How to be a Detective

Step inside the rough-and-ready world of 1890s New York sleuthing with Old King Brady’s plainspoken master class in detection—brought to life by narrator Jason Michael Mann. Part handbook, part casebook, this lively guide lays out the essential qualities of a first-rate detective—courage, honesty, people-reading, languages, perseverance, disguise craft, cool judgment, and above all, common sense—then proves each lesson with true-to-life adventures. Follow pupils Sam Kean and Dave Doyle through stakeouts, stings, and split-second takedowns: a safe-room robbery at the Eagle Steamship Line, a daring chase that nabs a bank defaulter bound for Montreal, a ballroom jewel thief unmasked by razor-sharp shadowing, and green-goods swindlers trapped by smart makeups and cooler heads. Along the way, Brady drills into the arts of shadowing, building disguises that actually work, weighing evidence over appearances, handling informants, and keeping your wits—and your temper—when criminals push a drink across the table. Witty, practical, and packed with period grit, this is a timeless toolkit for aspiring detectives, crime writers, and true-crime fans who want the real methods behind the myths.