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Shrewd Little Sleuth
“Leckie is one of our most outstanding agents. It is men like he that have made the organization what it is today”.
--J. Edgar Hoover (1939)
“ ... mince no words with Leckie. Let him have it.”
--J. Edgar Hoover (1940)
Something went terribly wrong. In just one year, Hoover’s praise turned to condemnation. What triggered the FBI director’s sudden shift, from close ally to alleged adversary? Despite his controversial ousting in 1939, A.B. Leckie remained in contact with Hoover for over two decades. Why? And why was Leckie found dead with Marilyn Monroe’s unlisted number in his pocket—reported to have died in four different ways, five if you count murder?
He died just two days before Marilyn, in the same upscale LA neighborhood, after weeks of spying for—or on—her. He worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation alongside Robert Mitchum and Norma Jean before she became Marilyn. Did their connection endure? What secrets did he carry from his FBI years, his wartime stint in Pearl Harbor, and his role in securing the founding meeting of the UN in 1945? How did he track down Howard Hughes in hiding, not once, but twice? What about the Hollywood careers ruined by his anti-communist surveillance for McCarthy’s House Committee on Un-American Activities?
Leckie knew too much. Did he die because of it?
As his grandson, and a progressive human rights lawyer, I’m left grappling with the legacy of a man who may have helped dismantle the very freedoms I fight to protect. Was he secretly gay, crushed by the era’s homophobia? Or did other demons drive him to the bottle? What do you do when your family history is entangled in the machinery of repression? How do you reconcile a legacy built on silence and control when it’s etched into your own family line?
You do the only thing that makes you write it all down, and hope the truth finds its way through.
--J. Edgar Hoover (1939)
“ ... mince no words with Leckie. Let him have it.”
--J. Edgar Hoover (1940)
Something went terribly wrong. In just one year, Hoover’s praise turned to condemnation. What triggered the FBI director’s sudden shift, from close ally to alleged adversary? Despite his controversial ousting in 1939, A.B. Leckie remained in contact with Hoover for over two decades. Why? And why was Leckie found dead with Marilyn Monroe’s unlisted number in his pocket—reported to have died in four different ways, five if you count murder?
He died just two days before Marilyn, in the same upscale LA neighborhood, after weeks of spying for—or on—her. He worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation alongside Robert Mitchum and Norma Jean before she became Marilyn. Did their connection endure? What secrets did he carry from his FBI years, his wartime stint in Pearl Harbor, and his role in securing the founding meeting of the UN in 1945? How did he track down Howard Hughes in hiding, not once, but twice? What about the Hollywood careers ruined by his anti-communist surveillance for McCarthy’s House Committee on Un-American Activities?
Leckie knew too much. Did he die because of it?
As his grandson, and a progressive human rights lawyer, I’m left grappling with the legacy of a man who may have helped dismantle the very freedoms I fight to protect. Was he secretly gay, crushed by the era’s homophobia? Or did other demons drive him to the bottle? What do you do when your family history is entangled in the machinery of repression? How do you reconcile a legacy built on silence and control when it’s etched into your own family line?
You do the only thing that makes you write it all down, and hope the truth finds its way through.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 17, 2025
Imagine that one day over dinner your loving dad, at the time a prominent Los Angeles attorney, casually remarks, using your nickname “Tiger, today is the 30th anniversary of my father’s passing”. This is the first time your dad has mentioned your paternal grandfather. Ever.
You are now an adult and accomplished international human rights lawyer and activist, so asking questions comes naturally. What was he like? What did do for a living? Was he married? Why haven’t you spoken about him before? How can I learn more about your dad, my grandad? Your father obliges by sharing what he has kept secreted away for years: stacks of documents and letters, old photographs and other records which sets you on a deep dive to discover more.
As you dig, including several requests under the Freedom of Information Act, you learn that your grandfather was a senior official at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (or FBI), and amongst his many close friends were the legendary and controversial FBI head, J Edgar Hoover. You also learn that grandpa had assignments working with the Joseph McCarthy Commission ferreting out alleged communists working in Hollywood and the US government, setting up security for the first United Nations conference in San Francisco where the UN Charter was adopted, trying to find Howard Hughes, and in the end died under mysterious circumstances one day before starlet Marilyn Monroe was also found deceased in her home just down the road from where he lived.
Yes indeed, the truth is often stranger than fiction. This is Scott Leckie’s story about his grandfather, Arthur Bernard Leckie (ABL), titled Shrewd Little Sleuth. A must read!
I have known Scotty for almost forty years. We first met in Strasbourg on a summer course for law students. At the time Scott was doing graduate work in England, while I was studying in Toronto. Scott Leckie has singlehandedly done more international advocacy, activism, and published more on the human right to housing, and climate change and displacement than possibly anyone on the planet. He has published dozens of books and academic articles and monographs, and has taught at prestigious universities in Australia, the United States and Europe. He is also a devoted Deadhead, goodviber, nature lover, gardener, sports enthusiast, and loving husband and father.
So, to learn that his grandfather worked as a bureaucratic sleuth and engaged in some notorious operations including with Joseph McCarthy seems surreal. Scotty’s outlook and personal politics may be lightyears away from his grandfather’s, but this is not a book about political differences or judging family members. It’s about discovering family secrets (some in plain view) and learning about the kind of person ABL was, what drove him, what were his loyalties, or was he just doing what was considered of him in a government agency that exercised broad power and authority. Forever loyal to the mission perhaps, but blind to whatever may have been left in his wake. In that work environment ABL thrived and rose through the ranks of the FBI, which is not surprising considering the intellectual capacity and achievements of his son and grandson. Until he seemingly fell from grace. But I don’t want to spoil the story.
This is a unique true story told in a compelling, easy to read style, with a jurist’s eye for detail supported with documentary and photographic evidence along with a healthy dose of humour, sexual innuendo, and spicy speculation. It is a loving tribute from a grandson to a grandfather who never met each other. Through researching and writing this book however Scott got to know him. The reader does too. What he discovers and reveals is fascinating. Another great and strange American tale.
Congratulations to the author on digging deep to discover what he could about his grandfather, who’s life work and professional ethos was likely shaped to take his secrets to the grave. Only to be unearthed years later by his sleuthful grandson. As the saying goes ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’.
Buy it. Read it. Can’t wait for the movie!
You are now an adult and accomplished international human rights lawyer and activist, so asking questions comes naturally. What was he like? What did do for a living? Was he married? Why haven’t you spoken about him before? How can I learn more about your dad, my grandad? Your father obliges by sharing what he has kept secreted away for years: stacks of documents and letters, old photographs and other records which sets you on a deep dive to discover more.
As you dig, including several requests under the Freedom of Information Act, you learn that your grandfather was a senior official at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (or FBI), and amongst his many close friends were the legendary and controversial FBI head, J Edgar Hoover. You also learn that grandpa had assignments working with the Joseph McCarthy Commission ferreting out alleged communists working in Hollywood and the US government, setting up security for the first United Nations conference in San Francisco where the UN Charter was adopted, trying to find Howard Hughes, and in the end died under mysterious circumstances one day before starlet Marilyn Monroe was also found deceased in her home just down the road from where he lived.
Yes indeed, the truth is often stranger than fiction. This is Scott Leckie’s story about his grandfather, Arthur Bernard Leckie (ABL), titled Shrewd Little Sleuth. A must read!
I have known Scotty for almost forty years. We first met in Strasbourg on a summer course for law students. At the time Scott was doing graduate work in England, while I was studying in Toronto. Scott Leckie has singlehandedly done more international advocacy, activism, and published more on the human right to housing, and climate change and displacement than possibly anyone on the planet. He has published dozens of books and academic articles and monographs, and has taught at prestigious universities in Australia, the United States and Europe. He is also a devoted Deadhead, goodviber, nature lover, gardener, sports enthusiast, and loving husband and father.
So, to learn that his grandfather worked as a bureaucratic sleuth and engaged in some notorious operations including with Joseph McCarthy seems surreal. Scotty’s outlook and personal politics may be lightyears away from his grandfather’s, but this is not a book about political differences or judging family members. It’s about discovering family secrets (some in plain view) and learning about the kind of person ABL was, what drove him, what were his loyalties, or was he just doing what was considered of him in a government agency that exercised broad power and authority. Forever loyal to the mission perhaps, but blind to whatever may have been left in his wake. In that work environment ABL thrived and rose through the ranks of the FBI, which is not surprising considering the intellectual capacity and achievements of his son and grandson. Until he seemingly fell from grace. But I don’t want to spoil the story.
This is a unique true story told in a compelling, easy to read style, with a jurist’s eye for detail supported with documentary and photographic evidence along with a healthy dose of humour, sexual innuendo, and spicy speculation. It is a loving tribute from a grandson to a grandfather who never met each other. Through researching and writing this book however Scott got to know him. The reader does too. What he discovers and reveals is fascinating. Another great and strange American tale.
Congratulations to the author on digging deep to discover what he could about his grandfather, who’s life work and professional ethos was likely shaped to take his secrets to the grave. Only to be unearthed years later by his sleuthful grandson. As the saying goes ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’.
Buy it. Read it. Can’t wait for the movie!
November 7, 2025
The fifth method, or Truth as a residue of power
Scott Leckie’s Shrewd Little Sleuth operates at the juncture between family memoir, historical reconstruction, and political detective fiction, excavating the veiled life of his grandfather, Arthur Bernard Leckie (ABL)—a former FBI agent whose career intersected with some of the twentieth century’s most mythologised figures and scandals. Drawing on declassified records, personal correspondence, and media fragments, Leckie constructs not so much a biography as an archival experiment in tracing power’s residues. The narrative unravels the contradictions of a man who moved from J. Edgar Hoover’s inner circle to the murkier worlds of naval intelligence, Hollywood intrigue, and Cold War espionage. In this sense, the book operates as both a personal reckoning and a meditation on the architecture of secrecy that defined mid-century American governance. The proximity between ABL’s shadowy activities—whether linked to Howard Hughes, McCarthy’s anti-Communist campaigns, or Marilyn Monroe’s final days—and his mysterious death transforms the biographical account into a reflection on the ethics of surveillance, the allure of conspiracy, and the difficulty of disentangling myth from record.
Leckie’s tone oscillates between forensic detachment and filial curiosity. As a human rights lawyer, the author confronts the dissonance between his own political ideals and the authoritarian apparatus his grandfather helped sustain. Yet SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH resists moral closure. Instead of resolving ABL’s contradictions, Leckie exposes how incomplete evidence and bureaucratic opacity render historical inquiry speculative. The fragmented archive becomes both subject and metaphor: a mirror of the fractured moral terrain of the early Cold War, where ideology and paranoia coexisted with glamour and invention. Although the book occasionally suffers from overreliance on conjecture and assumes familiarity with its many historical references, it succeeds in transforming uncertainty into method, demonstrating how absence itself can testify to the mechanisms of erasure that underpin official history.
In the end, Leckie’s project transcends the parameters of biographical curiosity. It interrogates what it means to inherit complicity, to write from within the ruins of institutional power, and to reanimate the ghosts of a century that remains half-remembered and half-redacted. SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH thus becomes less a story about one man’s secrets than an inquiry into the nation’s collective amnesia—an unsettling reminder that every family archive, however private, may conceal a fragment of our collective history.
Scott Leckie’s Shrewd Little Sleuth operates at the juncture between family memoir, historical reconstruction, and political detective fiction, excavating the veiled life of his grandfather, Arthur Bernard Leckie (ABL)—a former FBI agent whose career intersected with some of the twentieth century’s most mythologised figures and scandals. Drawing on declassified records, personal correspondence, and media fragments, Leckie constructs not so much a biography as an archival experiment in tracing power’s residues. The narrative unravels the contradictions of a man who moved from J. Edgar Hoover’s inner circle to the murkier worlds of naval intelligence, Hollywood intrigue, and Cold War espionage. In this sense, the book operates as both a personal reckoning and a meditation on the architecture of secrecy that defined mid-century American governance. The proximity between ABL’s shadowy activities—whether linked to Howard Hughes, McCarthy’s anti-Communist campaigns, or Marilyn Monroe’s final days—and his mysterious death transforms the biographical account into a reflection on the ethics of surveillance, the allure of conspiracy, and the difficulty of disentangling myth from record.
Leckie’s tone oscillates between forensic detachment and filial curiosity. As a human rights lawyer, the author confronts the dissonance between his own political ideals and the authoritarian apparatus his grandfather helped sustain. Yet SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH resists moral closure. Instead of resolving ABL’s contradictions, Leckie exposes how incomplete evidence and bureaucratic opacity render historical inquiry speculative. The fragmented archive becomes both subject and metaphor: a mirror of the fractured moral terrain of the early Cold War, where ideology and paranoia coexisted with glamour and invention. Although the book occasionally suffers from overreliance on conjecture and assumes familiarity with its many historical references, it succeeds in transforming uncertainty into method, demonstrating how absence itself can testify to the mechanisms of erasure that underpin official history.
In the end, Leckie’s project transcends the parameters of biographical curiosity. It interrogates what it means to inherit complicity, to write from within the ruins of institutional power, and to reanimate the ghosts of a century that remains half-remembered and half-redacted. SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH thus becomes less a story about one man’s secrets than an inquiry into the nation’s collective amnesia—an unsettling reminder that every family archive, however private, may conceal a fragment of our collective history.
November 1, 2025
"Shrewd Little Sleuth" by Scott Leckie takes a deep dive into the fascinating life of Arthur Bernard Leckie, or ABL for short, who was once a big deal as an FBI agent and happens to be the author's grandfather. The book mixes historical research, FBI files, interviews, and a sprinkle of imagination to follow ABL's path—from his early days with J. Edgar Hoover's FBI to his involvement in significant events such as Pearl Harbor, the founding of the United Nations, and McCarthy's anti-communist campaigns. Just when his career starts to take a nosedive, ABL finds himself in the company of Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes, all leading up to a mysterious ending just days before Monroe's tragic death. The story blends fact, speculation, and emotion as the grandson tries to reconcile his own career in human rights with a family history marked by secrets and moral dilemmas. The title is both affectionate and a bit ironic, highlighting a man skilled in uncovering truths while wrestling with his own hidden stories.
Review: "Shrewd Little Sleuth" combines solid research with personal insights, resulting in a layered, emotionally resonant story. The writing is lively and engaging, striking a nice balance between investigative journalism and literary flair. The introduction sets a curious, slightly conflicted tone, drawing readers into the grandson's search for identity shaped by his grandfather's choices. Leckie's word choice is sharp, the tone is reflective but not overly sentimental, and the pacing is just right as the story weaves between political intrigue and personal revelations.
The mid-century backdrop of FBI politics, Cold War tension, and Hollywood drama really brings the narrative to life, with real documents, photos, and clippings adding a touch of authenticity. Plus, the clever idea of "sleuthing the sleuth" creates a nice symmetry in the story. The contrast between ABL's secretive world and the author's global perspective on human rights adds emotional depth, especially as it digs into themes of power, guilt, and what we inherit from our families.
The characters, particularly ABL, are complex; ambitious yet troubled, loyal yet secretive, which keeps the narrative interesting. There are times when imagination blurs a bit too much with the facts, which might throw off readers looking for a strict biography. Still, this mix gives the book its unique voice and cinematic feel.
It's perfect for anyone who enjoys historical investigations, family stories, or political intrigue, earning a solid four stars for its honesty, craftsmanship, and the lingering questions it raises.
Review: "Shrewd Little Sleuth" combines solid research with personal insights, resulting in a layered, emotionally resonant story. The writing is lively and engaging, striking a nice balance between investigative journalism and literary flair. The introduction sets a curious, slightly conflicted tone, drawing readers into the grandson's search for identity shaped by his grandfather's choices. Leckie's word choice is sharp, the tone is reflective but not overly sentimental, and the pacing is just right as the story weaves between political intrigue and personal revelations.
The mid-century backdrop of FBI politics, Cold War tension, and Hollywood drama really brings the narrative to life, with real documents, photos, and clippings adding a touch of authenticity. Plus, the clever idea of "sleuthing the sleuth" creates a nice symmetry in the story. The contrast between ABL's secretive world and the author's global perspective on human rights adds emotional depth, especially as it digs into themes of power, guilt, and what we inherit from our families.
The characters, particularly ABL, are complex; ambitious yet troubled, loyal yet secretive, which keeps the narrative interesting. There are times when imagination blurs a bit too much with the facts, which might throw off readers looking for a strict biography. Still, this mix gives the book its unique voice and cinematic feel.
It's perfect for anyone who enjoys historical investigations, family stories, or political intrigue, earning a solid four stars for its honesty, craftsmanship, and the lingering questions it raises.
October 11, 2025
This was a truly intriguing read. Firstly, because of the person about whom the book is about: Arthur Bernard Leckie. He was a prominent figure in Hoover's FBI with links to Marilyn Monroe and, like the famous film star, died suspiciously. I mean, if that doesn't grab your attention, then I don't know what will, especially if you love a conspiracy theory.
Secondly, the book is written by his grandson, Scott Leckie and there is a sense of Scott trying to connect with the grandfather who he never knew, despite the fact that they probably would not have had many world views in common. This adds an extra element, a personal one which permeates the book and Scott's voice is ever present in his observations and his commentary, some of it quite humorous so that although you feel like he is invested in investigating his grandfather, Scott's style is more that of a curious observer rather than someone who is likely to be shaped by what he discovers.
Unfortunately, Scott does not have a lot to go on in order to establish the sort of man his grandfather was. But don't let that fool you into thinking that this is a read with very little fodder: the way that this book unfolds is well done throughout. Scott Leckie takes the evidence that he has been able to acquire and examines each individual piece, sharing with us his insights and his reflections. This is also presented within the context of the time and I have learnt an inordinate amount about Hoover, the fears and concerns of Americans and the means used to uncover and collate information in order to stem the Communist threat. Add to this some Hollywood glamour and other famous names and you have an enthralling read.
And what is also good about this book is that you can speculate with Scott about what his grandfather's life was about. He has enough in the form of letters and newspaper cuttings and photos (a lot of which he shares so you can see them too) to make a picture of his grandfather but this picture is blurred and indistinct. In the theorising is the enjoyment. Scott is asking "Who was this man, my ancestor?" and you're with him as he tries to make sense of what he's found.
A truly interesting read.
Secondly, the book is written by his grandson, Scott Leckie and there is a sense of Scott trying to connect with the grandfather who he never knew, despite the fact that they probably would not have had many world views in common. This adds an extra element, a personal one which permeates the book and Scott's voice is ever present in his observations and his commentary, some of it quite humorous so that although you feel like he is invested in investigating his grandfather, Scott's style is more that of a curious observer rather than someone who is likely to be shaped by what he discovers.
Unfortunately, Scott does not have a lot to go on in order to establish the sort of man his grandfather was. But don't let that fool you into thinking that this is a read with very little fodder: the way that this book unfolds is well done throughout. Scott Leckie takes the evidence that he has been able to acquire and examines each individual piece, sharing with us his insights and his reflections. This is also presented within the context of the time and I have learnt an inordinate amount about Hoover, the fears and concerns of Americans and the means used to uncover and collate information in order to stem the Communist threat. Add to this some Hollywood glamour and other famous names and you have an enthralling read.
And what is also good about this book is that you can speculate with Scott about what his grandfather's life was about. He has enough in the form of letters and newspaper cuttings and photos (a lot of which he shares so you can see them too) to make a picture of his grandfather but this picture is blurred and indistinct. In the theorising is the enjoyment. Scott is asking "Who was this man, my ancestor?" and you're with him as he tries to make sense of what he's found.
A truly interesting read.
November 7, 2025
Scott Leckie has led an amazing and impactful life. He has traveled the globe and been instrumental in helping establishing organizations, funds and agreements that have benefited many different peoples.
Throughout the course of his life, Leckie had carried with him a curiosity about the unusual and colorful life of his grandfather A Bernard Leckie.
Through the use of a Freedom of Information Act request and some files that his father still had in spite of having destroyed most of his grandfather's files, Leckie has pieced together the story of his grandfather's adult life. ABL as the author calls him was an FBI agent working closely with J Edgar Hoover, subsequently fired but still maintained a close relationship with him. ABL had many colorful roles during his multivaried career coming across the paths of many famous people. At the time of his death at the age of 57, which was under mysterious circumstances, ABL was working as a private investigator for Marilyn Monroe at the time of her death and in fact died 36 hours later. The author's research which appears to have been extensive, raises many questions as to the involvement of the Kennedy's in that mysterious apparent suicide.
Lucky also explores in some detail the belief that Hoover was gay and that several other prominent fixtures of that. Such as Joe McCarthy or gay as well leaving the author to explore what his grandfather's sexuality was.
It's yours first with all of this the author includes some of his beliefs both regarding the current status of American politics as well as ones that had significant impact on American society over the past Century.
While at times a bit of a rambling read, is very interesting to learn the story of an industrious, driven and ambitious man not well known in the annals of History. The author Compares him to a real life Forrest Gump in the sense of him having been in close proximity to many world events with many world leaders.
For people who enjoy memoirs and biographies this will be a very satisfying read.
Throughout the course of his life, Leckie had carried with him a curiosity about the unusual and colorful life of his grandfather A Bernard Leckie.
Through the use of a Freedom of Information Act request and some files that his father still had in spite of having destroyed most of his grandfather's files, Leckie has pieced together the story of his grandfather's adult life. ABL as the author calls him was an FBI agent working closely with J Edgar Hoover, subsequently fired but still maintained a close relationship with him. ABL had many colorful roles during his multivaried career coming across the paths of many famous people. At the time of his death at the age of 57, which was under mysterious circumstances, ABL was working as a private investigator for Marilyn Monroe at the time of her death and in fact died 36 hours later. The author's research which appears to have been extensive, raises many questions as to the involvement of the Kennedy's in that mysterious apparent suicide.
Lucky also explores in some detail the belief that Hoover was gay and that several other prominent fixtures of that. Such as Joe McCarthy or gay as well leaving the author to explore what his grandfather's sexuality was.
It's yours first with all of this the author includes some of his beliefs both regarding the current status of American politics as well as ones that had significant impact on American society over the past Century.
While at times a bit of a rambling read, is very interesting to learn the story of an industrious, driven and ambitious man not well known in the annals of History. The author Compares him to a real life Forrest Gump in the sense of him having been in close proximity to many world events with many world leaders.
For people who enjoy memoirs and biographies this will be a very satisfying read.
October 25, 2025
Do you enjoy roller coaster rides? Do you enjoy books that leave you with more questions than answers? Then you will enjoy Shrewd Little Sleuth by Scott Lekie. This was one of the wildest rides I’ve ever been on!
He decided to write about his grandfather, A. B. Lekie, who died August 3, 1962, three months before he was born. Scott wrote with many conjectures here, as he didn’t know his grandfather. He had access to documents relating to his grandfather’s life due to the Freedom of Information Act, and some were postcards that others had shared with him or that had not been destroyed upon his grandfather’s death. Scott’s father, however, burned or destroyed a lot of A.B.L.’s files and paperwork upon his death.
A.B. Lekie worked for the FBI for 4 years and 4 days before being forced to resign. During his lifetime, he took different jobs that would showcase his ability as an investigator, and ultimately, he worked for Marilyn Monroe.
She wanted to know “who it was or what it was that is terrorizing me.” Scott Lekie, from his research, determined that his grandfather was also a spy, so it was natural that A.B. Lekie would use his gifts as a spy to determine what was going on with Marilyn. However, is it a coincidence that Marilyn was killed 2 days before A.B.L.?
What was his connection to Marilyn Monroe? Was he spying on her spies? They both died two days apart. Was it a coincidence? What had he found out? Who knew and wanted them silenced?
There were a lot of conjectures when it came to Marilyn, A.B.L., and the Kennedy brothers. In fact, when she died, it is presumed that the Kennedy brothers used the FBI to cover up their affairs with Marilyn Monroe.
You’ll have to read Shrewd Little Sleuth to find out for yourself, and maybe you’ll find some closure.
He decided to write about his grandfather, A. B. Lekie, who died August 3, 1962, three months before he was born. Scott wrote with many conjectures here, as he didn’t know his grandfather. He had access to documents relating to his grandfather’s life due to the Freedom of Information Act, and some were postcards that others had shared with him or that had not been destroyed upon his grandfather’s death. Scott’s father, however, burned or destroyed a lot of A.B.L.’s files and paperwork upon his death.
A.B. Lekie worked for the FBI for 4 years and 4 days before being forced to resign. During his lifetime, he took different jobs that would showcase his ability as an investigator, and ultimately, he worked for Marilyn Monroe.
She wanted to know “who it was or what it was that is terrorizing me.” Scott Lekie, from his research, determined that his grandfather was also a spy, so it was natural that A.B. Lekie would use his gifts as a spy to determine what was going on with Marilyn. However, is it a coincidence that Marilyn was killed 2 days before A.B.L.?
What was his connection to Marilyn Monroe? Was he spying on her spies? They both died two days apart. Was it a coincidence? What had he found out? Who knew and wanted them silenced?
There were a lot of conjectures when it came to Marilyn, A.B.L., and the Kennedy brothers. In fact, when she died, it is presumed that the Kennedy brothers used the FBI to cover up their affairs with Marilyn Monroe.
You’ll have to read Shrewd Little Sleuth to find out for yourself, and maybe you’ll find some closure.
November 10, 2025
Sometimes a single person can encapsulate an entire era. Sometimes a single lifetime can entwine the strands of history that provide a reasonably clear vision of what an unusually eventful life was really like so many decades ago. And when that person, that lifetime, belonged to a grandfather you never knew, there’s invariably a story to be discovered and told. Such is the case with Scott Lecckie’s new book, A Shrewd Little Sleuth (IUPH, 2025).
Leckie’s grandfather was part G-man, part gumshoe, part Zelig, who worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover, perhaps too closely, and with Marilyn Monroe prior to her controversial death, and seemingly half of the Hollywood establishment. It’s a great story whose plausibility is never in doubt, in spite of its often-salacious claims. Arthur Bernard Leckie was a jolly, heavy drinking fellow who seemed capable of embarrassing everyone with whom he worked and was still able to keep his job.
As an FBI agent, he headed a variety of FBI bureaus including Philadelphia and Chicago, and he was fired under the most strange circumstances, and yet remained in close contact with Hoover for decades. Hoover once said of him, "Leckie is one of our most outstanding agents. It is men like he that have made the organization what it is today".
But this book is more than his relationship to Hoover, it is a description of a life that could easily have found its way into Hollywood’s pantheon of tightly knit film noir classics. If that’s your genre, A Shrewd Little Sleuth is a book for you. It’s just right for those who the love spilling of buried family secrets and exposing dirty little details. Leckie has given us an account of a time that is forever sexy and continually sex-driven. One comes away wondering, did that really happen? And according to Leckie’s research and family documents, the answer is certainly worth considering.
Leckie’s grandfather was part G-man, part gumshoe, part Zelig, who worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover, perhaps too closely, and with Marilyn Monroe prior to her controversial death, and seemingly half of the Hollywood establishment. It’s a great story whose plausibility is never in doubt, in spite of its often-salacious claims. Arthur Bernard Leckie was a jolly, heavy drinking fellow who seemed capable of embarrassing everyone with whom he worked and was still able to keep his job.
As an FBI agent, he headed a variety of FBI bureaus including Philadelphia and Chicago, and he was fired under the most strange circumstances, and yet remained in close contact with Hoover for decades. Hoover once said of him, "Leckie is one of our most outstanding agents. It is men like he that have made the organization what it is today".
But this book is more than his relationship to Hoover, it is a description of a life that could easily have found its way into Hollywood’s pantheon of tightly knit film noir classics. If that’s your genre, A Shrewd Little Sleuth is a book for you. It’s just right for those who the love spilling of buried family secrets and exposing dirty little details. Leckie has given us an account of a time that is forever sexy and continually sex-driven. One comes away wondering, did that really happen? And according to Leckie’s research and family documents, the answer is certainly worth considering.
October 25, 2025
What an Interesting Hagiography
SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH by Scott Leckie is an engaging historical novel that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through history, focusing on the early stages of the FBI's formation. In a quest for self-discovery, the author embarks on a "sleuthing" adventure to uncover the life of his grandfather, a former FBI agent who passed away shortly before Scott was born. This exploration ignites the investigative spirit he inherited from his granddad.
Will Scott find the answers to his questions, or will his digging lead to even more confusion? The narrative not only reveals the life of ABL (the grandfather) but also examines how the institution that was meant to protect citizens' rights became a tool for secrecy and selfish motives.
The story is immersive and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to learn whether ABL lived in isolation due to a troubled conscience or because "society didn’t want to see what it preferred to ignore." Although ABL dedicated himself to a noble cause and performed his duties diligently, his respected boss represented the opposite.
The book highlights the workplace bureaucracy and abuse of power that many organizations still grapple with today, including issues like sexual harassment and unfair treatment. It would have been even more compelling if the wrongdoings had faced consequences.
Overall, the book is well-written and professionally edited, with no grammatical errors. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical and investigative stories.
SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH by Scott Leckie is an engaging historical novel that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through history, focusing on the early stages of the FBI's formation. In a quest for self-discovery, the author embarks on a "sleuthing" adventure to uncover the life of his grandfather, a former FBI agent who passed away shortly before Scott was born. This exploration ignites the investigative spirit he inherited from his granddad.
Will Scott find the answers to his questions, or will his digging lead to even more confusion? The narrative not only reveals the life of ABL (the grandfather) but also examines how the institution that was meant to protect citizens' rights became a tool for secrecy and selfish motives.
The story is immersive and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to learn whether ABL lived in isolation due to a troubled conscience or because "society didn’t want to see what it preferred to ignore." Although ABL dedicated himself to a noble cause and performed his duties diligently, his respected boss represented the opposite.
The book highlights the workplace bureaucracy and abuse of power that many organizations still grapple with today, including issues like sexual harassment and unfair treatment. It would have been even more compelling if the wrongdoings had faced consequences.
Overall, the book is well-written and professionally edited, with no grammatical errors. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical and investigative stories.
November 11, 2025
Shrewd Little Sleuth is a compelling mix of biography, history and mystery. In this book, author Scott Leckie investigates the life of his grandfather, Arthur Bernard Leckie a former FBI agent who worked under J. Edgar Hoover and died under suspicious circumstances shortly after Marilyn Monroe’s death.
Using Freedom of Information Act documents, personal letters and photographs, Leckie reconstructs a life hidden behind secrecy. His research is detailed and careful. Although some conclusions are speculative, they are supported by evidence. The book offers insight into the operations of Hoover’s FBI and examines how power, secrecy and loyalty were connected in mid-20th century America.
The story stands out for its personal approach. Leckie’s journey is not only about learning who his grandfather was but also about understanding the historical and emotional forces that shaped him. The narrative blends historical facts with personal reflection, exploring themes such as truth, family and identity.
Written in an engaging style, Shrewd Little Sleuth encourages readers to think critically about the boundary between fact and fiction. It is recommended for those interested in historical mysteries, true crime and personal stories that link past events to the present.
Using Freedom of Information Act documents, personal letters and photographs, Leckie reconstructs a life hidden behind secrecy. His research is detailed and careful. Although some conclusions are speculative, they are supported by evidence. The book offers insight into the operations of Hoover’s FBI and examines how power, secrecy and loyalty were connected in mid-20th century America.
The story stands out for its personal approach. Leckie’s journey is not only about learning who his grandfather was but also about understanding the historical and emotional forces that shaped him. The narrative blends historical facts with personal reflection, exploring themes such as truth, family and identity.
Written in an engaging style, Shrewd Little Sleuth encourages readers to think critically about the boundary between fact and fiction. It is recommended for those interested in historical mysteries, true crime and personal stories that link past events to the present.
October 31, 2025
This was a fascinating read—part mystery, part personal quest. Arthur Bernard Leckie, a high-ranking FBI man with ties to Hoover and Marilyn Monroe, died under suspicious circumstances—how’s that for an attention-grabber?
His grandson, Scott Leckie, takes on the challenge of piecing together the story of a grandfather he never met. With humor, curiosity, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Scott sorts through scraps of evidence—letters, clippings, and photos—doing his best to separate fact from speculation. He doesn’t have much to go on, but what he does have, he digs into thoroughly.
It’s clear Scott guesses at times, but his guesses are grounded in the facts he can find. The result is a thoughtful, well-paced blend of history, family mystery, and a glimpse into Hoover’s FBI world—with just enough Hollywood sparkle to keep you turning pages.
His grandson, Scott Leckie, takes on the challenge of piecing together the story of a grandfather he never met. With humor, curiosity, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Scott sorts through scraps of evidence—letters, clippings, and photos—doing his best to separate fact from speculation. He doesn’t have much to go on, but what he does have, he digs into thoroughly.
It’s clear Scott guesses at times, but his guesses are grounded in the facts he can find. The result is a thoughtful, well-paced blend of history, family mystery, and a glimpse into Hoover’s FBI world—with just enough Hollywood sparkle to keep you turning pages.
October 31, 2025
Fascinating inside look at history
SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH provides a behind the scenes look at US history from the beginning of the FBI in the 1930s through the 1960s based on the author's investigation into the life of his grandfather.
The book takes the reader on he author's journey to learn about and find a connection with his paternal grandfather, who died before he was born. He finds more than he bargained for as he uncovers illicit government actions and suspicious circumstances.
While the book is personal to the author, Scott Leckie does a thorough job researching facts and providing sources for his information.
This is a great book for history lovers as it provides a personal tone and insider perspective.
SHREWD LITTLE SLEUTH provides a behind the scenes look at US history from the beginning of the FBI in the 1930s through the 1960s based on the author's investigation into the life of his grandfather.
The book takes the reader on he author's journey to learn about and find a connection with his paternal grandfather, who died before he was born. He finds more than he bargained for as he uncovers illicit government actions and suspicious circumstances.
While the book is personal to the author, Scott Leckie does a thorough job researching facts and providing sources for his information.
This is a great book for history lovers as it provides a personal tone and insider perspective.
November 5, 2025
Shrewd Little Sleuth is an interesting memoir that follows the life of a little-known FBI agent who shaped America in powerful, covert, and mysterious ways. Written by his grandson Scott Leckie, Shrewd Little Sleuth follows the man that was AB Leckie, from childhood to his murky involvement in the FBI, and author Scott reminisces on his legacy and work, and how he may have inadvertently trampled basic freedoms in the USA. It was interesting hearing about Leckie's history, but Shrew Little Sleuth's standout feature is Scott's attempts to piece together the fragmented, often mysterious history of his FBI agent grandfather. Its especially interesting regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. As a reader, I found myself hypothesising and guessing right along with the author!
October 23, 2025
Shrewd Little Sleuth by Scott Leckie is a biography of the authors grandfather- former FBI agent Arthur Bernard Leckie.
AB Leckie was a renowned spy and FBI agent who, perhaps ironically, destroyed many of the freedoms that author Scott fights for today. Often praised by the papers of his time, it all suddenly took a strange turn before his death. A hero that government agencies loved suddenly became the villain. This novel retraces the life of AB Leckie, and tries to make sense of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. It’s interesting, and it makes you question some of the hypocrisies within government institutions.
AB Leckie was a renowned spy and FBI agent who, perhaps ironically, destroyed many of the freedoms that author Scott fights for today. Often praised by the papers of his time, it all suddenly took a strange turn before his death. A hero that government agencies loved suddenly became the villain. This novel retraces the life of AB Leckie, and tries to make sense of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. It’s interesting, and it makes you question some of the hypocrisies within government institutions.
November 5, 2025
This is the biography of Arthur Leckie written by his grandson. He worked for the FBI under J Edgar Hoover and the United Nations for a time. Little is mentioned about the man apart from the fact that, like Hoover, he was suspected of being gay, despite being married twice. There are lots of vague references to Hoover and his files, Marilyn Monroe and her affairs with the Kennedy brothers and misogyny and bad behaviour in the UN. This book is light on detail, with comments like ‘too complex to explain.’ I don’t feel I learned much after reading it.
October 12, 2025
A deep dive into the mysterious life of a former FBI agent, who was pulled ever deeper into major world affairs, like Pearl Harbor, the UN, McCarty, his ‘very’ personal relationship with J. Edgar Hoover, Hollywood and his protégé Marilyn Monroe, which probably cost him his life. A brilliant book that reads like a film noir of these times.
November 17, 2025
In his book, Shrewd Little Sleuth, Scott Leckie traces the life, career, and death of his grandfather Arthur Leckie. The elder Leckie began a cherished career in the F.B.I. and quickly rose through the ranks. He became a close associate of J. Edgar Hoover, only to fall from grace a short time later. He encountered Marilyn Monroe days before her death, only to meet his own mysterious demise soon after. The narrative of the story recounts the grandson’s investigation into the grandfather he never met and the implications that rise because of a botched inquiry. Will the author find the answers he’s looking for?
Shrewd Little Sleuth is part biography and part unsolved mystery. The events take place at the height of J. Edgar Hoover’s power. Leckie tells his grandfather’s story through official documents, written correspondence, and conjecture. The narrative is shrouded in intriguing secrets and convenient circumstances. There is nothing structurally wrong with writing. The reader should be aware that the author leaves no doubt on which side of the political spectrum he sits. However, Shrewd Little Sleuth reads more like a gossip column of the subjects presented than a biography of a grandfather. The vignettes recounted of characters’ behavior and extra-curricular activities leave the reader to wonder what the real purpose of Shrewd Little Sleuth is
Shrewd Little Sleuth is part biography and part unsolved mystery. The events take place at the height of J. Edgar Hoover’s power. Leckie tells his grandfather’s story through official documents, written correspondence, and conjecture. The narrative is shrouded in intriguing secrets and convenient circumstances. There is nothing structurally wrong with writing. The reader should be aware that the author leaves no doubt on which side of the political spectrum he sits. However, Shrewd Little Sleuth reads more like a gossip column of the subjects presented than a biography of a grandfather. The vignettes recounted of characters’ behavior and extra-curricular activities leave the reader to wonder what the real purpose of Shrewd Little Sleuth is
November 24, 2025
I found this book to be extremely interesting! I'd never heard of A. Bernard Leckie prior to reading it. The man lived a fascinating life, shrouded with secrets... some of which remain hidden to this day. ABL's grandson presented profound evidence of events in his grandfather's life. The book offers a glimpse into the life of an FBI agent in the early days. Definitely a good read!
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