Meny

Sample of literary figures

  • Father Brown

    Male

    The Catholic priest Father Brown (he has no first name) is active in England. He has a round, non-descript face and an umbrella which he is always losing; in addition, he usually carries a paper-wrapped package which he finds difficult to keep in order. But he is also one of the best amateur detectives in fiction, the main character in five classic collections of short stories (but no novel) by G.K. Chesterton.

    Further reading

  • Sidney Chambers

    Male

    James Runcie has written a suite of novels about Sidney Chambers, vicar in Grantchester near Cambridge, and describes that character’s activities as an Anglican priest and amateur detective. The good vicar is tall, slim, just over 30 years of age with a high forehead, a hook nose and brown eyes. He is married to the German widow Hildegarde Staunton, and they have a daughter called Anna. Detective Inspector Geordie Keating is a very good friend.

    Further reading

  • Erlendur

    Male

    A detective inspector in Reykjavík, and the main character in a row of police novels by Arnaldur Indriðason. Erlendur – his surname, Sveinsson, is rarely named as is customary in Iceland – is a skilful and empathetic police officer, but rather tired and sometimes anxiety-ridden. One reason is that he left his family when the children were small, for reasons that he can’t himself remember. His ex-wife still hates him for this, and both his son and his daughter ended up abusing drugs.

    Further reading

  • Logan McRae

    Male

    Author Stuart MacBride paints a picture of a dark and gloomy Aberdeen, where police detective Logan McRae investigates cases which include a lot of violence – sometimes against children. He, himself, has a background which is not entirely without blemishes, and sometimes he is wounded on duty or is transferred after breaking various rules. He is tired, often unshaven and a bit shabby-looking, but nevertheless has a permanent, if somewhat shaky, relationship with Samantha.

    Further reading