James M. Cain 1946 Photo: AP / TT
Sample of authors
Cain, James M.
The American author and journalist James Mallahan Cain was a prominent figure in 20th century fiction. Alongside Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, he was among the first authors of "hardboiled" crime fiction that came to influence American noir fiction and film. Many of his works are considered classics, especially the novellas The Postman Always Rings Twice (1934) and Double Indemnity...
Literary figures
John Thorndyke
Gender: Male
A classic in crime literature, regarded as the first ‘scientific’ detective. Dr John Evelyn Thorndyke not only has degrees in Law and Medicine, he is also a forensic technician and pathologist, explains R. Austin Freeman in his books. Thorndyke is tall and strong, he is handsome, has exceptionally good eyesight and hearing, and a clever laboratory assistant called Polton.