Meny

Sample of literary figures

  • Auguste Dupin

    Male

    One of the most famous literary figures of all times, and the model for a whole row of fictive problem-solvers – including Sherlock Holmes. This despite the fact that <i>chevalier</i> Auguste Dupin features in only three short stories by Edgar Allan Poe. During the daytime, he shuts himself up in his home, smokes and reads; at night, he often wanders along the streets in his home city, Paris.

    Further reading

  • Jane Tennison

    Female

    A British police detective, originally the main character in a TV-series scripted by Lynda La Plante who wrote a handful of novels about her. On TV she was portrayed by Helen Mirren, and is thus described like her in the books: a middle-aged, well-groomed woman, who is also a tough and realistically portrayed police officer. Later, La Plante has written a series of novels that describe Tennison’s first years in the police force.

    Further reading

  • Rina Lazarus

    Female

    26 years old, the orthodox Jewess Rina Lazarus is a widow and the single parent of two small boys. In connection with a murder case, she gets to know police officer Peter Decker, and after he has changed religion, she marries him and they have a daughter. Author Faye Kellerman also lets them solve a series of criminal cases, where they take turns at playing the main role, and sometimes share it.

    Further reading

  • Gereon Rath

    Male

    A police detective and war veteran in Köln, who after a fatal mistake in his work in 1929 is transferred to Berlin. According to author Volker Kutscher, Gereon Rath is between 30 and 40 years old, slim, skilled, stubborn and a morphine addict on account of traumatic war experiences. In Berlin he meets police stenographer Charlotte ‘Charly’ Ritter; they start a relationship, get married and build a family.

    Further reading