Meny

Sample of literary figures

  • Evert Backstrom

    Male

    Backstrom is a homophobic, sexist, chauvinist, corrupt, egocentric, complacent, drinking police inspector that looks down on most of his colleagues and fellow human beings. At the same time he is a (to say the least) unconventional and surprisingly good investigator. He appears in more or less prominent roles in a string of police novels by Leif G.W. Persson.

    Further reading

  • John Dortmunder

    Male

    He is one of the most cunning thieves in the USA: he carefully plans the most fantastic coups, and has only been caught twice when he was young. Unfortunately, John Archibald Dortmunder is dogged with bad luck: his ingenious plans often go wrong at the last moment for the most incredible reasons. His adventures are described in more than a dozen entertaining – often farcical – novels by Donald E. Westlake.

    Further reading

  • Rebecca Normén

    Female

    The well-educated Rebecca Normén works – in a trilogy of novels by Anders de la Motte – in part for the bodyguard section of the security service, but also with helping her little brother Henrik Pettersson who has got into great difficulties and is hunted by the police, and others. She is around 35 years old, and is attractive with dark eyes, distinct cheekbones and a little nose. She cares a lot about her private life, and avoids permanent partners.

    Further reading

  • Jakob Studer

    Male

    Perhaps the most famous problem solver in German-language crime fiction is Wachtmeister (approx: sergeant) Jakob Studer, a single elderly gentleman, overweight, with a pale, gaunt face and a heavy moustache. He was created by Swiss-Austrian Friedrich Glauser, is mainly active in the countryside and in small towns and solves his cases with the help of intuition and human knowledge.

    Further reading