79 posts tagged with detective.
Displaying 1 through 50 of 79. Subscribe:

Procedural shows without cops and murder

We like the process of puzzling through a mystery and getting to a solution through brainwork and teamwork. Problem is most TV shows of this format focus exclusively on murder, which we don’t find good fodder for entertainment. Also the cops tend to be lionized, which we also don’t much care for. [more inside]
posted by rikschell on Sep 22, 2020 - 43 answers

Want an apolitical Crime/Detective writer

Does anyone know of a writer of crime fiction who is modern, nonleftist (or even obviously conservative), and good? I've already read John D. MacDonald, Ross Macdonald, Connelly, Westlake/Stark, Rob't Parker, and am now reading John Sandford but he's becoming too liberal for me. I'd like to go with someone well-known but need to know whom to avoid. I also like horror, but Stephen King's "Under the Dome" I had to drop. Have also already done the Dan Simmons trilogy... Thanks.
posted by noelpratt2nd on Nov 27, 2019 - 24 answers

What to do about unprofessional detective work

We were robbed a few weeks ago. Several conversations with the detective working our case have left me and my spouse feeling blamed. What are our best options? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 22, 2019 - 15 answers

In search of searching...or something

My wife is looking for a new hobby/activity which scratches a particular problem solving/puzzle-ish itch. We've tried looking but honestly aren't even entirely sure what we're looking for so I suggested we see what kind of ideas the hive mind might offer up. She's mostly looking for stuff that can be done indoors/at the computer but all suggestions welcome! Her thoughts inside. [more inside]
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand on Nov 12, 2019 - 21 answers

Spy kids!

What's a good Christmas present to give a 7 year old who's getting into spy and detective stuff? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Nov 7, 2019 - 14 answers

Unsolved (Work) Mysteries, Grease Edition

My work mouse and keyboard start to feel very greasy, very fast. My home mouse and keyboard do not. What gives? More details inside. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian on Mar 8, 2019 - 9 answers

Detective mysteries like Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford

Looking for more Detective mysteries like Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford or Leaphorn and Chee. [more inside]
posted by mightshould on Nov 18, 2018 - 13 answers

How Do I find a PI Outside of the Country?

Are there any great obscure US or non-US detective shows from the 50s-70s that will scratch this itch? [more inside]
posted by Bunglegirl on Dec 19, 2017 - 22 answers

Detective Game Recommendations?

Please share with me your recommendations for good detective games to get caught up in! Details under the fold. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian on Dec 9, 2017 - 12 answers

Detective fiction -- what next for me?

I need a new series to read, but don't know where to turn. I've only read a few, and like Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder and John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee best. [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd on Oct 11, 2017 - 23 answers

What interesting detective stuff can my daughter read / watch ?

My daughter (7 yo) craves detective stories. I'm looking for books, comics, movies recommendations to build a collection of material suitable for her age.
posted by nicolin on Aug 26, 2017 - 47 answers

What should I read after Inspector Rebus?

I have read all of the Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin. What should I read next in the detective fiction genre? [more inside]
posted by vivekspace on Feb 15, 2017 - 19 answers

"We don’t disclose that."

ISO low stakes, high detail, popcorn fodder investigative journalism. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee on Jan 24, 2017 - 22 answers

Unscary Detective/Mystery books in "exotic" or "outdoors" locations.

ISO mystery/detective authors where the protagonist is mostly not in danger. Bonus if it happens in an exotic (to me - from urban US) locale, or in a nature setting. Must be NOT SCARY! (Previous likes/dislikes inside). I've seen the other threads on this, but can't tell from that which ones are scadn which not. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 on Dec 26, 2016 - 17 answers

Moody, Melancholic Detective Jazz

I don't know anything about jazz. But what I do know is that I love jazz that feels like it's straight out of a 1940s detective film. Melancholic, moody, slow. Mostly made up of saxophone, piano, and upright bass. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by gregoryg on Sep 1, 2016 - 34 answers

Hard-boiled detective fiction from the last 30 years?

I've been reading a lot of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett lately and I am really into it. But now I want to taste some of this same flavour in a more recent vintage, especially if it is seasoned with some cross-genre pollination. [more inside]
posted by 256 on Apr 9, 2016 - 70 answers

Inspired By Blade Runner

You love Blade Runner, I love Blade Runner - a little too much. I need more. What are the best pieces of future noir media with the same setting/atmosphere? [more inside]
posted by gregoryg on Dec 1, 2015 - 32 answers

What's the secret writing code used by Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey?

I remember reading, in one of Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey detective stories, of a simple but clever secret writing code he devised. Might anyone either know which novel in which the code was described, the code itself, or some place where it's listed? I've googled it, to no avail. Short of tracking down and poring through each of the novels, I thought I'd ask here. Thank you.
posted by holdenjordahl on Sep 18, 2015 - 8 answers

Håkan Nesser and John Le Carre novels

I love their style and characters. Not wasteful, wordy. Any suggestions for similar books?
posted by ebesan on Feb 1, 2015 - 9 answers

Social Media Detective Agency to Root Out Cheaters

I work for a professional organization that runs classes and issues certifications for members of a scientific field. We are having issues with cheating via social media and would like to hire a company who can help monitor this and track down the real identities of the offenders. [more inside]
posted by jschu on Jan 26, 2015 - 5 answers

The best future is a mystery novel

I really enjoy Robb's "in death" series and recently discovered Alex Hughes' Mindspace series which I enjoyed tremendously. (And, many, many years ago, likely before most of you were born, I read Asimov's stories and will always remember fondly R. Daneel Olivaw.) What other detective series set in the future should I read?
posted by aroberge on Aug 3, 2014 - 11 answers

Movie recco filter: detective/noire edition

Looking for a good detective/noire movie. [more inside]
posted by askmehow on Aug 3, 2014 - 35 answers

True Detective Withdrawl

Looking for alternatives [more inside]
posted by jellyjam on Jul 22, 2014 - 33 answers

Detective/Mystery Novels in Current Day New York?

A little while back I stumbled upon a detective novel (Losers Live Longer) that takes place in 2009 NYC and utilizes actual city streets, restaurants, bars, etc. The writing was pretty average, but the book kept me constantly aware of the protagonist's location (oftentimes cross-streets). The real-world geography of areas I knew well really sucked me into the world and engaged me on another level than the narrative alone. Are there any other good detective or mystery novels that use post-2000s (or, better yet, post-2010) New York accurately? [more inside]
posted by gregoryg on Jul 8, 2014 - 13 answers

Historical British Detective Novel(s)

I'm looking for suggestions for a book that could appeal to a diverse set of people (i.e. my family). Some historical fiction set in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland, with a detective-style plot, seems like it would work. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by benito.strauss on Jun 8, 2014 - 29 answers

The Art of Finding Someone

Fellow skip-tracers and family historians: I am looking for ways to improve my investigative skills in public records and the like. What are some good tips and tricks for tracking down people, dead or alive? [more inside]
posted by Driven on May 13, 2014 - 10 answers

Name that book: a detective novel in Los Angeles

Help me remember the title of this book? [more inside]
posted by Cwell on Mar 27, 2014 - 5 answers

Young Adult Detective Bookfilter

Need help identifying a book from childhood. [more inside]
posted by Ham Snadwich on Feb 13, 2014 - 11 answers

Using metadata to search for artifacts

Are you aware of a book or paper that has insights into how one might go about searching for information about things or artifacts? [more inside]
posted by PHINC on Jan 19, 2014 - 4 answers

I'm looking for the name of a kid's book series.

There was a short-lived kid's book series whose title that for the life of me I can't remember. It came out around the time that ESP McGee did. The main character had this unusual ability - he could draw anything and he had a photographic memory. The series was basically like Encyclopedia Brown, with a series of short mysteries in each volume, except that the clues to be gleaned were always hidden in the drawing. The protagonist, at the scene, always said "click" like a camera, and remembered the scene to be drawn later in his sketchbook. I mentioned this to a friend of mine and he asked me if it was Cam Jansen, who also says click, but I looked that series up and it's not her. Can anyone help? This has been haunting me for years.
posted by Sully on Dec 14, 2013 - 3 answers

Smart detective fiction?

What are some particularly intelligent or well-written novels in the suspense/mystery/detective fiction genre? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Dec 12, 2013 - 54 answers

Cuckoo cuckoo?

My girlfriend just read and deeply enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). She is not a regular reader of detective fiction. Can you recommend other books she might like? [more inside]
posted by raisindebt on Dec 7, 2013 - 10 answers

Highfalutin' Genre Fiction

Give me your most well written genre fiction! [more inside]
posted by latkes on Nov 4, 2013 - 49 answers

More reading material, please

My partner keeps rereading the Phrynee Fisher series. He likes them because they're on his E-reader, detective stories, and they pass the Bechdel and Russo tests. He likes the characters in these novels: these are relatively happy people for the most part. Please, O MetaFilter. He's ready for a new series. What else is out there?
posted by aniola on Oct 19, 2013 - 13 answers

Good mystery movies to watch?

I'd like to get some good mystery movie recommendations from the 80s on. It's OK if they veer toward the thriller, like Michael Clayton, ridiculous like Ford Fairlaine, noirish like Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, or are a more standard outing with a strong, interesting, well developed detective lead like Zero Effect. Drawing room mysteries totally A-OK too. Super bonus points if I can stream them now on Hulu plus or Netflix.
posted by jsturgill on May 16, 2013 - 24 answers

Help me find this book featuring a female police detective!

It's actually a series. The protagonist is a female detective, who seems to be in love with her ex-husband, and at some point has to live with him and his new wife because she is injured. I think she has lived with her elderly mother, too. Sorry, not much to go on!
posted by cherrybounce on May 8, 2013 - 4 answers

I'm pretty sure the first letter was G, but maybe it as a 2.

How do police departments use/search partial license plate information in their investigations? Or incomplete information about cars generally? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock on Apr 18, 2013 - 5 answers

How does one become an FBI (or similar) agent?

I'm a late-twenties adult finishing my BA a little late. I'm still a little unsure as to what I'd like to do, but I've always had an interest in solving crimes. What are my options for doing this as a career, preferably NOT for a local police department, at least in the long term? [more inside]
posted by ancient star on Apr 1, 2013 - 19 answers

Sci-Fi Noir?

I recently read Berlin Noir, The City and The City and Chasm City, and was looking for recommendations for sci-fi detective fiction, or detective fiction that reads like sci-fi. [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight on Mar 18, 2013 - 37 answers

Detective fiction set in Colonial Africa 1930s-1950s?

I'm looking for examples of detective stories, or stories set among the Colonial police force, in Africa during roughly the period 1918-1955. Short stories, novels, even films. [more inside]
posted by unSane on Feb 4, 2013 - 12 answers

Film Noir Cartoons

Does anyone have any examples of some cartoons that reference Film Noir or are drawn in a noir-esque fashion/explore noir themes? [more inside]
posted by cloeburner on Dec 13, 2012 - 17 answers

Help searching for old PC and Playstation 1 games? Probably about early to mid 90's

Help searching for old PC and Playstation 1 games? Probably about early to mid 90's [more inside]
posted by LittleNami on Jul 29, 2012 - 10 answers

SF&F tragedy, noir, and "defective detectives."

BookFilter: Noir and postmodern fiction in sci-fi clothing. Find me The Big Sleep of science fiction. [more inside]
posted by Nomyte on Jul 8, 2012 - 39 answers

Nancy Drew 10 years later

Help me play private detective! For a totally innocent cause, I promise. [more inside]
posted by custard heart on Jun 3, 2012 - 10 answers

Can you help me sniff out some possible astroturfing?

Can you help me sniff out some possible astroturfing? [more inside]
posted by YoungAmerican on Mar 19, 2012 - 12 answers

It's elementary my dear Watson!

What small details on a person or surroundings would indicate a person's personality / job / background? [more inside]
posted by SRMorris on Feb 28, 2012 - 18 answers

Reference Books to Write a Thriller

I am wanting to write a novel involving detective work and criminal profiling. (Yes, it may turn out horrid.) I am looking for some reference books that might help me be a little bit more informed. So far, I have gotten Criminal Profiling by Brent Turvey, and Body Trauma by David Page. Anybody have some recommendations?
posted by snap_dragon on Nov 12, 2011 - 11 answers

I don't have a butler, though, so that's right out.

How might one go about having a (murder?) mystery-themed dinner party? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee on Sep 22, 2011 - 10 answers

Private investigator wanted in Washington DC / n. Virginia

Looking for recommendations for private investigator / detective in Washington DC and northern Virginia area. If you know of anyone good, please suggest. Thanks.
posted by miomiomio on Sep 7, 2011 - 1 answer

Bug detectives! What bug is this??

What bug is this? We have a bunch of them, and they seem to like fabric (and they like to hang on for dear life). Are they going to eat our clothes? [more inside]
posted by sdis on Aug 6, 2011 - 4 answers

Page: 1 2