16 Must-Read Books for Private Investigators

In the internet age, it is pretty easy to find information about being a private investigator or how to become a private investigator.  But you can’t always find the good stuff on the internet. Sometimes you have to find the information in books. Not all private investigator books are created equal and I have read and reviewed my fair share of investigation books and books in general over the years.

In this article, I am going to share with you 16 books that every private investigator should read or have on hand as a reference. Some of these books are directly related to private investigations and some of these books will serve you well in life and in the investigation field.  Don’t skip over the ones that don’t have a private investigator in the title. It’s the soft skills, the communication skills that help people in their careers. It isn’t always just being able to investigate well. Soft skills are important.

So let’s get to this list in no particular order.

Want to Become a Private Investigator? Tips and Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Becoming a Private Investigator – By Andrew Kidd

Admittedly this is the book that I wrote for the new and aspiring investigators. Any investigator at any point in their career is likely to snag many nuggets from this book.  You learn what to expect in the private investigation career and you will learn tips and things I wish I would have known before becoming a private investigator. For example, I share about:

• Private investigator life
• Negative aspects of being a private investigator
• Dealing with Surveillance Pressures
• Investigator Resume Tips
• Questions to Ask During an Interview for an Investigation Company
• Where to find Private Investigator Jobs
• Surveillance Vehicle Must-Haves
• and more…

I hope this serves you well in your investigation endeavors.

Purchase this book on Amazon

51 Dirty Tricks Bad Guys Really Hate: Sneaky Tactics used by Police, Private Investigators and Bounty Hunters -By Larry Kaye

Larry Kaye is the author of this book and was one of the first books that he published for the investigation community.  Larry shares a lot of good tips in this book that I think you will find helpful.  Look for the broom tip that he shares when trying to find someone that has a personal mailbox, it is brilliant.  

Larry continues to be an author and creates videos weekly for his viewers. He is always giving back to the investigation community. I would definitely subscribe to his channel. He is someone I personally know and trust and is worthy of following for knowledge.

Purchase this ebook on Amazon

Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday is a best-selling author that has written several bestsellers. He has written about some important things that hold people back in their lives and their careers.  I think many people misunderstand what ego is and Ryan does a great job at setting the stage as to what ego is and how it can affect you in your life. 

Throughout the book, he shares stories in history to articulate the effects of ego or lack thereof.  I read this book at a time in my life when my ego was actually hurting me in different areas of my business and I feel it opened the doors to more opportunities by being able to recognize what was happening. 

Everyone should read this. Whether you have an ego that gets in the way or before you get one.  It will serve you well. Ego can destroy a company and relationships.  Get ahead of this now.

Purchase this book on Amazon

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Private Investigating, Third Edition: Discover How the Pros Uncover the Facts and Get to the Truth – Steven Kerry Brown

This book by Steven Brown was one of the first and best private investigator books I ever purchased. I was technically already a private investigator when I purchased this book but it helped me take things to another level.  To this day I still have the first edition of this book that I bought probably back in 2004 though has since been updated the book.

This book talks about a variety of things that every investigator will need to know from surveillance and investigator tools to the path to becoming a private investigator and advanced techniques of a private investigator.

I still believe this is one of the best, if not the best books for a private investigator written to this day.  You want to have this in your library.

Purchase this book on Amazon

The Pretext Playbook: Instruction Manual for Intentional Misleading Fabrication – By James O’Reilly

There are not very many private investigator books written about pretexing. This book was sourced by many other investigators to provide numerous pretext ideas for investigators.  Some of the pretext ideas were good and some I was a bit concerned about.  Regardless of my feelings about all the pretext ideas presented, the main reason I believe it would be of value to you is that it should ignite your imagination to create your own pretext ideas.  

Once you pick it up, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments about it. 

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The SPEED of TRUST: The One Thing That Changes Everything – By Stephen M.R. Covey

This book changed everything for me when it comes to understanding trust and relationships.  I look through everything with a different lens now and not just with business or investigations. I see things differently with all interactions with people.  

By reading this book you will have a better understanding of trust and how it affects everything. Master your understanding of trust and it will change everything for you.  

Purchase this book on Amazon

The California Private Investigator Legal Manual – By David D. Queen

This book is a hidden gem and well written for private investigators. Though it is described as something specifically for investigators in California, you can apply many of the court cases anywhere.  

The author cites many situations that arise with private investigators and the court cases that support what the author describes in the book. I learned quite a bit from this book and I think case law is invaluable for a private investigator.

The description states,”…covers more than 150 topics, analyzes more than 180 court cases and 150 federal and state statutes.” 

This too needs to be in your library.

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Go for No! Yes is the Destination, No is How You Get There – By Richard Fenton

A CEO friend of mine who works for a very large corporation told me about this book. This book provided a perspective shared in the form of a story that I had never considered.  If you are a business owner, this would be a great book to consider especially as it relates to sales.

I read this book on Audible and it is a quick but powerful read.  Let me know your thoughts about this one if you pick it up.

Purchase this book on Amazon

How to Start a Private Investigation Business: A Proven Blueprint for Success

Staring a private investigation business can feel overwhelming because you just don’t know what you don’t know.  And that is why I think this book will be very valuable to you whether you are already a business owner or would like to become one in the investigation world.

What I noticed about this book is that it is detailed but not detailed.  In other words, it is going to bring things about building a business to your attention but it will not be the step-by-step actions for every state and every situation.  Awareness is half the battle in many situations.  How can you act upon something unless you are first made aware of it?  

The author Edward Panico brings 16 years of experience to you in this book not just as a private investigator but experience from the intelligence field, security matters in the U.S Military and U.S State Department.

So in many areas, this book is very broad but as I mentioned earlier, it may bring things to your attention when starting your business that you never knew you needed to know.  And books like that can be a valuable asset in your life. 

At the very core, starting a business isn’t complicated.  Scaling a private investigation business and making sure all your T’s are crossed can be overwhelming. Let this book help you with the overwhelming part.

To pick up this book from Amazon

Sleuthing 101: Background Checks and the Law

This book I believe was designed for the average business owner but it is packed with practical things a private investigator should know about background checks and the law. This book is dense in a good way.  

This book was published in 2005 and any laws should be double-checked as it is referenced in this book. However, as I mentioned before, being aware of what you didn’t know is why I would read a book like this.  

Knowing laws that impact the private investigation industry is incredibly important to help you keep out of legal trouble.

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Private Investigator Legal pocket Guide

The Private Investigator Legal Pocket Guide really can fit into your pocket.   The pocket guide is really a quick reference guide for laws related to the private investigation industry.  In fact, this book is a mini version of a much larger book where the author researched over 300 court cases to create the book.  Again, there are not too many private investigator books written specifically for us and the laws we encounter.

If you want a quick reference about privacy laws or rules to live by as a private investigator, this would be a great little book to pick up.  I highlighted many things in this little book as a reminder for myself as well.

For the Legal Pocket Guide on Amazon

Navigating the Legal Minefields of Private Investigation on Amazon

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

This book will give you a fresh look at building your brand and story.  I read this book through Audible and I was a captive audience to his experience.  I asked our graphic designer if she had ever heard of him and his book. She raved about it and she stated she uses Donald Miller’s concepts when designing and within her own business. 

One thing that I can say I took away from this book was making our client the hero in the story.  It truly has changed the way I look at selling and marketing. 

Purchase this book on Amazon

5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential

Leaders aren’t born, they are developed.  To be a good leader, it will require more than leading with fear, which is the lowest level of leadership one can attain.

So I would recommend this book to Private Investigators who own a business with employees, manages investigation companies, and investigators who aspire to be a leader.

This was a very big eye-opener for me and I am sure it will be for you too.

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Developing the Leader Within You 2.0

I just wrapped up this book a few weeks ago with other leaders I am friends with.  I would accompany this book with the 5 Levels of Leadership.  Being a good leader in your family, in your business, or for a business you are a part of will change your trajectory within a company. 

There is no finish line in developing personally.  The fundamentals John Maxwell shares are things to be aware of and aspire to. Being a leader isn’t about taking but rather serving.  

Message me if you read this book. I would love to hear your thoughts and takeaways from it.

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Practical Aspects of Interview and Interrogation (Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations)

If you were ever fortunate enough to take an in-person course from the authors of this book you will know how valuable information is.  

In Loss Prevention, mastering interviews was incredibly important especially as it related to interviewing managers and staff regarding theft or other incidents that may have taken place.

Take a look at this book and see if it is a good fit for you.  This will take your interviewing skills to another level.

Purchase this book on Amazon

The Five Minute Journal

No this isn’t technically a book for knowledge. The Five Minute Journal is a gratitude journal to write in every night.   They even have an app that is associated with it.

Sometimes in the mess of life, we forget to be thankful for the things around us and what we have accomplished.  This is an excellent reminder for anyone regardless of what industry they are in.  

Pick one up and practice gratitude if you aren’t already doing so.

Purchase on Amazon

Well, there ya have it.  Some of the most relevant and important books you can read (in my opinion) as a Private Investigator. Feel free to share this list with others as I will keep adding to it as I come across additional books.