
The Female Detective was published in 1864 & it introduces the first professional female detective in British fiction Mrs Gladden. Typical of detective fiction of its time Forresters book features various cases narrated by Gladden whose deductive methods & energetic approach anticipate those of Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes. Mrs Gladden uses similar methods to her male counterparts
- she enters scenes of crime incognito tracking down killers while trying to conceal her own tracks & her identity from others. She does much physical detective work examining scenes of crime looking for clues & employing all manner of skill subterfuge observation & charm to achieve her ends. Like Holmes Gladden regards the regular constabulary with disdain. For all the intrigue & interest of the stories little is ever revealed about Mrs Gladden herself & her personal circumstances remain a mystery throughout. But it is her ability to apply her considerable energy & intelligence to solve crimes that is her greatest appeal & the reappearance of the original lady detective will be welcomed by fans of crime fiction.