by Julia Buckley
Every mystery that we consider great contains at its center a very memorable set of characters. Sherlock Holmes has endured this long because Conan-Doyle invested him with important qualities. Holmes' ego was important: it assured him both superiority and continual success, despite the efforts of the hapless Lestrade. But he had his vulnerabilities, as well, and readers found that he was not quite so confident when he didn't have a mental challenge. This was made known, of course, through the diligent narration of the equally memorable, and most necessary, Dr. Watson.We writers here at Deadly Daughters try to invest our characters with memorable qualities as well--not just to entice readers, but because something about those characters fascinated us and ultimately we simply had to write about them.
Now here's a little Monday test for you: match the mystery author with his or her memorable character. The first three correct lists will win a set of Poe's Deadly Daughters bookmarks.
Writers 1) Margery Allingham 2)Agatha Christie 3)Ross MacDonald 4)John D. MacDonald 5)Leslie Charteris 6)Ian Fleming 7) Patricia Wentworth 8) Jonathan Gash 9) Dashiell Hammett 10) Raymond Chandler 11) Patricia Moyes 12)Edgar Allan Poe
Characters 1) James Bond 2) Auguste Dupin 3) Albert Campion 4) Travis McGee 5) Henry and Emmy Tibbett 6) Hercule Poirot 7) Lew Archer 8) Nick and Nora Charles 9) The Saint 10) Lovejoy 11) Miss Maude Silver 12) Philip Marlowe
Pretty easy, huh? But doesn't it make you want to go read a book by each of these authors?
I'll post the answers at the end of the day, if people haven't guessed already. No fair checking for answers online.
Have a great mystery week. :)