Readers do not need a background in private investigative work to appreciate this fascinating read. Hand this to readers interested in the work and life of a private investigator, the role of technology in investigative work, and political and white-collar crime.
... not an exposé. It is part memoir, part how-to guide, a celebration of the analytical and interpersonal intelligence that makes a great investigator ... At times, The Modern Detective can read like a promotional brochure ... fascinating.
Maroney has crafted an entertaining read that will appeal to fans of mystery and detective stories updated for a modern world. Those interested in pursuing a career in research and investigation will also appreciate this volume.
Maroney’s thoroughness renders The Modern Detective a textbook of sorts ... a helpful resource for those concerned about their personal or professional security ... instructive for anyone who wants to increase their privacy, protect their assets...or perhaps make a clean getaway.
3A revealing look at the world of the private detective, which isn’t quite as Raymond Chandler imagined it ... Maroney deglamorizes the world of private investigators while limning their sometimes essential, sometimes damaging work.
Maroney, cofounder of a PI firm, does an adequate job of illustrating in his debut the areas where modern private investigators provide value ... Maroney notes that he’s changed some details about the cases he recounts, without explaining his methodology for doing so, and leaves unanswered questions, such as why he rarely records witness interviews. While he accuses other writers of cherry-picking instances of bad actors to smear his profession, Maroney demonstrates only in part that he and his colleagues are a force for good. Readers interested in the scope and power of the modern PI may be skeptical of this volume’s upbeat spin from someone whose livelihood is linked to a positive view of his profession.
