I'd forgotten about McDevitt's books. The whole "Academy" series is pretty good. Priscilla Hutchins is a pretty strong female lead character. The Alex Benedict series is good too.
Academy series-
The Engines of God - Deepsix - Chindi - Omega - Odessy - Cauldron
Independent from the
Benedict series-
A Talent for War - Polaris - Seeker - The Devil's Eye - Echo
You don't have to read them in order, but it helps...
Academy series-
The Engines of God - Deepsix - Chindi - Omega - Odessy - Cauldron
Independent from the
Benedict series-
A Talent for War - Polaris - Seeker - The Devil's Eye - Echo
You don't have to read them in order, but it helps...