I thought I'd introduce a light note among the threads. The subject of fictitious detectives arose on another thread and it got me thinking that it might be interesting to discuss which of those we prefer and why.
So, who do you think does it best... Sherlock Holmes, Maigret, Ellery Queen, Nero Wolfe, Philip Marlowe, Miss Marple, Lord Peter Wimsey, Father Brown, inimitable Poirot...or another sleuth?( Actually, I'm rather a fan of Mr Holmes and Maigret, myself)

How can you even ask that question Hercule! :)

Seriously though I am kind of partial to Geraldine McEwan's interpretation of Miss Marple even though the BBC takes some latitude with the original stories, but it is a toss up with the great man himself.

Rosemary and Thyme were good as amateur detectives (being a fan of Felicity Kendall from The Good Life). Although one should question why whenever they win a garden contract many people seem to die - not good for marketing or sales one would think. Almost on par with living in an English village especially if they are in the region of Midsomer.

It's elementary, my dear Poirot. Holmes is the greatest literary detective, bar none!

My favourite literary detective by far is Miss Marple, and the best performance of the character is done by Margaret Rutherford (who herself has a fascinating and mysterious life story).

My next favourite Agatha Christie character is Hercule.

I have enjoyed reading any Agatha Christie, but really the devices she uses are a bit duh! at times. Red herrings; minimized key clues; the cousin who was supposed to be living in distant Australia but who has been masquerading as the local tea lady (or some such) whose identity becomes clear as the story winds up.

Therefore, much as I have enjoyed Christie's writing, I really think Conan Doyle sets out a better mystery and Sherlock Holmes is the more difficult character portrayal. I don't have any fave actor for that role as far as I recall.

Haven't read any of them for many years, but I do have the beaut set of Margaret Rutherford movies and they are always a joy - so funny.

Hi Pynch - I always find Agatha Christie books a bit twee and formulaic, but I agree that Margaret Rutherford is the best screen rendition of Miss Marple.

Best Sherlock Holmes actor - Basil Rathbone, of course. Elementary, my dear Pynchme :)

haha!! Hey CJ:)

YES - I forgot about Basil and I think I agree with that.

Here's a treat for you and anyone who wants to delightfully waste an hour or two; full movies:

Murder She Said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIV6LwVR7Bo

Murder at the Gallop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHUJnXTx5bY

Murder Most Foul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5RDfbXTq2E&feature=PlayList&p=99C583B8B5FDF837&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1

Murder Ahoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avzLqzi_q6A

Oh come on you lot (especially the girls), how on earth can anyone go past Magnum PI?

I know he wasn't strictly a detective but he always got his baddy, and he looked oh so good while he was chasing them! :D

It's interesting that we all have different perceptions when it comes the the rendering of a character on screen. My favourite Miss Marple by a country mile is Joan Hickson, who I thought portrayed the character to a tee - she played a demure, slightly vague old lady with a deceptively razor sharp mind and an uncanny understanding of the way people operate. Definitely twee - but sometimes only twee will do. I think Agatha Christie, although displaying limited serious literary merit, did give a fairly accurate idea of middle-class values.
Pelican - I like a little Rosemary and Thyme, as well - also used to like Morse, the books just as much as the T.V. show - a little scholarly narrative married to contemporary crime.
Dorothy Sayers thought that Edgar Allen Poe probably laid out the general principles of the detective story between 1840 and 1845. She writes: "Ïn 'The Murders At The Rue Morgue'...he achieved the fusion of two distinct features and created what we may call the story of the mystery...In this fused genre, the reader's blood is first curdled by some horrible and apparently inexplicable murder or portent: the machinery of detection is then brought in to solve and punish the murderer. Since Poe's time, all three branches - detection, mystery and horror have flourished".
Conan Doyle triumphed with his invention of Holmes - interestingly, he was educated in Scotland and probably based based Holmes on doctor Joseph Bell by whom he was tutored.

Dear Poirot,

My favourite is Sherlock Holmes.
He was one eccentric guy!
Just my cup of tea.

Even more so, after watching the latest
version on DVD - with the superb actor,
Robert Downey Jr., and Jude Law as Watson.
I loved the "dark-side" of Holmes in this
story. Far more interesting.

Dear Foxy,

I have to agree with you there. Deliciously eccentric, many layered...one sort of gets the impression that he was not of us...if you know what I mean...superb characterization is always the hallmark of works that linger on through the generations.

Dear Poirot,

I'd like to add - Simon Templer - aka - "The Saint,"
to my list. With the hope that I can also add TV
detectives such as, "The Avengers," (Emma Peel -
in her leather outfits), "Perry Mason,"
"Magnum, P.I.", "Inspector Morse," "Mid-Somer Murders,"
"Murder She Wrote," "Criminal Minds.," and "CSI."

Loved all of them, because they're so entertaining.

Oh well if we're adding TV show characters one can hardly go past Frost.

Btw: Bit of trivia Poirot; Joan Hickson was Agatha's favourite too and she plays a part in Murder She Said (Rutherford as Marple). She's the cranky household help.

I much preferred Rutherford because she is a bit plump, pink, fluffy and eccentric which seemed to me to be much more in keeping with the written character than thin little Hickson. As a child I first saw Murder at the Gallop and later read the novels. Margaret Rutherford was in my mind's eye as I read and just gives an inimitable portrayal of the character.

I might also find her more convincing because of her own mysterious and grief ridden life. Her father was put into an asylum for the criminally insane when he had a breakdown on his honeymoon; and then murdered his own father after his release. He and his wife (Margaret's mother) then moved to India.

Her mother died (under suspicious circumstances or at least there are vague reports (suicide by hanging; supposedly); in Africa when Margaret was a little child of about 5. Her father then returned to England and ended up in Broadmoor again. She was raised by an aunt and went to acting late in life. The Mr. Stringer in the movies was her husband in real life (Stringer Davis) and he was gay. He had a lifelong crush or perhaps more with Sir John Gielgud. Margaret knew about his homosexuality but they had a companionable relationship and stayed married for a long time.

They later took guardianship of a young man who had a sex change op. and married a much younger man. She wrote a book I think - can't recall her name and too lazy (and busy procrastinating here when I should be working) to look it up.

Margaret was smart and compassionate and eccentric in a real life saturated with mystery and drama; and that seems to me to characterize Jane Marple.

"in Africa" <- sorry, on second thoughts I think it was India.

Dear Pynchme,
How fascinating about Margaret Rutherford. I love to read of interesting lives. Sometimes the most unlikely people have the most amazing backgrounds.
For instance, I once picked up a book about a successful romance writer called E.F. Benson - the book was going out cheap at my newsagents so I bought it on the spur of the moment - and it turned out that his background was quite interesting. His father was the Archbishop of Canterbury, his mother, it was supposed may have been a lesbian and one of his brothers wrote Land Of Hope and Glory (if I remember correctly)...
Isn't it funny that I can't imagine Miss Marple as plump and I must admit that I haven't watched Margaret Rutherford in the role many times - but she did seem a trifle too vehement to me. But sometimes it's difficult to get past a certain actor playing a role. For instance, I always imagine Rumpole to look exactly like Leo McKern (There was quite a lot of whodunnit in The Rumpole stories as well) because I saw him in the role before I got around to John Mortimer's superb books.
As has already been mentioned,David Suchet playing myself is masterful - he plays the great Hercule Poirot even better than I do (blush).

It was intersting to read an earlier comment by Poirot, that it was AC's daughter who recommended Suchet for the role of Hercule. He is by far the best Poirot I have seen on screen, and is the sort of character one envisages when reading the books.

At home there is about 65 Agatha Christie books on my shelf including scripts. While not great literature I have fond memories of Agatha Christie having started collecting her books from the age of eight. If you get a chance to read any of the biographies or her autobiography, she had an unusual life and was quite an eccentric including staging her own disappearance.

If I feel like a light read, I still pick up an Agatha now and again. My favourite book is Sleeping Murder but it is almost impossible to choose.

The British and the BBC do mystery very well on screen (not only Agatha) even if they are not always faithful to the storyline.

Dear Pelican,
I get what you mean about dipping occasionally into Agatha's books - they are comforting in a way. I too have read biographies and her autobiography. They offer a good insight into her world. I admire the independence she found (after her first marriage ended) - and the life that she shared with her second husband Max Mallowan who was an archeologist. She set many of her later novels (as you know) in places where they used to go for "digs".
For me the essence of her work is always the contrast that she evokes between the respectable everyday middle-class world of the early twentieth century and "murder most foul".
Ruth Rendell is another popular writer of crime fiction whose penchant seems to be examining psychological types. And there is P.D James. Lastly, we shouldn't forget Umberto Eco's masterpiece, "The Name Of The Rose".

Im a bit old school and like some action so my favorite detective is Jim Rockford. Im fond of the Professionals too.

Jacques Derrida

On paper, Poirot and Holmes would have to battle it out for my favourite. I do like the kitschy, unsubtle absurdity of Christie's storylines - they really are the classic 'whodunit' novels, where we are led to believe that we could solve the mystery ourselves, but in reality only the most twisted of us could do it.

On TV, I just can't go past Barnaby (Midsomer Murders) and, my all-time favourite, Inspector Rex. Not that the dog can really be a detective, but his owner, Moser, seems pretty switched on, too.

Good evening all...

What an absolutely terrific thread ! Yes, I've always liked Holmes. With interesting plots. And London, at its grey, foggy and damp best.
The atmosphere, complete with the hollowing and resounding sounds of a pair of beautiful horses, with their hooves on wet cobble stones drawing a Hansom Carriage through a damp and gloomy night.

And my great contemporary favourite, DI.Henry Crabbe, of 'Pie in the Sky' fame. A marvellous series that seems to make me rather hungry !

Richard Griffiths, who is 'Crabbe' and so good in the role.

A reluctant, quietly spoken copper, who only wishes to be allowed to retire, so that he may run a small Restaurant, along with his good Wife.

And poor ol' Columbo driving to the crime in his beloved automobile, another favourite of mine.

All three, completely divested of (mostly) their guns, and associated accoutrements. Speak softly, and conduct their enquiries deferentially and politely. All great guys ! Of course our Holmes, does have an occasional episode of noisy hubris ! But I guess he's entitled to. After all, he is the world's greatest Detective !

Good night...Sung Wu.

Dear Sung Wu,
You have mentioned the atmosphere which is so important - especially in the Sherlock Holmes stories. I could almost hear the horses hooves as you described them.
I mentioned in an earlier post that Conan Doyle was from Edinburgh - another gloomy atmospheric city - perhaps that's why the notion of an over-warm smoky study seems so inviting....a silk dressing-gown...a comb of the moustaches... a small crème de menthe.....but, forgive me, the atmosphere it runs away with me.
Now, where was I?
Oh, Yes, Henry Crabbe is a favourite of mine - and Columbo is a wonderful character.
As you've pointed out, all our favourite detectives seem to be quiet achievers.

o sung wu
What a great choice. Pie in the Sky would have to rate as one of the all time greats. What could be more enjoyable than solving a mystery over a pale of pork and leek pie (organic of course).

I'd totally forgotten about the
"Columbo" series starring Peter Falk.
It was most enjoyable, as was "Macmillan and Wife."

My other favourites that I now remember are:

"Berjerac," with John Nettles (Midsomer Murders),
set on the wonderful isle of Jersey.
"Taggart," "Dalziel and Pascoe," (the odd couple),
"Sweeney," and "Waking The Dead."

I should also mention did anyone ever read the
"Famous Five," and "Secret Seven" series of books
as a child?

Dear Foxy,

I was a big fan of Bergerac - used to sit up late once a week just to watch it.

Yep, I started off with the Secret Seven then graduated to the Famous Five. I've very fond memories of reading those books - they used to make me hungry as well, with their bumper meals...all in all, jolly good show!

Yes Foxy, like you I also enjoyed the 'Famous Five' and the 'Secret Seven'. Because I'm nearly seventy, does anyone remember 'Sweet William' ?

Another favourite of mine is 'Hetty Wainthropp Investigates' with that superb Star, Patricia Routledge.

And yet another...'Maisie Raine', with Pauline Quirke as a Detective Chief Inspector. She had some family problems (in the series) Absolutely brilliant !

The very first police show EVER shown on TV (Sydney). The station (Ch.9) opened. You had, a half hour of News. Then 'Racket Squad' in B&W. Then the station closed down!

Initially, we only had one hour of TV a night. I bet many of you good people will remember that ?

Cheers...Sung Wu.

Aah, adding children's mysteries to the mix opens a whole new range of detectives! I loved the Famous Five, but could never get into the Secret Seven. I don't know why - I think they were just a bit too short and simple for my taste. Enid Blyton had a gift for the old mystery story. I also loved her Five Find-Outers, and the series of mysteries that all started with the letter R: The Rub-a-Dub Mystery, The Rockingdown Mystery, et al.

Finally, there was Malcolm Saville's Witchend series, which I loved. I think they were actually the Lone Pine Mysteries, but the first - Mystery at Witchend - had all the elements I loved. Wandering around in the moors, creepy landscapes and a good dose of wartime conspiracy. It's actually the only children's book that still sits on my bookshelf, sandwiched between John le Carre and Wilbur Smith.

Just remembered Jonathan Creek starring Alan Davies and Caroline Quentin - always highly entertaining.

I remember as a child reading a book called Emile and the Detectives - can't remember how it went but I do remember thoroughly enjoying the read.

I've got a confession to make, the
"Famous Five," and "Secret Seven,"
belonged to my next door neighbour.
She gave them to me and an entire
stack of her favourite mysteries
when she left home to get married.

It developed a taste of mystery stories
in me - which became more varied
as I grew up.

Has anyone read, "Presumed Innocent,"
by Scott Turow? or "Gorky Park,"
by Martin Cruz Smith? or "The name of
the Rose," by Umberto Eco? and there's
heaps more but I don't want to de-rail
Poirot's thread.

Dear Foxy,

Your contribution could only enhance a thread.

"The Name of the Rose" is an absolute classic. Umberto Eco is a rare talent. I've just got hold of "Foucault's Pendulum" by him, which looks equally intriguing.

Martin Cruz Smith is brilliant. Among his lesser-known works, I would say Gypsy in Amber is a must-read, as is Rose. Speaking of roses, I watched the film version of In The Name Of The Rose in RE in high school, but haven't read the book. I feel like I have, though, after reading a lengthy discussion on it in one of my favourite books, How To Talk About Books You Haven't Read. Not a mystery, but a great read nonetheless.

Poirot

Apologies for arriving at your thread so late.

Current favourite detective?

Inspector Rex.

And his handlers (both actors) are not too hard on the eye either.

Detective past? Callan, Edward Woodward R.I.P.

Favourite detective novel? Two extremes; Umberto Eco's "Name of the Rose (concur with Poirot and Foxy). And for a complete change of pace James Ellroy's L.A. quartet; "the Black Dahlia", "The Big Nowhere", "L A Confidential" and "White Jazz".

I did read Agatha Christie when I was a teenager and also went through a Raymond Chandler phase as well.

Overall, I guess I have a preference for noir and edgy.

Dear Severin,

Yes, I remember enjoying Callan too.

Inspector Rex is most enjoyable. Love Moser - also enjoy seeing a bit of European architecture - great show.

This genre does lend itself very well to noir - atmosphere again.

How fascinating is this thread.
I think my favorite is Morse and Lewis is still there.
Certainly Barnaby is always good and the English villages are almost
a tourist attraction.

In the TV series, Jack meadows and Mickey in the Bill are very
well drawn. The series is ending, oh dear, what will I do Saturday nights ?

Notice how, except for Colombo & Perry Mason all the ones mentioned are
British productions. The yanks just cannot do it.

On a different slant Judge John Deed is always a good story.

Must agree that Joan Hickson is the best ever Miss Marple and David Suchet is superb as Poirot.

I still enjoy Maigret.

But my favourites among the golden oldies are the unbeatable team of Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe.

Among the more modern fictional detectives I liked PD James' DALGLEISH.

I enjoyed the early Inspector Lynley mysteries but I think Elizabeth George's latest offering are a bit too portentous.

For something completely different try Matt Beynon Rees

http://www.amazon.com/Collaborator-Bethlehem-Matt-Beynon-Rees/dp/156947442

o sung wu,
Like you and Foxy I read the Five and I recall rushing home from school to listen to Biggles (adventure) in the afternoon. Police File was on radio on Monday nights and Randy Stone covered the Night Beat on Saturday night.

Early TV favourite was Peter Gunn, the music was terrific. Yep, Perry Mason and Rumpole. Agatha Christie is good, Murder she Wrote, Frosty and Midsomer Murders, but don't they have a lot of murders for a small place?

Talking about Rumpole!

Some may not know, but Old Bailey website has a search facility and it is interesting to put your, or any, surname in and see how many were victims, witnesses or criminals over the years. Some of mine were all of those and some were transported and others hung.

Sorry about going off topic, but could be classed as detective work

Dear Bazz,

Just have to comment on Morse. Colin Dexter has created in him a character that for me really lived and breathed. Morse is the sort of guy you'd expect to meet in the quadrangle at one of the colleges in Oxford - that he was cast as a detective was a stroke of genius - I would encourage everyone to read the books, although the series was so well done and John Thaw was a dream in the role.

Dear Steven,

I have a few Maigret novels on the shelf and have thoroughly enjoyed them over the years. I remember thinking at one stage that I pictured Maigret to look like Rendell's Wexford - then I found out that Ruth Rendell was inspired by Georges Simenon, which might explain the likeness between the two characters.

Dear Bango,

I so love Rumpole's character - he is a stroke of genius. Leo McKern, of course, played him so well in the television series. I think this series worked because they allowed you to get into Rumpole's thoughts, something absolutely necessary if you are to get the full gist of Rumpole - I love the books best.

Given am a Scorpio [I apologise for inheriting this starsign Severin, TBC and Yabby] on the cusp of Sagg, think I was born to read and write Detective and mystery novels LOL. I LOVE and cannot wait finding out who did what, WHY they did it, mix in some herbs and spice, [romance, union of the souls, love and humour] with the characters, and of course the fantastic ending. I start reading the back cover storyline, read about the author, flick the first few pages to see how its written and take off!

About a third of the way through the book after developing a love of a character[s], I then steel and discipline myself not to flick to the back pages to find out who the murderer was and not to find out if the main characters end up together in a relationship or what other characters unite.

There are no favourites: any mystery or detective story I adore reading. Harry Hunsicker, quite a few of Tara Moss's books [I love Tara's stories, personality, along with her long legs and beauty], many second hand and newsagency purchased crime and detective books, finding them less expensive. I then trade with one of my sisters, mother and father and friends, along with giving away books to a girlfriend's father-in-law who is a writer, yet he loves to read fictional mysteries. His usual query runs along the lines of "why havent you published all those writings/works yet"? in an admonishing tone. I respond "just waiting for an illustrator to come along for the childrens stories written and the other novels to be edited".

So many Aussies with fantastic talent amongst us, as I am a strong believer there is a "writer and author" in us all. Time and follow-through are the keys to becoming an author, and books published, are never failures, if they do not fall into the best-seller market. Each reader to their own tastes. I have successful authors in my family and it took a while for their books to take off.

we are unique

Wonderful post. Forgiveness not required.

Your mentioning of Tara Moss - I have been meaning to read some of her books - she certainly impresses with her intellect and good looks on the TV. I should really be jealous, well, I have the looks but not the books. Yes, I'm a wanna-be thriller writer too.

However, severe penance should be served if you EVER turn to the end of a book to find out who dunnit.

Just recalled another fave type of detective. Having read the books and watched the series and awaiting the next series:

Dexter

Told you I liked things dark and edgy.

I am really pleased you are a writer Severin [think we are both very much alike in our passions along with standing up to enforce our morals and values on behalf of other people and children.

Upon reflection weeks ago, I realised with sadness after our spat, that you and I still agreed upon the main issues in different ways expressing those issues. We both possess strong morals and values and more importantly deep compassion for children teenagers and less fortunate people. I have awaited for your return over the weeks to find an opportunity to inform you of the above and to say a heartfelt sorry if I was insulting weeks ago on that thread.

Keep up your great postings and you do on many occasions give me wonderful enjoyment with your sense of humour, wittiness and intelligence.

we are unique

Now I am blushing. What a wonderful treat to the beginning of the week. I recall us disagreeing - it is so far out of mind that I have forgotten what it was about exactly. No mind. We share, along with may other posters to OLO, a deep passion for true justice and equity. I am honoured to know you.

PS

Does Doctor Who count as a detective?

Peter Corris' Cliff Hardy is one of Australia's great fictional detectives: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Corris#The_Cliff_Hardy_novels

Spending part of my time in Sydney's Inner West, where the novels are set, I can almost see Cliff out of the corner of my eye, browsing at Glebe books, entering a local hotel or visiting a contact the the local boxing gym.

tomw

I get the same thrill reading Shane Maloney's books about Murray Whelan, set in Melbourne, reading about the locations are evocative and draw me into the stories in a way that is very personal.

My current favourite detective would have to be Smiffy from the Bill, if not him then Eddy Murphy from Beverly Hills cop. Mind you, now Matlock Police is back on in the middle of the night all that could change soon.

We are unique and Severin,
Good to know that we have some budding writers among us - have either of you made a serious attempt to have something published?
My only serious attempt was a children's novel about fifteen years ago - it had an historical slant to it - didn't get published but doesn't really matter because I enjoyed the fact that I was able to finish it and send it away. It wasn't a total waste of time as I read it to my eight year-old son recently - he doesn't really like to read novels ( he's mildly autistic and prefers to read encyclopedias) However, he enjoyed me reading it to him and looked forward to it every night.

P. D. James said that she creates the murder and then works in reverse to find the structure for her plot.

Squeers,

You mentioned Jacques Derrida,
I believe he was known as the founder of deconstruction. I'm not scholarly enough to have read any of his writing - which is probsbly a good thing as I've read that he is notoriously obscure and difficult to understand.

Poirot

On writing:

Nothing I have been paid for.

Have written lots of analysis, reports, government policy as well as editorial letters. All of which has had an impact (negative) on writing fiction. I also wrote a children's story once, it started out as a poem and wound up as a story - it was part of a design project. People told me that it was very lyrical and flowing which I guess was the original poem lurking in the tale.

I appreciate that your autistic son would find concentrating on the spoken word a little easier than the relaxing of mind that is required for reading fiction. I can well believe he enjoys encyclopedias. Keep up with the reading of fiction, he may eventually clue into it enough to read for himself which would really help his left/right brain interaction. All the best.

I forgot when logging out last night to thank you from the heart for the brilliant Thread Poirot! No publishing as yet, however written 3 major works [childrens farm stories over the years, reading them to classes in schools when my kids were younger], kept writing on weekend nights over the years and ended up with a 700 page book that has medical, mystery, love, romance, humour, and a sex mix involving quite a few couples set on a farm.

The next book is a medical one of about 1,000 pages non-fiction. Awaiting an illustrator. Songs, poems, written in spare hours??. Anyone, as I have stated, can write and publish, as there are readers out there who will love every author's books.

Admittedly I have not done either the Writers Course or the Screenwriters course for a reason. I am concerned my raw writing 'ease and flow' may become blocked after doing a course, as has occurred with some artists.

When I turn 50 and require a part-time income, am hoping to publish, market and hit the road travelling around Australia to sell the books [inexpensively] to assist parents. I wonder who will be accompanying me? Fantastic if it was an author to market their books with me [LOL] staying in pubs chatting with the locals around the N.T, outback WA, SA, Country QLD....get writing Severin, it may be you and I to become friends travelling!!

Dear Fraccy...wouldntcha hate it if you found out *Shane Maloney* was me :)

Poirot.. my favorite detective right now is Glenn Beck. (Fox news)

man..what a terrier... ferreting out some amazing stuff of 'CRIME INC'

cheers.

Dear Al,

Ah, yes, Glenn Beck - I watched him once - highly entertaining, in the fictional sense.
I prefer his arch nemesis, Steven Colbert.

I think 'defective' is a better term than 'detective' for the notorious wingnut, Glenn Beck.

Hey, hey, CJ...that's very funny - I agree.