Our Most Loveable Sleuths

Loveable Sleuths

Sometimes we're lucky enough to find a sleuth/detective/goodie/ that just tugs on our heartstrings, maybe even brings out the mumsy or dadsy in us.  These characters are always a delight to read and have us sitting on the sidelines rooting for them.  They are so absorbing that we feel almost morally bound to be their defenders, albeit from our comfy armchairs.  They embrace all the good in detectives but maintain an innocence (even when forced to kill an adversary) that keeps us rooting for them.  They often have an aura of vulnerability around them, sometimes disguised under a gruff exterior, but always apparent to the discerning reader.  These are our LOVEABLE SLEUTHS and we're proud to LOVE them

Sookie Stackhouse created by Charlaine Harris

Where crime meets the supernatural by Indiana

Charlaine Harris

Who would have thought that a blond waitress from Louisiana of all places, however perky, would become my protagonist of choice.  Sookie Stackhouse, telepath and human/fairy hybrid, is entirely engaging with her honest outlook on the world and home spun common sense. The fact that she is brave, loyal and open-minded make her all the more endearing. And best of all, she is living proof that you don’t need to look like a supermodel to attract a drop-dead gorgeous vampire or a hunky werewolf if that’s what you prefer. Her love life gives a new meaning to ‘a little bit of rough’. The world Charlaine Harris has created for Sookie is exciting and believable, as are the other characters, many of whom, like Sookie, live a double existence.

Sookie Stackhouse from TB Series

The Southern Vampire Mysteries (fourteen books in total) have been renamed Trueblood since the success of the television serialisation. Sookie, played by Anna Paquin, remains charming, but the TV programmes lack the subtlety and wit of the books. HBO’s take on Sookie’s universe might lead you into thinking this is fantasy fluff with a generous helping of sex and violence. Don’t be fooled. The books present a thoughtful interpretation of the social mores of the American Bible Belt. The style is elegantly simple and well-paced. You’d think that hearing the thoughts of others would have embittered Sookie to the human condition, yet she remains resolutely and thoroughly lovable.

David Jason as Frost

My Most Loveable Detective by Jackie

DI Frost By R.D.Wingfield 

There are so many great detectives on TV and in crime fiction (some are in both).  Sometimes we form opinions on the characters when we read a book, only to revise it when we see the TV adaptation.  Therefore, the league-table of favourites shifts and changes...

For my short-list of five, I'd have to go with Columbo (TV), Poirot (Book & TV), Inspector Frost (Book & TV), Cadfael (Book & TV) and DCI Banks (Book & TV).

I choose the above because not only are these smart cookies, but because I find them quite engaging for various reasons.  As soon as a character makes me laugh or cry, I'm putty in their hands.

And so to the favourite.  Step up please -  Inspector Frost from R D Wingfield's book series.

Don't get me wrong, I love David Jason's depiction of the incorrigible, but quite cuddly Jack Frost.  However, anyone who has read the books will know that the book character was seriously sanitised for TV.  On the face of it, Jack Frost of the books is certainly not the most appealing detective because he is grubby, crude, profane, misogynistic and outrageously politically incorrect.  Indeed, in the book Frost bears far more of a resemblance to the low-life characters who commit the crimes he is investigating, than any member of our CID (one would hope). 

Having said this, the absurdity of this unlikely character just works. There is no reliance on high-octane police chases or escapes from the jaws of death, just a steady flow of colourful characters "telling porkies" and "being naughty".  Much of the humour is situational or captured in a vivid one-line witticism.  Also, the pace of each book is frenetic with Frost never investigating just one serious crime, but always an entire wave of both serious and petty crimes which demand his time day and night.

With the exception of Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series, there are no other detective books which have me crying with mirth and insisting that my partner "listen to this..." so that he can share, or at least understand, the reason for my helpless laughter.

The tragedy is that R D Wingfield wrote only six Frost novels.  However, it is a testimony to the richness of his storytelling, that the BBC have managed to squeeze over forty episodes out of these.  And if you read the books, you will recognise many of the side-stories and cameo characters which have been developed into full-blown episodes for TV. 

I have read the Frost series several times now and I never tire of them. The TV series may have usurped the books in the public consciousness, but for me, the books are definitely "up there".

 

Jonathan Creek  by Cheryll Taylor Rawling

Bodies found in locked rooms, people being in two places at the same time, the paranormal - sound familiar? Of course it does, but this sleuth didn’t come from the pen of Wilkie Collins or Agatha Christie, he was created by the brilliant writer David Renwick. (Who was also responsible for ‘one foot in the grave’ and some episodes of ‘Poirot’).


David Renwick

 First bought to our screens in 1997 in a feature length episode called The Wrestler’s Tomb, Jonathan Creek is a magician’s consultant and somewhat hesitant, mystery solver extraordinaire.    Wonderfully cynical, although not terribly fashionable (you have to love his duffel coat) or debonair, he has a deductive mind that Sherlock Holmes would be proud of and even Hercule Poirot could not poo poo his little grey cells. 

Usually bought into a case by a female companion, he is always persuaded into solving the ‘unsolvable’ crime and whilst his companion gets more and more baffled by the case, Creek will pick up a button or a piece of cloth, smile and you know he’s solved it.  (Well maybe not exactly like that but you get the gist).  

Allan Davies as duffel -coated Jonathan Creek

The 2013 episode, ‘The Clue of the Savant’s Thumb’, saw Creek evolve into a married business man but he is still dragged into solving the crime.  Hopefully this doesn’t mean that we’ve seen the last of Adam Klaus, the magician who was Creeks boss.  Klaus is a great comedy character and will be missed if he has been written out.

Jonathan Creek is a tongue in cheek sleuth.  Part mystery, part comedy, the programme is light entertainment with an emphasis on howdunit rather than whodunit.  The only flaw this sleuth has is that he hasn’t appeared in a novel.

Myron Bolitar By Harlan Coben  (by Liz Mistry)

Harlan Coben

In my opinion Myron Bolitar is the most loveable sleuth ever.  He's the all American boy, the one you can take home to meet the parents or in fact be happy for your own daughter to bring home. 
In his late twenties Myron still lived in his parent's basement.  His favourite drink is chocolate milk shake and everyone loves him  - alas for poor old Myron his love affairs never seem to be the 'real' thing.

I believe that Myron's friends demonstrate his loveability.  I mean, who else would not only be friends with, but also employ as secretary and PA an ex female tag wrestling team consisting of thetwo extremes of small petite Pocahontas(Esperanza) and Big Cyndi (who despite her love for Myron frightens the hell out of him).  Another friend is a cross dressing PI who he employs from time to time and although friends is pushing the relationship he is also quite fond of two rather simple brothers who are thugs and often on Marlons case. 

However, I rest my case by the final piece of evidence: His best friend WIN.  Win is a sociopathic millionaire with an off centre attitude to sex, a complete aversion to law and order and is incapable of most human emotions.  However, the ever- loveable Myron, has somehow or other broken through Wins shell.  Win would do anything (and frequently does) for Myron, hence my opinion that if you can make a sociopath love you in a sort of normal way then you are 100% loveable.



Christian Bale



Hugh Jackman

Unfortunately, none of the Myron Bolitar novels have been transferred to the big screen.  However, there are loads of Myron fans out there who reckon they know the best actor for the part. 
Here's just two of their suggestions- feel free to add your own