This book examines the staggering popularity of early-twentieth-century Russian detective serials, traditionally maligned as "Pinkertonovshchina," and posits the "red Pinkerton" as a vital "missing link" between pre- and post-Revolutionary popular literature.

Boris Dralyuk received his Ph.D. (2011) in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UCLA, where he is now a Lecturer. He has published work on various topics in Russian, Polish, and American literature, and works as a translator.