Top of the Cops
or the Body in the Library...
or the Body in the Library...
Who would win the vote for your favourite fictional detective?
We've put on our thinking caps (or deerstalkers) and come up with our Top Ten fictional detectives (click on the names for details of the books) :
- Jackson Brodie
- Inspector Brunetti
- Sherlock Holmes
- Miss Marple
- Inspector Morse
- Hercule Poirot
- Madame Ramotswe
- Lisbet Salander
- Matthew Shardlake
- Wallander
But we’ve had to leave out lots of other Top Cops too, including :
So when you find a Body in the Library – who you gonna call?
We’d love to hear what you think - join in the debate by clicking on 'comments' below. Let us know who's your favourite. It's elementary my dear Watson!
77 comments:
my favourite fictional detectives are, in no particular order,
Dr Siri Paiboun - he was very lucky for the North Heath reading group a few years ago when we voted for Colin Cotterill in the dagger in the library awards, Charlie Parker, Merrily Watkins, Jane Rizzoli & Maura Isles, Ben Cooper & Diane Fry, Temperance Brennan (although not as good as she used to be), Tom Thorne, Sara Linton & Jeffrey Tolliver. I used to love Alex Cross but he is past his best unfortunately and I can't leave out the famous five and Mrs Pepperpot, two of my favourites from childhood.
I'm really 'old school'. I still love Sherlock Holmes (have you listened to Clive Merrison on the radio - brilliant), Miss Marple and Poirot. I re-read them even though I know 'whodunnit'. The blood and gore of Patricia Cornwall doesn't do anything for me at all. I do try new authors (loved Stieg), but I still go back to old favourites.
I don't read a lot of crime, but one detective I do like is Lincoln Rhyme, in the Jeffrey Deaver books. I do remember also going through an Agatha Christie phase and reading quite a lot of Poirot and Marple books, but I always seem to forget the plots after about a week!
One of my favourites is Jane Rizzoli (Tess Gerritsen). She portrays women as strong, brave, strongwilled and passionate. She doesnt take any rubbish from anyone! I love all sorts of crime genre...so often ask customers what they think of certain authors that I havent tried before! Unfortunatly...I end up with a lot of crime books...and also read about 3 at the same time!!
Hi Lisa
Dr Siri - I'd forgotten about him! I don't read much crime, but I love that series. Funny and full of appealing characters - and you learn something about Laos.
And Mrs Pepperpot! I loved those books as a child but can't remember a thing about them, except the gorgeous illustrations. Was she a detective?
Hi Lisa thanks for your great list. I like the sound of Dr Siri Paiboun. Colin Cotterill's books have such wonderful titles - I've just found the Curse of the Pogo stick on our catalogue. The blurb says Dr Siri Paiboun, Laos' reluctant national coroner, confused psychic, and disheartened communist, faces exploding corpses, kidnap, demonic possession and - obviously - a cursed pogo stick. I must add this one to my "must read" list ( which grows ever longer!) Bostall reading group read some of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels a while back as he is one of the most borrowed authors from public libraires and we wanted to see what his appeal was. I can see the attraction - such short chapters and very fast moving but I've not been tempted to read any more. And I too remember Little Old Mrs Pepperpot ! The books are by Alf Proysen and are translated from Norwegian. We still have a few books in our libraries although I'm not sure what today's children make of them! Val
Hi Janice I agree you can't beat Sherlock Holmes , although I find they are easier to watch or listen too than read. Did you see the recent TV update set in the present day? I was determined not to like it but actually I loved it. As a fairly recent convert to Crime novels I've found quite a few authors I really like. Have you tried Donna Leon's novels set in Venice? They're very atmospheric . I've also read all of kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series but Bexley Village Reading group still haven't quite forgiven him for getting on a train going the wrong way ! He's an ex-policeman after all!!!
Hi Caroline I've not tried any Jeff Deaver . They seem to be about a Forensic pathologist so does that mean they are very gruesome as like Janice I can only take so much blood and gore?! For those who like "cosy Crime" the M C Beaton books about Agatha Raisin and set in the Cotswolds are very enjoyable. Val
Hi Elena I like the sound of Tess Gerritsen's detective Jane Rizzoli. I've also had lots of recommendations for the books by Janet Evanovich about the character Stephanie Plum. Have you tried these? I'm very impressed that you can cope with 3 books at a time ! I'd love to know what else you'd recommend . And do you have an overall favourite? Val
I read CJ Sansom's Shardlake series after hearing so many people raving about them - and I absolutely love them. They made me realise that there are crime fiction authors out there for me. I'm so squeamish that I really do rely on recommendations.
CJ Sansom is so good at bringing the Tudor world to life - the sounds and smells and the people. After reading his series I went on to read lots of non fiction about the period. I couldn't quite believe what a monster Henry VIII was and had to keep reading more.
Shardlake is such an appealing character - intelligent, caring and full of integrity. A real good guy. You just want good things to happen to him.
And I haven't even read Heartstone yet - a real treat to look forward to.
Hi Sharon I completely agree. Shardlake is a great series of books and has been an unexpected hit with Crime fans and those who don't count themsleves as Crime fans too. I hope there will be more books to come in this series. Val
A good list it's true - but where's Adam Dalgliesh (P.D.James)? Probably on a leave of absence in a religious community somewhere on the East Anglian coast I know!! But isn't that where all the best crimes take place!!
And... what about Brother William of Baskerville?? (The Name of the Rose). Am I completely out of touch?
David
Hi Caroline - I too forget the plots of Agatha Christie after I've read them - with 78 to chose from it's not surprising - but it does mean endless pleasure in re-reading without knowing for sure who did it!
I have to admit to being rather squeamish which puts me off the majority of crime novels for fear that it's just going to get too gory! Can anyone recommend me something gentle?
I keep meaning to try Agatha Christie as I do enjoy watching Miss Marple on TV but haven't quite got round to it yet... The only crime books I have read were the Oscar Wilde series by Gyles Brandreth and the first couple were very good - it did get a bit formulaic towards the third title though. Look forward to some more suggestions anyway!
Hi David
two great choices there. Did you see P D James on the recent My Life in Books series with Anne Robinson ? What an engaging character she is and she talked about Adam Dalgliesh and his origins - fascinating!
Hi Rachel
I used to be a Crime fiction novice like you but after hearing a talk by Will, one of our Librarians, at a reading group I ventured in to Crime fiction and I'm now a fan of quite a few authors. Like you I can only take so much blood and gore but that still leaves a good half of Crime fiction to choose from. What you want is the more "cosy crime" as its called ! M.C. Beaton Agatha Raisin series are great -they're a bit like a modern day Miss Marple set in the Cotswolds. Jacqueline Winspear's Maisy Dobbs series set in the 30s is another good series to try. Then of course the Alexander McCall Smith No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series are all wonderful and not gruesome! And C J Sansom's Award winning Tudor mysteries are a must read as well as Kate Atkinson's Case Histories and other novels featuring Jackson Brodie. And for their setting alone if nothing else Donna Leon's novels set in Venice are greta escapism.In my experience anything with a pathologist as the main character tends to venture into more gory detail than I can take so I avoid these ! I'd love to hear what else fellow Crime novel enthusiasts recommend ? Val
Hi Sharon
I'd love to hear what you think of Heartstone when you read it? I did enjoy it but maybe I enjoyed the earlier books in the series more? What do other people think though? Val
Hi Rachel
I'd definitely recommend Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. It's not gentle but it's certainly not gory. I loved it and I'm always wary with crime fiction.
I read it with my reading group and we all fell in love with Jackson Brodie - there's something very appealing about his vulnerability. We all wanted to look after him.
And if you enjoy it, you'll have the rest of the series to read (it does help if you read them in order).
Can anyone else recommend books where the characters are as important as the crime? Something in between the old fashionedness of Agatha Christie which doesn't really appeal to me and the graphic nature of Patricia Cornwell?
How could I have forgotten to add Matthew Shardlake to my list! I love this series as it mixes two of my favourite genre's Crime and Historical. I think you are right Val, although I really enjoyed Heartstone I'm not sure it was quite as good as the others I can't explain why though. Sharon, I thought Mrs Pepperpot solved mysteries but like you although I remember enjoying them I can't actually remember the stories. Rachel, I'd definitely recommend Colin Cotterill's Dr Siri Paiboun series because although Dr Siri is a pathologist the books are not really too gory and all of the characters are so lovely and learning about Laos is also very interesting.
Hi Lisa - thanks for your thoughts on Heartstone. I think maybe there was not as much action in this book as in the others? And personally I found the twist in the plot rather unlikely. I still love this series and would certainly read more if there are any.I must read Colin Cotterill's books - and I'm glad that not all books with a pathologist in them are too gruesome! Val
Val -
"I've not tried any Jeffrey Deaver . They seem to be about a Forensic pathologist so does that mean they are very gruesome as like Janice I can only take so much blood and gore?!"
I don't think the main character (Lincoln Rhyme)is a pathologist, he is a forensic expert but more along the lines of identifying trace evidence left at the scene of a crime and piecing all the seemingly random clues together. There is a little bit of gore, as the story quite often flips between his point of view and that of the killer, but the books focus more on games of psychological cat and mouse between the detective and the 'perp', which are really exciting and surprising.
I'm glad I've been following this thread, even though I said in my first post that crime isn't really my thing - I've picked up on a couple of recommendations that I think I might like, Kate Atkinson and perhaps Giles Brandreth.
Contrary to what seems like popular opinion, I didn't really get on with the Shardlake series, I found the main character a bit miserable and the atmosphere gloomy. I had been told that the series picked up as you get into it and I think I read two or maybe three, but didn't carry on. However, the recreation of the Tudor world, the details about how life was lived then, were interesting.
I'm not sure I can choose a 'favourite' fictional detective but I too adore Jackson Brodie (very appealling and great taste in music and cars!), Guido Brunetti (great husband, dad and police officer), Ma Ramotswe (fighting the fight for traditionally built women everywhere!), Matthew Shardlake and Wallender who maintains my sympathy despite being in the overused tradition of the maverick, divorced, drunk, depressed detective.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Michael Dibdin's brilliant character Aurelio Zen. I thought the recent TV adaptation looked beautiful but failed to capture the character of the books, and Zen in particular, whose style owes more to Lt Colombo than Giorgio Armani.
Hello again everyone, wow what a lot of suggestions!
Val, I do like the sound of 'cosy crime' and the Agatha Raisin books especially - doesn't Penelope Keith read the audio books? That sounds very much my cup of tea.
Thanks for the mention of the Kate Atkinson series too Sharon, I was given the second book a while ago but haven't managed to get around to it yet - I'll try to track down first in the series. A vulnerable hero sounds very intriguing.
And Lisa I was interested to see you describing the characters in the Dr Siri series as 'lovely', normally even the mention of pathology would make me put the book straight back but I'll have to be a bit more adventurous! In fact, so many of the titles here sound like books I'd enjoy reading - it's good to have my crime fiction stereotypes proven wrong!
There seems to be a common theme here for quite a few of us - squeamishness!
The Dr Siri books are a bit gory in places but I can cope with them because of the humour. Graphic autopsy details will usually stop me wanting to read a book, though.
Can we add Detective Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly) and Detective Superindented Roy Grace (Peter James) they are my absolute faves. Always waiting on the next novels to be published,
I like some of the detectives from the 'old school' too. Roderick Alleyn from Ngaio Marsh, John Appleby from Michael Innes, Gervase Fen from Edmund Crispin and Trent's last case by E C Bently which breaks some of the rules. I also like a couple of Dutch crime novels. Gripstra and de Grier from Van de Wetering and Van der Valk from Nicholas freeling. My favourite was Gun before butter.
Mary
Hi Lola
thanks for the suggestions. I'm adding Michael Connelly & Peter James to my ever longer list.As someone who up until a couple of years ago had only read Agatha Christie I'm always amazed at just how good and how varied Crime fiction is. Along with others though my tastes stop short of the too gruesome end of Crime fiction!Where do these two authors fit on the gruesome scale do you think?
Hi Wizzy
Welcome to Bex-read! Another Jackson Brodie fan ! There are ever growing number of us! And thanks for mentioning Aurelio Zen - I know some of the reading group members have enjoyed Michael Dibdin's books and would recommend them. Intersting to hear that you thought the tv adaptation fell short of the books. What do other fans of Aurelio Zen think?
Hi Mary
thanks for the great suggestions. Some forgotten gems there!I'd forgotten about about Ngaio Marsh - we still have some copies in the libraries so I think I may try one. I know I read one years ago and remember enjoying it!
Val
I hate to mention this to lovers of Adam Dalgliesh - but I heard P D James talking about whether she would ever write another one about him and she wasn't sure. She said that it takes her three years to write one and she has a dread of dying with a book unfinished and, as she is 90....
Hi Jill I saw PD James on the recent interview for My LIfe in Books . What a fascinating person she came across as didn't she?
At Bostall Library Reading Group this afternoon PD James was mentioned as a favourite among the group. Others mentioned as recommended were : Inspector Banks ( Peter Robinson) , Alex Delillo ( Scott Frost ) , Inspector Wexford ( Ruth Rendell - highly recommended ) , Jeff Deaver - US Crime writer , Wallander ( Henning Mankell), and of course the books by Steig Larsson featuring Lisbeth Salander. Val
Hi Val - yes I too saw PD James on My Life in Books - she is very much of a generation that has seen so much change in their lifetime and had such a wide range of experience of life. It must have given her so much background for her books.
Has anyone read any of the L C Tyler mystery novels about Ethelred Tressider and Elsie Thirkettle? They look like cosy crime but I haven't had the chance to try one yet. Interesting titles such as 'The herring seller's apprentice'.
Hello again,
Michael Connelly and Peter James are not very high on the gruesome scale, but I would not describe them as gentle crime. I enjoy getting to know the two charaters that appear in every book, especially Roy Grace, waiting to find out what has happened to his missing wife has me desperate for the next installment to be published.
Are there any fans of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe? The Big Sleep and Farewell My Lovely are still great novels.How about Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade? or Margery Allingham's Albert Campion?
So many great Crime stories its so hard to choose!
Hi again Lola
thanks for the update that's great - I've found a copy of Peter James' Dead Simple on the library shelves as that seems to be the first in the Roy Grace series so that's my next book to read all sorted !
For anyone else interested the order is :
1.Dead Simple (2005)
2. Looking Good Dead (2006)
3. Not Dead Enough (2007)
4. Dead Man's Footsteps (2008)
5. Dead Tomorrow (2009)
6. Dead Like You (2010)
7. Dead Man's Grip (2011)
Val
Hi Jill yes I really fancy the L C Tyler books too. The titles alone make them sound like a good read!Has anyone else read any of this series yet?
Val
Dear all
So many good suggestions - I'll definitely be trying the Kate Atkinson and CJ Sansom books. In the meantime, off and on, I'm working my way through the Alleyn books and not long ago re-read The Thin Man (by Dashiell Hammet). Am also tempted now to re-read the Philip Marlowe books. There just aren't enough hours in the day.
What! No votes yet for Hercule Poirot?...I can’t believe it!
Belgium’s finest, the only fictional character ever to have an obituary published in the New York Times, the sharpest mind, the best moustache, AND he wears spats!!! It’s no contest…Who ya gonna call? It has to be Hercule!
It's true that Hercule [and Miss Marple] have to be the favourite Agatha Christie sleuths - but don't forget Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. They were spies, so no wonder if you've not heard of them before.
Thanks, Jill…
Tommy & Tuppence, eh? Not very “cutting edge” these days, but – I wonder – could it be filmed? Might fill the Sunday night TV cosy crime spot? Any TV producers out there?...
But it does set me thinking…do we like TV detectives, but not necessarily the book version, or vice versa? (I loved Morse on TV, but – to be honest – couldn’t really get to grips with the books)
Will.
Hi Will
That's a really interesting question.
I absolutely love American cop shows (apart from the gory ones like CSI). Seriously, I overdose on them. Recent favourites include NCIS Los Angeles, Hawaii 5-0 and Num3rs (now cancelled) - but my obsession goes all the way back to Starsky & Hutch. I'm particularly fond of 'buddy' shows.
And some British ones - oldies like The Sweeney and, currently, Lewis. But I very rarely read crime fiction and when I do, it's never a book that a series was based on.
Analyse that!
Mmm - I also rarely read the book if I've watched it on television but I have picked up an Elizabeth George to read [Inspector Linley]. However - I decided to read it because Elizabeth George is recommended by so many people - not because of the television programme.
Thanks, Sharon ~ my analysis? I would prescribe for you a dose of Camilleri, Sicilian crime stories to be read NOT watched! They contain Mediterranean heat, good food, a wide cast of wonderful characters (Livia, Fazio, Catarella, Adelina …) – a bit of blood, yes, but it’s crime, but with a warm, comic sauce!
Will.
Now, don’t get me started on the Inspector Lynley mysteries on TV…I have very strong (and unprintable) opinions about them…the books are good, though (and it’s astonishing that Elizabeth George – an American – knows so much background about this country).
Now, if you want both great books AND great TV, then go for Henning Mankell’s Wallander… There’s both a British and a Swedish TV version to choose, both are excellent, but you still can’t beat the books. (The last in the Wallander series ‘The Troubled Man` is due out soon, I think)
Will.
I agree with Val's suggestion of Philip Marlowe and hard-boiled detective fiction generally. It's difficult not to like Marlowe's constant use of elaborate metaphor to describe characters, the most memorable being at the start of "Farewell, My Lovely" where he describes a criminal as looking 'about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food'.
Also, what about the ultimate TV crime drama The Wire? Surely there are other fans out there?!
Back to fiction and J.G.Ballard's later novels, from "Super-Cannes" onwards, are great examples of a form of speculative crime fiction set in the very near-future in locations of corporate decadence, with a psychiatrist invariably occupying the role of pseudo-sleuth.
Thanks, Chris, for these fascinating comments…You’re right about The Wire – it was (in my humble opinion) the second best Cop drama on TV ever…Gritty, addictive, brutally good, and I`m still staggered that lots of the key actors in it were British.
There is, by the way, a good new book about the series out now – by Rafael Alvarez, it’s called The Wire: truth be told. And, if you want to discover a brilliant American crime writer (who still hasn’t received the credit he should) then try George Pelecanos…he was a script writer on The Wire, and his books are fantastic.
And if The Wire was the second best TV series ever, then that only leaves….of course…The Sopranos. Now, I`d like to see Hercule Poirot take them on!!!
Many thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look at the books/ writers you mention.
I'm currently half way through series three of 'The Sopranos' having failed to watch it whilst it was on television. I couldn't really rank it above 'The Wire' as I think both are equally brilliant, but I would certainly struggle to name a single TV programme that rivals the excellence of those two dramas in terms of script and quality of acting.
I also quite liked 'The Shield', which was slightly similar to 'The Wire' but didn't have the same panoramic vision of the cityscape and focused mainly on the daily lives of police officers. I think the US has more of a tradition for gritty, urban crime dramas which dates back to hard-boiled detective fiction and the 'dime' novels of the inter-war years, while in the UK we have more of a relationship with the bohemian sleuth who obviously is rooted in the character of Holmes.
Thanks, Chris ~ yes, do try the George Pelecanos books, and let us know what you think.
And it’s an interesting point about gritty urban US crime programmes…what do we export back there? Morse, Midsomer and Rosemary & Thyme!
Will.
OK, I looked.
Jackson Brodie -3 stars
Inspector Brunetti -4 stars
Sherlock Holmes - 2 stars
Miss Marple 2 stars, but not with Geraldine McEwan on the cover. Per-lease
Inspector Morse 2.5 stars
Hercule Poirot 2 stars
Madame Ramotswe – thought she was Mma Ramotswe. Where does Madame come from? But anyway, 4 stars
Lisbet Salander 2 stars, but why is she down as the detective and not Mikael Blomkvist
Matthew Shardlake a star, maybe
Wallander 2.5 stars
Dalziel & Pascoe 3 stars each
Stephanie Plum too silly, after reading a few they’re too samey. A star
Falco was very good, now gone off. A star or so, for being a trail-blazer
Rebus can’t really judge, only read a couple and that was ages ago
Frost ditto
Kay Scarpetta also gone right off. Worth a couple of stars I suppose
Simon Serrailler Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Minus 2 stars. (I suppose that equals a black hole – best place for him)
Rumpole er – not sure. Oh go on then, 1.5 stars
J.R.
Thanks for these verdicts, JR…Not a big fan of Simon Serrailler, then? Why’s that?...
On a completely different subject, we were very sorry to hear of the death of HRF Keating recently…Harry came to talk to our Erith Library Reading Group a few years back, and was fascinating – a real gentleman. (You can see an article about him on our ‘Read & Relax’ page – try some of his books, too, they’re well worth discovering).
His Inspector Ghote books were set in India…Where do YOU like your crime books to be set? At home, or overseas?
Will.
Why don't I like Simon Serrailler? Just too much angst swilling around - almost as bad as Elizabeth George's characters. They just need to chill an get on with being detectives, because that's what we're paying them for!!!
Fair point… But are there ANY angst-free detectives?... Miss Marple?...
Will
For crime novels set abroad I recommend Shamini Flint's Inspector Singh from Singapore - one murder occurs in Singapore but he also finds himself sent to Malyasia and Cambodia in other books. A reluctant traveler, he feels that he gets these cases because his superiors prefer him to be anywhere but in Singapore. Not quite as cosy as Agatha Christie but a touch of humour is there, as well as issues such as illegal logging causing the destruction of local villages.
Oh, I love a bit of angst swilling around. That's probably the main reason I like Jackson Brodie - all that vulnerability. Same with Matthew Shardlake although he's not quite as angst-ridden.
Which is why Guido Brunetti (in Donna Leon’s books) and Salvo Montalbano (from Andrea Camilleri) are so refreshing…they don’t do anxiety, really. Just eat. And drink wine…Must be the Italian lifestyle. (I must try it)
So unlike those gloomy angst-ridden Nordic detectives…
Now, I know Hercule was Belgian, but are there any famous French detectives?...
Will.
.
French detective?
Monsieur Pamplemousse by Michael Bond - yes, the author of Paddington Bear - but Monsieur P. is for adults.
Mais bien sûr, Monsieur le Blogeur, there is Auguste Dupin, n'est-ce pas??
And I do so agree about the Italians.
And Jackson Brodie may have a worry or two but at least he's funny with it - catch Simon S. or the wretched Thomas Lynley cracking a smile!!
Auguste Dupin? Par Monsieur Edgar Allan Poe, non?
Oh, and there’s also Maigret isn’t there? (Or was he Belgian?...) I don’t know much about Inspector Maigret, I can just about remember a very, very old TV series (black & white in those days). Did he smoke a pipe?
Anyway, Bexley have quite a few books around, so maybe we’ll try them…There’s also a biography of Georges Simenon (called “the man who wasn’t Maigret”)…I don’t know much about Simenon, other than his reputation for `extra-curricular` activities…
Will.
Oui, c'est lui (M. Dupin, je mean). Et Maigret aussi est français, un vrai detectif de Paris, qui fume une pipe
- or at least, Rupert Davies who played him on TV a fumé une pipe.
And yes indeed, M. Simenon had extra-curricular activities numbered in the thousands - according to him.
Back to England, now….
I see that the new TV version of Sherlock Holmes is set for another series – I say “hooray!”…What do you say?...
I loved the recent Sherlock Holmes series! Just the right mixture of modern style and traditional mystery. Although I have to say that I didn't get on at all with the books - I read 'The Sign of Four' when I was at university and found it simply the most boring book ever!! What am I missing about this classic of crime fiction?
Yes, a lot of people find Sherlock Holmes books ‘heavy-going’…
But it’s always interesting to read the original book, then compare it to a film or TV version…
On a similar subject, if you’re looking for a really good classic ‘old’ crime book, a lot of people say that Wilkie Collins’ novels (The Moonstone, the Woman in White etc) are excellent…they say that he’s the ‘grand-daddy’ of crime fiction!
Anyone tried them?...
I think I'd probably describe myself as a reluctant crime reader - I rarely choose crime for myself and usually have to be persuaded by other people.
But I absolutely loved The Woman in White and The Moonstone. I'm not sure what I was expecting - something really heavy and hard-going - but they're perfect page-turners. Really gripping. I'd definitely recommend them.
A recommendation from the North Heath Reading Group - Michael Robotham. The focus is on the psychology side of crime - reading body language etc. These were described as perfect for the times you just want a quick read. And not too graphic for the squeamish among us.
So, to sum up - do we want our favourite detectives to be:
Angst-ridden?
Hard-nosed?
Kind?
Flawed?
Intelligent?
Funny?
Strong?
Brave?
Vulnerable?
Morally sound?
I think I'd like them to be all of the above, except possibly funny and hard-nosed. Not so bothered about those two characteristics.
Well, I think I have the answers for Sharon regarding her ideal detective:
Angst-ridden?
No, not really. A bit anxious maybe, particularly about his family & friends, the decline in society and the crumbling of Venice. (Oh, and what’s for lunch. And evening meal. And wine)
Hard-nosed?
No
Kind?
Yes, usually
Flawed?
Not really
Intelligent?
Very
Funny?
Mildly, in an exasperated sort of way…
Strong?
Adequately
Brave?
When required
Vulnerable?
Not noticeably (unless he’s feeling hungry)
Morally sound?
Absolutely. Impeccable. Flawless.
And the Cop in Question?....Donna Leon’s Brunetti
I like that. Ok, I'll analyse Jackson Brodie -
Angst-ridden?
Yes, in a sort of laid back 'someone look after me' way
Hard-nosed?
Not really - unless someone threatens his family
Kind?
Yes, usually in the form of picking up waifs and strays
Flawed?
Oh, definitely - a big part of his appeal
Intelligent?
Of course
Funny?
There's humour in the series, but not sure I'd describe Brodie as funny
Strong?
Sometimes - he seems to be a bit accident-prone, though
Brave?
Yes, a hero when he needs to be
Vulnerable?
Oh, yes - I just want to look after him. Make sure he's had a good meal, do his ironing, etc
Morally sound?
A tricky question. I think he'd cut corners morally when necessary but overall he's a good guy
So, it’s Jackson Brodie versus Commissioner Brunetti then…
Who’s best?...Well, to use the words of Harry Hill…“there’s only one way to find out…FIGHT!!!”
(I expect Brodie would win, Brunetti doesn’t really go in for rough stuff).
Oh dear - fisticuffs? Time for an intervention by a genteel sleuth - Simon Brett's Mrs Pargeter. Sightings of her are rare these days but she always has worked undercover, supported by her late husband's colleagues and their wide selection of useful skills. Skills which she values but is careful not to enquire how they were acquired, in much the same way that she "never thought it proper to enquire into the sources of her husband's wealth."
And talking of gentility - here's a red herring for the Blogbrarian should he be watching - could Jeeves be considered a detective? Sharp-eyed and renowned for spotting the solution to a mystery, he certainly had the necessary skills!
Good suggestion about Simon Brett's books...Thanks.
Not sure about Jeeves as a detective...But didn't Lord Peter Wimsey have a man servant? Bunter?...
So, to sum up…
Thanks for your suggestions…”what a lot we’ve got!”…
We’ve got classic ‘old school’ sleuths, Agatha Christie’s top two, Sherlock Holmes…
We’ve got Italians, Swedes, hard boiled Yanks and a Belgian or two…
We’ve got Jackson Brodie, Siri Paiboun, and Matthew Shardlake.
We’ve even got Mrs Pepperpot!
So, do we have a winner? A good cop and a bad cop? Or do we just say that they’re all good, and it’d be a crime not to try ‘em?...
You’re the jury…You decide!
Will.
Am I permitted to throw in another pair of sleuths at this late stage?
Simon Brett's two ladies of a certain age, alternative therapist Jude (surname never revealed) and retired Home Office Civil servant Carole Seddon?
These two unlikely friends in the Fethering Mysteries series can't resist solving any misdeed that crops up in their vicinity.
Yes, it's Home Counties cosy stuff but Simon Brett is a very engaging writer and doesn't shrink from controversy, using Jude's liberal outlook as a foil for Carole's innate conservatism.
Plots really play second fiddle to character and dialogue in these books. Mainly it's the humour I enjoy (sorry to be shallow.)I can forgive an author quite a lot of things if they make me laugh and these books invariably do, usually, but not always, at Carole's expense.
Thanks, Janis.
No, it's never too late to make some book suggestions, particularly if they make you laugh!
(I know that a lot of Bexley readers enjoy Simon Brett's books - he's been to Bexley a couple of times in the past for book talks etc, and is a very fine fellow too)
What a long list but I don't think I have seen Harry Hole mentioned? Currently ploughing my way through the Leopard - maybe not quite as good as earlier works by Jo Nesbo but very good all the same if a tad unbelievable....he has just survived an avalanche by shooting a hole for air with a gun....hmm
Yes, I like Jo Nesbo’s books too (and if you’re a fan of Nordic crime, you will too)….BUT…I`m not 100% convinced about Harry Hole as a detective hero…he’s so angry!
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