Practical Handbook for Private Investigators

Rating:
Summary: Gotta have this book!
Review: I checked this book out of the library to use as a guide in setting up a PI agency. After one day I decided to just buy the book, despite the relatively high cost. Well worth the price. The sample forms and contracts are just what I was looking for. A great how-to book for people starting out in the industry!

Rating:
Summary: Gotta have this book!
Review: I checked this book out of the library to use as a guide in setting up a PI agency. After one day I decided to just buy the book, despite the relatively high cost. Well worth the price. The sample forms and contracts are just what I was looking for. A great how-to book for people starting out in the industry!

Rating:
Summary: PI "how to"
Review: Mr McMahon was done a superb job in creating a practical handbook for PIs. His book should be the "manual" for those new to the field and those working towards a degree or certification related to Private Investigators. Although, the book is geared for the student or "newbie" PI, I found it to be an excellent refresher for experienced detectives. There are no war stories, this book is for educational purposes and has earned a spot in with my other reference manuals. Rory McMahon has obviously used his training and experience to create this manual. It is great to see a real PI giving something back to the industry.

Rating:
Summary: PI "how to"
Review: Mr McMahon was done a superb job in creating a practical handbook for PIs. His book should be the "manual" for those new to the field and those working towards a degree or certification related to Private Investigators. Although, the book is geared for the student or "newbie" PI, I found it to be an excellent refresher for experienced detectives. There are no war stories, this book is for educational purposes and has earned a spot in with my other reference manuals. Rory McMahon has obviously used his training and experience to create this manual. It is great to see a real PI giving something back to the industry.

Rating:
Summary: PI "how to"
Review: Mr McMahon was done a superb job in creating a practical handbook for PIs. His book should be the "manual" for those new to the field and those working towards a degree or certification related to Private Investigators. Although, the book is geared for the student or "newbie" PI, I found it to be an excellent refresher for experienced detectives. There are no war stories, this book is for educational purposes and has earned a spot in with my other reference manuals. Rory McMahon has obviously used his training and experience to create this manual. It is great to see a real PI giving something back to the industry.

Rating:
Summary: Solid Information, But Better Suited For Novices...
Review: Please note that this review is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, an assessment of Mr. McMahon's skills in and/or knowledge of the private investigation profession. I personally consider Mr. McMahon to be one of the premier investigators in the history of the profession. Certainly anyone who has earned the coveted distinction of Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) is an elite investigator regardless of any other contributions to the profession - and Mr. McMahon's contributions are many.

As a licensed private investigator, I think that Mr. Rory J. McMahon, CLI, FCI has written a solid and informative book. Please understand however, that this book would most likely be more beneficial to the aspiring or novice private investigator (for whom I would rate it 4 stars). In my humble opinion, an experienced investigator would realize less benefit from reading this title.

Mr. McMahon has compiled a great deal of information and has covered the vast majority of topics, but this book really lacks depth (i.e. actual techniques/procedures). If you're a novice looking for information (an overview) regarding the general aspects of private investigations, then this title might be worthy of your hard-earned money (although it is a little pricey for the casual reader). If you already have an understanding of the aforementioned information, then I would humbly suggest that you pass on this one.

If you're interested in information regarding the basic techniques/procedures of the private investigation profession, then I would highly recommend (emphasis added) "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Private Investigation" by Steven Kerry Brown (ISBN: 0028643992). Brown's work is also a must-have for anyone entering or attempting to enter the private investigation profession. Brown's text is a less than a third of the price of McMahon's title and contains much of the same information, while offering substantially more depth.

As always, check with your local library or bookstore to see if you can read/review this or any title before deciding to make a purchase. This method has effectively allowed me to make the most of my investigative library budget.

I hope you found this review helpful. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me via email at [e-mail]. Respectfully submitted, MB.

Rating:
Summary: Good appetizer, but not a meaty dish
Review: While this book projects a basic overview of the investigative profession, it lacks thorough treatment of techniques and issues. McMahon does deserve kudos for devoting a chapter to ethics. Unfortunately, like many other books in this category, the author indulges in a lot of superficial introductory information and glosses over sources. This book and Brandon Perron's, are probably the most well thought-out books covering this field to date...but please, we implore you authors, to cut out the fluff and drive home more substance: tried and proven techniques, detailed (and updated) source listings (including databases and public records info) and more practical business advice. A conditional buy.