Favourite characters

Every so often you come across people between the pages of fiction that you can't help falling in love with, people you wish you knew. It's hard to make a comprehensive list, but for the moment, here is my top five.

Barbara Havers

Genre: Crime
Author: Elizabeth George
Series: Inspector Lynley

Top spot goes, without doubt, to this scruffy, unpredictable New Scotland Yard detective. Havers is quite annoying and seems totally impossible to work with. Yet there's something about her. Read on.

Edgar Wield

Genre: Crime
Author: Reginald Hill
Series: Dalziel and Pascoe

DS Wield is an outstanding police detective, and his rugged, taciturn countenance hides a soft centre. More here.

Lan Mandragoran

Genre: Fantasy
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time

Long-haired, cold-eyed Lan is perhaps not someone you'd want to bump into in a dark alley. But his loyalty and humility are touching. Find out more.

Daine Sarrasri

Genre: Heroic fantasy/adventure/children
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet

Daine is special not just because she is half-god or she can shape-shift and talk with animals, but because she is a remarkable youngster. Read more.

Carrot Ironfounderson

Genre: Fantasy/humour
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld (the Nightwatch books)

Carrot is yet another cop, but with a difference.Read on.