People familiar with the origins of Sherlock Holmes might have expected this to be about Joseph Bell, the real person Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based his famous detective on but instead this is about a real detective based in Manchester at the time Sherlock Holmes first made his appearance and who was compared to Sherlock Holmes in the press at times. But don’t be disappointed because it makes the exploits of Jerome Caminada all the more impressive because they were real.  He was involved in everything from capturing thieves, counterfeiters, exposing and bringing to justice charlatan doctors and, even, international espionage.  

Angela Buckley brings to life the personal life as well as the professional endeavors of this man who published his own case book during his lifetime but, as was the practice of the time, left out anything personal and used terms familiar to contemporaries.  Buckley is able to give historical context and interpret the cant modern readers may not be cognizant of.  

Interesting and fun to read about a very competent police officers in contrast to the often bumbling fools as the writer often portrays them.  Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.