Trying to find someone, find out what a family member is upto or get more information on an aquaintance? These five books on the secrets of private investigators belong on your bookshelf.

Everything Private Investigation Book: Master the Techniques of the Pros

I could rant on about how this book is packed with the tricks and techniques used by professional private investigators but instead I’ll borrow the words of the one of the reviewers on Amazon who summed this 300 plus page book up succintly but perfectly:

“This is a well written book for anyone keen to do their own amateur sleuthing or to become a private detective or crime writer”. I can’t The Everything Private Investigation Book: Master the Techniques of the Pros to Examine Evidence, Tracemaster the Te … Track Down People, and Discover the Truth the book enough recommended.

Serious Surveillance for the Private Investigator

Probably better suited to those aiming to carry out or performing professional private investigation, Serious Surveillance for the Private Investigator is a packed with useful information and although a little short it’s well worth reading.

Surveillance Tradecraft: The Professional’s Guide to Surveillance Training

If you’re really serious about finding someone, getting the inside track on what they’re upto or perhaps thinking of earning a living as private investigator this book has to be on your shopping list. Surveillance Tradecraft: The Professional’s Guide to Surveillance Training is the gospel from someone who’s done it all and it shows. A bit off putting at first but don’t let the glossy pages, this book is business – what more can I say than this book is read by read by those operating in the security sector including close protection officers, Police Officers and Military Intelligence Units.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Private Investigating

Although written largely for an American audience, the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Private Investigating has some interesting ideas and I found it useful not so much for the practical advice but rather the mind-set it conjures up.

Advanced Surveillance: The Complete Manual of Surveillance Training

From the same author as Surveillance Tradecraft: The Professional’s Guide to Surveillance Training (above), Advanced Surveillance: The Complete Manual of Surveillance Training is not just a great book on the subject but also relevant to the UK – where Peter Jenkins operates – unlike many books in the genre.

If you’re looking for someone or trying to trace a missing person you might also be interested in: online techniques how to find a missing person online techniques. If you’re thinking of becoming a UK private investigator or carrying out missing persons investigations you may be interested two articles I’ve written to help: what private investigation insurance should I have and do I need a license to be a private investigator.