North America's Top Literary Cops Quiz

Answer: 87th Precinct

The 87th Precinct novels of Ed McBain are often seen as the epitome of police-procedural. They were set in a fictional city: one probably not too unfamiliar to the New York City born McBain.

The first story, "Cop Hater", was published in 1956 and more than 50 were published. The last was "Fiddlers" in 2005. Steve Carella was one of the lead detectives, although McBain developed well-rounded characters, giving each in the team of detectives their due over the years. McBain also wrote under other names, including his adopted name of Evan Hunter (that was not the name on his birth certificate.) Evan Hunter novels were noted for strong characterisation and well-developed plots. Several adaptations for TV were made.

Answer: Minneapolis

Lucas Davenport was created by John Sandford. and first appeared in 1989. More than 20 novels in the "Prey" series followed.

Davenport was a lieutenant in the Minneapolis Police Department, not that he needed to work, having made a fortune creating a role-play video game. Noted as a maverick and a gun freak, Davenport was also prone from time to time to getting 'involved' with crime victims, suspects and colleagues.

Answer: Vermont

Created by Archer Mayor, Gunther was a Korean war veteran. He was an experienced cop, working with the Vermont State Police.

The first Gunther case was published in 1988, and more than 20 followed.
Great detail was placed in getting the police procedure right and 'Booklist' described the Gunther mysteries as "among the best cop stories being written today."

Answer: Washington, D.C.

Created by James Patterson, Alex Cross was a psychologist and one-time private investigator who joined the Washington DC police department. Brought up by his grandmother, he lived with her and his three children after the death of his wife.
Many of the plots involved Cross using his psychology training to catch the criminals.

The first book was published in 2001 and more than 20 followed. Morgan Freeman starred as Cross in two movies, neither of which was a critical success.

Answer: Pasadena, California

Virgil Tibbs first appeared in 1965 in John Ball's novel "In The Heat of The Night". He was one of two leading characters, but subsequently was leading character in six sequels.

Tibbs was a perfectionist who also had a knowledge of a wide range of subjects. He was also well versed in marshal arts. In the novels, Tibbs was based at Pasadena, but in the three movies that were made, he was based in Pennsylvania and San Francisco. Sidney Poitier played Tibbs in the movies.

Howard Rollins played Tibbs in eight seasons of "In The Heat Of The Night" on NBC television between 1988 and 1992 and on CBS between 1992 and 1995. The TV series developed the character away from a pure police role. The TV Tibbs was based in Mississippi.

Answer: Toronto, Ontario

Barry Gilbert was created by the Canadian science fiction author Scott Mackay. He appeared in three novels from 2001.

Reviewing the novel "For Old Scores", 'Booklist' said: "Devilishly plotted and populated with carefully drawn, motivated suspects. The whole is superbly anchored by Gilbert, a decent, hardworking family man who forges ahead despite the possibility that all he holds close may soon collapse around him. A fine, fine effort."

Answer: Los Angeles

Created by Michael Connolly, Harry Bosch first appeared in the 1992 novel "The Black Echo." More than 20 books in the series followed.

The son of a prostitute and a defense attorney, Bosch joined the US Army and served in Vietnam. On discharge, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department as a robbery detective, but was moved on to homicide. Bosch lived with his daughter, and generally managed one love interest per novel. He had a problem with taking orders and his past life frequently caught up with him as the years passed.

Answer: Arizona

Joe Leaphorn was one of two Navajo Tribal Police officers who featured in novels by Tony Hillerman. (The other was Jim Chee.) The novels were generally set on Navajo land in Arizona.

We first met Leaphorn in "The Blessing Way" (1970), when he was already an experienced cop. His big interests were anthropology and the religions of Native Americans. Leaphorn appeared solo in three novels, but was joined by Jim Chee in more than a dozen thereafter.

Answer: Louisiana

Created by James Lee Burke, Robicheaux first appeared in 1987 and more than 20 books followed.

A Vietnam veteran and recovering alcoholic, initially he was part of the New Orleans Police Department. However, ethics were not a strong point and he moved on to be a Sheriff's Deputy. In movie adaptations, Robicheaux was played by
Alec Baldwin in "Heaven's Prisoners" (1996) and by Tommy Lee Jones in "In the Electric Mist" (2009).

Answer: Trafalgar, British Columbia

Molly Smith was created by author Vicki Delany, and first appeared in "In the Shadow of the Glacier" in 2007 and numerous other books followed.

The novels were set in the fictional town of Trafalgar, British Columbia. Molly Smith was initially a uniformed cop who wanted to become a detective.