The Expressman and the Detective by Allan Pinkerton is an engaging and thrilling read that follows the story of a railroad expressman and a detective as they work together to uncover a conspiracy and solve a series of crimes. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Pinkerton's writing style is clear and concise, allowing for a quick and enjoyable read. Overall, The Expressman and the Detective is a captivating novel that combines elements of mystery, adventure, and suspense to create a truly unforgettable story.

Book Description:
Allan Pinkerton (1819-1884), a Scotsman by birth and a barrel-maker by trade, settled in Chicago in its infancy and founded the Pinkertons, the world's first detective agency. Though events associated with the agency after his death have tarnished the name, Pinkerton himself was one of the original human rights advocates. He was a dear friend to John Brown, an advisor to Abraham Lincoln, and 80 years ahead of his time in hiring female detectives. He was also stubborn, irascible, and an egomaniac.

The Expressman and the Detective (1874) is Pinkerton's first attempt at putting his real-life experiences into novel form. Though many later works attributed to Pinkerton are understood to have been ghostwritten, this is the work of the man the London Times calls "a man at once deeply admirable and quite obnoxious."