11 Most Famous Fictional Detectives in Literature

The world of detective stories and novels is one of thrills and chills. Readers like this genre so much that they find themselves involved with the protagonists in the stories that they are reading. Oftentimes, these stories are very interesting as they have a lot of twists and turns in them that keep readers occupied for hours on end.

There are many famous detectives both male and female that have captured the minds of millions of readers. Some of these detectives are Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Tintin, Nancy Drew, Miss Marple and others. Their stories have been read by generations of readers who have found themselves immersed in these stories.

The genre of detective fiction is usually written in a series of novels which keep the story continuous and there is no break. But sometimes, there are different cases and then the novels become various. The variety of cases in every novel is so interesting that the books become unputdownable. Readers want to know everything till the very end.

That’s why nowadays web series on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video too usually focus on creating new detective series that have complex twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Some fictional detective stories have been converted into series and films, for example, Hercule Poirot is a full series with a multitude of cases. On the other hand, Tintin’s adventures too have been made into films.

In this blog, we are focusing on some famous detectives that have been a part of fictional literature for many generations. So, let’s take the top 11 famous detectives in fiction.

Top Fictional Detectives in Literature

1. Sherlock Holmes- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most lovable detective, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are the most famous detective pairs in fictional stories and even on television. Many famous Hollywood actors have played the role of Sherlock Holmes. BBC created a full series on Holmes titled Sherlock which was loved by all. People watch its re-runs even today.

2. Lieutenant Columbo- He is another famous detective who may be absent-minded and wears a rumpled raincoat everywhere he goes, but when it comes to solving a mystery, Columbo is one of the smartest detectives. However, much the criminal may try to hide the murder, Columbo will solve the mystery and bring the criminal face-to-face.

3. Jessica Fletcher- Although she is a sweet old lady who writes novels, Jessica Fletcher also solves mysterious cases in the fictional town of Cabot Cove which is in Maine. Angela Lansbury portrayed this wonderful female detective.

4. Nancy Drew- Drew is another female detective who has solved numerous mysteries all on her own. She is not afraid of anyone or anything. She is a very amateur sleuth who is pretty good at her job. She is the one who can go into the depths of cases where other professionals won’t. But she has solved very few murders than Fletcher.

5. Joe and Frank Hardy- Who doesn’t know the Hardy Boys and their mystery-solving abilities? They are the best young sleuths and have been read by many children in the past and they are quite popular till today. The Hardy Boys have only two other friends who are Chet and Tony and both the Boys date their friends’ sisters.

6. Phillip Marlowe- Marlowe too is a famous detective who has been played by many actors. He lives in Los Angeles and solves mysteries happening in the city. Some of this detective’s famous stories are ‘The Big Sleep’ and ‘The Long Goodbye’. The latter story has been converted into a movie as well.

7. Jim Rockford- Rockford is a famous detective of the 70s who was played by James Garner. Although he is always short on money and gets more punches than he can hit at the criminal, he is still one of the best detectives. But, he is always out on the streets solving cases that others don’t. Sometimes, these cases also land him in trouble but he isn’t frightened to go into the depths of the cases.

8. Miss Marple- Created by Agatha Christie, Miss Marple is one of her very first characters. Christie’s characters don’t get their hands too much dirty and are known to be more docile and gentle. The same is the case with Miss Marple as she is a very genteel old lady with a sharp wit and intellect who solves cases quickly. She may not have married anyone and is termed an ‘elderly spinster’, Miss Marple is a great detective.

9. Hercule Poirot- Poirot is the second most followed detective after Sherlock Holmes and has retained his place in the world of detective fiction to this day. Poirot is Belgian and is one of Agatha Christie’s most lovable creations. Poirot is also famous for his signature moustache and his round face. He is a smart fellow and has solved various murder mysteries such as Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile etc.

10. Sam Spade- Spade is more popular in film and television than in books. Humphrey Bogart first brought this detective to life in the film ‘The Maltese Falcon’. Nevertheless, Spade had a writer whose name was Dashiell Hammett. He was a noir-era detective.

11. Veronica Mars- Much in the style of Sam Spade is the creation of Veronica Mars. This high-school detective tries to solve the hidden mysteries in the town of Neptune, California which is also her hometown.

So, these and many other detectives have been part and parcel of our lives. We love reading or watching these detectives on television and in films. Hope you all will also like reading these detective stories in your free time. Make sure to check some of these detectives out for yourselves.