Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard. The character Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print in 1887's A Study in Scarlet.
Detective fictionDetective fiction is a subtype of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator or a detective—whether professional, amateur or retired—investigates a crime, often murder. The detective genre began around the same time as speculative fiction and other genre fiction in the mid-nineteenth century and has remained extremely popular, particularly in novels.
Boston BlackieBoston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle (1881–1928). Blackie was originally depicted as a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's stories, an antihero who maintained his own code of honor and was fiercely loyal to friends. Blackie's image was softened for radio, film and television depictions, where he became a private detective and was described as an "enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend."
Nick and Nora CharlesNick and Nora Charles are fictional characters created by Dashiell Hammett in his novel The Thin Man. The characters were adapted for film in a series of films between 1934 and 1947; for radio from 1941 to 1950; for television from 1957 through 1959; as a Broadway musical in 1991; and as a stage play in 2009. SynopsisNick and Nora are a married couple who solve murder mysteries while exchanging sharp and smart repartee.
Perry MasonPerry Mason is a fictional American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in the detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason appears in 82 novels and four short stories, all involving a client charged with murder, usually centered on a preliminary hearing or jury trial. Mason typically establishes his client's innocence by finding the real murderer. The character was inspired by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Earl Rogers.
DetectiveA detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crimes by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases. This leads them to arrest criminals and enable them to be convicted in court. A detective may work for the police or privately.
Charlie ChanCharlie Chan is a fictional police detective created by author Earl Derr Biggers for the titular series of mystery novels. Biggers loosely based Chan on Hawaiian detective Chang Apana. The benevolent and heroic Chan was conceived as an alternative to Yellow Peril stereotypes and villains like Fu Manchu, though nevertheless is an example of "yellowface".
Nancy DrewNancy Drew is a fictional character appearing in several mystery book series, movies, video games, and TV shows as a teenage amateur sleuth. The books are ghostwritten by a number of authors and published under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
Kenneth BranaghSir Kenneth Charles Branagh ( ; born 10 December 1960) is a British actor and filmmaker. Born in Belfast and raised primarily in Reading, Branagh trained at RADA in London and served as its president from 2015 to 2024. His accolades include an Academy Award, four BAFTAs, two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Olivier Award. He was knighted in 2012, and was given Freedom of the City in his native Belfast in 2018.
Lone Wolf (character)The Lone Wolf is the nickname of the fictional character Michael Lanyard, a jewel thief turned private detective in a series of novels written by Louis Joseph Vance (1879–1933). Many films based on and inspired by the books have been made. The character also appeared briefly on radio and television.
Private investigatorA private investigator (often abbreviated to PI; also known as a private detective, an inquiry agent or informally a private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigators often work for attorneys in civil and criminal cases.
B movieLow-budget commercial film genreThe "King of the Bs", Roger Corman, produced and directed The Raven (1963) for American International Pictures. Vincent Price headlines a cast of veteran character actors along with a young Jack Nicholson.A B movie, or B film, is a type of low-budget commercial motion picture.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.