Denver Doll is a fictional character created by Edward Lytton Wheeler, author of the Deadwood Dick dime novels.

[3] The first American lady detective to appear in print was Lady Kate, the Dashing Female Detective in the Fireside Companion beginning in August 1882, but the story was not completed until the December issue.

[3] Because of the scarcity of the original Denver Doll novel, some scholars could not determine her status in the appearance timeline.

The first dime novel appearance described her: She had "rich brown hair fell in rippling waves half way to her waist.

A plumed slouch hat of snow white; an elegant suit of gray, and patent leather top boots, with a diamond studded 'boiled' shirt, collar, and a sash about her waist beneath the coat made up her costume, and gave her an appearance at once dashing, and characteristic of the wild roving existence she led.