Created by Lori Armstrong Pseudonyms include Lorelei James In 2023, it may seem a little odd to come across a short story referring to private investigation as "No Place for a Dame,” since we’re not exactly bereft of female gumshoes these days, but since the story’s set in 1942, so I guess we can cut it … Continue reading Vivian Marlow
Tag: Short Story
Peter Proctor
Created by John H. Knox (1905-83) The son of a preacher man, and probably the most successful pulp writer to ever come out of Abilene, Texas, John H. Knox specialized in both weird menace and crime & detective stories… and sometimes a combination of both. Like “Dead Man’s Shadow,” which appeared in the December 1934 issue … Continue reading Peter Proctor
Thomas Langford
Created by John M. Floyd In the Shamus Award-winning short story, "Mustang Sally," former cop turned private eye THOMAS LANGFORD (and his "long-time and infinitely patient girlfriend" Debra Jo Wells) get in way over their heads in what even the author agrees is a "lighthearted, its only crime being an off-screen jewelry-store heist." Maybe it is … Continue reading Thomas Langford
Fred Fox
Created by James Thurber (1894-1961) A parody of the tough guy P.I. story, in which all the characters are animals in the forest? Seriously? It's a wandering rabbit job, with hard-boiled, rye-drinking FRED FOX called in by old Mrs. Rabbit to find Daphne, one of her descendants. As you might guess, old Mrs. Rabbit has a … Continue reading Fred Fox
Leonard Shelby (Memento)
Created by Jonathan Nolan Adapted for the screen by Christopher Nolan ''I can't make new memories.'' Seen Memento yet? It's a truly mind-blowing film that should get as much exposure as possible. The main character, LEONARD SHELBY, is (or at least was) a P.I. (well, actually, an insurance investigator). But I think this qualifies him … Continue reading Leonard Shelby (Memento)
“A Hard-Boiled Christmas”
By Stephen Reid "I refuse to don this ridiculous costume.." Albert sucked in his belly and swelled up like a rooster. "A saint I ain't, Mac. I am a highly regarded thespian." "You're a highly regarded has-been, is what you are, Albert. Now sit down and try those boots on." I had to pick the … Continue reading “A Hard-Boiled Christmas”
Milt Davis
Created by Evan Hunter (1926-2005) Evan Hunter (a.k.a. Ed McBain) was a prolific genre author, but he didn't create many private eyes, claiming that he found it "difficult to justify a private citizen investigating murders." Consequently, the character of MILT DAVIS represents a relatively rare foray by this influential crime writer into the P.I. world. … Continue reading Milt Davis
Maria Magdalena “Maggie” Morales
Created by Carolina García-Aguilera Cuban investigator MARIA MAGDALENA MORALES (call her "Maggie"--everyone else does) has been around, and seen it all. She's been married at least four times (number two was Cuban, number four a Venuzuelan), speaks Spanish fluently and has been working as a private eye (license #C8802651) for Bobby O'Meara, a Miami attorney, … Continue reading Maria Magdalena “Maggie” Morales
Mark Hull
Created by Norbert Davis Pseudonyms include Harrison Hunt, Cedric Titus (1909-1949) "She was one of the real mysteries of Hollywood. She was thin and flat-chested, with a complexion like yellow paste. Her black hair was lifeless and dull. Her features were assembled in regular enough order, but her face gave a queer blank effect, as … Continue reading Mark Hull
February Smith
Created by Leigh Brackett (1915-1978) "I am a private dick...That means, according to all the storieds I've read, that I'm tough, resilient and bullet proof. Also infallibly brilliant. So don't worry..." -- (people should worry) FEBRUARY SMITH is the hero of "The Death Dealer," a 1943 novella by Leigh Brackett, written a year before her … Continue reading February Smith