Mystery Lovers, Who Is Your Favourite Fictional Detective?

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Detective fiction is one of my favourite genres. With so many detective series out there, it can be difficult to find a favourite sleuth. Edith Pargeter, whose pen name was Ellis Peters, created a character that remains my top detective to this day: Brother Cadfael. Cadfael is a Benedictine monk in 12th-century England. His abbey is the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul at Shrewsbury in Shropshire. Welsh by birth, he fought in the Crusades before finding his calling and taking the cloth when he returned home. His skills as an herbalist and his knowledge of human nature make him an excellent detective. And his faith, tied to a compassionate nature, provides him with the determination and principles to do what he can to see justice done. At first, the medieval theme may seem like an odd choice for murder mysteries, but Peters carries it off beautifully, crafting memorable characters and a satisfying setting. No matter how many detectives I've read about before or since, I always come back to the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, as the series is called. There was a TV adaptation of some of the books, starring Derek Jacobi as Cadfael, for people who enjoy mystery tv.