The Real Sherlock Holmes: The Hidden story of Jerome Caminada

by Angela Buckley

On 6 December 1886, Arthur Foster leaves the Queen’s Theatre, Manchester with a pocket full of gold and a lady bedecked with diamonds on his arm. He hails a hansom cab unaware that a detective has been trailing him as he crisscrossed the city. As the cab pulls away, the detective slips inside and arrests the infamous ‘Birmingham Forger’. The detective is Jerome Caminada, legendary policeman and a true Victorian super-sleuth.

Known as a ‘terror to evil-doers’, Caminada is at the top of his game as he stalks nefarious criminals through the seedy streets of Manchester’s underworld. Born in the slums, he has an intimate knowledge of the labyrinth of dark alleyways and the shady characters that inhabit them. Caminada’s compelling story bears all the hallmarks of Arthur Conan Doyle and establishes this indefatigable investigator as one of the most formidable detectives of the 19th century and a real-life Sherlock Holmes.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, True Crime, British Literature, Crime

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Dr Angela Buckley is a historian specialising in Victorian and Edwardian detectives, the evolution of crime investigation and forensic science, and the true crimes that shaped them. She has a PhD in the history of detective practice. 
Her life in crime began with her own family. Whilst researching her family tree, she uncovered all sorts of shady ancestors, including petty thieves, poachers and even a brothel keeper in the dangerous Victorian slums of her home city of Manchester. During a break from her career as a modern foreign languages lecturer, she began to write about my family's past, which led to the publication of her first non-fiction history book, The Real Sherlock Holmes.

Angela’s work on crime and detective history has featured in many national magazines and newspapers, including The Times, The Telegraph, the Sunday Express, All About History and Who Do You Think You Are? magazine. She is a member of the Historical Writers’ Association and the Crime Writers’ Association.

An experienced speaker, Angela has taken part in many events such as the Henley Literary Festival, the Manchester Histories Festival and at the Museum of London. She is a regular contributor to the annual London Month of the Dead festival, and a frequent guest on podcasts. She has appeared on The One Show on BBC One, and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and The Secret Genius of Modern Life on BBC Two. She is also a Crime Fiction Expert for policeadvisor.co.uk.

Reviews

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suffice to say, really enjoyed reading this one!

Caminada - a man's whose career rivaled and paralleled that of London's Inspector Frederick Abberline. Both men came from humble beginnings, went into a trade before entering the Police Force; both were skilled and rose through the ranks; both become private detectives after leaving the force; and both would be remembered for their most famous of cases.

Buckley provides us with a series of vignettes that introduce us to this remarkable man, his methods, his crimes (ie: the one he solved), and his life. Caminada truly was unique among his peers and possibly, even among investigators regardless of the time period in which they worked. Reading some of these cases, you would be inclined to think that Caminada himself was a fictional character due to his highly successful methods of crime-fighting and policing. It is a testament to this man that we are still amazed today at his level of cunning, doggedness, and dedication to his career.

I found this to be a most interesting read - and whether he truly was the inspiration for Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes", there is no doubting the man's obvious (subconscious) influence.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Real Sherlock Holmes – The Hidden Story of Jerome Caminada

The Real Sherlock Holmes – The Hidden Story of Jerome Caminada written by family historian Angela Buckley, takes us back to Victorian Manchester, and the man said to have been the inspiration behind Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. At the same time this book is an interpretation of Manchester’s urban history during the latter part of the nineteenth century.

Today much of Manchester looks similar too Victorian Manchester, which to those of us who study and write about the City’s history we would tell you looks can be deceiving. Deansgate at the start of Caminada’s career in the Manchester Police, was a lot narrower than it is today, was home to quite a few rookeries and was cheek by jowl to King Street and St Ann’s Square. Not only was it home to some notorious criminals it would be part of Caminada’s beat.

Born in Ancoats a mixture of slum housing and some middle classes along with warehouse and mills Caminada was a member of the large Italian community that resided there. From there he would rise and become one of Manchester’s most important police officers in the latter part of Queen Victoria’s reign. From Police Constable to the rank of Superintendent and served every area of the town and had the reputation of being a brilliant thief catcher.

Angela Buckley in her book charts his thirty-year career as a Manchester Police Officer and gives some interesting insights in to both the character of Jerome Caminada as well as some of his cases that he became famous for. She even brings Caminada’s very own Moriarty in a professional thief and very dangerous man who blamed him for being arrested and imprisoned for a few years.

This is a fascinating account for all those that like a mixture of social history, urban history and true crime stories, as we see Caminada’s attempt to clean up Manchester. This really is an interesting book well worth reading and then investigating Manchester’s Victorian Criminal history and you will discover a totally other world.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never visited Manchester, let alone 19th century Manchester but via Angela Buckley’s book I have been plunged into the noisy, boisterous life of crime, drink and gambling in that crowded city in 1867. It was in that year that Jerome Caminada first became a police constable. Grandson of an Italian immigrant, his life had been hard work and struggle after the death of his father at the age of 37. After 6 years in the Royal Lancs. Militia and a short time as a brass fitter, Caminada turned to the police force where he was to have a successful career and gain fame throughout the country.

This biography was written using Caminada’s own accounts, newspaper articles of the day and social commentary on the crime and poverty in Manchester in Victorian Britain. Each chapter has an inviting title such as, “A hot-bed of social iniquity and vice,” “Rascality, rapacity and Roguery,” and “Gin Palaces, Gambling Dens and a Cross-Dressing Ball.” Who could resist reading on?

Jerome Caminada’s first days of 14 hours on the beat, tested his stamina and toughness as he received punches just for being a police constable and among the poverty of the crowded rookeries he was often in danger of losing his life. But he also quickly proved his skill and intelligence by following up clues, shadowing suspects and using his knowledge of the criminal underworld to bring culprits to justice.

We join him at Aintree race course where dippers or pick-pockets have profitable days and illegal gambling games are set up. We learn about Scuttlers, frightening gangs of street fighters and we meet sophisticated swindlers and seducers. Caminada had his own Moriarty, a career criminal called Bob Horridge who hated Jerome and was a constant threat until he was finally given penal servitude for life.

If you want to read more about quack doctors, poisoning and Caminada’s secret government missions I can highly recommend this thrilling, eventful biography of a colourful figure who solved far more crimes than Sherlock ever encountered.

[Suzie Grogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read, recommended to anyone with an interest in the Victorian era, crime and social history. Angela Buckley has written a fast-paced biography of a man who was as resourceful as Conan Doyle's hero and absolutely committed to the pursuit of justice in an era when terrible poverty and great prosperity existed uncomfortably side by side. From a very poor Manchester family, some of whom never escaped the slums of the city, Caminada pursued crooks across the city and beyond, becoming one of the great figures of his age. Whether Conan Doyle was inspired by Detective Caminada's use of disguise, subterfuge and willingness to engage with all sections of society is irrelevant really. He has his own, real place in history.

[Kate Mayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Angela Buckley's well researched and beautifully told account of one of Britain's lesser known, but no less astonishing, figures in history. Set in a milieu and era which might tempt a writer to exploit Victorian Manchester, Buckley reigns in the story with a tight focus on the incredible detective Jerome Caminada.

There is plenty of engrossing social history here and the reach of crime and poverty is potent. Thank goodness then for Mr. Caminada, whose unimpeachable character, intellect and talent are let loose upon Manchester's streets. Though he is dogged by revengeful criminals and faced his own turbulent days in and out of court, the real story here is the good heart of an extraordinary detective.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating biography of the life of a man who rose out of Manchester's slums to be an early police celebrity. Angela gives the reader an excellent insight into the mind of this Victorian detective, showing him to be far from perfect.

As a fan of crime fiction, I loved this exploration of real-life crime and the revelations of high and low life in 19th century Manchester.

The book has a good pace and I very much enjoyed reading.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this was a compelling delve into the mysterious underworld of crime, and Victorian Manchester.

Angela's research seemingly rebuilds the life of this real life Holmes to great detail, and by adding in all the wider context information, it not only makes the book flow seamlessly through his life, but it turned into somewhat of a page turner for me.

I really enjoyed this book, and really glad to have picked it up when I spotted it at Who Do You Think You Are? Live.

[Svend-ulrik Orneborg]

I want to read that book.

[William Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Real Sherlock Holmes has an interesting thesis of analyzing the life and work of 19th century Manchester police officer Jerome Caminada. The title and the thesis definitely captured my attention and imagination. Having seen the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr. playing the titular role I was very interested to learn more about a real person who may have influenced this type of fiction. Throughout the book the author weaves in titbits about Sherlock Holmes and tries to compare Caminada's exploits to Holmes'. I look at this book as a happy accident., if the comparison to Holmes wasn't proposed, I probably wouldn't have read the book. Though I don't think the author proved the thesis, I was thoroughly entertained with the authors depiction of 19th century Manchester, England. and learning about Caminada's policing career. I would recommend this book to the readers that are interested in police history and 19th century England and specifically Manchester history. The author does mention how detective books, such as Sherlock Holmes, gained popularity in the time of Caminada's time on the force as a detective. It would have been interesting, if there really was a connection between Holmes and Caminada, to dive into Arthur Conan Doyle's influences for Holmes if that type of information exists. As a reader, I still don't know if this is an assumption or fact that Caminada directly influenced Doyle in writing Sherlock Holmes.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

In reality as well as literature, perception is everything. If you perceive somethings to be comparable in your mind, you will write about it being biased to a certain situation whether you plan to or not.
To me this is how Buckley has written this biography (?).

Buckley follows Caminada's career from 1868 (when he joined the Police) until his death in 1914. Caminada (known to all as Detective Jerome) was Manchester's answer to Sherlock Holmes whose creation was contemporary to Jerome. Though he was referred to in the press as the 'real Sherlock Holmes' it was more of a 'home town' description as opposed to a real comparison.

Jerome was a major reason for the professionalization of the Manchester Police (founded in 1842), his modus operandi had little to compare him to Holmes. If Holmes is a man of culture who did his investigations by the scientific method, Jerome was more like a bulldozer in a china shop. He was proud of his ability to subdue (with his fists) criminals by brute force, and left it to the prosecutors to deal with the niceties.

At the end of his career he became a 'private investigator' and published two well received books about his career.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

“In February 1895, Jerome Caminada announced the imminent publication of his memoirs in the press. The Birmingham Daily Post anticipated that the book ‘should make racy and instructive reading.” A part of me wishes I would have just read Caminada’s original memoirs since so much of this book draws from his accounts solving crime. Buckley’s take is an interesting look at life in Victorian Manchester, England. I would have liked to have seen more parallels with the super sleuth Holmes🕵️‍♂️ and a deeper dig to see if Caminada’s cases did in fact inspire Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to create his unforgettable characters.
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[Pope Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea that Caminda is the basis for Sherlock Holmes doesn't hold too much water. Mainly, because Conan-Doyle said he was inspired by his Scottish medical teacher.
The author doesn't give much in the way of telling the reader about Caminada the man. Instead, we get rushed over views of cases. The writing also tends to the hagiographical and Caminada is presented as a man who never makes a mistake nor blotted a copy book.
Where the author does excel is in creating a sense of what it was like to live in Victorian Manchester and about the multitude of criminals and crimes that was present during this time.

[David Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up book from local library. It's a good read right from the very start. Setting the scene of poverty vividly in Victorian Manchester, the author moves through the career of this latter day Columbo. The lengths he goes to catch criminals would not be accepted today. I felt the book tailed off towards the end when Caminada has left 6the police force and enters the world of local politics... Notwithstanding I would recommend this thought provoking book.

[SUSAN TURNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating character

What a brilliant and clever man! I found it intriguing how he could find the villains and criminals easily - our present police force could learn a lot from him. (Not a criticism, our policemen do a wonderful job). He was so determined to catch them and being them to justice. An exciting and interesting life. The book was well written and a joy to rezd.

[Clare]

The first half of this biography was quite interesting but in the end I made the decision to give up on it as it just didn't grab me sufficiently.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite short which doesn’t help the book. Needed more information.

[Danny Knestaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a bit of research into the lives of Victorian era detectives. Specifically, I was interested in how the lives of real detectives compared to those of fictional ones such as Sherlock Holmes. This book delivered by giving me a sketch of Caminada's upbringing, and then following it with stories of his 30 years spent serving the police department of Manchester and more. It did a great job of giving me a flavor of what Caminada would experience on the beat, what kind of things he and his colleagues were concerned about, and even a level of what was considered appropriate and permissible at the time. The book was very informative, right down to the discussion of monetary sums and what their modern day equivalents would be.

In addition to being informative, the book was flatout entertaining. I enjoyed the conversational tone in which the episodes of Caminada's life are presented. I found it genuinely intriguing. And though the author obviously has some respect for Caminada, I also appreciated how the picture of Caminada was complete enough to give him some depth. He was certainly a force for good, but his actions and judgements weren't always what we would consider fair and appropriate in the modern day. All in all, it's a well-balanced, informative, and entertaining glimpse of a man whose actions and presence in the press of the day helped shape our popular image of the Victorian sleuth.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

While an interesting topic - the life of a famous policeman of Victorian England, focused on stories of his service, I kept feeling like this was not an original piece but a summarized version of Caminada's two volumes of memoirs. Part of the problem was that the writing seemed so favorable to Jerome Caminada, who may deserve great accolades for his work. I just kept wondering how objective this picture is. Eventually, I went to the end of the book to see Buckley's sources. I acknowledge Buckley did some research beyond the memoirs. This is a very readable book. I see nothing to support the title thesis that Caminada was the prototype for Sherlock Holmes. I didn't get bored exactly, but I found I was way more interested when I read the first few pages of Caminada's first volume of his memoirs: Both volumes of Twenty-five Years of Detective Life are digitized on Google. I've downloaded them for an eventual read. No regrets but not as special as I'd hoped.