I’m sure you’ve read Clendenen’s Detective Manual. Hasn’t everyone? In the extremely unlikely event that you haven’t, Rufus H. Clendenen published it in 1922 to teach “How to Become a Successful Detective.”
I discovered this little gem while reading Olesya Lyuzna’s Glitter in the Dark, a fun mystery/crime novel set in 1920s New York City. Of course, I just had to put the book down and Google the title. Low and behold, the full tome exists as a free EPUB file on the internets.
I have no intention of becoming a gumshoe,* but I do think we should bring back the speakeasy. Or maybe they’re already back, and I just don’t know where they are.
*Okay, maybe a tiny hint of intention.
The main thing I geeked out on was the fact that I can download this EPUB file, stick it in my EPUB reader on my laptop, and read it whenever I’m in the mood to learn how to chase down a cheating husband.
Aside from technical manuals on detective-ing, I discovered that Project Gutenberg hosts 79,410 free eBooks. And while I don’t typically read books on my computer or my phone, this got me excited enough that I downloaded a bunch of titles just because I can. To me, nothing can replace holding a book in your hand (and a sandwich in the other), but I love having another option (I can still eat my sandwich).
I will always have a stack of books next to my living room chair — and more on the bookshelves next to me. But I also live in the 21st century, and it feels kinda dumb not to take advantage of the tech I have available. Because hey, free books.
Let my detective training begin.
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