Who's your favourite fictional detective?

[BurlingtonBertieFromBow]

I like Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson's books
Also Inspector Barnaby, George Smiley (does some detecting in A Murder of Quality) and Adam Dalgleish

Dr Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar, the Mistress of the Art of Death, is the only detective I can think of who breastfeeds and solves crimes at the same time, while being totally wonderful.

And Sherlock. Because well of the cheekbones, oh Benedict of his incredible deductive powers and natty hat collection.

Myron Bolitar and Win. And Big Cindy.

forgot Myron Bolitar
I also like Stephen White's Dr Alan Gregory

Thursday Next

Sherlock Holmes. Without doubt.

Inspector Troy
Lord Peter Wimsey
Dandy Gilver

Lisbeth Salander.

Commissario Guido Brunetti in the Donna Leon books about Venice.
DI Tom Thorne by Mark Billingham.
DI Roy Grace by Peter James.
Myron Bolitar by Harlan Coben.
DI Rebus by Ian Rankin.
I'm trying out the Simon Serailler books by Susan Hill too, not sure if I think he's a bit too much like Adam Dalgleish yet.

I'm going to try out some of your suggestions too.

Myron and Win,
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike
Inspector Banks
Patrick and Angie (Dennis Lehanne)
John Corey (Nelson demille)
Kinsey
Stephanie Plum
Harry Bosch
Roy Grace
Tom Thorne
Rebus
Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis
Does Reacher count?

Inspector Sejer (Karin Fossum)

Andro oooh Ellery Queen that's a fond memory. I think I went through the entire county library collection of those many moons ago. I recall yellow covers ? Might have to flip to Amazon...

I had a friend whose DP was the double of Magnum.

Earthymama I've always been a little exercised as to how I can reconcile my lefty leanings with my love for Lord Peter Wimsey.

I also have a fondness for Brother Cadfael - although I'm pretty sure monks in 12th century England were never like that.

I like Charlie Resnick for his cats and his sandwiches as well - might have to reread some of them now.

Phryne Fisher
Miss Marple

Peter Wimsey. The only one I've re-read constantly since teenage years.
Sonia you don't need to reconcile lefty leanings! Lord Peter is contemporary to 1920s/30s, it's like feeling guilty for being a descendant of people who were involved in the Slave Trade - I have discovered my great x6 grandfather made money as an investor, but I do not feel in any way obliged to beat my breast apologising to the descendants of the people he was involved in trafficking.

Remembered Lucas Davenport from the Prey series, too.

Roy Grace
Marcus Didius Falco
Amelia Peabody
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt
Gordianus the Finder

Kinsey Milhone
Tom Thorne
Harry Dresden (sort of detective!)

imperial You're quite right, of course. I tend to tie myself in knots over pointless dilemmas that really only exist in my own head. And I have a significant talent for complicating my life as a result.

Arkady Renko

Dirk Gently

another vote for Colombo!! (just one more question....)

Elliot Stabler. Mmmmmmmm.... :o

I loved Holt Ramsey as well, who was in Stephen King's novella A Good Marriage, which was in Full Dark, No Stars. Did anybody read that? I thought it was great. :)

Should I check out Jackson Brodie then?

Patrick Kenzie/Angie Gennaro
Felix Castor
Jack Parlabane (although love Tim Vale more)
Tom Thorne
Roy Grace
Merrily Watkins

Not a detective as such but can I just mention Tony Hill (Val McDermid novels)?

Can't bloody stand Carol, but Tony is a great character. And the telly version is good in and of itself bonus points for Robson Green being delectable

And another vote for CB's Sherlock. He's incredible. Although he'd drive you absolutely spare.