The Vidocq dossier: The story of the world's first detective

By Samuel Edwards and Noel B. Gerson

Book Overview

From ex-convict to the head of the first known private detective agency, Fran?ois Eug?ne Vidocq was the father of modern criminology.

Perfect for fans of Tom Clavin, Hallie Rubenhold and Catherine Arnold.

Long before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was creating Sherlock or Agatha Christie was inventing the adventures of Poirot, the life and cases of Vidocq were inspiring Victor Hugo, Edgar Allen Poe and Honor? de Balzac to create some of the first detectives in fiction, but as is so often the case, the truth is more fascinating than fiction.

Using disguises, decoys and criminal stool pigeons, experimenting with fingerprints, inventing invisible inks, conducting blood and ballistic testing, devising methods for keeping records on all known criminals and pioneering handwriting analysis, are but a few of the real-life master sleuth's innovations.

Noel B. Gerson's fascinating biography uncovers the life of the man who earned the respect of Emperor Napoleon after recovering Empress Josephine's stolen emerald necklace, attempted to reform ex-convicts and who revolutionized criminal investigations as the world's first private detective.

"introduce[s] the reader to a man who was a genuine pioneer and, in addition, one of the great adventurers of the century." The New York Times

"Powerful" Kirkus Reviews

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1800554613
• ISBN13: 9781800554610
• Release Date: January 2022
• Publisher: Sapere Books
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating - the first Sherlock!

Upon opening the book, I was gripped by the story of Mr. Vidocq. His mastering of the criminal underworld and his ability to turn that mastery to his advantage makes wonderful reading. The writing is very nice, but it is eclipsed by the story itself. A great read for any interested in detective novels and/or police history.