The Amateur Cracksman is an 1899 short story collection by E. W. Hornung. It was published in the UK by Methuen & Co., London, and in the US by Scribner's, New York.[1] Many later editions (T. Nelson & Sons, 1914; University of Nebraska Press, 1976; et al.) expand the title to Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman. Some editions such as Penguin Books, 1948, retitle the collection simply, Raffles.

The Amateur Cracksman
AuthorE. W. Hornung
LanguageEnglish
SeriesA. J. Raffles
GenreCrime fiction
PublisherMethuen & Co. (UK)
Scribner's (US)
Publication date
1899
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Followed byThe Black Mask 

It was the original short story collection by Hornung, featuring his most famous character, A. J. Raffles, a gentleman thief in late Victorian Great Britain. The book was very well received and spawned three follow-ups: two more short story collections, The Black Mask (1901) and A Thief in the Night (1904), as well as a full-length novel, Mr. Justice Raffles (1909).

Overview

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A national sporting hero, Arthur J. Raffles[note 1] is a prominent member of London society. As a cricketer, he regularly represents England in Test matches. He uses this as cover to commit a number of burglaries, primarily stealing valuable jewelry from the elite of London, for thrill and profit. He is assisted in this by his friend, the younger Harry "Bunny" Manders[note 2], who idealizes Raffles as a sportsman. Both men are constantly under the surveillance of Inspector Mackenzie of Scotland Yard, who is always thwarted in his attempts to pin the crimes on Raffles.

Contents

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Raffles, 1905 frontispiece by F. C. Yohn
  1. "The Ides of March" – Raffles initiates Bunny into his profession, taking him along as an accomplice.
  2. "A Costume Piece" – Raffles schemes to steal diamonds from the millionaire Reuben Rosenthall.
  3. "Gentlemen and Players" – While in the countryside to play a cricket match, Raffles and Bunny are surprised to discover Inspector Mackenzie of Scotland Yard there, attempting to thwart an expected burglary.
  4. "Le Premier Pas" – Raffles recounts his first felony, committed in Australia.
  5. "Wilful Murder" – Becoming aware that a dealer has discovered his real identity, Raffles proceeds to his house with the intention of murdering him.
  6. "Nine Points of the Law" – Raffles and Bunny are tasked by a lawyer to extricate a rare picture, bound for Australia.
  7. "The Return Match" – Raffles expects a visit from a recently escaped convict.
  8. "The Gift of the Emperor" – Raffles and Bunny board a vessel carrying a famous pearl as a diplomatic gift.

Notes

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  1. ^ While Raffles's initials are given in this story collection, his first name is not stated. It is revealed in stories collected in The Black Mask (1901).[2]
  2. ^ Bunny's real first name is not given in this story collection, and is only mentioned in the last short story in A Thief in the Night (1905).[3]

References

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Citations
  1. ^ Rowland, p. 280.
  2. ^ Hornung, E. W. (2003) [1899]. "Notes". In Richard Lancelyn Green (ed.). Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman (Reprinted ed.). London: Penguin Books. p. 142. ISBN 978-1856132824.
  3. ^ See all four Raffles books: The Amateur Cracksman 706, Raffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman (UK title: The Black Mask) 707, A Thief in the Night 2098, and Mr. Justice Raffles 9806. Bunny's real name is also given as Harry in the 1903 play Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman.
Sources
  • Hornung, E. W. (1899). The Amateur Cracksman. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
  • Rowland, Peter (1999). Raffles and His Creator. London: Nekta Publications. ISBN 0-9533583-2-1.
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