Private Inquiries: The Secret History of Female Sleuths

Private Inquiries

By Caitlin Davies

Genre:-Criminology/Non Fiction

Pages:-320

Publisher:-The History Press

Blurb:-A history of the UK's real-life female detectives-from mid-Victorian era to present day.

Based on original research alongside interviews with modern-day female investigators.

 The female private detective has been a staple of popular culture for over 150 years, from Victorian lady sleuths to 'busy-body spinsters' and gun-toting modern Pls. But what about the real-life women behind these fictional tales-what crimes did they solve, and where are their stories?

 In Private Inquires, Caitlin Davies traces the history of the UK's female investigators, uncovering the truth about their lives and careers from the 1850s to the present day.

 Women such as

• Victorian private inquiry agent Antonia Moser-the first woman to open her own agency.
• Annette Kerner, who ran the Mayfair Detective Agency on Baker Street in the 1940s
• Liverpool sleuth Zena Scott-archer, who became the first woman president of the World Association of Detectives

Caitlin also follows in the footsteps of her subjects, undertaking a professional qualification to become a Private Investigator, and meeting modern Pls to disentangle fact from fiction.

 Female investigators are on the rise in the UK-and despite the industry's sleazy reputation, nearly a third of new trainees are women. After a century of undercover work, it's time to reveal the secrets of their trailblazing forebears.

 'Private Inquiries is a must-read-a riveting mythbuster, with its revelations of the real histories of women Pls,'  VAL McDermid

Thank you #AD #Gifted @randomthingstours

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My Review:-Caitlin Davies takes us on a journey through the years, from 1850s to the present day, looking at 'Female Private Investigators.'  We learn about REAL PIs, the ones that have been forgotten, in the past, but have paved the way for female PIs today. Caitlin has done a lot of research and has taken the time to explain about the crimes both fact and fiction in this book, looking back at the history, why and how women became PIs.  Caitlin even took the time to get the qualification in 'Private Investigation.'  Caitlin has taken the time to speak to PIs, as well as working a long side them. Female PIs are often seen on TV but not spoken much about in the real world, where I think if it was spoken about more women would look at a career in PI. I feel like I have learnt so much from reading this book.