I’m just beginning this quest. Late as usual. I’m 65 and have just committed to writing a few books and doing this blog. Obviously, it’s about Mystery TV Shows, Movies and Books. I’ve titled this post as Knight Errant because that’s the way I see the detectives I enjoy the most. They are committed to finding the truth despite the cost. They are hopelessly committed to their client. They are pessimists and optimists. They often find themselves wandering around in the gray areas of right and wrong..
When all is said and done, no matter how unsatisfactory the conclusion of one case may have been, the knight errant is ready to charge out into the world again to deliver justice. He or she is as deluded as Don Quixote, as obsessed as Captain Ahab and as alienated as Captain Nemo. Maybe the quest keeps them from a boring, apathetic existence or keeps their personal demons at bay. They are survivors and we wish they existed to make the world a better place.
There are a long list of these knights: Sam Spade, Philip Marlow, Sherlock Holmes, Flavia Albia, Didius Falco, Gordianus the finder, Profiry Rostnikov, Dave Gurney, Maigret, Wallander, Brunetti, Morse, Lewis etc. The list would go on forever and I’ve forgotten so many.
My quest is to read, reflect and to try my hand at creating one of these knights. Just trying should be fun enough.