The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Every great detective/mystery solver benefits by having a faithful friend or helpful co-worker. Give clues to this person's identity.

My friend's detecting talents never fail to amaze me.

I may appear bumbling, but I'm always there in the clutch.

Dr. Watson?

Yes, Jan, the imperturbable Watson:) Your turn, when ready.

1. I have a partner
2. In my past, I was a Marine, a mercenary, and a cop
3. I didn't have a very good childhood ... but then neither did my partner.

1. I have a partner
2. In my past, I was a Marine, a mercenary, and a cop
3. I didn't have a very good childhood ... but then neither did my partner
4. I gotta have my shades
5. I drive a jeep Cherokee

Joe Pike?

There you go.

1. I'm a slob, overweight, a sloppy dresser.
2. I'm the polar opposite from my partner in crimesolving except in one respect.

That sounds familiar. I'm thinking.

1. I'm a slob, overweight, a sloppy dresser.
2. I'm the polar opposite from my partner in crimesolving except in one respect.
3. We both have anger management issues; tick us off and we'll beat you within an inch of your life.

Sounds dangerous. :) And familiar - also thinking...

How nice to invent yet another game, Scout. Great!

Clete - Dave Robicheaux's buddy?

Jan C wrote: "Clete - Dave Robicheaux's buddy?"
Bingo, Jan C!

I thought for sure Scout would get this because of the discussion going on under a Dave Robicheux thread.. which I only discovered after I'd started, otherwise I wouldov picked someone else.

Anyway, you're up Jan!

1. I was childhood pals with my partner.
2. This was a mixed Irish/Polish/Italian working class neighborhood.
3. I'm stuck in an abusive marriage.

I have a guess but I'm going to wait to give someone else a shot.

You can go ahead.

Angie Genarro?

Take it away.

Okay, to recap, so far we've done:

Dr. Watson
Joe Pike
Clete Purcell
Angie Genarro

On to the next.

I’m not in the business, but I come to my P.I.’s aid frequently.
I’m a buff martial arts experts and know my way around guns.

1. I’m not in the business, but I come to my P.I.’s aid frequently.
2. I’m a buff martial arts expert and know my way around guns.
3. My p.i. meets clients and colleagues at my place of business
4. That’s because I serve food and drink, and can keep an eye out at the same time.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "1. I’m not in the business, but I come to my P.I.’s aid frequently.
2. I’m a buff martial arts expert and know my way around guns.
3. My p.i. meets clients and colleagues at my place of business
..."

Is it Winsor Horne Lockwood III

Fred wrote: "C
Is it Winsor Horne Lockwood III ..."

Nope, but good guess. Some of the clues fit but not all.

1. I’m not in the business, but I come to my P.I.’s aid frequently
2. I’m buff and know my way around guns
3. My p.i. meets clients and colleagues at my place of business
4. That’s because I serve food and drink, and can keep an eye out at the same time.
5. I’m my p.i.’s best friend; I sometimes take care of my p.i.’s second best friend
6. This is a very pampered dog named Rosie.

I won't win a prize as I am having a senior moment but this person (who's name I can't remember) is a character in the late Robert Parker's books. Not a Jesse Stone or Spenser series. I have read all of them but just can't think of his name. Clues: he has a nice restaurant he has a partner (if I remember right) and really is a great sidekick.

I'm having the same problem, Janice. It's been a while since I read a book with this character. I remember Rosie, but not to whom she belongs.

Okay Janice and Scout, we're arriving at my last and best clues so I'll offer them, and if that doesn't kick free a name I'll reveal. And btw, Janice is right.


1. I’m not in the business, but I come to my P.I.’s aid frequently
2. I’m buff and know my way around guns
3. My p.i. meets clients and colleagues at my place of business
4. That’s because I serve food and drink, and can keep an eye out at the same time.
5. I’m my p.i.’s best friend; I sometimes take care of my p.i.’s second best friend
6. This is a very pampered dog named Rosie.
7. I've been called "the world’s toughest queer” and “gayer than three hummingbirds."
8. I work out in a karate black belt.
9. I'm a good cook and know all the words to show tunes.
10. If I met Spenser I'd be his match not only in fighting but in witty repartee.
(the last two were lifted from thrillingdetective.com but they were too good not to share)

Well, I want to say Milo, but he just doesn't fit, does he?

I know Rosie belongs to our PI and her x Richie. How come I remember Richie and not the rest of the "cast"

Okay, I'll fess up. His name is Spike, don't know if he has a last name. He's Sunny Randall's BFF, he owns a bar/restaurant, and all the rest is true.

Janice, you came closest, want to take a turn?

Of course...Sunny Randall!!!

Scout I think Milo is the detective in the Jonathan Kellerman series.

p.s. Spike is a great BF for Sunny. I wonder if anyone will dare take up any of the Parker series.
Tom Selleck has another Jesse Stone in the works for TV.

Janice wrote: "p.s. Spike is a great BF for Sunny. I wonder if anyone will dare take up any of the Parker series.
Tom Selleck has another Jesse Stone in the works for TV."

Really! I wondered how that would work what with him now starring in the police drama, Blue Bloods or something. Did anybody see the pilot?

I read an interview with Tom Selleck and he has no intention of giving up on Jesse Stone series. No, did not see the pilot of Blue Bloods (or whatever) maybe next time.

I watched 30 minutes or so of Blue Bloods, and I just couldn't get into it.

I should have guessed Spike's identity, but it's been a while since I've read a Sunny Randall book.

Have another side-kick in mind, Janice?

These are the side-kicks so far:

Dr. Watson
Joe Pike
Clete Purcell
Angie Genarro
Spike

Janice, I've got one. When you return, jump in.

I'm a police detective west of the Mississippi.

My friend (the main character) doesn't always let me in on what's happening, yet I do my best to back him up.

Scout wrote: "...I'm a police detective west of the Mississippi.

My friend (the main character) doesn't always let me in on what's happening, yet I do my best to back him up. "

Milo Sturgis, BFF of Alex Delaware?

Good guess, but I need to give another clue.

Since I'm a detective, I need information to solve crimes, but many times my friend, the main character, can't give me info because he's a psychiatrist and has confidentiality issues, so it's frustrating for me.

Sam Purdy? Alan Gregory's friend

Scout wrote: "Good guess, but I need to give another clue.

Since I'm a detective, I need information to solve crimes, but many times my friend, the main character, can't give me info because he's a psychiatri..."

Scout, are you sure it isn't Milo, LOL?

Carol, I'm sure, although I wish it were Milo:)

Jan, you got it. Sam Purdy is the guy.

When you have another, go for it:)

Recap

Dr. Watson
Joe Pike
Clete Purcell
Angie Genarro
Spike
Sam Purdy

1. I was from Scotland
2. My friend was from Kent but had spent summers in Scotland
3. We served in World War I together.

1. I was from Scotland
2. My friend was from Kent but had spent summers in Scotland
3. We served in World War I together
5. He was my commanding officer.
6. I was his sergeant until one day ...

Okay, time for a question. What's the time period?

1. I was from Scotland
2. My friend was from Kent but had spent summers in Scotland
3. We served in World War I together
5. He was my commanding officer.
6. I was his sergeant until one day ...
7. I refused to carry out an order on the front and, thus, my friend had me executed
8. He eventually went back to his job as a Scotland Yard inspector.

Oh, I know that one! It's Hamish MacLeod from Charles Todd's 'Ian Rutledge' series.

Ther eyou go, Dorie.

I was running out of clues.