Crime Literature's Top Pet-Owning Criminals: Unveiling the Six Most Enthralling Pet Parents in Fiction
In the world of literature and film, animals have often played significant roles, serving as companions, symbols, and even protagonists. Here, we delve into a few notable examples from various crime fiction series and films, each with their unique and endearing characters.
John Wick, the legendary assassin, is known for his love of dogs, a trait that has become one of his most recognisable features in the series. He adopts a shelter pitbull that never leaves his side for the rest of the series, cementing their bond as one of the series' most heartwarming aspects.
Similarly, Bob Saginowski, a character from the adaptation of Dennis Lehane's novella "The Drop," finds an injured pitbull puppy and nurses it back to health. Initially a morose, possibly neurodivergent loner who works at a mob-front bar, Bob's life takes a turn when he develops a bond with the puppy. However, the climax of the film reveals Bob's dangerous side as he coldly dispenses the puppy's abusive owner.
Rita Mae Brown, a major figure in second-wave feminism, also wrote cozy mysteries. Her series, which exceeds 30 books as of this writing, features Mrs. Murphy, a cat, and her corgi Tucker, as the leading characters. The series' protagonist, Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, plays catchup as she solves mysteries alongside her feline and canine companions.
Another series, penned by Linda Barnes, stars six-foot redheaded cab driver Carlotta Carlyle. Her adventures in the series feature her cat, Thomas C. (Cat) Carlyle, adding a touch of whimsy to the crime-filled stories.
In Karin Slaughter's police procedural novels, Will Trent, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, becomes the owner of a chihuahua. Hank Thompson, a crime fiction protagonist from a different series, also loves pets, particularly his neighbors' pets.
One of the most iconic feline characters in cinema history is the cat that appears in Vito Corleone's lap in The Godfather. The cat, which was a stray found on the Paramount lot, has become as iconic as the movie's human characters. It serves as a visual signifier of how Vito is quietly in control of most any room he enters, adding an element of elegance and refined nature to the character.
In the film adaptation of Austin Butler's baseball drama, Hank Thompson, the sidelined baseball phenom, shares his love for pets. Darren Aronofsky's adaptation of Charlie Huston's crime thriller "Caught Stealing" has been released this month, offering another opportunity to explore the complexities of human-animal relationships in crime fiction.
Each of these stories demonstrates the power of animals to add depth, symbolism, and warmth to crime fiction narratives. From the loyal pitbulls in John Wick and The Drop, to the enigmatic cats in Rita Mae Brown's series and The Godfather, these furry friends serve as a reminder that even in the darkest of stories, there can be moments of light and companionship.
