detective's memoirs; casebook of an Edo-period detective
Refers to a written record or memoir kept by a 捕り物 (torimono) detective in the Edo period, detailing arrests and investigations. A historical and literary term.
This detective's memoir contains detailed records of the arrest of a famous thief from the Edo period.
Compound of 捕り物 (torimono, 'criminal capture') and 控え (hikae, 'note, record'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with Edo-period law enforcement records.