The Hound's TOP TEN Crime Fighting Duos from British Fiction
No. 1 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes & John Watson
Holmes’ dear friend Dr Watson chronicles the detective’s adventures and deductions, narrating them to millions of readers. Watson also acts as a loyal assistant to Holmes in matters of a practical nature.
They first appear (1887)
The Hound's pick
Criteria: The following twosomes all appear in crime fiction books predominantly set in Great Britain. Partnerships come in many forms: A hero with a sidekick, two individuals with different talents and a common goal, a master and a protégé, an aristocrat with a manservant, the brain and the brawn, or a genius with a friend and scribe.
No. 2 Reginald Hill’s Andy Dalziel & Peter Pascoe
The rough and uncouth superintendent Andy ‘fat man’ Dalziel regularly clashes with his younger intellectual sidekick DS Pascoe. Despite this they share a deep friendship and respect and their different skills combine effectively.
They first appear (1970)
The Hound's pick
No. 3 Colin Dexter’s Endeavour Morse & Robert Lewis
Morse is a Jaguar driving, real ale drinking Englishman. An intelligent middle-class ‘gentleman detective’, Morse may be surly but, like his working class assistant Lewis, he’s a likeable guy. Lewis is a Welshman (a Geordie only on TV).
They first appear (1975)
The Hound's pick
No. 5 Ruth Rendell’s Reginald Wexford & Mike Burden
Burden is Inspector Wexford’s long time right-hand man. Uptight and prudish – although this wanes after he marries – Burden provides a good foil to Wexford’s more liberal and less judgmental attitude.
They first appear (1964)
The Hound's pick
No. 4 Stephen Booth’s Ben Cooper & Diane Fry
DC Cooper is the local boy, familiar with his Peak District countryside and its inhabitants; DS Fry, the intriguing, city girl, is more weary and aggressive. An interesting and complex relationship develops between the young stars of E Division.
They first appear (2000)
The Hound's pick
No. 6 Christopher Fowler’s Arthur Bryant & John May
Old fashioned detectives still at work in a modern world. Bryant with his unorthodox and chaotic approach, and the dogged and methodical May with his pragmatism, head up a specialist police team called the Peculiar Crimes Unit.
They first appear (1994)
The Hound's pick
No. 7 Adrian Magson’s Riley Gavin & Frank Palmer
London’s top investigative journalist is the young, hard-edged and tenacious Riley Gavin. She pairs up with the equally tough but easy-going former Royal Military Policeman Frank Palmer. Their different backgrounds provide an exciting dynamic.
They first appear (2004)
The Hound's pick
No. 8 G K Chesterton’s Father Brown and M Hercule Flambeau
Master criminal Flambeau becomes Father Brown’s friend and colleague after the priest first foils then befriends him. A useful adversary to Brown, the reformed Flambeau assists him with his detection.
They first appear (1910)
The Hound's pick
No. 9 Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion & Magersfontein Lugg
Well educated aristocrat Albert Campion’s faithful manservant Lugg is a former burglar happy to get his hands dirty on behalf of his boss. Lugg’s East End accent and awkward manners provide a comical contrast to Campion’s polished authority.
They first appear (1930)
The Hound's pick
No. 10 Dorothy L Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey & Mervyn Bunter
Having served together during the Great War, Wimsey and his manservant Bunter share a strong bond. Much more than a valet, Bunter uses his photography and investigative skills to assist his aristocratic master.
They first appear (1923)
The Hound's pick
Also enjoyed and recommended:
Ian Rankin’s John Rebus & Siobhan Clarke
Ngaio Marsh’s Roderick Alleyn & Nigel Bathgate
Elizabeth George’s Thomas Lynley & Barbara Havers
Michael Robotham’s Joe O'Loughlin & Vincent Ruiz
Martin Edwards’ Daniel Kind & Hannah Scarlett
Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope & Joe Ashworth
Peter James’ Roy Grace & Glenn Branson
E W Hornung’s Arthur J Raffles & Harry ‘Bunny’ Manders
Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway & Harry Nelson
Cath Staincliffe's Janet Scott & Rachel Bailey
Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge & Hamish MacLeod
Val McDermid's Tony Hill & Carol Jordan
Ever get the feeling you've forgotten something? Left the stove on or the front door unlocked? Well I'm getting that feeling here. There's probably a brilliant British crime fighting duo that I've missed, so, if you can think of a glaring omission from my list, please contact me.