Disadvantaged Detectives

Dorothy Sayers

 Even though Dame Dorothy Sayers in her copious introduction to "Omnibus of Crime" & Baroness P.D.James in her delightfully concise "Talking about Detective Fiction" have exhaustively dealt with Detective Fiction, being eminent writers  themselves, some rather neglected aspects therein, are proposed to be highlighted in this presentation.

Usually fictional detectives, because of their arduous profession, are males in the prime of their life, either in the police force itself or have a companion to share their views. Well known examples are Sherlock Holmes & Dr.Watson, (Arthur Conan Doyle) Hercule Poirot & Capt.Hastings, (Agatha Christie), Lord Peter Wimsey & Mervyn Bunter (Dorothy Sayers), not forgetting "Handsome Alleyn" of Scotland yard with his Inspector "Brer" Fox (Ngaio Marsh).

Among the above, Poirot is elderly, but had police experience in Belgium. Max Carrados, a creation

Poirot

of Ernest Bramah, overcame his blindness by developing his other senses beyond their usual ranges. Similarly, Duncan McLain, created by Baynard Kendrick. The unnamed "Old Man in the Corner" of Baroness Orczy was even more sedentary than Nero Wolfe of Rex Stout, in sitting in a corner, perpetually knotting & unknotting a piece of string, while unravelling the most knotted mysteries.

On the distaff side, Sister Fidelma,(A Peter Tremayne creation) though a Celtic Nun, was also a dalaigh, empowered with authority to conduct investigations. Similarly Lady Molly (Baroness Orczy) of Scotland Yard was empowered by both status & authority.

The only completely disadvantaged detective by sex, age, lack of authority & lack of support a la Dr.Watson or Capt. Hastings) is the inimitable Jane Marple of Agatha Christie, whose only support comes from reading the religious classic "The Imitation of Christ" of Thomas a Kempis at bedtime!

- R. Ramachandra (Bangalore)
  14 Nov, 2019