Filled with red herrings, smoking guns, and false alibis, there is something about an enthralling mystery that captivate readers. A tingling need to find out whodunit. The best mystery is one that a reader can piece together themselves using the evidence at hand. However, a proxy is needed to solve the problem within the story for the readers. A character that can help you arrange the puzzle pieces and uncover new clues to add to the theory you craft so carefully. Who better to solve a mystery than a detective? A character who lives to solve the mystery they are faced with, who welcomes challenges with intrigue and excitement. There have been many famous fictional detectives in literature over many years. So many that a select few of them have reached a legendary status wherein they are known far and wide.
While it is hard to whittle off many of the great fictional detectives that have been created from the minds of writers throughout the years; Let’s take a look at some of these famous fictional detectives that perfectly represent the spirit of true problem solvers.
Auguste Dupin
First Appearance: Auguste Dupin made his first appearance in a short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1841, widely considered the first detective fiction story.
Auguste Dupin featured in only three novels by Edgar Allan Poe. Le Chevalier C. Auguste Dupin is considered first among the fictional detectives. It is worth remembering that the word “detective” did not exist at the time when Poe wrote The Murders in the Rue Morgue. He established the prototype of Dupin even before Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. It is easy to criticise a work in retrospect, but these early stories paved the way for a genre which is one of the most popular even today.
Monsieur Dupin is a very intelligent man with a great analytical talent, able to know what someone is thinking based on what happened to him during the day.
Sherlock Holmes
First Appearance: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Sherlock Holmes, one of the most popular fictional detectives, in A Study in Scarlet, published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887.
Sherlock Holmes appeared in a total of 60 stories, written by Arthur Conan Doyle and published between 1887 and 1927. Out of them four are full length novels and 56 short stories.
This or any list of fictional detectives will never be complete without mentioning this notorious gentleman sleuth born from the mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle emphasizes Holmes’ magnificent brain in many ways: he uses Watson’s admiration to reinforce the reader’s own; he gives Sherlock Holmes lots of foils, including incompetent cops and the criminals he’s hunting; and perhaps the best trick of all, Holmes frequently gets to show off his smarts by impressing his clients with how much he can guess about them just by looking at their outward appearances.
Holmes is, in a nutshell, single-minded in his detection. In that respect, it makes sense that all emotions, particularly love, are abhorrent to his cold, precise, but admirably balanced mind.
Hercule Poirot
First Appearance: This Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot is first introduced to the world by Dame Agatha Christie in The Mysterious Affair at Styles published in 1920.
A retired Belgian police officer, Hercule Poirot is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous detectives and long-running characters appeared in 33 novels, 2 plays, and more than 50 short stories published between 1920 and 1975.
Short in height with long, curly moustache, Poirot is very intelligent, extremely aware and instinctual and a brilliant detective from Belgium who fled to England during WWI. Poirot is a more laid-back and introverted person than many famous detectives, which works incredibly well for his line of work. When people don’t notice you, it’s easy to observe things they’d prefer remained hidden.
The Hardy Boys
First Appearance: The Hardy Boys #1 The Tower Treasure published in 1927
Frank Hardy is the older (18) of the two Hardy brothers in The Hardy Boys novel series by Franklin W. Dixon.
The Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe Hardy, are fictional detectives who appear in several mystery series for children and teens. The series revolves around the teenagers who are amateur sleuths, solving cases that stumped their adult counterparts. In each novel, the Hardy Boys are constantly involved in adventure and action. Despite the frequent danger, the boys “never lose their nerve … They are hardy boys, luckier and more clever than anyone around them.” They live in an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.
The characters were created by American writer Edward Stratemeyer. The books themselves were written by several ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon.
Nancy Drew
First Appearance: The character first appeared in 1930’s book The Secret of the Old Clock
Nancy Drew is a fictional character, a sleuth in an American mystery series created by publisher Edward Stratemeyer as the female counterpart to his Hardy Boys series.
The books are ghostwritten by a number of authors and published under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
Did you know that Nancy Drew has solved over 500 cases in her career? That is a lot of mysteries. Secret of the Old Clock takes readers back over eighty years ago to where it all began for Nancy in River Heights, a fictional town that is supposed to resemble Iowa City, Iowa.
Cadfael
First Appearance: Brother Cadfael first appeared in A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters published in 1977
Welsh Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael lives in the Abbey of Shrewbury in the mid 12th century England. He’s an unusual member in as he fought and killed in the Holy Land during a bloody crusade, known women intimately, a soldier, captain of a ship too, however now retired to the quiet life of a monastery raising crops to feed his fellow “inmates” and doing quite interesting experiments to improve them, a scientist without a title.
His worldly knowledge, although useful, gets him in trouble with the more doctrinaire characters of the series, and the seeming contradiction between the secular and the spiritual worlds forms a central and continuing theme of the stories.
Miss Marple
First Appearance: Miss Marple first appeared in a short story published in The Royal Magazine in December 1927, “The Tuesday Night Club” which later became the first chapter of The Thirteen Problems (1932); However her first appearance in a full-length novel was in The Murder at the Vicarage in 1930 and her last appearance was in Sleeping Murder in 1976.
When it comes to well-known fictional detectives in classic literature, along with Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot she will belong to those who are mentioned first. The brainchild of Agatha Christie, Jane Marple appeared in 12 novels and 20 short stories as an elderly spinster who fills up her free time resolving the assorted mysteries in her home of St. Mary Mead.
I can almost imagine the gossipy, annoying and very inquisitive lady snooping around the village, and it’s easy to understand why a smart character like her earned such a recognition beneath crime and mystery novels.
Alex Cross
First Appearance: Alex Cross was introduced to the world by James Patterson in Along Came a Spider published in 1993
After Along Came a Spider, Alex Cross appeared in total 27 novels till now. His latest appearance was in 2019’s novel Criss Cross.
Alex Cross, detective, doctor of psychology, hypnotiser, friends of the poor people when he helps out at a food shelter, respected by the black people for never leaving the ‘hood following his glittering career, great family man and a bit of genius who cannot give up a case. Although hard and rough when he needs to be, practical as they come – the crimes he sees sometimes upset him – such as deaths of young children.
Adam Dalgliesh
First Appearance: Adam Dalgliesh first appeared in 1962 novel Cover Her Face by P D James
Adam Dalgliesh appeared in a total of 14 books, which were released between the years 1962 and 2008. He also appears in the two novels featuring P.D. James’s other detective, Cordelia Gray.
Dalgliesh is well known for composing poetry and several volumes of his poetry have been published. Despite his introversion, he is being considered attractive to women who describe him as ‘tall, dark, and handsome.’ In his lengthy career, he has been quite astute and successful and now heads a squad of CID officers working on only the most sensitive cases.
Marcus Didius Falco
First Appearance: Marcus Didius Falco is brain child of Lindsey Davis. He first appeared in The Silver Pigs published in 1989. He is featured in 20 books.
Marcus Didius Falco is an ex-legionary, current informer (i.e., private investigator) in the Rome of Vespasian (AD 69-79). Falco has been written to both conform to and deviate from the stereotypical construct of the detective, cynical, hard bitten, a loner. An ex-legionary with a tragic past, he can crack jokes and throw insults around like a Dashiell Hammett or Mickey Spillane creation, but then Falco can also surprise with some sincere emotional depth that is not too far away from a poet like Catullus.
Falco navigates his way through investigations of trading conspiracy, treason and vengeful murder, some of which take him to far-flung reaches of the Roman Empire, such as Britain, Córdoba, and Carthage.
Dirk Gently
First Appearance: Dirk Gently, also known as Svlad Cjelli, created by Douglas Adams. He first appeared in Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency published in 1987.
Dirk Gently, a pudgy man who normally wears a heavy old light brown suit, red checked shirt with a green striped tie, long leather coat, red hat and thick metal-rimmed spectacles, is one of the famous fictional detectives featured in science fiction.
Dirk Gently is a very peculiar detective. He has been forced into the profession after being sent down from St. Cedd’s college for cheating. He didn’t cheat – it was a coincidence when he guessed all of the answers to an upcoming test correctly. Dirk did coach many students in the answers to the test to make money, supposedly through mystic means which he believed he was faking, but he truly had no idea his con would end up being so correct.
The unspoken assumption behind Gently’s becoming a detective is the mystery of having all of the right answers when he never knew he had all of the right answers has led him to being a detective. He is not a mystic, but he believes in particle physics and Einstein’s relativity, apparently, and all of the spooky science which comes out of that, and especially, maybe, in the Grand Unification Theory of Everything.
Lord Peter Wimsey
First Appearance: Lord Peter Wimsey first appeared in Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers in 1923
A dilettante who solves mysteries for his own amusement, Lord Peter Wimsey is a typical example for the British gentleman (fictional) detectives.
He was in WWI and experienced “shell shock” with a consequent fear of responsibility due to his regiment being decimated during the war. He comes off as garrulous at times due to nervous tension, and all the quirks of his personality are due to his war experiences. At the same time, he is aware of his life of privilege and wants to do something meaningful; thus, his ‘hobby’ of investigating crime cases.
Tommy and Tuppence
First Appearance: Tommy and Tuppence are two fictional detectives, first appeared in 1922’s The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.
Tommy and Tuppence, 22 year old somewhat poor residents of London around 1920, are bored enough to form a partnership where they will agree to do anything legal to obtain a salary. Tuppence wants to marry rich. Tommy doesn’t care. Tommy & Tuppence themselves are also weird. They speak in terms of puzzles, but seem to understand one another. They wish for things they don’t need but join forces in a venture that initially makes no sense.
Byomkesh Bakshi
First Appearance: Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s most well known fictional character, and one of the famous fictional detectives, Byomkesh Bakshi first appeared as a character in the story Satyanweshi published in 1932. Byomkesh Bakshi featured in about 32 stories from 1932 to 1970 prior to author Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s death.
Byomkesh Bakshi is probably first mainstream Indian detective. While reading the stories, it is hard not to spot similarities between Byomkesh and Sherlock Holmes – the way the character gets introduced first, the way the narrator Ajit and Byomkesh become roommates. There is even a police officer similar to Lestrade who creates problems for Byomkesh. Sometimes, Byomkesh wakes up Ajit in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, to go out on a mission.
Cormoran Strike
First Appearance: Cormoran Strike is created by J K Rowling and published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. He’s first appeared in The Cuckoo’s Calling published in 2013.
Cormoran Strike is a wounded war veteran, with a troubled past, damaged love life and financial woes, which see him sleeping in his office when we first meet him. Strike has left the army, which provided him with the structure and home life his mother never could, and set up as a Private Detective. The only problem is, a lack of paying clients. He then receives a new temporary secretary, Robin Ellacott, with her slightly stuffy fiance and her secret desire to be a detective.
William Warwick
First Appearance: William Warwick first appeared as a detective in Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer published in 2019. We first meet him in The Clifton Chronicles as the hero of Harry Clifton’s novels.
William has wanted to be a detective since the age of eight so he chooses to pursue that path – against his father’s wishes (his father is an attorney and wants William to follow in his footsteps). William has good instincts and has put in his time learning the trade when he gets tapped for the Arts and Antiquities department in Scotland Yard. His first major case is solving the theft of a Rembrandt from the Fitzmolean Museum, where he meets his love interest Beth, who has some secrets of her own.
Philip Marlowe
First Appearance: Raymond Chandler created Philip Marlowe, a fictional detective who exemplifies the hardboiled crime fiction genre. Philip Marlowe made his debut under that name in the novel The Big Sleep, which was originally published in 1939.
Philip Marlowe was born in Santa Rosa, California. He had attended college for a while and worked as an investigator for both an insurance firm and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Because of his disobedience, he was sacked from the District Attorney’s Office. Bernie Ohls, the top investigator for the District Attorney’s Office, is a friend of Marlowe’s, as well as a former colleague, and he is a source of information for him inside law enforcement.
Sam Spade
First Appearance: Sam Spade made his debut in the 1930 novel “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett. However, he also appears in a number of Hammett’s short stories.
Spade is renowned for his quick wit, intelligence, and composure under stressful conditions. He possesses a firm, unyielding demeanour and is not afraid to take risks in order to solve a case. Sam Spade has become a legendary figure in hardboiled detective fiction since his début in 1929, and he has inspired a vast number of other detective stories and characters.
Father Brown
First Appearance: He is a fictional detective devised by the British author G.K. Chesterton. The 1910 short story “The Blue Cross” was the first time he was introduced.
He is a Roman Catholic priest who helps solve crimes in his community by utilising his understanding of human nature and the criminal mind. Father Brown, a detective devised by G. K. Chesterton, appears in over fifty short stories and a number of novels. In addition to having appeared in a number of short stories and novels, Father Brown has been adapted for a number of television programmes and films. The first collection of Father Brown stories, The Innocence of Father Brown, was published in 1911.
Maigret
First Appearance: Maigret first appeared in the 1931 novel “Pietr-le-Letton” (English title: “The Case of Peter the Lett”) and has since appeared in 75 novels and 28 short stories written by Simenon.
Maigret is known for his placid and methodical approach to investigation, as well as his passion for cuisine and wine. Using his knowledge and understanding of human nature and psychology, he approaches cases in a methodical, analytical, and instinctual manner. Maigret is admired for his calmness, sharp wit, and compassion for both suspects and victims. Additionally, he is well-known for his enjoyment of a wide range of foods and drinks, especially pipe tobacco and beer. Maigret is an intriguing and complex fictional detective who has captured the minds of readers all over the world.
Nero Wolfe
First Appearance: In the 1934 book Fer-de-Lance, Nero Wolfe, the main character of Rex Stout’s detective fiction series, makes his debut.
Nero Wolfe is one of the most well-known fictional investigators of the 20th century. He is renowned for his oddities, including his love of fine cuisine, his collection of orchids, and his reluctance to leave his house. He is a smart investigator with an amazing mind for reasoning and deduction despite his eccentricities.
Wolfe was a remarkable figure established by Stout, and detective fiction has relied on him ever since. His books have held readers’ attention for decades because to their complicated storylines, nuanced characters, and razor-sharp wit.
It’s intriguing to learn about Nero Wolfe because of the way he combines humanity, eccentricity, and brilliance. Many other fictional investigators have drawn inspiration from him, and he continues to be regarded as one of the best in the field.
Jessica Fletcher
First Appearance: Donald Bain’s 1984 book “Murder, She Wrote” included Jessica Fletcher for the first time. The TV show of the same name that aired from 1984 to 1996 and starring Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher served as the inspiration for the novel.
A fictional investigator named Jessica Fletcher is a talented mystery author and amateur sleuth. In the little Maine village of Cabot Cove and other places she travels to, she employs her excellent observational abilities and attention to detail to solve murders.
Jessica Fletcher, in contrast to many other investigators in fiction, is an amateur who frequently becomes engaged in crimes by accident. She does, however, have a knack for finding hints and putting together pieces of evidence, making her a natural detective.
Jessica Fletcher is renowned for her kind disposition, as well as for having a quick intellect and good deduction skills. Her popularity has endured long after the TV series ended, with many fans still enjoying the novels and short stories featuring this beloved character.
Kinsey Millhone
First Appearance: Kinsey Millhone originally appeared in Sue Grafton’s 1982 book “A is for Alibi,” which served as the launchpad for the well-known Alphabet Mysteries series.
Private investigator Kinsey Millhone is a fictitious character who works in the fictitious town of Santa Teresa, California. Sue Grafton’s fictional character Millhone is renowned for her keen intelligence, rough exterior, and no-nonsense outlook. Former police officer turned private investigator, she draws on her tumultuous life to guide her work.
Millhone is no exception to Grafton’s works, which are renowned for their emphasis on character growth. Readers become intimately familiar with Kinsey and her eccentricities during the course of the book. Kinsey Millhone is a complicated and multifaceted character, from her fondness of peanut butter and pickle sandwiches to her propensity to take on cases that require defending the weaker party.
Each book in the Alphabet Mysteries series is named after a different letter of the alphabet, with titles like “B is for Burglar” and “C is for Corpse.” This is one of the series’ distinguishing characteristics. The series has become a popular among mystery readers in part because to its distinctive format.