Book: Female Detective: The Original Lady Detective, 1864

Typical of detective fiction of its time, Andrew Forrester’s book features various cases narrated by Miss Gladden, or 'G' as she is also known. Her deductive methods and energetic approach anticipate those of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, and she can be seen as beginning a powerful tradition of female detectives. 'G' uses similar methods to her male counterparts – she enters scenes of crime incognito, tracking down killers while trying to conceal her own tracks and her identity from others.

'G', the first female detective, does much physical detective work, examining crime scenes, looking for clues and employing all manner of skill, subterfuge, observation and charm to achieve her ends. Like Holmes, 'G' regards the regular constabulary with disdain. For all the intrigue and interest of the stories, little is ever revealed about 'G' herself, and her personal circumstances remain a mystery throughout. But it is her ability to apply her considerable energy and intelligence to solve crimes that is her greatest appeal, and the reappearance of the original lady detective will be welcomed by fans of crime fiction.

This edition includes an introduction by Mike Ashley and a foreword by Alexander McCall Smith.
Also available as a Kindle ebook.

About the author
Andrew Forrester is the pseudonym of James Redding Ware (1832- c.1909), who wrote several detective stories during his career.

Reviews
`Literary ancestor to Miss Marple, Lisbeth Salander and Nancy Drew, the redoubtable Miss Gladden – the first ever female detective in British fiction – is set to make her reappearance after almost 150 years out of print.` Alison Flood, The Guardian

Published Date: October 2012
Publisher: British Library
ISBN: 9780712358781
Purchase at: British Library

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