Charlie Goose

No question. It's gotta be Elvis Cole, with Joe Pike walking slack.

Honk!

beavismom

Off the top of my head, I would say Bosch. Although I am fairly new to his character, he seems very tenacious.

As a chick, I would have to make Lucas Davenport a very close second and hope it took a long time to solve.

Of course, there is always Twikoff ... he is one serious investigator.

Tuan Jim

I've always been partial to Father Brown, and of course the classic, Sherlock Holmes. Need to get around to picking up a collected edition sometime.

Tuan Jim

Bean-si

Out of that list - it's got to be Harry Bosch.

djmont

I would definitely want Jack Reacher backing me up in a fight.

If I needed a cop, I'd call Harry Bosch. If I needed an eye, I'd pick Matt Scudder.

KayUK

Scarpetta every time, that is one determined woman.

BoatDrinks

Could be anyone.

I just threw those names out to start.

Cole and Pike was a good pick, as was Scudder.

Charlie Goose

Which one, the book version or Eriq Lasalle?

Honk!

beavismom

The book version. I have been reading Sanford's Prey series for over 10 years and there is just something about this character that appeals to me.

I rarely agree with Hollywood's casting of literary characters and in my mind I just can't see Lasalle as Davenport.

Alien Redrum

Damn! What a great line.

Me, I'd have to go with Bosch for sheer dedication. The man does not give up on you.

A close second is Davenport, but he spends too much time having sex and stuff.

Charlie Goose

I agree with that. I stopped reading the Prey novels after Lasalle was cast as Davenport.

Honk!

darkside

I love Harry Bosch, but good old Hercule Poirot will always be my favorite.

flixtime

Hmmm, tough to decide..........you certainly can't go wrong with Harry Bosch. Elvis and Joe are a pair who you definitely want on your side; they are equaled by Coben's Myron Bolitar and Win Lockwood if you're in trouble on the East Coast. Burke's Dave Robicheaux isn't too bad either. While not an investigator, Hunter's Bob Lee Swagger is certainly not a guy to mess around with, nor was his dad - Earl.

Taking into consideration that Bosch's current situation is a bit in limbo, that Elvis might have some distractions in his personal life, and that Myron.......well, the name "Myron" isn't really intimidating now is it?; my pick as of now would be Lehane's Boston-based duo of Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro (and Bubba too for when times get really rough). I understand Dennis Lehane's next book is another standalone. I look forward to the return - hopefully soon - of Patrick and Angie.

djmont

That appears unlikely at this point. I don't believe Lehane is going to be writing this series any longer.

flixtime

Hi djmont, I'd heard rumors that Lehane was going to put Patrick and Angie on hold for quite some time, but I was hoping he would return to them some time down the road, maybe after his next two books. I'll keep my fingers crossed that he returns to their story again some day; I feel that there are definitely more stories to be told. I certainly enjoyed his standalone "Mystic River" but it was such a dark and ugly tale, it would be difficult for me as a reader to make repeat visits to that world if indeed his future standalones are all similar in tone to "Mystic River".

BoatDrinks

A mini hijack...

Who would you bet on in a battle:

Reacher
Pike
Bubba
Bob the Nailer
Hawk

I'm thinking Reacher in a very close win over Pike... but maybe not?

djmont

Now that Pike is messed up -- see THE LAST DETECTIVE -- he'd be meat.

In a straight-up fight, Reacher would win. The way he's written, he'd beat anybody.

However, Hawk would win a "fight" between these guys, because he wouldn't fight fair. He'd shoot 'em in the back or something.

flixtime

Based on my recollection of one of the action scenes (the one where he and Nick? engage in a big gun battle with the bad guys) from "Point of Impact" , I'd put my money on Bob Lee Swagger (aka Bob the Nailer); he's racked up quite a body count both in the U.S. and Vietnam.