Petrarchan Sonnet Of The Fictional Detectives Poem by Sheena Blackhall

Inspector Maigret leads the sleuthing pack
next Hercule Poirot, clever, debonair
third Cadfael in his Mediaeval lair
fourth Vera with her raincoat hanging slack
fifth Sherlock Holmes with Watson at his back
sixth, Marple, with her wispy silver hair
seventh, Dalziel & Pascoe, a fine pair
eighth, stands Colombo always on crime's track

ninth, Morse, that tetchy Oxford gentleman
tenth, Midsummer Murders/Bergerac
eleventh, Lewis, always on crime's scent
twelfth, Law & Order, screen phenomenon
thirteenth, Miss Marple has what others lack
fourteenth Inspector Rebus, gruff, unkempt