Gumshoe: Reflections in a Private Eye

Imagine the talents of the late John Gardner, The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers and Brad Solomon THE OPEN SHADOW By BRAD SOLOMON 1978 FIRST EDITION combined and you'll get just a hint of the style of Josiah Thompson. This is non-fiction excellence. Although this is a true story, I've had this image of Michael Z. Lewin's--Albert Samson The Silent Salesman a Novel of Suspense in my head since reading it for the first time many years ago. Josiah is a philosopher, and as such his style is to take in great deal of detail in the telling. Martin Heidegger's reference to a 'world worlding' comes to mind. And by that I don't mean that this is so intellectual that it will lose readers, but that it so rich that the world herein surely comes alive. So much so that even more sophisticated readers may in fact be seduced into wanting to try the adventure that Thompson took a sabbatical to try. This is an adventure on a par with Fatu-Hiva Back to Nature. If you ever even thought you might like to try the life of a private detective this is the book to read. And based on the number of internet schools advertising careers as a 'Private Detective' I think this superior book can expect new readership.

A very interesting and informative read about one of the most misunderstood professions ever. Thompson takes us through some typical days of a modern private detective and soon we realize the old stereotype of a seedy office, bottle of bourbon, fast fists, and a Colt .45 belongs strictly in a '40's detective movie. Thompson points out that the computer is the "weapon" of choice now and it is the staple of the profession. Information gathering is what a detective is paid for and by networking with other computer users and agencies they carve out a living. If you want glamour and excitement, watch an old Bogie black and white. But if you want a true and factual account of what a private eye does and how they work then read this.