The Science of Sherlock Holmes by E. J. Wagner was not quite what I expected. I expected the book to be tightly focused on the Sherlock Holmes stories and simply explain the forensics behind solving the crimes. What this book is is much more.
This book really is a history of the early days of criminal investigation, using Sherlock Holmes as a springboard and touchstone. Cases such as Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper are tied to the stories and the methods used to solve (or not solve) the cases.
Overall, a really interesting look back into history and how horribly naive and delusional we were. What it really did is make me want to read some of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Somehow, I never have.
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