in Santa Barbara, California played by Maggie Lawson on the 2006–2014 USA series Psych. Ariadne Oliver is a detective novelist who attempts to assist and guide Hercule Poirot in some of Agatha Christie's novels, but who usually gets things thoroughly wrong. A lot of her books are parodies of Agatha's own work. Christie Opara is a police detective in New York City in a trilogy of books by American crime novelist and former police detective Dorothy Uhnak (debuted 1968; last book 1970). Rita Ortiz is a New York City detective played by Jacqueline Obradors on the ABC series NYPD Blue from 2001 to 2005. P Mrs. Pargeter is a widow with a shadowy past who solves uncanny mysteries in a series of books by English crime novelist Simon Brett begun 1986. Pargeter is the real surname of Cadfael creator Ellis Peters. Dex Parios is a private investigator working in Portland, Oregon, from Greg Rucka's comic book Stumptown. Audrey Parker is an FBI agent played by Emily Rose on Syfy Haven (TV series) 2010–2015. Penny Parker is a high school detective in a series by Mildred A. Wirt Benson (also authored some Nancy Drew) 1939–1947. Amelia Peabody is a Victorian spinster in 1884 whose interest in Egyptology leads to marry Emerson and live among pyramids, solving crimes in the Amelia Peabody series by American Elizabeth Peters begun 1975. Delia Peabody is a NYC cop under Eve Dallas in the futuristic ...in Death series by American J. D. Robb begun 1995. Emma Peel* (Diana Rigg) is Steed's detective assistant on the British Series: The Avengers 1967–1968. Sister Pelagia is an Orthodox nun and teacher in 1890s provincial Russia girls' school in three novels by Boris Akunin. Professor Karen Pelletier is an amateur sleuth in a college setting in a series by Joanne Dobson begun 1997. Lucinda Pierce is a homicide detective in Virginia in a book series of the same name by true-crime writer Diane Fanning begun 2008. Anna Pigeon is a park ranger in a series of books by American Nevada Barr begun 1993. Melinda Pink is a magistrate and climber in a series of books by British climber and crime novelist Gwen Moffat begun 1973. Stephanie Plum is a New Jersey bounty hunter in a comic mystery series by American Janet Evanovich begun 1994; acted by Katherine Heigl in comedy murder mystery One for the Money (film) 2012. Emily Pollifax