The Amateur Cracksman
About this book
First published in 1899, The Amateur Cracksman was the first collection of stories detailing the exploits and intrigues of gentleman thief A. J. Raffles in late Victorian England. Raffles was E. W. Hornung's most famous character. Popular in its day, the book led to three later works: The Black Mask and A Thief in the Night, both collections of short stories, and Mr. Justice Raffles, a complete novel. In public a popular sportsman, in private a cunning burglar with a weakness for valuable jewelery, Arthur Raffles, with the help of his side-kick Bunny Manders, always manages to thwart the investigations of Scotland Yard's Inspector Mackenzie.
Reader Profile
3.6/5 · 2738 readers · 234 pages · ≈ 4 h 20 m · Demanding
What order should I read the A. J. Raffles series?
Read The Amateur Cracksman first, then follow the publication order above — A Thief in the Night, then Mr. Justice Raffles.
How long does it take to read The Amateur Cracksman?
About ≈ 4 h 20 m — 234 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is The Amateur Cracksman?
234 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is The Amateur Cracksman?
It sits on the Short Stories, Mystery, Fiction shelves.
Is The Amateur Cracksman in the public domain?
Yes — it is free to read and share.
Where does The Amateur Cracksman take place?
It is set in England, London, London (England).
Who wrote The Amateur Cracksman?
E. W. Hornung (1866–1921).
Where can I read The Amateur Cracksman online for free?
It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library. Open Library
A. J. Raffles — reading order
- → The Amateur Cracksman (1899) you are here
- 1 A Thief in the Night (1905)
- 2 Mr. Justice Raffles (1909)
“It was half-past twelve when I returned to the Albany as a last desperate resort.”