The wonderful, warm, witty Sue Grafton has passed away. Because she never wanted a ghost writer to continue her works, the alphabet now ends with Y, thanks to her “Y is for Yesterday,” out in August. Her daughter Jamie posted the following on Facebook:

Hello Dear Readers. This is Sue’s daughter, Jamie. I am sorry to tell you all that Sue passed away last night after a two year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family, including her devoted and adoring husband Steve. 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. Sue always said that she would continue writing as long as she had the juice. 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. 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.

(Clea here). I have always loved her books and cannot imagine a year in which there is not a new alphabet mystery with the great Kinsey Milline. But more than that, I will always remember meeting Ms. Grafton (at Bouchercon in Albany) and working up the courage to introduce myself. She was lovely and chatty and, of course, asked if I wrote as well. On hearing that I too wrote series, she  leaned forward and almost whispering in my ear, said, “It’s hard, isn’t it?” She made me feel like part of the team, and I will miss her. RIP, Sue Grafton