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 Detectives
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
Driven by Disability
Seven Modern Defective Detectives By Stephen G. Eoannou Yes, yes, I know the term "Defective Detectives" may be offensive to some, but please chill. And please don't blame Stephen — he's a good guy with his heart in the right place, and he also has concerns about me using the phrase. So I'm the … Continue reading Driven by Disability
Seekay
Created by Paul ErnstPseudonyms included Frederick Carr, Ernest Jason Fredericks, Kenneth Robeson, Robert Wallace, Chris Brand, George Alden Edson, George Edson, Emerson Graves, Paul Frederick Stern(1899-1985) "I am going to turn on the light now. Do not be alarmed at my face." Arguably the first of the "defective detectives," Paul Ernst's SEEKAY was a tall, … Continue reading Seekay
Joe Gee
Created by Wyatt Blassingame Pseudonyms include Van Cort & William B. Rainey (1909-85) New Orleans private eye JOE GEE was one of those creepy but fascinating "defective detectives" from the gloriously incorrect weird menace pulps of the thirties and forties, such as Strange Detective Mysteries, Detective Mystery Magazine and especially Dime Mystery. Unlike many of his … Continue reading Joe Gee
Mick “Brew” Axbrewder & Ginny Fistoulari
Created by Reed Stephens Pseudonym of Stephen R. Donaldson) (1947- -) Guilt? Jealousy? Anger? Alcoholism? Lust? Pity? Self-pity? You're soaking in it. In this trilogy from the eighties, drunk and washed-up ex-cop MICK "BREW" AXBREWDER is content to drink himself to death in some dive bar in Puerto del Sol, a city somewhere in the … Continue reading Mick “Brew” Axbrewder & Ginny Fistoulari
Jim Makin
Created by Floyd Mahannah (1911-76) A bleak, mean little slice of noir, Floyd Mahannah's "Prognosis Negative" first appeared in the March 1953 issue of Manhunt, and is well worth tracking down. Fortunately, it's also included more recently in the Mahannah collection, The Broken Angel/Backfire and Other Stories, put out by Stark House in 2018. JIM … Continue reading Jim Makin
Nat “The Bleeder” Perry
Created by Edith and Ejler Jacobson "Well, we all need someone we can bleed on..." A rather unique private eye here and certainly one of the more famous--or is it infamous?--of the defective detectives, NAT "THE BLEEDER PERRY was a hemophiliac, "to whom a single scratch might mean death." Yep. One cut and he's a … Continue reading Nat “The Bleeder” Perry
Mariano Mercado
Created by D.L. Champion (1903-68) The only thing that bothers Mexico City private eye MARIANO MERCADO more than germs is... MURDER! Billing himself as a detectivo particular, Mercado appeared in eight novelettes in Dime Detective, between 1944 and 1948. The stories were narrated by Latham who seems to be the North American assistant of Mercado. … Continue reading Mariano Mercado
Alexander L’Hiboux (The Owl)
Created by Bob Forward "I am the Owl. And the Owl never sleeps." For those of you who like a little pulp baked right into the mix, you ought to get a kick out of Bob Forward's two explosive books featuring ALEXANDER L'HIBOUX, whose street name is "THE OWL" ("L'hiboux" is French for "owl"). When … Continue reading Alexander L’Hiboux (The Owl)