Detective Edward Drone was a recurring character in many late Victorian era British crime novels. He was characterised by his "lack of manners and general decency" as one anonymous critic put it, and his "boorishness which bordered on social illiteracy". The character of Drone changes very little throughout its representation, possibly because he does not have the sort of personality that can be highly developed. He is never presented as a cardboard-cutout figure, but there is never any significant character development. To describe Drone's rank, the words detective, inspector and chief inspector are all used synonymously. He is nearly always the most senior rank present, with only occasional trips to Lord Harley's office, to be given new assignments.
Relationship with other Characters
Drone is noticeably unsympathetic to other characters in the novels. It has been remarked that Drone is as pleasant to his arch-enemy Dr. Benedict Prioderm as he is to his Assistant Investigator, Assistant Investigator Pheasant. A typical scenario (from Gaolhouse Mystery by James Montague) reads thus:
"Good morning sir" said the proprietor, "would you care for an aperitif?"
"No" replied Drone.
Or this example from (the Silver Spider by May Sinclair):
"Oh, do dance with us, detective, please us with your company".
"No, I won't."
Apart from the other two main characters, Lady Ordella Prune and Assistant Investigator Pheasant, and of course the villain, the reaction to this is one of offence. Drone is always portrayed as a hero, not by merit of his character, but by the fact that he is the main character in the novels (none of which are written from Drone's perspective). His plans often go wrong or end up maiming and otherwise injuring passing "ladies, gentlemen and commoners". He is unscrupulous when using other people in his plans.
Authors
The following are all authors who contributed to what The Times called "a remarkable sub-genre":
