Orthodox sleuths?

[MKJ]

So, I like mystery novels, and tomorrow is my library day.

I've read about Anglican ecclesiastical detectives, Roman Catholic ones, and even Baptist preachers solving mysteries. Are there any good Orthodox sleuths in the world of fiction?

 

[Damaris]

So, I like mystery novels, and tomorrow is my library day.

I've read about Anglican ecclesiastical detectives, Roman Catholic ones, and even Baptist preachers solving mysteries. Are there any good Orthodox sleuths in the world of fiction?

None that I know of. There is a huge dearth of Orthodox characters in fiction. Where they exist, the focus is generally on their ethnic identity (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Someday, I hope, someone will get down to business and write some books about Orthodox characters.

In the meantime, have you ever read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series? I've heard it's really good.

 

[MKJ]

None that I know of. There is a huge dearth of Orthodox characters in fiction. Where they exist, the focus is generally on their ethnic identity (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Someday, I hope, someone will get down to business and write some books about Orthodox characters.

In the meantime, have you ever read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series? I've heard it's really good.

Yes, I like it very much. The television series is also well done. I also like the Sunday Philosophy Club novels by the same author, though I prefer the earlier ones.

Perhaps I will have to write an Orthodox detective novel. A bit of a daunting proposition.

 

[MrJim]

...Detective Father Vasily?

 

[Knee V]

Or Father Dowlingovich?

 

[inconsequential]

"You have to ask yourself one question...'Did he say 12 Lord have mercies or only 11?' Do you feel lucky? Well, do you, my child?"

 

[RobNJ]

...Detective Father Vasily?

IS OUTRAGE!!! Was it Colonel Mustard in the drawing room, with a candle stick in 19th century Russia?? No, it was NOT!!

 

[Chesterton]

So, I like mystery novels, and tomorrow is my library day.

I've read about Anglican ecclesiastical detectives, Roman Catholic ones, and even Baptist preachers solving mysteries. Are there any good Orthodox sleuths in the world of fiction?

We Orthodox don't commit crimes - why would we need sleuths?

 

[RobNJ]

"I drove down to the docks. The fog was thicker than the incense at a Pascha Liturgy. I saw the car I was looking for, the one with the 'Free Constantinople' bumper sticker. One hand on the flashlight in my pocket, the other holding a prayer rope, I walked to the dark wharehouse......"

And you wonder why there aren't Orrthodox sleuths???

 

[ikonographics]

If Orthodox don't commit crimes, then what is Crime and Punishment all about?

 

[Chesterton]

If Orthodox don't commit crimes, then what is Crime and Punishment all about?

But Raskolnikov eventually confessed, right? See, no sleuth needed.

 

[MKJ]

"I drove down to the docks. The fog was thicker than the incense at a Pascha Liturgy. I saw the car I was looking for, the one with the 'Free Constantinople' bumper sticker. One hand on the flashlight in my pocket, the other holding a prayer rope, I walked to the dark wharehouse......"

And you wonder why there aren't Orrthodox sleuths???

Sounds like a hard-boiled type. I generally prefer the classic English domestic. Something like the guest at the study group ends up face down in the borscht, and the intrepid priest's wife is left having to figure out the crime.

 

[MamaBug]

Boris Akunin has two series set in 19th century Russia. One of the protaginists is a police dective who I believe is about as Orthodox as most 19th century Russian civil servants. The other is an Orthodox nun, Sister Pelagia. The first one of that series is 'Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog'. His style is more literary than cozy.

Michael Pearce has two 19th century Russian mysteries that revolve around religion. The first is 'Dmitri and the Milk Drinkers' (which is an allusion to the Molokan sect) second is 'Dmitri and the One-legged Lady'. The "one legged lady" is an Icon of the Theotokos.

Jane Haddam's "Gregor Demarkian" series is about an Armenian Orthodox detective set in an East Coast Armenian neighborhood in Philly.

Anne Zouroudi has a series based on the seven deadly sins and set in modern day Greece - no idea on the religion of the protagonist

That's all I can remember.

 

[MKJ]

Boris Akunin has two series set in 19th century Russia. One of the protaginists is a police dective who I believe is about as Orthodox as most 19th century Russian civil servants. The other is an Orthodox nun, Sister Pelagia. The first one of that series is 'Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog'. His style is more literary than cozy.

Michael Pearce has two 19th century Russian mysteries that revolve around religion. The first is 'Dmitri and the Milk Drinkers' (which is an allusion to the Molokan sect) second is 'Dmitri and the One-legged Lady'. The "one legged lady" is an Icon of the Theotokos.

Jane Haddam's "Gregor Demarkian" series is about an Armenian Orthodox detective set in an East Coast Armenian neighborhood in Philly.

Anne Zouroudi has a series based on the seven deadly sins and set in modern day Greece - no idea on the religion of the protagonist

That's all I can remember.

Thank you!

 

[RobNJ]

]Sounds like a hard-boiled type[/B].

Yup, all the way back to Connie, in the Dashiell Hammett short stories!