EXCERPT: I know well that my trade is despised. I have all along known this fact so well that I have hidden my trade from those about me. Whether these are relations or friends, or merely acquaintances, I have no need here to tell.
My friends suppose I am a dressmaker, who goes out by the day or week - my enemies, what I have, are in a great measure convinced that my life is a very questionable one.
In my heart of hearts, I am at a loss to decide at which side I laugh most - at my friends, who suppose me so very innocent, or at my enemies who believe me to be not far removed from guilty.

ABOUT 'THE FEMALE DETECTIVE': The Female Detective is the first novel in British fiction to feature a professional female detective. Written by Andrew Forrester, it was originally published in 1864. The protagonist is Miss Gladden, or 'G' as she is also known - the precursor to Miss Marple, Mma Ramotswe and Lisbeth Salander.

Miss Gladden's 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 in these seven short stories. '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 solve crimes. 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.

MY THOUGHTS: Despite the great deal of pontification that occurs, some of these stories are quite interesting, The Unknown Weapon in particular. Others contain so much pontification mostly about how she works rather than actually working on a case, that it's very easy to lose the thread of the mystery and feel quite lost.

This book was published in 1864, and so the language and sentence structure reflects the era. Some things are very long-winded indeed!

I was initially under the impression that Mrs G was a private detective, but this is incorrect. She is in fact a member of the police force, a fact that is not made clear until one of the later stories. One thing that puzzles me though . . . why does she not ever go near a police station? And in only oneof the stories does she work alongside another police officer.

🌟🌟.5

#TheFemaleDetective #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Andrew Forrester is a pseudonym of James Redding Ware.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing a digital ARC of The Female Detective by Andrew Forrester for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.

"The Female Detective" by Andrew Forrester is an enthralling and groundbreaking novel that holds the distinction of being the first British fiction to feature a professional female detective. Originally published in 1864, this captivating work introduces readers to Miss Gladden, also known as 'G,' who serves as the precursor to iconic female detectives like Miss Marple and Lisbeth Salander.

Set in an era dominated by male investigators, Miss Gladden's deductive methods and energetic approach boldly pave the way for future female detectives in literature. Drawing similarities to Arthur Conan Doyle's famed Sherlock Holmes, 'G' exhibits remarkable intelligence and ingenuity, leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of justice. She enters crime scenes incognito, tracking down killers while carefully concealing her own tracks and identity from others.

Andrew Forrester skillfully crafts seven short stories that showcase 'G's' impressive sleuthing abilities. Like her male counterparts, she fearlessly examines crime scenes, searching for vital clues and employing various skills, subterfuge, observation, and charm to solve the most challenging cases. In doing so, she disregards the traditional constabulary, challenging societal norms and stereotypes with her unwavering determination.

Although little is revealed about 'G's' personal life, it is her ability to apply her considerable energy and intellect to crime-solving that captivates readers the most. Her enigmatic nature adds to her allure, leaving us yearning for more insight into her character as we become absorbed in the captivating tales.

"The Female Detective" is a testament to Andrew Forrester's ingenuity and vision, as he bravely introduces a female protagonist in a genre dominated by male detectives. For lovers of crime fiction, this novel presents a compelling blend of intrigue, intelligence, and trailblazing character dynamics. Miss Gladden's reappearance in the literary world will undoubtedly be celebrated, as she has carved her place in history as one of the earliest and most influential female detectives.


Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for the ARC.

Very interesting to read the first female detective stories and see what inspired later figures including the famous Miss Marple. Not sure I will return to this in the same way that I do to Christie, but very glad to have read it all the same.

This title is interesting for its place in the annals of mystery fiction, but the stories themselves are more curiosities than they are engaging in their own right.

The Female Detective is the one who came first, before all of the other fictional female detectives. I am so glad that this was reissued, it is a popular addition to the library, and is rarely on the shelf.

A excellent sleuth with interesting characters and a great plot. Very enjoyable read.