5-4-Fri: Mystery Protagonists

Western civilization has produced many fine things, from the computer to Ingrid Bergman, but its pinnacle may well be the existence of a small cast of extraordinarily interesting fictional detectives. And here you were thinking indoor plumbing.

Mind you, this week’s list includes only characters from novels--yes, there will one day be a 5-4-Fri list that features movies--and these protagonists are exclusively men even though many great female detectives are out there tracking down the killer.

1. Sherlock Holmes -- perhaps not the verrry first but the verrry best. He lives in period London; he invents the deductive method; he endearingly condescends to his sidekick, Dr. Watson; he does more coke than La Lohan; he rules. Check him out in his first appearance in A Study in Scarlet. Thanks, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

2. Jonathan Argyll -- a British ex-pat living in Italy beguiled by its art; its culture; his beautiful sidekick, the charmingly stern Flavia di Stefano; and generally everything continental except its art thieves, whom he dispatches with dispatch. Read The Raphael Affair. Thanks Ian Pears.

3. Sonchai Jitpleecheep -- Son of a steel magnolia whore; adoptive son of the bottomlessly and cheerfully corrupt Chief Vikorn; mentor to a sweet, sassy katooey side-kick; narrator extraordinaire; Sonchai is the light of the Royal Thai Police Force and someone you want to get to know. Go to your local library and check out Bangock 8. Thanks, John Burdett.

4. Adam Dalgliesh -- He’s a sensitive gentleman; a poet; a fierce analyst; and the prototypical modern British detective. The ladies love him and so will you. Try cracking open Cover Her Face. Thanks PD James.

5. - Michael Padillo and “Mac” McCorkle -- Dude. You owe this to yourself. Meet these two DC pals who hang out at Mac’s place, when they are not missing/presumed dead for several books; treat everything with the contempt it richly deserves; booze it up with Dickensian ex-CIA operatives; and solve problems only the US “intelligence” industry can foster. Try Twilight at Mac’s Place. Thanks Ross Thomas.

PS - Woefully, I was forced to exclude the infinitely compelling George Smiley because I think he fits a thriller list better--although a case can be made that John Le Carre invented his own genre. Oh, and "All Mixed Up" by Red House Painters is mysteriously catchy; now playing on iTunes.