From Dr. Watson to Captain Hastings, the iconic “sidekicks” of mystery fiction have always held a special place in fans’ imaginations. In this special post, G.M. Malliet discusses the literary function of these sidekicks in history as well as her own work, including her latest story, “The Get-Well Gift”
“I had of course offended Magdalene and I would spend some time doing penance for it, and the rest of my life avoiding any form of the word “involve,” in any language. Perhaps I would bring some flowers next time I came to her flat.
“‘Do go on,’ I said. ‘I understand she pleaded with you to help her.’ Magdalene gave the sort of magnanimous nod a queen might give a footman opening a door for her.”
These lines from “The Get-Well Gift” (EQMM, September/October 2025) capture something essential about the relationship between amateur sleuth Magdalene Duchateau and her son-in-law, Hewitt: a mix of admiration, exasperation, and deep-seated respect, at least on Hewitt’s part. (For one thing, Hewitt would never make the mistake of calling Magdalene an amateur anything.)
It also reflects a familiar dynamic in mystery fiction—the sleuth and their sidekick.
The sidekick is a foundational figure in detective stories. From Dr. Watson narrating Sherlock Holmes’s exploits to Captain Hastings trailing after Hercule Poirot, the model is consistent: the brilliant, often eccentric detective paired with a less brilliant, but often more relatable companion.
In “The Get-Well Gift,” Hewitt plays the role of the listener, the challenger, the gentle skeptic, and at times, the comic relief. His reactions help to ground the story. Magdalene’s often dramatic pronouncements are tempered by Hewitt’s practicality.
And when Magdalene can’t see the forest for the trees, it is often Hewitt who inadvertently helps her see the forest.
When she makes sweeping statement like, “I, who pride myself on uncovering the truth at any cost,” Hewitt doesn’t contest her grandiosity; he accepts it with a kind of indulgence tempered by long experience of her genius and keen sense of justice. This interplay humanizes both Magdalene and Hewitt, who sees his role as trying to protect his mother-in-law from the worst excesses of her vanity.
Rather than deliver long explanations directly to the reader, Magdalene explains herself to Hewitt, which allows for a more organic delivery of key plot details.
This is part of why sidekicks are so useful to writers. They create a foil for the detective, someone to question, misunderstand, and provide contrast. Hastings is not as brilliant as Poirot, but he gives voice to the reader’s confusion and assumptions. Dr. Watson, though intelligent, can’t always follow Holmes’s leaps in logic, which gives Holmes an opportunity to explain—conveniently, for the bewildered reader.
The sidekick also often serves as a moral compass or emotional touchstone, reminding both detective and audience of the human stakes in any crime.
Writing the several Magdalene Duchateau stories, I found that the relationship between Magdalene and Hewitt gave me room to explore both character and plot. Through their conversations, I could also drop in historical details of 1930s London without resorting to blocks of exposition.
Magdalene’s quip in “The Get-Well Gift” about fox ears (meaning dog-eared pages) not only reveals her less-than-firm grasp on English patois but underscores the generational and cultural differences between her and Hewitt. Their banter helps set the tone of the story.
Magdalene is not always right, at least not initially, but Hewitt’s perspective helps balance her often absurd certainty with thoughtful skepticism.
He becomes the reader’s surrogate, asking the questions they would ask, and voicing doubts they might have.
In the end, the sleuth-sidekick relationship is not just a literary device—it’s an emotional and structural pillar of the mystery story. In writing “The Get-Well Gift,” I found it indispensable.
Through Hewitt’s eyes, we see both the brilliance and the blind spots of Magdalene Duchateau.
And through their bond, we glimpse the human connection at the heart of every mystery.
SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN 