CURIOSITIES OF CRIME IN EDINBURGH During The Last Thirty Years

Hardback. 2nd Edn. James McLevy was regarded as Edinburgh's first detective (Criminal Officer No. 1 in 1833) and was said to be part of the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character, Sherlock Holmes. During his service in Edinburgh from 1830 (initially as a night-watchman) to 1860, and using his methods of deduction and use of psychology, he solved in excess of 2,200 cases. His fame was such that he was the first police officer to get a financial award for the recovery of stolen goods, and was invited to speak before Parliament in Westminster in 1856 to the Select Committee on the transportation of criminals. The 28 cases of detection contained in this volume represent a very small part of his experiences. 304pp. 12mo. h/back. Browned eps, black half-calf binding, corded sp. dec. in gilt, with red leather/gilt title label. Nr. F. A lovely copy of this Extremely Rare true crime title.