The Spiritualists and the Detectives

"The Spiritualists and the Detectives" is a work of non-fiction written by Allan Pinkerton, the American detective and founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. It was first published in 1875. In this book, Allan Pinkerton discusses the phenomenon of spiritualism, a popular movement during the 19th century in which individuals sought to communicate with the spirits of the deceased. Pinkerton examines various spiritualist practices and claims, including séances and mediums. He also delves into the role of detectives and investigators in addressing cases related to spiritualism, including cases of alleged fraud and deception. Allan Pinkerton's background as a detective and his interest in various social and cultural phenomena of his time influenced his exploration of spiritualism in this book. He applies his investigative skills to analyze the claims and practices of spiritualists, providing a skeptical and critical perspective on the subject.