Penguin said they believed Mr Oswald's creation, Inspector McLean, was destined to become the next major fictional Detective Inspector.

BBC: James Oswald

He probably entered the bag alive, Wilcox said, reading her ruling to a court around the corner from the home of the world's most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Two days ago, Ghosh wrote on the micro-blogging site Twitter that he had finished shooting his latest film Satyaneshi - based on the legendary Bengali detective fictional character, Byomkesh Bakshi.

BBC: Rituparno Ghosh

Five years ago Ian Rankin retired his Edinburgh detective John Rebus when the fictional character reached mandatory retirement age for Scottish police.

CNN: Five trips for crime fiction lovers