Arthur J. Raffles is a character created in the 1890s by E. W. Hornung, brother-in-law to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Raffles is, in many ways, a deliberate inversion of Holmes - he is a ""gentleman thief,"" living at the Albany, a prestigious address in London, playing cricket for the Gentlemen of England and supporting himself by carrying out ingenious burglaries. He is called the ""Amateur Cracksman,"" and often, at first, differentiates between himself and the ""professors"" - professional criminals from the lower classes. As Holmes has Dr. Watson to chronicle his adventures, Raffles has Harry ""Bunny"" Manders - a former schoolmate saved from disgrace and suicide by Raffles, whom Raffles persuaded to accompany him on a burglary. While Raffles often takes advantage of Manders' relative innocence, and sometimes treats him with a certain amount of contempt, he knows that Manders' bravery and loyalty are to be relied on utterly.
Famous for his A. J. Raffles series of detective stories, E. W. Hornung wrote novels and short stories that explored scientific and medical developments, commenting on important themes of guilt, class and the unequal role of women in society. This comprehensive eBook presents Hornung’s complete works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts appearing in digital print for the first time, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Hornung’s life and works * Concise introductions to the major works * Famous works in the Raffles series are illustrated with their original artwork * Includes the complete Raffles stories, with a special Raffles table of contents * All 20 novels, with individual contents tables * Includes rare novels, appearing for the first time in digital publishing, including THE ROGUE’S MARCH and THE UNBIDDEN GUEST * Features rare short stories from various Edwardian periodicals * Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the short stories * Easily locate the short stories you want to read * Includes Hornung’s rare war poetry – available in no other collection * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please note: no known copies of ‘Trusty and Well Beloved’, the dramatisation of ‘Raffles’ and several short stories are available at the time of this collection’s publication. As soon as we are able to locate a copy of these scarce works, they will be added to the collection as a free update. Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles CONTENTS: The A. J. Raffles Series The Novels A BRIDE FROM THE BUSH TINY LUTTRELL THE BOSS OF TAROOMBA THE UNBIDDEN GUEST IRRALIE’S BUSHRANGER THE ROGUE’S MARCH MY LORD DUKE YOUNG BLOOD DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES THE BELLE OF TOORAK PECCAVI AT LARGE THE SHADOW OF THE ROPE DENIS DENT NO HERO MR. JUSTICE RAFFLES THE CAMERA FIEND FATHERS OF MEN THE THOUSANDTH WOMAN WITCHING HILL The Short Story Collections UNDER TWO SKIES SOME PERSONS UNKNOWN THE AMATEUR CRACKSMAN THE BLACK MASK STINGAREE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT THE CRIME DOCTOR OLD OFFENDERS AND A FEW OLD SCORES The Short Stories LIST OF SHORT STORIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF SHORT STORIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Poetry THE YOUNG GUARD The Non-Fiction NOTES OF A CAMP-FOLLOWER ON THE WESTERN FRONT Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles or to purchase this eBook as a Parts Edition of individual eBooks
THE COMPLETE RAFFLES SERIES is a landmark collection that brings together the riveting tales of A.J. Raffles, a gentleman thief par excellence, as conceived by E.W. Hornung and continued in the same vein by John Kendrick Bangs. This anthology presents a panorama of crimes and misdemeanors, unraveling within the decorous bounds of late Victorian and Edwardian society. It showcases a rich diversity of literary stylesfrom the tightly plotted adventures in 'The Amateur Cracksman' to the whimsical and speculative continuations in 'R. Holmes & Co.' The collection stands out for its blend of humor, intrigue, and a nuanced exploration of ethical ambiguity, making it a significant touchstone in the realm of crime fiction and a testament to the versatility of its characters and their enduring appeal. The contributing authors, Hornung and Bangs, come from distinct literary backgrounds yet converge in their fascination with Raffles. Hornung, the brother-in-law to Arthur Conan Doyle, ventures into a shadowy world that serves almost as a mirror to the Holmesian universewhere intellect is wielded for illicit purposes. Bangs, known for his satirical and speculative works, extends this universe by infusing it with a playful irreverence, thereby enriching the canon with an American twist on British criminal charm. Their combined efforts offer a unique exploration of turn-of-the-century attitudes towards crime, heroism, and morality. This anthology is an invitation to delve into the thrilling world of Raffles and his companions, a must-read for aficionados of classic crime literature. It affords readers a multi-faceted view of a bygone era, combined with timeless narratives of cunning and adventure. By traversing the broad spectrum of styles and themes within these pages, one gains not only entertainment but also a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling as practiced by Hornung and Bangs. This collection is an essential volume for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of criminal adventures and the peculiar charm of Raffles, the gentleman thief whose legacy continues to captivate.
A. J. Raffles, A Gentleman-Thief: 27 Crime Tales in One Volume by E. W. Hornung is a collection of captivating short stories that follow the adventures of A. J. Raffles, a charming and cunning gentleman-thief who operates in the high society of Victorian England. The book expertly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and humor, making it a delightful read for fans of classic detective literature. Hornung's writing style is engaging and witty, with a keen eye for detail that immerses readers in the thrilling world of Raffles' criminal escapades. This collection offers a unique perspective on crime fiction, focusing on a protagonist who is both a criminal and a gentleman. The stories are filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
