The memoirs of Marie-François Goron, chief of the Parisian detective police from 1886 to 1895, are the story of the investigations of real crimes committed in Paris at the end of the 19th century. Brutal murderers, robbers, swindlers, counterfeiters, drug dealers, fallen women - a whole gallery of portraits of lawbreakers is presented by the author and participant in the investigation of complicated crimes. But his book is interesting not only for its description of the actions of criminals and detective activities; there are many everyday details of the life of respectable Parisian society and the inhabitants of the criminal world. In addition, the author shares his thoughts on the harms and benefits of the press, social inequality, the complexities of the police service and the effectiveness of punishment, in particular the death penalty for a serious crime. The book contains original portraits of the killers.