Meet some of the greatest ever crime-fighting duos.
In crime and thriller books, there are some duos who bring that extra ingredient that makes a book more exciting, enticing and entertaining. Sometimes their relationship is purely professional, or their partnership may be one with a hint of romance. The point is, when they are together, sparks of some sort always fly. These books feature some of our favourite crime duos of all time.
Frank Bennett & Eden Archer – Candice Fox
As Frank finds out the truth about Eden’s dark past, and who she really is, Eden has also come to know the real Frank. She knows how far to push him and when to take matters into her own hands. The combination of these two stubborn, private people makes for very compelling reading.
Alex Cross & John Sampson – James Patterson
We were first introduced to Washington, D.C. psychologist and detective Alex Cross and Detective John Sampson in Along Came a Spider. Friends since childhood, the two have worked many cases together – kidnappings, homicide, robbery, cults, and more. They’re fiercely protective of one another and of Alex’s family, and have literally killed for each other – how many duos can claim that?
Sherlock & Watson – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
There can be no list of the best duos in crime fiction that doesn’t contain Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. These two iconic characters, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, have a timeless appeal that has easily merged from the page onto stage, small screen and big screen. Using wit, observation and deduction to solve the crime, despite their extremely different personalities and attitudes (and Holmes’ penchant for opium), these English sleuths are without doubt an enduring duo that deserve to be the top of any list.
Will Trent & Faith Mitchell – Karin Slaughter
There are a lot of secrets in Will Trent’s past. This Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) agent and former Atlanta PD Homicide Detective, Faith Mitchell, didn’t exactly get along in their first meeting. Faith – along with the rest of the Atlanta PD – blamed Will for her mother’s early retirement from the police force and firing of six narcotics officers in Triptych. Over time, her resentment has faded, and she has eventually accepted an offer to become Will’s partner at the GBI. Where will it lead?
Tempe Brennan & Andrew Ryan – Kathy Reichs
While Forensic Anthropologist Tempe Brennan usually works alone, we couldn’t resist pairing her up with Charlotte, NC Detective Andrew Ryan, who we’re introduced to each other in Deja Dead. While the pair worked well together, you could sense the underlying tension, and **SPOILER ALERT** the two eventually became lovers. It’s a relationship based on admiration, frustration and sexual chemistry, and, even when they’ve broken up, they are still there for one another. (It was tempting to put Birdie as Tempe’s better half, but we think Detective Ryan has done enough to earn his place here.)
Rizzoli & Isles – Tess Gerritsen
When a partnership is formed over a morgue slab – you know it’s going to be good. The relationship between Detective Jane Rizzoli and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles has evolved over time - together they have faced serial killers, hostage situations, pregnancies, kidnappings and countless bodies. Rizzoli & Isles has been made into a hit television series, airing in close to 30 countries around the world.
Lacey Flint & Mark Joesbury – Sharon Bolton
Detective Constable Lacey Flint and Undercover Detective Mark Joesbury – are wrong for each other in every way. In the first book in the series, Now You See Me, confusion abounds as Lacey suspects Mark of suspecting her of being a serial killer. (Little does he know how close to home his suspicion really was.) Although the sexual tension between the two lifts off the page, what really stands out is their trust and faith in each another, and the mutually protective nature they demonstrate at every turn.
