There’s nothing better than to sit down with a detective mystery novel or watch your favorite detective solve crime in his own unique style. There are mystery novels and fictional detectives galore, but there have been some detectives which have fascinated us since the time they first came into being. Some are brainy and others brawny, but they always manage to get the bad guys in the end. Check out the 10 most admired fictional detectives who fight crime in their unique way:
Auguste Dupin
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Auguste Dupin is the creation of Edgar Allan Poe and is considered to be the first fictional detective. He is known for his superhuman ability to deduct and his knowledge of the psychology of criminals made him a role model for other authors to create the characters of their detectives, based more or less on him.
Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot is one of the most famous detectives in fiction. The little man who loves symmetry, order and method employs his grey cells to all his investigative work. He brilliant sleuthing work has kept him in vogue long after his author passed on. Murderers, kidnappers and thieves meet their match in Hercule Poirot as he single-handedly exposes their crimes.
Sherlock Holmes
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Sherlock Holmes is probably the world’s most well-known detective and has had many serials and movies made with him as the lead character. Arthur Conan Doyle’s super sleuth is a household name, and when the author ended his life, he had to be revived again, as the whole of London mourned his death. His address 221 B Baker Street is as well-known as his trademark pipe and violin playing skills. He is more than a detective – he has been elevated to cult hero status with millions of followers.
Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew made her appearance first in 1930 when she was just 16 years old. Many generations have grown up reading Nancy Drew as the character evolved in many ways in keeping with the changes in American society. This evergreen detective who is bold, courageous and brilliant has solved many intriguing crimes with elan. Her strong character has fans such as Laura Bush and Hilary Clinton.
Batman
Gotham City’s guardian Bruce Wayne or “Batman” is a superhero and that too, one of the world’s favorites. His is a brawny way of solving crime as he uses his fists as much as he uses his brains. Batman, the detective, does his detecting work using his Supercomputer and his other awesome gadgets, along with putting his observational skills to work. His dependable butler and policeman James Gordon help him catch the wiliest of criminals.
Adam Dalgleish
A gentleman detective who is a poet to boot, he is the creation of P.D. James. He is charming, handsome, reclusive and erudite, Dalgleish is loved by the ladies, but he does not let this interfere with his work. He contemplates about justice and human psychology and has had quite a fan following from the time of his first appearance.
Miss Marple
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This diminutive lady is another of Agatha Christie’s creations and looks like everybody’s favorite aunt. But behind that sweet face is a razor sharp brain which never fails to catch the criminal, usually a heartless murderer, and saves innocent victims from their persecutors.
Inspector Alan Grant
This Scotland Yard man is neither flamboyant nor eccentric but is conscientitious and perverse to get to the truth. The mystery novel The Daughter of Time, in which he investigates a 300 year old case, was selected by the Crime Writers’ Association as the greatest detective novel for all time.
Precious Ramotswe
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The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’s lead detective, Precious, tackles crime of all sorts from murder to adultery in Botswana, and her adventures give an idea of life in Botswana. Her human approach to solving crime endears her to one and all.
Bradley
Mrs. Bradley appeared in 66 novels and is the brainchild of Gladys Mitchell. She is unattractive, outspoken but brilliant and earns the nickname “Mrs. Crocodile”.
The genre of detective fiction has seen a lot of detectives, but there are some who have captured our imagination for their unique characteristics, and have a niche presence which gains them new fans in every generation.