Meny

Sample of literary figures

  • Steve Carella

    Male

    A central figure in Ed McBain’s (pseudonym for Evan Hunter) books about the 87th police district in Isola is Stephen ‘Steve’ Carella. He is of Italian extraction, and in one of the early books he marries the beautiful and deaf-mute Theodora ‘Teddy’ Franklin, with whom he has twin sons. Detective Carella is tall, dark and muscular without being athletic; he gives an impression of strength and energy.

    Further reading

  • Sherlock Holmes

    Male

    Sherlock Holmes is one of the best-known characters in the history of crime fiction, including adaptations for film and television. His chronicler, Dr. Watson, and his address at 221B Baker Street in London are almost as famous. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote four novels and five short story collections about the detective. Holmes has since featured in thousands of stories by other authors, both as Sherlock Holmes and under a number of aliases.

    Further reading

  • Kate Brannigan

    Female

    Kate Brannigan is a private detective at Mortensen & Brannigan in Manchester. According to the author, Val McDermid, she dropped out of law school. Brannigan is a tough, quick-witted, independent woman with a great deal of integrity. She refuses to move in with her music journalist partner who lives next-door. She never gives up a case, not even when all the odds are against her.

    Further reading

  • Van Veeteren

    Male

    Despite his successful career as a detective chief inspector, he tires of his job, and starts afresh as an antiquarian bookseller. But he continues to play an important role in Håkans Nesser’s books about the police in Maardam. Van Veeteren is a well-built and heavy man, he has a bass voice, is divorced and has been operated for stomach cancer. He is very fond of classical music and dark beer, and likes to chew on a toothpick.

    Further reading