Unveiling the Rise of Occult Detectives in Victorian Literature and Beyond
In the Victorian era, we saw the detective genre rise to popularity. Edgar Allan Poe is considered the ‘father of the detective story.’ His fictional detective, C. Auguste Dupin, first featured in The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) - a story that is largely accepted as the first modern detective story. Dupin was featured in two further stories, The Mystery of Marie Roget (1842-1843) and The Purloined Letter (1844).
These stories introduced the character trait of a brilliant detective with superior reasoning and analytical skills, which set the wheel in motion for future detective fiction. Chiefly, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s infamous creation, Sherlock Holmes.
However, the development of the detective genre was not limited to that of the natural world. Deeply entrenched in Victorian society were the supernatural and the occult, and it was not long before a new brand of detective was written into the detective genre - the occult detective. This type of literature combined elements of mystery, horror, and the supernatural, and featured detectives who used their knowledge of the occult to solve crimes.
John Silence
Algernon Blackwood's occult detective stories feature the character, Dr. John Silence, who is a psychic detective and paranormal investigator. Blackwood, a master of supernatural fiction, created Silence as a unique protagonist who uses his psychic abilities to delve into the mysteries of the occult.
Dr. John Silence is characterised by his exceptional psychic powers, including telepathy and clairvoyance. Unlike traditional detectives, Silence relies on his extrasensory perceptions to solve supernatural cases. His approach is deeply rooted in spiritual and mystical insights, making him an occult detective who bridges the gap between the natural and supernatural realms.
The stories often involve Silence encountering individuals troubled by paranormal phenomena or supernatural occurrences. Using his psychic gifts, Silence investigates and resolves these mysteries, showcasing his deep understanding of the occult. The character's calm and collected demeanour, coupled with his profound sensitivity to unseen forces, sets him apart in the realm of occult detective fiction.
The tales, including A Psychical Invasion, published in 1907, exemplify Blackwood's ability to create an atmospheric blend of mystery, horror, and the occult, making Dr. John Silence an iconic figure in the genre.
Carnacki the Ghost-Finder
William Hope Hodgson's character Carnacki is a paranormal detective and investigator who features in a series of short stories known as the Carnacki, the Ghost Finder stories. These tales were written in the early 20th century and showcase Hodgson's mastery of supernatural horror and the occult.
Thomas Carnacki, known as Carnacki the Ghost Finder, is depicted as a detective specialising in cases involving the supernatural and paranormal. His stories typically follow a pattern where friends or clients invite Carnacki to investigate haunted houses or mysterious occurrences. Armed with a variety of scientific and occult tools, Carnacki uses a rational and methodical approach to unravel the mysteries behind the supernatural events he encounters.
One of Carnacki's notable tools is the Electric Pentacle, a device used to create a protective barrier against supernatural entities during his investigations. Carnacki employs a scientific mindset. He combines his knowledge of science with an understanding of the occult to solve cases. Carnacki's investigations cover a broad spectrum of supernatural phenomena, including ghosts, elemental entities, and otherworldly forces.
Dr Hesselius
Dr. Martin Hesselius is a character created by the Irish writer J. Sheridan Le Fanu. In Carmilla, Dr Hesselius is not the main character, but rather a supporting figure who plays a role in unravelling the mysteries surrounding the vampire Carmilla. He is portrayed as a physician and metaphysician with an interest in unusual and mysterious medical cases, including those involving the supernatural.
Sheridan Le Fanu was a prominent writer of Gothic fiction and horror during the Victorian era. Carmilla predates Bram Stoker's Dracula and is one of the earliest works to explore the theme of the female vampire preying on young women.
Dr Hesselius, though not as well-known as some other fictional detectives, contributes to the atmosphere of mystery and the exploration of the supernatural in the stories in which he features. If you're interested in Victorian vampire literature and early examples of the horror genre, Carmilla and the character of Dr. Hesselius are worth exploring.
The Next Wave of Occult Detectives
The tradition of occult detective fiction has continued since the Victorian era, with many writers continuing to explore the intersection of mystery, horror, and the supernatural. In the decades since the turn of the 20th century, many new occult detectives have emerged, each with their own unique approach to solving supernatural mysteries.
A well-known occult detective from this time was Jules de Grandin, created by Seabury Quinn. De Grandin was a French detective who used his occult knowledge to solve supernatural mysteries. He first appeared in the story The Horror on the Links, published in 1925, and went on to star in many more stories throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
In recent years, the occult detective genre has continued to evolve, with many new writers exploring the possibilities of the genre. One of the most popular contemporary occult detectives is Harry Dresden, created by Jim Butcher. Dresden is a wizard who operates as a private investigator in Chicago, using his knowledge of magic to solve supernatural mysteries. He first appeared in the novel Storm Front, published in 2000, and has since gone on to star in many more books and a television series.
From Hell
From Hell is a graphic novel written by Alan Moore, with artwork by Eddie Campbell. It was serialised from 1989 to 1996 and later collected into a single-volume graphic novel. The story is a speculative take on the Jack the Ripper murders that occurred in London in 1888. The graphic novel was adapted into a film in 2001, starring Johnny Depp as Inspector Abberline.
The narrative revolves around the infamous Jack the Ripper killings, exploring the identity of the killer and the social and political context of the time. Moore and Campbell extensively researched the historical background of the murders, and the graphic novel delves into the socio-economic conditions of Victorian London. It received critical acclaim for its historical accuracy, intricate storytelling, and the depth of its exploration into the Ripper murders and the society of the time.
One of the central themes is the suggestion of a conspiracy involving the British royal family. The graphic novel explores the idea that the murders were part of a cover-up. The story follows Inspector Abberline, the detective assigned to the Ripper case. Abberline's investigation leads him into a world of corruption, intrigue, and dark secrets. I won’t give too much away, but there is also an element of clairvoyance at play.
Occult Detective Magazine
There is still a fanbase for this genre. Occult Detective Magazine contains occult detective fiction from all over the world, as well as articles, reviews and illustrations!
The magazine was started by John Linwood Grant and Sam Gafford with ‘…fannish enthusiasm, without substantial seed money, proper marketing or dedicated staff'…’ The magazine was founded, initially as Occult Detective Quarterly, and the first issue was launched in 2016.
As with many new projects, the founders had to overcome struggles of their own on their way to simply break even. Then Sam Gafford sadly passed away. The decision was made to publish a few more issues ‘…partly in honour of Sam,’ and go out on a high.
Then someone kindly stepped in with enough financial support for two more issues. Thankfully for the magazine, issue #6 performed well and it seems to be going from strength to strength.
Real-Life Occult Detectives
During the Victorian era, there were also real-life individuals who claimed to have occult abilities and used them to solve mysteries. These real occult detectives were often controversial figures who were dismissed by mainstream society, but they nonetheless left their mark.
Helena Blavatsky was a Russian-born spiritualist who claimed to have supernatural abilities, including the power to communicate with spirits and the ability to see into the future. She founded the Theosophical Society in 1875, which was dedicated to exploring the spiritual realm and the occult.
Andrew Lang was a Scottish writer who had an interest in folklore and mythology, and he was also a member of the Society for Psychical Research (as was Algernon Blackwood). He was known for his ability to solve puzzles and unravel mysteries, and he claimed to have a supernatural intuition that helped him in his work.
Ed and Lorraine Warren were American paranormal investigators and authors known for their work in investigating alleged paranormal and supernatural phenomena. They were prominent figures in the field of paranormal research and became well-known for their involvement in high-profile cases, many of which inspired books, films, and television series.
Ed Warren (1926–2006) and Lorraine Warren (1927–2019) were a married couple who founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952. They dedicated their lives to investigating paranormal occurrences and providing assistance to individuals who believed they were experiencing supernatural events.
The Warrens investigated the Amityville haunting in 1976, which became one of their most famous cases. The events were later depicted in the book "The Amityville Horror" and a series of films.
The Perron Family Haunting case inspired the film The Conjuring. The Warrens claimed to have investigated and helped the Perron family, who reported experiencing paranormal activity in their Rhode Island farmhouse.
The Warrens were involved in investigating the alleged poltergeist activity at the Hodgson residence in Enfield, London, during the late 1970s. This case was the basis for The Conjuring 2.
Ed Warren was a self-taught demonologist, while Lorraine claimed to be a clairvoyant and medium. They wrote several books about their experiences, including The Demonologist and Graveyard: True Hauntings from an Old New England Cemetery.
In Closing
One of the reasons why occult detective fiction was so popular during the Victorian era was that it reflected the changing attitudes of the time. As science and technology advanced, some people began to question the existence of supernatural phenomena. However, there was also a fascination with the unknown and the unexplainable, and this is reflected in the popularity of occult detective fiction.
Occult detective fiction played an important role in the development of the detective genre during the Victorian era. These stories combined elements of mystery, horror, and the supernatural, and featured detectives who used their knowledge of the occult to solve crimes. Some of these stories may seem outdated by today’s standards, but they continue to capture the imagination of writers, and readers who are drawn to the mysteries of the unknown.
The occult detective genre has continued to evolve and adapt since the Victorian era, with many new writers exploring the intersection of mystery, horror, and the supernatural.
Here is a related article - Explore Victorian Crime & Police in Literature
This is a fascinating but often overlooked subgenre of fantasy fiction.
Great article! I do love a good occult detective story. This introduced me to a few I didn't know about.