Emile Gaboriau 
The Mystery of Orcival 

Monsieur Lecoq is the creation of Emile Gaboriau, just like Sherlock Holmes is for Conan Doyle and Hercule Poirot for Agatha Christie. Lecoq was created well before anyone had heard of Sherlock, infact it is a known fact that Doyle drew inspiration for Sherlock's character from Lecoq. The methodically, scientific manner in which Lecoq solves crimes is interesting to read, along with the ruthlessness of his conduct in some instances. It is fascination to read how crimes were solved back in the 1800s without the means of DNA testing or fingerprint technology etc.