Today’s post for A Month of Favorites, hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge, is supposed to be a book review or a discussion post. Today you can link up at Traveling with T.
I read a lot of mysteries, which you may have gathered from some of my other “favorites” posts. Since today is a “free” day, I thought I’d list a few of my favorite detectives, ones who I’ve either read or watched this year.
1. Hercule Poirot – I don’t remember when I discovered Christie’s mysteries. I do remember, when I was young, it was Poirot who I most enjoyed reading about. He had a certain aplomb that I loved. I may not have ready any of his stories this year, but I did watch a couple of the mysteries on PBS. Actually, I take that back, I did read The Monogram Murders, but that’s not really Poirot.
2. Miss Marple – It took me a little longer to appreciate Miss Marple. I think, when I was a kid, I found her rather boring, but now I enjoy the quieter way she goes about solving things, how well she knows people. She’s also one I only watched on tv this year.
3. Inspector Armand Gamache – He was with the Sûreté du Québec but is currently retired. He’s a good man, who knows that the feelings, thoughts, secrets that lie deepest can be the most damaging. He’s more likely to notice people and motives than fingerprints.
4. Inspector Roderick Alleyn – Alleyn’s with the Scotland Yard. He’s down to earth, although quite the gentleman, the younger brother of a Baronet. He’s intelligent and handsome, enjoys travel and marries an artist. quite an all-around attractive man who also solves crimes.
5. Sherlock Holmes – No list of my favorite detectives can be complete without Holmes. I love how he’s so analytical and socially inept. This year, I’ve been watching Elementary, which I enjoy. I don’t mind the different incarnations of Holmes, I find them fun.
Interesting that all but one of my choices are from what I consider vintage mysteries. Have they just stood the test of time, or are today’s detectives too much, either too tough, too melodramatic, make too many poor decisions, or am I just reading the wrong current series? Cormoran Strike almost made my list, but I’ve only read two, and I’m not sold yet. And I didn’t read any of Rendell’s Wexford books this year.
Do you have any favorite detectives?
That’s a great list but I would add Deborah Crombie and Alan Bradley!
I haven’t read either of them. Bradly’s series doesn’t call to me, but I should check out Crombie’s.
Poirot, Marple and Holmes are also in my favorites. I also read Deadly Tastings (Winemakers Detective Series) by Jean-Pierre Alaux. It is about a wine expert who also is a great detective, named Benjamin Cooker. I didn’t know at the time I read it that it was the fourth in a series, and now I’d like to read the others too. It takes place in France and was really good.
Wine and France – sounds like one I need to read. Thanks for the suggestion.
On tv I like Lynley and omg blackout…the midsummer guys
Don’t judge, but I do like Alex Cross.
My mom LOVES Poirot! My favorite is Eve Dallas from JD Robbs In Death series. I Just adore her.
I want to meet Gamache in person! 🙂
I also like Camilleri’s detective, the obvious name of whom I am now forgetting…so sorry.
Salvo Montalbano – I always want to like him more than I do. I think it has something to do with his attitude toward women.
I haven’t read enough to know abot that; what I remember liking was his sarcasm.
If we read for escapism, maybe we like like the classic detectives because we can put more distance between ourselves and the crimes they investigate. I think that’s why I like Peter Whimsey & Poirot better than Lynley.
Interesting point. I do tend to read for escapism and avoid book that are too emotionally charged for me.
I love Lincoln Rhyme. Sadly, I haven’t read enough of those on your list 🙁
I think I’ve read one featuring him, but it’s been years ago.
I love mysteries- but sadly must say I’ve not read any of THESE particular ones!