HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE AND OTHER CRIME-FIGHTING JOBS

Like the other How To Be books, this latest offers an accessible, in-depth introduction to the profession.

Veteran detective Beever explains exactly what a detective is, what equipment detectives use, and why they are needed. A timeline of the profession starts in 1833, with the Parisian Eugène Vidocq, and cites notable contributors, including Kate Warne, a Pinkerton employee and the first female detective. It ends in 2000 with the introduction of drones. Beever covers such topics as what skills are useful for a detective, how detectives are trained, and the many different kinds of crime-fighting jobs, including those involving vehicles, criminal science, or intelligence. The book further delves into the processes of reporting a crime and crime scene investigation, as well as what happens when a suspect is identified and when a person goes to court. The writing is clear, concise, and to the point; important words are in boldface, and potentially unfamiliar words and phrases are explained in the text. Beever writes in a manner accessible for the target age range. Stylized illustrations use flat, sharp-edged color blocks to define elements and provide informative, idealized depictions of detectives at work. Crime fighters and members of the public depicted include wheelchair users, people wearing head scarves, a detective in a Sikh turban, and people with a variety of skin tones.

No great mystery here: All evidence points to a career-shelf winner.