sleuths
Solvers of mysteries
Sleuths are detectives or investigators, whether professional or amateur.
The word carries a slightly literary or playful tone, often evoking fictional investigators: The amateur sleuths pieced together the clues.
As a verb, to sleuth is to investigate: She sleuthed around until she found the answer.
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- alibiDefense of location
- cipherHidden writing system
puzzle · signs · tracks · trace · hunch · intuition · deduction · inkling
One who examines evidence
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- private eyeHired investigator, unlicensed
- inspectorOfficial quality checker
Sherlock · Poirot · Columbo · Holmes · Spade · bloodhound · tracker · operative
Tough, cynical fiction style
- femme fataleTreacherous enchantress
- smokyFilled with combustion haze
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
- trenchcoatBelted, knee-length raincoat
fedora · underworld · gritty · cynical · seedy · dim-lit · back alley · double-cross
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- secretsConcealed information
- crypticObscure in meaning
baffling · case · cold case · unsolved · locked room · disappearance · intrigue · suspicious
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- alibiDefense of location
cipher · puzzle · signs · tracks · trace · hunch · intuition · deduction · inkling · red herring
investigator
One who examines evidence
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- private eyeHired investigator, unlicensed
inspector · Sherlock · Poirot · Columbo · Holmes · Spade · bloodhound · tracker · operative · agent
hardboiled
Tough, cynical fiction style
- femme fataleTreacherous enchantress
- smokyFilled with combustion haze
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
trenchcoat · fedora · underworld · gritty · cynical · seedy · dim-lit · back alley · double-cross · blackmail
whodunit
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
cryptic · baffling · case · cold case · unsolved · locked room · disappearance · intrigue · suspicious · foul play
uncover
Reveal what's hidden
stake out · interrogate · question · pursue · track · trace · snoop · probe · dig · ferret out
- crimefighterscops, detectives, FBI, police, sheriffs
- Detective Worldprivate eyes, gumshoes, investigators, detective agencies
- problem solverstroubleshooters, detectives, investigators, debuggers, fixers
- examinersinspectors, examiner, reviewers, inspector, auditors
- seekersseekers, seeker, treasure hunters, searcher, fortune seekers
sleuthscriminals
Lawbreakers by act
perpetrators · culprits · suspects · wrongdoers · villains
sleuthspolice officers
Sworn law enforcers
cops · beat cops · patrol officers · patrolmen · constables
sleuthsdupes
Deceives or victims
ignoramuses · fools · patsies · marks · bystanders
- amateur sleuthNonprofessional crime investigator