All of these individuals, both characters and creators alike, have made an impressive mark on our crime fiction culture and, I daresay, inspired many more writers than just me.
No Spoken Word
1- DCI Carol Jordan created by crime writer Val McDermid in her novels that also feature the profiler Dr. Tony Hill. For me personally these two characters and the books they populate represent some of the finest crime writing. Val is 'the boss'.
2- DS Annie Cabbott features in the Yorkshire set crime novels of Peter Robinson as the deputy to DCI Alan Banks. They've weaved in and out of each other romantically as well as professionally and that adds to the tension in each of the novels.
3- Insp. Jayne Tennyson played by Helen Mirren in the TV crime drama 'Prime Suspect' and created by Lynda La Plante. She set the bar for all female TV detectives and blazed the trail for women to be the 'lead' in such dramas. Superb in every way.
4- DCI Janine Lewis played by Caroline Quentin in the 'Blue Murder' series on TV adapted from the books by Cath Staincliffe. The character is a single Mum juggling work and home life and she gave me the inspiration for my DSI Jeff Barton who's a single Dad.
5- PI Kate Brannigan created by Val McDermid in a series of mysteries set around Manchester. Great stories and a great original character.
6- Insp. Gina Gold played by Roberta Taylor in 'The Bill' on ITV. I loved Gina. She could be Mum to all the detectives but also crack the whip when she needed to. I wish they'd bring The Bill back with characters like Gina.
7- Sgt. Catherine Caward played by Sarah Lancashire in the BBC series 'Happy Valley' created by Sally Wainwright. To be honest this character annoyed me in that she marched around seemingly believing she was holier than thou and treating all the men she came into contact with, including her colleagues, in such a disgustingly sexist manner that she could've been a misogynistic man. That said she's always where the drama is and the drama in this show pulls no punches.
8- Cagney and Lacey - Brilliant TV from back in the eighties and one of the first truly realistic shows depicting women in the work place. I can still hear the theme music!
9- Jessica Fletcher played by Angela Lansbury in 'Murder She Wrote'. Okay so it is a bit corny and predictable at times, and it does tend to play fairly safe in its storylines, but its hugely successful and always worth a watch.
10- Miss Marple created by Agatha Christie. What more can I say? Still good even after all these years.
No Spoken Word by David Menon is available now. For more information, please visit www.davidmenon.com