Knots Untied; Or, Ways and By-ways in the Hidden Life of American Detectives

A former metropolitan police officer compiles memoirlike tales and case studies drawn from his own career and from trusted colleagues, detailing undercover operations and encounters with swindlers, counterfeiters, burglars, gamblers, and criminals who operate within respectable circles. Interspersed biographical sketches and practical descriptions of investigative techniques illustrate the development of police detection into a more systematic practice. Throughout, the narrator offers reflections on social causes of crime and cautious appeals for reform and broader public understanding.