Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone!
I'm self-diagnosed, currently on the waiting list for NHS assessment and based in Cornwall.
I'm about to begin (September 2024) a PhD project called "Little Grey Cells: Detecting Autism in the Cosy Crime Genre" exploring the role of autistic characterisation in the cosy crime subgenre from 1920 - 2020. Alongside my research, I'm developing a Cornish crime novel featuring an autistic amateur detective.
My research begins with Hercule Poirot, who many autistic and non-autistic readers "headcanon" as being autistic:
Is Hercule Poirot autistic? Here are seven clues that he might be (theconversation.com)
There are a number of characters in Agatha Christie's books who are sometimes read as autistic, and there is even speculation about Christie herself.
Does anyone have any suggestions of characters within crime fiction (specifically cosy or Golden Age, but not exclusively) who could be read as autistic? Explicitly autistic detectives are now quite commonplace in crime fiction, and my research will explore the context within which that has developed. I'm not just looking for autistic detectives it can supporting characters as well.
Any thoughts anyone has would be really welcome!
I remember David Suchet's Poirot getting annoyed at being called French; he's Walloon, French-Speaking Belgian.
Also, the eccentricity - and analytical skills - fit the description. Even pattern recognition. I remember an episode of 'One Foot in the Grave' where Victor and Margaret were watching a tape-recorded episode of Poirot; assuming that the killer's name was basil. (the victim held a piece of basil) Though the recording stopped; and went on beyond that to Jockey Wilson playing Darts.
Being a loner, as well.
Interesting perspective, even though I know very little about this - perhaps in terms of analytical skills the same could be true of Sherlock Holmes
Holmes is widely read as autistic these days. Interestingly, he was loosely based on Conan Doyle's old teacher Dr Joseph Bell, who it's also speculated was autistic.
Could there be a correlation between autistic people being more likely to be LGBT and vice versa?