The main character is usually the detective, like Philo Vance. He is highly intelligent and has a distinct personality.
Van Dine detective fiction is often known for its complex and intricate plots. The stories usually involve a brilliant detective who uses his sharp intellect to solve baffling crimes. There is a strong emphasis on logic and deduction.
The Van Dine 20 Rules are guidelines for detective fiction. One rule is that the detective must be a character of some significance, not just a minor figure. Another is that the criminal should be someone mentioned early in the story. Also, no accident or intuition should be the solution; it should be based on logical deduction.
They still influence modern detective fiction in many ways. For example, the idea that the detective should be a relatable character still holds. Many modern detective stories follow this to make the reader more engaged.
The main character is Albert Campion, a detective with a unique style. He has friends and acquaintances who sometimes get involved in the cases, like his sister Valentine. There are also the villains in the stories, who are carefully crafted to be both menacing and complex. Each character, whether major or minor, contributes to the overall fabric of the detective stories in the Campion series.
There are also some minor characters that play important roles in Poe's detective stories. For example, the police officers who are often baffled by the crimes and turn to Dupin for help. They serve as a contrast to Dupin's brilliance, highlighting his superior deductive skills. Additionally, there may be witnesses or bystanders whose testimonies or actions provide crucial clues for Dupin to solve the mystery.
The main character is Brother Cadfael. He is a former Crusader who has now become a monk. He uses his knowledge from his worldly experiences to solve mysteries in the monastery and the surrounding areas.
In the Van Helsing novel, Van Helsing is the central figure. He is a character with great knowledge of the supernatural. There might be characters like a young woman who has been bitten by a vampire and is in a state between life and death. Van Helsing tries to save her. Then there are the creatures themselves, like the powerful vampire lord who is the main source of the evil in the story. There could also be some side characters, like an old priest who provides Van Helsing with some useful information about the history of the vampires in the area.
In some of her novels, there are various suspects and witnesses who also play significant roles as they interact with the main detective characters. These characters are often well - drawn, with their own backstories and motives that contribute to the overall mystery.
George Gently is at the center of these detective fictions. He is a complex character with his own backstory and personality traits. In addition to him, there are characters such as the criminals he is chasing. These criminals are also well - developed, each with their own motives and stories that contribute to the overall mystery. And there are the victims, whose fates are what drive the investigations forward. Their relationships with others play a crucial role in unravelling the mystery.
Typically, in Flynn's detective fiction, there will be a central detective figure. There might also be side characters like the detective's partner, who could be a source of comic relief or provide a different perspective on the case. And there are usually suspects, victims, and witnesses that the detective interacts with during the investigation. These characters together form the fabric of the story and drive the plot forward.