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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating
The gumshoe go-to?revised and updated.
Easy-to-use and fantastically inclusive, this is the book on private investigation, whether you want to establish yourself as a professional or just use some of the tools of a P.I. for your own business. You?ll get the low-down on pre-employment research, tenant screening, adoption searches, safeguarding yourself from investigation, and much more.
?Completely revised with all-new chapters on skip tracing and due diligence searches
?Skills and techniques for average citizens, as well as professionals
?Includes the most useful?and little-known?databases
Easy-to-use and fantastically inclusive, this is the book on private investigation, whether you want to establish yourself as a professional or just use some of the tools of a P.I. for your own business. You?ll get the low-down on pre-employment research, tenant screening, adoption searches, safeguarding yourself from investigation, and much more.
?Completely revised with all-new chapters on skip tracing and due diligence searches
?Skills and techniques for average citizens, as well as professionals
?Includes the most useful?and little-known?databases
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2002
124 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 12, 2021
I don't write a lot of hardcore mystery, but if I did, this book would definitely have a permanent spot on my desk.
July 1, 2021
Excellent research for us mystery writers.
May 12, 2015
Excellent book. Great practical advice.
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May 15, 2016Surprisingly interesting for what's basically a "how to" book. Lots of practical, real-world advice and ideas.
July 8, 2022
Of all the private investigation books in all the world, why did I read this one?
As someone with a modest interest in the profession gleamed from elsewhere in popular culture, I was surprised as to how rare it is to find a book that talks about the actual nuts and bolts of private investigation. Actual reality is often a sober alternative to the fictionalised thing but 'hey let's dive in!' I thought and I'm glad I did.
It's a worthy read to be sure if this line of work interests you in any way. There's an under-stated matter of fact tone to the entire thing that builds in scope as the chapters proceed. An eye for detail, some sideways thinking and a focus on the facts emerge as the prominent themes of the book and the profession, at least when it's done right.
The finer points of research, law and tailing a suspect are all covered amongst a wide range of suspects. How to bill, how to question and how to make a case in court as well. The book covers a wide range of subjects in just over 300 pages but it never felt like it dragged or underserved the subjects it was tackling.
Overall it's a good reference point, one that's US centric to be sure but no less useful for it. Written effectively, it covers a broad range of material and makes a strong case for the profession as a vital and necessary one. For your fix of femme fatales and right hooks you are covered elsewhere, for a lean rendition of the actual job, you have this. Recommended.
As someone with a modest interest in the profession gleamed from elsewhere in popular culture, I was surprised as to how rare it is to find a book that talks about the actual nuts and bolts of private investigation. Actual reality is often a sober alternative to the fictionalised thing but 'hey let's dive in!' I thought and I'm glad I did.
It's a worthy read to be sure if this line of work interests you in any way. There's an under-stated matter of fact tone to the entire thing that builds in scope as the chapters proceed. An eye for detail, some sideways thinking and a focus on the facts emerge as the prominent themes of the book and the profession, at least when it's done right.
The finer points of research, law and tailing a suspect are all covered amongst a wide range of suspects. How to bill, how to question and how to make a case in court as well. The book covers a wide range of subjects in just over 300 pages but it never felt like it dragged or underserved the subjects it was tackling.
Overall it's a good reference point, one that's US centric to be sure but no less useful for it. Written effectively, it covers a broad range of material and makes a strong case for the profession as a vital and necessary one. For your fix of femme fatales and right hooks you are covered elsewhere, for a lean rendition of the actual job, you have this. Recommended.
July 30, 2018
Very informative
November 15, 2022
Informative about what PI actually does (a lot of nitty-gritty details) and some of the legal constraints.
July 22, 2023
Nice Primer for Wanna-be PIs
While the book is rather dated in respect to tech and internet innovation - it does give a good look into the world of becoming a private detective.
While the book is rather dated in respect to tech and internet innovation - it does give a good look into the world of becoming a private detective.
July 9, 2024
Very thorough and interesting. It’s getting a bit outdated, but obviously not for when it was written.
December 15, 2025
I bought this books as a means of doing some research on what kind of things modern private investigators do.
It has helped me with some new novellas I have been working on.
It has helped me with some new novellas I have been working on.
August 21, 2013
3.5 stars
This book covers a wide range of topics and handles each with ease and humor. The first section of the book details what you need to do if you are interested in a career. How do you break into a field where there are many more applicants than jobs? Details such as firearms training, salary, licensing, camera and computer needs, and desired skills are all covered.
The book then moves into the do-it-yourself section. The basics of how to find someone, how the courthouse works, and how to beat the telephone company are all covered. I must admit that I spent a few hours checking out some of the free databases online that the book suggested and had fun until I put my own name in and realized how easy it was for someone to get information about me!
The next section they call on-the-job training. It covers the interview, the neighborhood investigations, and surveillance (including tips on tailing someone). It gives intruction and ideas for pretexting, which basically means what lie to tell to get the most information. It offers six ways to get around caller id and also offers a whole chapter (16) on how to tell if your spouse is cheating.
The books was interesting, useful and full of stories of the author’s own investigations. I was amazed at how much information was covered. If you are ever in need of a private investigator I would recommend buying this book first. You will save yourself a lot of money.
This book covers a wide range of topics and handles each with ease and humor. The first section of the book details what you need to do if you are interested in a career. How do you break into a field where there are many more applicants than jobs? Details such as firearms training, salary, licensing, camera and computer needs, and desired skills are all covered.
The book then moves into the do-it-yourself section. The basics of how to find someone, how the courthouse works, and how to beat the telephone company are all covered. I must admit that I spent a few hours checking out some of the free databases online that the book suggested and had fun until I put my own name in and realized how easy it was for someone to get information about me!
The next section they call on-the-job training. It covers the interview, the neighborhood investigations, and surveillance (including tips on tailing someone). It gives intruction and ideas for pretexting, which basically means what lie to tell to get the most information. It offers six ways to get around caller id and also offers a whole chapter (16) on how to tell if your spouse is cheating.
The books was interesting, useful and full of stories of the author’s own investigations. I was amazed at how much information was covered. If you are ever in need of a private investigator I would recommend buying this book first. You will save yourself a lot of money.
March 10, 2013
This book was written by a former FBI agent turned private investigator. If you've ever wondered about how people are traced or how a cell phone can locate a person, this is your book. The author not only talks about specific websites (both free and fee-based) that real investigators use, he talks fees for clients and the logic behind those fees. Steve talks about ethics and how to find new clients.
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March 20, 2011Faulous book. Need to re-check it and go through it again and take notes. Lots of background info. that would be a good base to have for writing. Also, important note... if you ever have to hire a PI, read this book first so you can negotiate your fee. It's much easier than you think to find someone, track someone, get photos etc.
February 23, 2013
Very well put together. An easy read with some good tips for even those of us old pros. I can't believe I'd never read it and I do recommend it. I would have given it five stars, but the field of private investigation is ever-changing, not the author's fault. Thanks, Steven.
September 14, 2014
Awesome and in-depth
Very detailed with a touch of humor. Mr. Brown really uses his experiences in a fun and creative manner and should be mandatory reading for anyone not just doing p.i. work but also law enforcement and/or criminal justice.
Very detailed with a touch of humor. Mr. Brown really uses his experiences in a fun and creative manner and should be mandatory reading for anyone not just doing p.i. work but also law enforcement and/or criminal justice.
April 12, 2008
All you ever need to know about private investigating!
December 30, 2013
I'm having my crime phase. Sorry.
January 26, 2013
very good book. Lots of the basic information, if you want more information i recommend Private investigations a guide for the beginner.
January 10, 2015
I love this guide book. I use it a lot in helping me write my P.I. novels. What better way to write about a P.I. than to know all their tricks ;-)
October 28, 2019
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
June 19, 2016
This book has heaps of interesting and useful information, especially for someone like me who plans to write a novel around a PI.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews