Sue Taylor Grafton was an acclaimed American author of detective novels, celebrated for her iconic "alphabet series", which began with "A Is for Alibi". Her works have been published in twenty-eight countries and translated into twenty-six languages, including Estonian, Bulgarian, and Indonesian, making her books international bestsellers with a readership in the millions.

Grafton's literary journey was significantly influenced by her father, detective novelist C. W. Grafton, and she often credited Ross Macdonald as the strongest influence on her crime novels. Before her success with the alphabet series, she was a writer of screenplays for television movies. Her commitment to her craft earned her the title of Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 2009 and the Ross Macdonald Literary Award in 2004.

Beyond her professional achievements, Grafton led a fulfilling personal life, married to Steve Humphrey for over thirty years. They divided their time between Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky, her birthplace and upbringing. Grafton, who had three children and four grandchildren, was known for her love of cats, gardens, and good cuisine. She held a strong stance against her novels being turned into movies or TV shows, and firmly opposed the idea of a ghostwriter continuing her series posthumously, leading to the decision that the alphabet ends with "Y".