Created by Marcus Lyons Pseudonym of James Blish Other pseudonyms include Donald Laverty, John MacDougal and Arthur Merlyn (1921-1975) This one's a gas... Okay, compared to the challenges faced by some of the other "defective detectives," impatient private snoop BICARBONATE JOHNNY doesn't have it too bad. Still, the discomfort of chronic dyspepsia isn't much fun, … Continue reading Bicarbonate Johnny
Tag: Defective Detective
Naomi Blake
Created by Jane A. Adams Feisty, strong-willed NAOMI BLAKE was a rather brilliant detective inspector for the coppers in England's Midlands — until a major car accident on the motorway put an end to a promising career — and left her blind. Forced to retire, she nonetheless continues to offer her services to the police … Continue reading Naomi Blake
Malachi Manatee
Created by William R. Cox Pseudonyms include William J. O’Sullivan, Joel Reeve, David Crewe, John M. Easterly, William Hartley, Lance Kermit, John Parkhill, Mat Rand, Ray P. Shotwell, Roger G. Spellman, Daniel Winters & Willard d’Arcy (1901-1988) MALACHI MANATEE came back from the war with a brand new plan. Wounded in action fighting the Japanese … Continue reading Malachi Manatee
Nicholas Bishop
Created by Stephen G. Eoannou Stephen G. Eoannou's mystery, After Hours (2025), featuring World War Two-era private eye NICHOLAS BISHOP is a bit of a Frankenstein monster; a patchwork tale comprised of multiple parts gathered from all over the place. Instantly familiar, but quite fun if you enjoy those parts. Bishop is a drunk, but … Continue reading Nicholas Bishop
Mike Garrity
Created by Thomas B. Cavanagh "I have a tumor in my head. I call it Bob . . ." When we first come across him in the appropriately titled Head Games (2007), things aren't looking so hot for retired Orlando homicide dick MIKE GARRITY. He's in his early forties, twice divorced, and has a teenage … Continue reading Mike Garrity
Oxel Kärnhus (The Creep)
Created by John Arcudi "Whoa... That is one ugly sucker." First introduced in the pages of Dark Horse Presents, comic book writer John Arcudi's The Creep is not just a wondrous continuation of the old defective detectives schtick of the 1940s crime pulps, but a moving (and sadly overlooked) addition to the P.I. genre itself. … Continue reading Oxel Kärnhus (The Creep)
Frank Armstrong (Tumor)
Created by Joshua Hale Fialkov & Noel Tuazon The former Governator of the Great State of California  was wrong, after all. It IS a tumor. Not to get too ecclesiastical on you or anything, but it sure seems like some private eyes are born to suffer as the sparks fly upward... A good case in … Continue reading Frank Armstrong (Tumor)
Nameless (The Big Farewell)
Created by Dan Leissner "I've had a ton of shit shovelled in my face. The shit they gave me when I went off to war. And when I came home... And lame excuses and empty promises from guys on their knees, trying to stop me from doing my job. Trying to wriggle out of a … Continue reading Nameless (The Big Farewell)
Eric Bolan (The Silent Whisper)
Created by Jonathan Betuel When the family of a San Francisco cop ERIC BOLAN (David Beecroft) discovered his wife and two young children had been targeted by the serial killer he had  been investigating, he rushed to defend them--but arrived too late, and had his throat and his vocal chords slashed. Left unable to speak, … Continue reading Eric Bolan (The Silent Whisper)
Adrian Monk (Monk)
Created by Andy Breckmann & David Hoberman "Do you smell gas?" -- Adrian Monk Love it or hate it, this was the face of private eye TV in the first decade of the new millennium, a tongue wedged firmly in his cheek, and all the grit of a sitcom. So forget Spade or Marlowe or … Continue reading Adrian Monk (Monk)