The Expressman and the Detective (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Tale of a Grand Heist based on a True Crime StoryBy Allan Pinkerton
Length9h 29m
About this audiobook
The Expressman and the Detective recounts Allan Pinkerton's investigation into a major theft from an express company, unfolding as a meticulous reconstruction of surveillance, disguise, inference, and psychological pressure. Written in the plain, confident manner of nineteenth-century detective memoir, the book belongs to the formative literature of American true crime and procedural detection, where factual narration, moral commentary, and dramatic suspense converge. Its interest lies not only in the mystery itself but in its detailed presentation of modern investigative method before detective fiction had fully codified its conventions. Pinkerton, a Scottish-born immigrant, former cooper, abolitionist, and founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, wrote from a career spent professionalizing private detection in the United States. His experiences protecting railroads, investigating fraud, and organizing intelligence for the Union during the Civil War shaped his belief in discipline, secrecy, and patient observation. This book reflects his desire to legitimize detective work as both a science of character and a public service. Readers interested in the origins of detective literature, American legal culture, or nineteenth-century crime writing will find this volume especially rewarding. It offers suspense, historical texture, and a revealing portrait of detection before the age of fingerprints, forensics, and police bureaucracy.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreTrue Crime
Length9 hrs 29 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 19, 2018
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1TRUE CRIME COLLECTION: The Greatest Cases of Pinkerton National Detective Agency (Annotated)
21CHAPTER XV.
2Introduction
22CHAPTER XVI.
3Synopsis
23CHAPTER XVII.
4Historical Context
24CHAPTER XVIII.
5Author Biography
25CHAPTER XIX.
Show all chaptersShow less
6PREFACE.
26CHAPTER XX.
7CHAPTER I.
27CHAPTER XXI.
8CHAPTER II.
28CHAPTER XXII.
9CHAPTER III.
29CHAPTER XXIII.
10CHAPTER IV.
30CHAPTER XXIV.
11CHAPTER V.
31CHAPTER XXV.
12CHAPTER VI.
32CHAPTER XXVI.
13CHAPTER VII.
33CHAPTER XXVII.
14CHAPTER VIII.
34CHAPTER XXVIII.
15CHAPTER IX.
35CHAPTER XXIX.
16CHAPTER X.
36CHAPTER XXX.
17CHAPTER XI.
37Analysis
18CHAPTER XII.
38Reflection
19CHAPTER XIII.
39Memorable Quotes
20CHAPTER XIV.
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