mostly stand alone books, but there are one or two that feature the same character. They are easy reads, and there is usually an element of humor to them.

[denquixote]

Starting in 1942 Helen MacInnes wrote a series of 20 plus novels with similar themes. They were generally spy stories often with a woman protagonist and usually some romantic escapade as well. She wrote until 1984 and was widely praised with many N.Y. Times best sellers among her works. They are not, however, a series.

Another contemporary author with woman protagonists is Susan Isaacs who has written 12 novels, counting her first which is "Compromising Positions" which was made into a move. They are not a series but they usually involve a housewife or career woman thrown into an unusual criminal situation or voluntarily thrusting herself inot one. She is extremely funny and her stories are very good reads. Her books are also widely anticipated and best sellers.