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raccoon

(31,965 posts)
Wed Jul 23, 2025, 09:41 AM Jul 23

I liked the Columbo TV series and still do. I haven't been able to find any fiction books about Columbo,

such as there are about Murder, She Wrote.

Well, anybody know of any books SIMILAR to Columbo shows?

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I liked the Columbo TV series and still do. I haven't been able to find any fiction books about Columbo, (Original Post) raccoon Jul 23 OP
If you can get Peacock on a streaming service EYESORE 9001 Jul 23 #1
There are books. LoisB Jul 23 #2
Thank you I didn't see those when I was looking yesterday, but I will sure look into them. raccoon Jul 23 #4
Lots of Ellery queen mysteries. unblock Jul 23 #3
I do not know of any fandom featuring the sly, crime-solving Detective. John1956PA Jul 23 #5
These authors also penned a few Columbo books werdna Jul 23 #6

EYESORE 9001

(28,631 posts)
1. If you can get Peacock on a streaming service
Wed Jul 23, 2025, 09:51 AM
Jul 23

try Poker Face starring Natasha Lyonne as a woman on the run from the mob, the feds, etc., armed only with her wits and the uncanny ability to detect any lie - no matter how artfully it is told. After watching one episode, I said to myself, this is Columbo redux. There are three seasons out now. I hope there’s a 4th.

raccoon

(31,965 posts)
4. Thank you I didn't see those when I was looking yesterday, but I will sure look into them.
Wed Jul 23, 2025, 10:10 AM
Jul 23

unblock

(55,443 posts)
3. Lots of Ellery queen mysteries.
Wed Jul 23, 2025, 10:06 AM
Jul 23

Some really, really good whodunits.

Many whodunits have an ending reveal and the author could have justified it any way. The movie "clue" even had alternate endings, each of which was, ok, that works.

But ellery queen made a point of giving enough clues so that you could solve it before the final reveal. There was, afaik, always only one correct conclusion. Any other solution would leave key bits of evidence unexplained or require implausible scenarios.

Most other murder mystery shows always seemed to be loose enough that the author could go in any direction at the end. I always found ellery queen much more satisfying.

Of course, columbo usually wasn't a whodunit so much as a howdunit or how is columbo going to prove it or extract a confession. You pretty much knew the guy he spent the most time talking to was the guilty one....

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