Meny

Sample of literary figures

  • Ted (Edward) Conkaffey

    Male

    Edward Conkaffey, better known as Ted, lost both his job and family after having been accused of molesting a young girl sexually. He was exonerated of all charges, but as persistent rumours didn't fade away, he's now living on his own with a dog and seven geese. He's tall and muscular, with black hair and blue eyes. He sometimes teams up with a young female detective, Amanda Pharrell, in books by Candice Fox.

    Further reading

  • Joseph Zimmertür

    Male

    Psychoanalyst who primarily works in Amsterdam, and who has what one can only call a parodically Jewish appearance. But he is described in positive terms by author Frank Heller (pseudonym for Gunnar Serner): Dr Zimmertür is said to be friendly, diplomatic, well-read and with a good general education – and he is a clever detective and a good judge of character. In his private life, he is a bachelor and has no children, and he has friends in the very best circles.

    Further reading

  • Cordelia Gray

    Female

    A young private detective in only two novels by P.D. James; many readers have complained that there weren’t any more. She grew up with her foster parents – her mother died an hour after the birth of her daughter – and as an adult became the secretary to the private detective Bernie G. Pryde. When he died of cancer, Cordelia Gray inherited his agency. She is attractive, but despite her successes she is – deep inside – unsure of herself.

    Further reading

  • Temperance Brennan

    Female

    Middle-aged but well-preserved and internationally renowned forensic anthropologist, who (in Kathy Reichs’ novels) works in Canada and the USA, as well as other countries. In the first book, Temperance ‘Tempe’ Brennan is newly divorced and a sober alcoholic. Important people in her life are her daughter Kate, who goes to college, police detective Andrew Ryan, with whom she has an on-and-off relationship, and her sister Harriet.

    Further reading