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Mystery  Detective Fiction Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Mystery  Detective Fiction Quizzes, Trivia

Mystery & Detective Fiction Trivia

Mystery & Detective Fiction Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
From Sherlock Holmes to Sue Grafton. Here's a chance for mystery lovers to find out what they know! Quizzes on the work of a single author will be found under that author's name.
105 quizzes and 1,470 trivia questions.
Sub-Categories:
Fictional Detectives Fictional Detectives (48 quizzes)
1.
The Butler Didnt Do It
  The Butler Didn't Do It!   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Murderers in Crime Novels
Spoilers galore in this photo quiz, where you need to identify each of these murder suspect characters by their occupations. And none of them was a butler! (Click the images for a closer look!)
Average, 10 Qns, trident, Aug 17 24
Average
trident editor
Aug 17 24
417 plays
2.
  History of Mystery   best quiz  
Classification Quiz
 12 Qns
People like a good mystery now and then, but only since the Nineteenth Century have mystery novels started to appear. Can you sort the following titles in the appropriate period?
Easier, 12 Qns, JanIQ, Nov 08 24
Easier
JanIQ gold member
Nov 08 24
200 plays
3.
  Mystery Authors and Titles   best quiz  
Classification Quiz
 20 Qns
Place the author's four book titles in the correct author group. The same book title has been used on both side of the Atlantic.
Easier, 20 Qns, suomy, Oct 04 24
Easier
suomy
Oct 04 24
299 plays
4.
  Crime After Crime   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The crime novel has seen many changes over the years, but classic crime mysteries are still perennial favorites. Can you match the author to the famous mystery novel?
Easier, 10 Qns, lordprescott, Aug 13 24
Easier
lordprescott
Aug 13 24
225 plays
5.
  I Think Therefore I Solve   great trivia quiz  
Classification Quiz
 20 Qns
Can you exercise your little grey cells to work out homes for the twenty choices given? Have fun.
Average, 20 Qns, Creedy, Aug 05 24
Average
Creedy gold member
Aug 05 24
325 plays
6.
  Crime Solving Heroes   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the author with the crime solving main character featured in their novels.
Easier, 10 Qns, nmerr, Apr 18 23
Easier
nmerr gold member
Apr 18 23
495 plays
7.
  Sorting Golden Age!   best quiz  
Classification Quiz
 15 Qns
Sort these titles by which Golden Age of Detective Fiction author wrote them - Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, or Ngaio Marsh.
Easier, 15 Qns, agony, Feb 02 22
Easier
agony editor
Feb 02 22
585 plays
8.
  Whodunnit?   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Detective novels and who wrote them
I'll admit I know close to nothing about detective novels. So I'll take the opportunity to write a quiz for everyone sharing in my pain. Just match the author to the detective - even the crime story averse reader should manage that!
Easier, 10 Qns, WesleyCrusher, Dec 07 22
Easier
WesleyCrusher editor
Dec 07 22
2837 plays
9.
  Absolute Beginners editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A general mix of worldwide literary sleuths. Some old, some new. Some well known, others not so. The common link is that each question relates to their first appearance in print; the absolute beginning you might say.
Tough, 10 Qns, Aussiedrongo, Feb 13 13
Tough
Aussiedrongo
2240 plays
10.
  Mystery Match   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the subgenre of the mystery novel to its characterstics.
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, May 09 20
Average
Joepetz gold member
May 09 20
403 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Who was the world's first literary detective?

From Quiz "Basic Crime Fiction"




11.
  Mystery Mistresses   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a quiz on female mystery authors and their protagonists. Let those little grey cells do the work. Have fun. You might want to take note of some authors to read.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Sep 27 15
Average
JanIQ gold member
1063 plays
12.
  Sidekicks and Henchmen   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Fictional detectives often have a sidekick - a chronicler, a henchman, a cat's paw. See how many you can identify.
Average, 10 Qns, agony, Nov 03 10
Average
agony editor
1541 plays
13.
  It's a Mystery to Me!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Llama Book Club decided it was time to delve into some mysteries, and of course everyone has their favorites! Can you figure out which mystery novel is each Llama's favorite from the facts they divulge?
Average, 10 Qns, kaddarsgirl, Jan 01 21
Average
kaddarsgirl gold member
Jan 01 21
1416 plays
14.
  It Wasn't Me   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Listen to ten famous literary detectives as they describe some of their most famous cases. You need to pick the mystery that they are NOT describing. The correct answer will always be a mystery solved by another detective.
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, May 29 21
Average
Joepetz gold member
May 29 21
553 plays
15.
  The Cat Who Caught the Canary    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The title of this quiz sounds like a mystery novel, doesn't it? That's what this quiz is about. See if you can put together the title of these famous detective novels. Each one has an animal's name included. Good luck!
Easier, 10 Qns, PootyPootwell, Jan 27 19
Easier
PootyPootwell gold member
Jan 27 19
639 plays
16.
  History of the Detective Novel editor best quiz   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
One of the few genres in Literature that doesn't date back to 'Olden Times' is definitely the detective story. Yet it has by now developed its own traditions, its own who is who, and its own milestone events. That's what this quiz tries to deal with.
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Nov 12 22
Average
flem-ish
Nov 12 22
4973 plays
17.
  Crime at Christmas    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ah, Christmas, a time of peace on earth and goodwill to all men, unless you are one of our favourite literary sleuths that is! Only very minor spoilers.
Average, 10 Qns, candy-pop, Feb 13 22
Average
candy-pop
Feb 13 22
668 plays
18.
  Finding My Way Back Home #2   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match each literary detective with the place you'd be most likely to find him or her.
Easier, 10 Qns, chicagojanet, May 26 16
Easier
chicagojanet
514 plays
19.
  Who Wrote Them? Crime    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hope you enjoy this quiz, I welcome feedback.
Average, 10 Qns, mash_freak, Oct 23 18
Average
mash_freak
Oct 23 18
2384 plays
20.
  Murder They Wrote   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Crime fiction has been one of the most popular of all literature genres for hundreds of years. Many famous characters have been created over those years. How many of the men and women behind them can you identify?
Tough, 10 Qns, darksplash, Sep 30 15
Tough
darksplash
1321 plays
21.
  American Crime Fiction    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My favourite literary genre is Crime Fiction. Many of the finest examples of this genre have come from America. Here are just a few of my favourite crime writers and the characters they have created.
Average, 10 Qns, Coriolanus, Oct 28 16
Average
Coriolanus
595 plays
22.
  Mystery Fiction With a Sense of Humour   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
There's a tradition in mystery fiction of mean streets, pain, and violence, but there's another tradition that doesn't take itself quite so seriously....
Tough, 15 Qns, agony, Apr 22 17
Tough
agony editor
1399 plays
23.
  The Ten Commandments of Mystery Writing    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Father Ronald Knox was a Catholic priest and mystery writer during the Golden Age (1920s and 30s). He developed Ten Commandments for the genre. How much do you know about these golden rules?
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, Apr 01 20
Average
Joepetz gold member
Apr 01 20
258 plays
24.
  Mystery And Science Fiction Writers    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'm taking notice of some of the famous writers of mystery and science fiction.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, Jun 05 14
Average
robert362
3788 plays
25.
  Classic Mystery/Crime Stories    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz focuses on some popular crime stories. Some questions look for the criminal and some questions look for the title or other information. Spoiler Alert: The question or info may give away some story endings.
Average, 10 Qns, PhillyRex, Sep 27 17
Average
PhillyRex
533 plays
26.
  Characters In Current Works Of Fiction    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I have a feeling that many Fun Trivia players love to read. Creating memorable characters is an art. This quiz tests your knowledge of memorable characters in current fictional writing, mostly in the mystery genre.
Average, 10 Qns, RandeeOz, May 01 10
Average
RandeeOz
473 plays
27.
  Mayhem and Murder in Florida   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Florida is an attractive location for mystery fiction of all sorts, from John D. Macdonald to Carl Hiaasen.
Average, 15 Qns, agony, Feb 22 20
Average
agony editor
Feb 22 20
885 plays
28.
  Crime Does Pay (for These Authors Anyway)!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A history of the crime novel (1840 - 1940). The crime novel first became recognised as a distinct genre in the 19th century. This quiz explores the development of this literary form and investigates the specialist writers in the first 100 years.
Tough, 10 Qns, bracklaman, Jul 25 18
Tough
bracklaman
Jul 25 18
833 plays
29.
  From Page to Screen    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many works of mystery and detective fiction have had TV series and movies made about them. Here are a few of the most popular.
Average, 10 Qns, boof123, Apr 03 19
Average
boof123 gold member
Apr 03 19
703 plays
30.
  Marple Murderers    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS - Match the person murdered in the Agatha Christie Miss Marple novel with their murderer. If there are multiple murders in a novel then the murder in question is the first chronologically.
Average, 10 Qns, timoggy, Dec 07 20
Average
timoggy
Dec 07 20
167 plays
31.
  Not Just Robots and Spaceships    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Science fiction novels can cross most any other genre of literature. Here are ten that can also be classed as mystery and/or detective novels.
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, May 22 14
Average
mlcmlc gold member
471 plays
32.
  Basic Crime Fiction    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is a quiz on the basics of Crime Fiction. I studied this genre at school and thought I'd make an easy quiz on it.
Average, 15 Qns, Fi B, Nov 11 18
Average
Fi B
Nov 11 18
1503 plays
33.
  Dog Detectives   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hounds, retrievers, and the little dogs burglars fear most, because they trip over them in the dark and break a leg.
Tough, 10 Qns, catamount, Sep 28 22
Tough
catamount
Sep 28 22
2101 plays
34.
  Snuggle Up With a Good Read    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
What is more relaxing than snuggling up with a good book? Match the author to her book.
Average, 10 Qns, November4, Oct 17 16
Average
November4
350 plays
35.
  Black Heart of Crime    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Each question is about a mystery/detective novel with the word "black" in the title.
Average, 10 Qns, sanremo, Nov 06 13
Average
sanremo
328 plays
36.
  Cooking Up a Suspense Story    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are certain elements, or ingredients that go into the making of a well-done suspense, mystery or detective story. These authors have proven they can cook up a good read.
Tough, 10 Qns, 57wordsmith, Jul 29 23
Tough
57wordsmith
Jul 29 23
776 plays
37.
  Other Characters of Detective Fiction    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about identifying those recurring characters in some of my favorite works of mystery fiction. I hope you'll enjoy this quiz.
Tough, 10 Qns, JoshCaleb12, Feb 16 10
Tough
JoshCaleb12
841 plays
38.
  J D Robb 'In Death' Characters    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are at least 40 books in the 'In Death' series. These characters appear in most, if not all, of them. The books are set about 30 years into the future. There are more than 40 books in the IN DEATH series by J D Robb.
Average, 10 Qns, Isipingo, Oct 21 19
Average
Isipingo gold member
Oct 21 19
150 plays
39.
  Detecting Sidekicks    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As long as there have been superb sleuths efficiently determining "who dunnit" there have been loyal partners in crime solving. This quiz gives you the author and recurring main character. Identify the sidekick in the multiple choice selections.
Tough, 10 Qns, Tredici, Aug 09 10
Tough
Tredici
862 plays
40.
  Murder Most Fowl    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ten questions centering on mystery novels or movies.
Tough, 10 Qns, professorjon, Sep 25 15
Tough
professorjon
1013 plays
41.
  Scandinavian Crime    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A genre that I have recently fallen in love with.
Average, 10 Qns, mega44, Aug 14 24
Average
mega44
Aug 14 24
226 plays
42.
  Mystery Writers Quiz Challenge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Mystery fans will recognize many of these authors--and perhaps discover some new ones.
Average, 10 Qns, stardust587, Dec 01 10
Average
stardust587
4099 plays
43.
  Mystery cats   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many people think cats are mysterious. They're also featured in many mysteries!
Tough, 10 Qns, catamount, Aug 31 11
Tough
catamount
618 plays
44.
  Literary Murder    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's a look at murder in literature: plays, novels and short stories.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, Feb 17 03
Average
robert362
2808 plays
45.
  Edgar Award Winning Authors    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Edgar Award for Best First Novel is given by the Mystery Writers of America. This is about books by 10 of the winners over the years.
Average, 10 Qns, festus67, May 27 23
Average
festus67
May 27 23
678 plays
46.
  Killed - HOW ?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Fictional murderers sometimes chose the most bizarre weapons! Does your imagination stretch this far?
Average, 10 Qns, balaton, Nov 17 13
Average
balaton
369 plays
47.
  So, Who Done It?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Don't play this game if you don't want the endings to great mysteries given away! But if you've already read all the good ones, come on in! (*WARNING - SPOILERS*)
Tough, 10 Qns, astorian, Sep 30 22
Tough
astorian
Sep 30 22
1045 plays
48.
  You Too Can Be an Armchair Detective!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
An armchair detective is someone who reads mysteries in their recliner. To be an armchair detective, you have to answer questions on these mystery and detective novels.
Tough, 10 Qns, pennie1478, Apr 24 10
Tough
pennie1478 gold member
466 plays
49.
  Murder in Fiction    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Be it bleak sociorealism or suggestive horror, works of fiction are flooded with murder. Test your knowledge of mortal crime on paper.
Tough, 10 Qns, gunstone, Sep 24 03
Tough
gunstone
1081 plays
50.
  What's In A Name?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Don't worry, this is not about name analysis! It's about initials, names of detectives, a pen name and some more. Warning: British golden age writers are well represented!
Tough, 10 Qns, blackbirdtoo, Sep 27 15
Tough
blackbirdtoo
565 plays
51.
  Clueless in Cluedo    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Mr Boddy was found murdered in his home this morning. The usual suspects all claim to have been spending time with characters from various detective stories. Your job is to determine which story/character each suspect was fraternizing with.
Tough, 10 Qns, biangyo, Sep 15 19
Tough
biangyo
Sep 15 19
518 plays
52.
  Pulp Fiction    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
During the 1920s and 1930s a new form of writing appeared on the scene. These stories appeared in dime books called 'Pulp Fiction.' They were written by such as Hammett, Chandler, Woolrich and Cain. Here's a little test.
Tough, 10 Qns, sweetwheat, Mar 02 12
Tough
sweetwheat
502 plays
53.
  Hard-Boiled Lit    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The film noir genre of the 40's owes to the hard-boiled stories that began in the pulps of the 20' and 30's. They were tough, brooding tales of crime in the mean streets of asphalt jungles. See how much you know of them.
Tough, 10 Qns, tjoebigham, Nov 19 12
Tough
tjoebigham
686 plays
54.
  Hard-Boiled Lit:the sequel    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's some more trivia from that tough, dangerous world of the hard-boiled crime thriller, with some questions I didn't use first time out.
Tough, 10 Qns, tjoebigham, Oct 13 07
Tough
tjoebigham
535 plays
55.
  Culinary Mysteries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is for those that enjoy culinary mysteries as much as I do. Some of the following novels include recipes while other just describe gastronomic experiences. Bon Appetit!
Tough, 10 Qns, Pookiepay, May 01 12
Tough
Pookiepay
427 plays
56.
  Mystery fiction    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Tough questions for mystery addicts only.
Difficult, 10 Qns, 3way, May 15 10
Difficult
3way
746 plays
57.
  Mystery Writers    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I name the book, you name the author.
Difficult, 15 Qns, doc322, Oct 20 10
Difficult
doc322 gold member
978 plays
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Mystery & Detective Fiction Trivia Questions

1. The First Commandment of Mystery Writing states that the murderer must be introduced in the early part of the story and the reader cannot know what about the killer?

From Quiz
The Ten Commandments of Mystery Writing

Answer: His inner thoughts

Introducing the murderer early in the novel (usually within the first quarter of the book at least) is essential because Knox believed the reader must have a fair opportunity to guess the killer's identity. The reader is not likely to suspect someone who only debuts late into the story. In addition, the reader cannot know the murderer's inner thoughts because those thoughts might reveal too much about the killer's ideas and strongly hint at their identity. The writer also cannot lie about what the killer is thinking because that would provide a false narrative to the story. Most mystery novelists are very faithful to this commandment. However, it is not uncommon in the grittier or more hard-boiled stories to have the main culprit be someone introduced later in the novel if at all prior to their reveal as the killer.

2. What is the name of Eve Dallas's closest friend?

From Quiz J D Robb 'In Death' Characters

Answer: Mavis Freestone

The two of them met when Dallas was a junior cadet at the Police Academy and arrested Mavis for shoplifting. Mavis began singing in clubs and in later books, with the help of Rourke, Eve's husband, becomes a major music star with an extremely individual taste in fashion.

3. In Mickey Spillane's book "I, the Jury", who murdered Officer Jack Williams?

From Quiz Classic Mystery/Crime Stories

Answer: Dr. Charlotte Manning, the psychiatrist

Mickey Spillane's real name was Frank Morrison Spillane from Brooklyn, NY. "I, the Jury" was written in 1947, and introduced private investigator Mike Hammer. In "I, the Jury", Dr. Manning gets involved with a crime ring. When Officer Williams suspects Dr. Manning of criminal behavior, she kills him. But that is not the end of the story. More murder is on the way.

4. The dubious task of following Stieg Larson in writing the "Millennium Series" fell to which author?

From Quiz Scandinavian Crime

Answer: David Lagercrantz

The early death of Stieg Larson in 2004 of heart attack at the age of 50 left readers wanting for more. The enormous international success of the "Millennium Series" prompted the publishers to continue the series. The book written by David Lagercrantz, "The Girl in the Spider's Web", was published in 2015.

5. Who was the Oxford based detective, created by Colin Dexter, who solved crimes with a partner named Lewis?

From Quiz From Page to Screen

Answer: Inspector Morse

John Thaw and Kevin Whately starred as Morse and Lewis in this long running series. Colin Dexter was awarded the Crime Writers Association "Cartier Diamond Dagger" for outstanding services to crime literature in 1997.

6. Which world-famous sleuth is looking forward to spending an old-fashioned English Christmas with a friend when he is called to investigate the murder of an extremely rich and unpleasant old man named Simeon Lee?

From Quiz Crime at Christmas

Answer: Hercule Poirot

The book is 1938's 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' by Agatha Christie. The murder takes place in an English country house where all of Simeon's extended family (who all have very good reasons for wanting him dead), and a number of suspicious visitors, have gathered for Christmas. The proliferation of suspects, and the fact the victim was found in a room that was locked from the inside, means Poirot certainly has his work cut out for him!

7. In the Agatha Christie novel "Mrs McGinty's Dead" an elderly charwoman is apparently murdered by her rather seedy lodger. What strange object has been used to commit the crime?

From Quiz Killed - HOW ?

Answer: A sugar hammer

The sugar hammer, bought at a village jumble sale, hung openly on the wall of the house where Poirot was staying with Mrs Maureen Summerhayes, a somewhat scatty landlady. The title of the book is taken from a children's game.

8. For what "Dave Robicheaux" novel did James Lee Burke win an Edgar in 1990?

From Quiz Black Heart of Crime

Answer: Black Cherry Blues

James Lee Burke is a well-known mystery writer living in Louisiana. He is best known for his "Dave Robicheaux" series. Robicheaux is a deputy sheriff in the New Iberia, Louisiana police department. He is a recovering alcoholic, Vietnam War veteran, and is subject to depression and nightmares. An unlikely detective, he has been a successful crime-solver through many novels. Burke won a 1990 Edgar for "Black Cherry Blues" (Best Novel of the Year), a 1998 Edgar for "Cimarron Rose", featuring Billy Bob Holland, another memorable Burke character, and a Grand Master Award in 2009.

9. Which mystery author tends to mention a bird in the title of her books? Some examples: "Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon" (2003) and "Owls Well That Ends Well" (2005). Hint: you might come back later for this question.

From Quiz Mystery Mistresses

Answer: Donna Andrews

All these authors tend to use titles containing something in common. Donna Andrews (born 1967) is the correct answer. Besides the titles I gave in the question, I could also mention "We'll Always Have Parrots" (2004) and "The Penguin Who Knew Too Much" (2008). All these novels feature the blacksmith Meg Langslow and her dad, who loves to protect all kinds of birds. Kate Collins has something with flowers, as shown in the titles of her series "Flower Shop Mysteries": "Slay It with Flowers" (2005), "Dearly Depotted" (2005) and "Acts of Violets" (2007), to name a few of these. Kate Charles is interested in a clerical setting for crime. This predilection shows in her anthologies "Unholy Orders: Mysteries with a Religious Twist" (2000) and "Murder Most Catholic" (2002). Laurien Berenson is frequently inspired by dogs. Some titles: "A Pedigree to Die For" (1994), "Dog Eat Dog" (1996) and "Jingle Bell Bark" (2004).

10. Joe Pike and Elvis Cole are featured characters in many of this author's books such as "The First Rule".

From Quiz Characters In Current Works Of Fiction

Answer: Robert Crais

This pair are outrageously great. We meet Elvis Cole and Joe Pike in 1987 in Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat". Cole, the main character in this novel is a Corvette driving PI in LA. His friend Joe Pike finally takes the clear lead in "The Watchman" published in 2007. Pike is a mysterious and quiet character. Both of these characters are well drawn and entertaining. You know that they are honorable men and great friends. Not unlike Robert Parker's Spenser and his Hawk or, dare I say, Ralph Kramden and Ed Norten from the old TV show "The Honeymooners" these men are memorable as individuals but even better as a pair.

11. Her name was Eve. His name was Roarke. She was a cop. He was a billionaire. Together they solved murders while they navigated through marriage. Who wrote the characters of Eve Dallas and Roarke?

From Quiz You Too Can Be an Armchair Detective!

Answer: J.D. Robb

J.D. Robb is really the best-selling author Nora Roberts. Her alias comes from the first initials of her two children and a shortened version of her last name. The characters of Eve and Roarke began in 1995 with "Naked In Death". Throughout the series, J.D. Robb has added colorful characters and secretive pasts to make this a best selling series.

12. Who maintains an empty office in wisecracking Elvis Cole's Detective Agency, created by Robert Crais?

From Quiz Detecting Sidekicks

Answer: Joe Pike

While providing the muscle, and fear of God factor, in numerous adventures with Elvis Cole, Joe Pike finally got a title role in 2007 as "The Watchman".

13. Which author is often claimed to have produced the first work of fiction - such as a novel or short story - of the crime novel genre?

From Quiz Crime Does Pay (for These Authors Anyway)!

Answer: Edgar Allan Poe

Poe produced 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' (1841) which was a short story featuring the fictional detective Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin. Many consider this to be the first crime novel (although some others have been argued for). Poe followed this up with two other Dupin stories during the 1840s.

14. Which author created a pipe-smoking character who came back from the dead to become probably the best known sleuth in the crime fiction genre?

From Quiz Murder They Wrote

Answer: Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle, 1859-1930, created Sherlock Holmes, the deerstalker-wearing, pipe-smoking sleuth we all so easily picture. So well known did Holmes become, that the word 'Sherlock' is now applied, often facetiously, to any investigator. In one case, Holmes and his deadly enemy, Professor Moriarty, fell to their deaths off a waterfall. The fans were outraged and Conan Doyle had to bring him back to life for further adventures. Holmes first appeared in print in 1887 and featured in four novels, 56 short stories and numerous movies.

15. The 1977 award was for the book "The Thomas Berryman Number". This author had a day job in advertising in NY while writing a string of best sellers after that Edgar winner.

From Quiz Edgar Award Winning Authors

Answer: James Patterson

James Patterson was CEO of J. Walter Thompson USA, an NY advertising firm, while he wrote over a dozen best selling books. His last 16 books have sales of over one billion dollars.

16. One of the first basics to this genre is the title, as it will grab the reader's attention. What do you think "Full Circle" by Sue Grafton is all about? (Possible spoiler answer)

From Quiz Cooking Up a Suspense Story

Answer: The murderer is killed at the murder scene.

The story "Full Circle" is interesting in how the ending of the story is a reflection of the beginning of the story--with one big twist! Sue Grafton is well known for her alphabetical dectective titles as in "A is for Alibi", "B is for Burglar", "C is for Corpse", and so on.

17. Who is the human companion of Koko and Yum Yum?

From Quiz Mystery cats

Answer: Jim Qwilleran

Lillian J. Braun has been writing about the two clever Siamese since 1966. They star in over twenty "The Cat Who..." mysteries.

18. Many people believe that this author started the genre of culinary mysteries with 'The Cooking School Murders' featuring amateur detective Eugenia Potter. Who is this author?

From Quiz Culinary Mysteries

Answer: Virginia Rich

Additional titles in this series include 'The Baked Bean Supper Murders' and 'The Nantucket Diet Murders'.

19. Dorothy L. Sayers created the great Lord Peter Wimsey, who is assisted by his batman/valet. What is his valet's name?

From Quiz Other Characters of Detective Fiction

Answer: Bunter

Bunter was Peter's batman during the the Great War (aka, World War I), and afterwards served as valet and crime photographer. His first name, which rarely comes up, is Mervyn.

20. An orangutan did it- in which Edgar Allan Poe story?

From Quiz So, Who Done It?

Answer: The Murders in the Rue Morgue

Edgar Allan Poe is widely considered the father of the mystery genre, which is why the Mystery Writers of America named their annual awards ceremony "the Edgars."

21. John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series was one of the first, and most famous, Florida mystery series. What city does McGee call home?

From Quiz Mayhem and Murder in Florida

Answer: Fort Lauderdale

Travis McGee parks his houseboat, the "Busted Flush", at slip F-18, Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale. The boat is not named after a broken toilet; he won it in a poker game.

22. Who created Schlock Homes and Dr. Watney of 221B Bagel Street?

From Quiz Mystery Fiction With a Sense of Humour

Answer: Robert L. Fish

In a series of short stories, many published in "Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine" Homes and Watney dash through the gas-lit streets of London, ignoring the obvious in search of the glaringly wrong conclusion. The stories have been collected in 1990's "Schlock Homes - the Complete Bagel Street Saga".

23. Who was the world's first literary detective?

From Quiz Basic Crime Fiction

Answer: C Auguste Dupin

He first appeared in 'The Murders In the Rue Morgue' in 1841, written by Edgar Allan Poe. Holmes was the detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Dr Watson was Holmes' sidekick. Poirot was Agatha Christie's supersleuth.

24. Two of the most (in)famous murders in literature were committed by a young Russian in Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment"; the victims are two old ladies. In translation, this novel sometimes takes the name of its protagonist, which is:

From Quiz Murder in Fiction

Answer: Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov killed an elderly female pawnbroker and her sister. Rasputin was a real life monk who early in the century had considerable influence at the Czarist court. "The Idiot" is another Dostoyevsky novel. Potemkin was a real life 18th-century officer and politician.

25. Dorothy L. Sayers insisted on the L. What does it stand for?

From Quiz What's In A Name?

Answer: Leigh

Leigh was her mother's maiden name.

26. In the book "The Maltese Falcon", what is the real name of the 'Fat Man'?

From Quiz Murder Most Fowl

Answer: Kaspar Guttman

The book was made into a 1941 movie starring Humphrey Bogart. The part of the Fat Man was played by Sidney Greenstreet, who was making his film debut. He was 61 at the time.

27. Everybody seems to agree that Edgar Allan Poe is the first to have published a detective story in the English language. Which story exactly was that?

From Quiz History of the Detective Novel

Answer: The Murders in the Rue Morgue

Published in 1841, this story introduced the Parisian detective C. August Dupin.

28. Philip Marlowe was a creation of Raymond Chandler. Where was Marlowe's office located?

From Quiz Pulp Fiction

Answer: Hollywood

Raymond Chandler was 50 when he wrote his first novel.

29. Raskolnikov, a student who commits murder, is a character in a novel by what author?

From Quiz Literary Murder

Answer: Dostoevsky

'Crime and Punishment'

30. In James M. Cain's first novel, what does the Postman always do?

From Quiz Hard-Boiled Lit:the sequel

Answer: Ring Twice

A friend of Cain's, screenwriter Vincent Lawrence, gave him the idea for the title, and Cain dedicated it to VL.

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