Books with author Joan Lock

When Scotland Yard’s first detective branch was set up in 1842 crime was very different from today. The favoured murder weapon was the cut-throat razor; carrying a pocket watch was dangerous; the most significant clue at a murder scene could be the whereabouts of a candlestick or hat; large households (family, servants and lodgers) complicated many a case and servants sometimes murdered their masters.Detectives had few aids and suffered many disadvantages. The bloody handprints found at two early murder scenes were of no help, there being no way of telling whether blood (or hair) was human or animal. Fingerprinting was fifty years away, DNA profiling another hundred and photography was too new to help with identification. All reports had to be handwritten with a dip pen and ink and the only means of keeping contact with colleagues and disseminating information was by post, horseback or foot.In spite of these handicaps and severe press criticism, the detectives achieved some significant successes. Joan Lock includes such classic cases as the First Railway Murder, as well as many fascinating, fresh reports, weaving in new developments like the electric telegraph against a background of authentic Victorian police procedure.Charles Dickens said that Scotland Yard detectives gave the impression of leading lives of strong mental excitement. Readers of this book will understand why.Praise for Joan Lock‘Thorough account of important early cases dealt with by Scotland Yard.’ – Professor B. J. Rahn‘A better picture of the development of the detectives and the CID in the 19th century Metropolitan Police than any other book I have read.' – Alan Moss‘Vivid detail’ – Historical Novel SocietyJoan Lock is an ex-nurse and former policewoman. Joan has also written short stories, radio plays, radio documentaries and eight crime novels. She lives in London.

Dickens said that Scotland Yard detectives gave the impression of 'strong mental excitement'. Readers of this book will understand why. It records how, when the forces detective branch was set up in 1842, the favoured murder weapon was the cut-throat razor, fingerprinting was 50 years away and the only way to contact a colleague was by post. Including such classic cases as the Custom House Fraud and the Battersea Murder, it provides valuable insight into Victorian police procedure.

Violence in the news makes us all more security conscious, but criminal activity is nothing new. The threat may seem greater, but being alert and prepared remains the best defense. Burglars tend to go for easy targets. You can make your property, if not impregnable, at least very hard to get into. Dangerous new threats, such as home invasion and carjacking, call for new rules for the whole family. Confidence tricks have always come in an amazing variety of guisesand still do. By asking questions, you can avoid free vacation, offers, unnecessary medical tests, as well as sure-thing investment scams. No one is completely safe from crime, but vigilance can save your life, even when it comes to sexual predators and stalkers. Many young women were murdered by the monstrous Ted Bundybut several did manage to escape when they heeded warning bells sounding in their heads. Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Association, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter including: an index, chronology, and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional

Violence in the news makes us all more security conscious, but criminal activity is nothing new. The threat may seem greater, but being alert and prepared remains the best defense. Burglars tend to go for easy targets. You can make your property, if not impregnable, at least very hard to get into. Dangerous new threats, such as home invasion and carjacking, call for new rules for the whole family. Confidence tricks have always come in an amazing variety of guisesand still do. By asking questions, you can avoid free vacation, offers, unnecessary medical tests, as well as sure-thing investment scams. No one is completely safe from crime, but vigilance can save your life, even when it comes to sexual predators and stalkers. Many young women were murdered by the monstrous Ted Bundybut several did manage to escape when they heeded warning bells sounding in their heads. Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Association, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter including: an index, chronology, and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional