Posts Categorized: Fictional Detectives
SPOILER ALERT: WE’RE REVEALING THE MURDERER… REALLY…STOP NOW IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!! Okay, I warned you… The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) This was the novel that established Agatha Christie’s mystery-writing reputation. As mentioned in my earlier post (part 1 – Product of a Golden Age), Christie had written five mystery novels before…
Welcome to Masters of Mystery, where we feature a classic detective. Today we’re turning to the Juvenile detective category, and looking at: Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat Some interesting facts about Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and the series: 1. Marjorie Sharmat has written over 130 children’s books since 1969, with the most popular being…
Today, we’re considering that mystery classic: Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon (1930) Of course, many of us are familiar with the 1941 film, starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade. However, the background and elements of Hammett’s original novel are fascinating, and worth a closer look. Hammett’s novel is considered part of the “hard-boiled” subgenre of…
Welcome to Masters of Mystery, an ongoing series which features a fictional detective and examines his or her unique contribution to mystery fiction. This month: Ellery Queen Some interesting facts about Ellery Queen and his creators: 1. Ellery Queen is both the name of the fictional detective and the nom de plume for the writing…
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles (1901-02) has been regarded by current and contemporary Sherlockians as the best of the four Sherlock Holmes novels. Since its publication, it has been adapted dozens of times for radio, film, and television. It’s a mystery classic that I hope you’ll try! Here’s some background…
We have a real treat today for you mystery and history lovers: an exploration of one of the most famous fictional villains, Professor Moriarty. He’s the nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, and bad boy of stage and screen, most recently rendered in the film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. It’s particularly appropriate that Victorian scholar…
It’s Fan Friday for mystery lovers, when we take a look at a favorite detective or mystery-related subject. Today’s detective: Leslie Charteris’ “The Saint” – Simon Templar Some interesting facts about Leslie Charteris and The Saint series: 1. Charteris was born to an English mother and Chinese father in Singapore in 1907. (His…
Sherlock Holmes would be nothing without Dr. Watson. Yes, John H. Watson – medical doctor, wounded veteran of the second Anglo-Afghan War, congenial companion, capable chronicler – the 19th century British Everyman. He’s the ideal foil for the brilliance of Holmes, and tells the story in a way that Holmes never could. He also makes the Great…