The Efficiency Expert

The Efficiency Expert is a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first published in 1921. Written in 1919 and originally serialized in the pulp magazine Argosy All-Story Weekly, the story stands apart from much of Burroughs’ work by taking place in contemporary America rather than in the exotic or fantastical settings for which the author is best known. Set largely in Chicago, it blends elements of crime fiction, romance, and social drama while following a young man determined to succeed on his own merits.

The novel follows Jimmy Torrance, a celebrated college athlete who refuses the easy path offered by his wealthy family and instead sets out to make his own way in the city. Finding steady work proves far more difficult than he expected, and Jimmy drifts through a series of jobs—department store clerk, waiter, boxer, and milkman—while struggling to establish himself. Along the way he encounters both the rough edges of urban life and unlikely allies, including a quick-witted pickpocket known as the Lizard and a sympathetic woman called Edith. Their help ultimately leads Jimmy to an unexpected opportunity when he applies for a position as an “efficiency expert” at a troubled factory.

What begins as a chance to prove his worth soon turns into a tense mystery. As Jimmy reorganizes the factory and improves its operations, he begins to suspect that someone inside the business is embezzling funds. His investigation draws him into conflict with powerful figures connected to the factory and complicates his relationship with Elizabeth Compton, the daughter of the owner. The situation escalates into a dramatic crime involving murder, false accusations, and the threat of imprisonment, forcing Jimmy and his unlikely friends to uncover the truth.

Part workplace drama, part crime thriller, the story explores ambition, personal integrity, and the struggle of a young man determined to succeed without relying on family privilege. It also reflects Burroughs’ own early experiences searching for stable employment before he became a bestselling author. Today, The Efficiency Expert remains an unusual and intriguing entry in his body of work, offering readers a fast-moving tale of perseverance, urban adventure, and early twentieth-century American life.