A good mystery is like a great conversation. It enlightens, informs and entertains.At the center of the story is the Great Detective- perhaps the most beloved stock character of all time. The detective in a mystery should be smarter than an ordinary person.They should be capable, physically imposing and posses characteristics that separate them from all other people- in fiction or non-fiction.

Here is a list of seven great literary detectives whom you might want to become acquainted with.

Encyclopedia Brown

The boy detective, Encyclopedia Brown, was so intelligent he ran circles around adults. Created by Donald J.Sobol, the Encyclopedia Brown Mysteries have been popular with boys and girls for decades. Each case reads like a riddle, which the reader tries to figure out along with Encyclopedia and his friends.

Precious Ramotswe

Alexander McCall Smith’s No.1 Ladies Detective Agency is run by Precious Ramotswe, a smart,pleasant woman. Set in Botswana, the stories read like slim literary stories. The characters are so engaging you won’t be able to wait for the next one.

Lord Peter Wimsey

Dorothy L Sayers created Lord Peter Wimsey in the twenties.Wimsey is a rich British aristocrat who loves his mother, is a WWI veteran and has a loyal valet named Bunter. The stories are funny and true to the Golden Age tradition of mystery novels.

Hercule Poirot

Monsieur Poirot is not French- he’s Belgian. He has a little mustache and a little egg-shaped head. He doesn’t look dangerous, but to the criminals he tracks down, Poirot is a nightmare. He was created by Dame Agatha Christie, one of the best selling authors of all time.

Kinsey Millhone

Kinsey Millhone is the main character in Sue Grafton’s bestselling Alphabet Series.The latest is T is for Trespass. Smart,funny and human, Millhone defies all the female stereotypes: she’s not into shopping, home-making or hair styling. She has no serious political feelings, but her sense of justice is on point.

Nancy Drew

A very great detective, Nancy Drew was beautiful and intelligent when all the other strawberry blondes were playing the love interest. She hasn’t gone out style since her debut in the 1930s.Minute details changed in the story over the years and they are still being updated, but she’s still the same clever Nancy.

Sherlock Holmes

The Greatest Detective, Sherlock Holmes is the one who symbolizes all the others. He is suave, smooth and a genius. Having hundreds of fan clubs and a real place of abode at 221b Baker Street, Holmes is the most recognizable character in all of fiction. He and his faithful side-kick Watson deduct their way through four novels and over 60 short stories, all penned by Scottish-born author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.