I got to thinking about a character in Up Island, by Anne Rivers Siddons. A female divorce attorney. Curly hair, maybe 5'2" in heels, high-pitched voice, and even a cute name: Missy Carmichael. And she leans into it: Laura Ashley pinafores and velvet headbands. But that's apparently her disguise. The Atlanta Bar old-boys club have an "unspeakable" name for her. The MC's friend promises that if she sees this sweet li'l thing in court, there will be a transformation, and it will be clear how Carmichael "earned [that name] fair and square."
Problem is, we never see her in person. It's all description, and a couple times a voice on the phone. What a voice, though: "Only rule we got to have is that when I say 'Money', you say 'Comin' right up.'" Such a brief appearance, appearing halfway through the story, then dismissed. (Unless I've forgotten a later appearance?) I would so love to read something with her as a major character with a throughline. Show me her awesomeness; don't just give me the Batman trailer.
by Charlotte_Braun