Marcia Muller was one of the first mystery authors to create a strong female protagonist. From the beginning, with her 1977 novel _Edwin of the Iron Shoes_, her heroines have been intelligent, capable and willing to take risks. Her best-known character is San Francisco private investigator Sharon McCone. Sue Grafton is quoted as saying, "Marcia Muller is the founding 'mother' of the contemporary female hard-boiled private eye." From Newsweek, "The revolution began quietly. In 1977 Marcia Muller invaded the previous all-male domain of the hard-boiled private eye. Not many heard the first shots, but a decade later, the tough woman P.I. had become a publishing phenomenon. Sharon McCone...led the way for Sara Paretsky, and Sue Grafton."