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A.J. Raffles, The Gentleman Thief #3
A Thief in the Night: A Book of Raffles' Adventures
Probably the most famous thief of all fiction, Raffles was a man-about-town and famous cricketer by day and a master burglar by night. When they were first issued at the turn of the century, these stories rivaled the popularity of Sherlock Holmes and established the prototype for The Saint, James Bond, and the other gentleman-rogue figures of popular fiction. Raffles has been called "the greatest cracksman in the literature of roguery" by the Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection, while Ellery Queen has described Raffles as the "inspiration for the whole school of devil-may-care adventurers on the borderlines of the law, not least the eponymous James Bond."
171 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1905
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About the author
E.W. Hornung
388 books79 followersErnest William Hornung known as Willie, was an English author, most famous for writing the Raffles series of novels about a gentleman thief in late Victorian London.
In addition to his novels and short stories Hornung wrote some war verse, and a play based on the Raffles stories was produced successfully. He was much interested in cricket, and was "a man of large and generous nature, a delightful companion and conversationalist".
In addition to his novels and short stories Hornung wrote some war verse, and a play based on the Raffles stories was produced successfully. He was much interested in cricket, and was "a man of large and generous nature, a delightful companion and conversationalist".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 1, 2023
Otto Penzler writes in his introduction: It has been speculated that E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), Arthur Conan Doyle’s brother-in-law, created Raffles, the greatest rogue in literature, to tweak the nose of the creator of the greatest detective in literature. For me, this provides as much insight into the creator of Raffles as it does to the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Hornung could have fun - and this is definitely a fun read - whereas it looks to me as if Conan Doyle might simply be a clever-clogs (smart aleck).
Anyway, enough of my trashing Sherlock Holmes as I've done it twice this week. A Thief in the Night is a collection of ten short stories told by Bunny, Raffles friend and sometime collaborator. I found all of them light-hearted tales of a life of burglary. The duo get themselves into and out of trouble in each. Bunny willingly showed himself to be a bit over-trusting and naive.
First published in 1905, the collection fills another slot in my personal challenge to read a mystery published in each year of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. I admit I might not have been so motivated to pick it up were it not for that and I would have missed out. It might be an exaggeration to award it 4-stars, but let it not go without saying that I was tempted.
Anyway, enough of my trashing Sherlock Holmes as I've done it twice this week. A Thief in the Night is a collection of ten short stories told by Bunny, Raffles friend and sometime collaborator. I found all of them light-hearted tales of a life of burglary. The duo get themselves into and out of trouble in each. Bunny willingly showed himself to be a bit over-trusting and naive.
First published in 1905, the collection fills another slot in my personal challenge to read a mystery published in each year of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. I admit I might not have been so motivated to pick it up were it not for that and I would have missed out. It might be an exaggeration to award it 4-stars, but let it not go without saying that I was tempted.
January 30, 2024
Hornung ist der Schwager von Conan-Doyle, die Abenteuer des Gentleman-Einbrecher-Duos Raffles und Bunny so etwas wie der humoristische Gegenentwurf zu Holmes and Watson. Der Cricket-Spieler Raffles braucht den Nervenkitzel bei riskanten Brüchen ebenso wie die Einnahmen, sein früherer Fux Bunny ist der Sportskanone emotional hörig. Infolge dessen lässt sich der Helfer immer mal wieder in Abenteuer verwickeln, die er alleine kaum bestehen könnte, lebt aber auch in permanenter Sorge, um sein angeschmachtetes Idol. Dieser dritte Band geht wieder in Anfänge der kriminellen Partnerschaft zurück, Raffles trickst seinen Freund in einen Bruch, der das Ende seiner Verlobung und bürgerlichen Existenz bedeutet oder zu bedeuten scheint, wie sich im weiteren Verlauf heraus stellt.
Ist bei Raffles jede Menge Sportsgeist im Spiel, so auch bei den Verfolgern, die den Hauptverdächtigen zum Treffen ihres Kriminalisten-Klubs einladen, aber den Einfallsreichtum des Verbrechers bei weitem unterschätzt haben.
In ihrem gegenseitigen Beschützeranspruch spielen sich die Gentlemen-Einbrecher auch mal unfreiwillige Streiche. Als Raffles eine Länderspielberufung ins Old Trafford erhält, muss Bunny allein einen Bruch in Angriff nehmen, bei dem tatsächlich alles schief zu gehen scheint, der hochgradig asthmatische Sohn des Hauses kann nicht schlafen, schöpft Verdacht und lädt Bunny zu Whisky und Cricket-Talk in den Salon, um ein wenig Nervenkitzel zu haben. Ein anderer Einbrecher zerstreut jeden Verdacht, Bunny bringt sein geballtes Wissen zum Einsatz und Raffles mittels dessen Totschläger zur Strecke.
Old Trafford steht seit dem frühen Nachmittag komplett unter Wasser, da wollte der Mentor seinen Schützling nicht alleine mit dem »Keucher« lassen. Mit vereinten Kräften gelingen Bruch und Flucht. Der größte Coup des Duos ist das Ausräumen der Raffles-Devotionalien-Kammer in der Ausstellung von Scotland-Yard. Das verbrecherische Genie längst nominell tot, Bunny, nach dem Verbüßen seiner Haftstrafe die Außenverbindung zur Welt. Dadurch sind allerlei Abhängigkeiten entstanden, weswegen das Genie die Verhältnisse wieder ins Lot setzen muss, indem gewisse Requisiten früherer Coups noch einmal neu instrumentalisiert werden.
In Sachen Kritik an der spätviktorianischen Gesellschaft und bei der Gestaltung des persönlichen Verhältnisses ist Hornung seinem Schwager klar überlegen, daher kommen auch noch die beiden anderen Bände mit den Streichen von Raffles und Bunny dran.
Ist bei Raffles jede Menge Sportsgeist im Spiel, so auch bei den Verfolgern, die den Hauptverdächtigen zum Treffen ihres Kriminalisten-Klubs einladen, aber den Einfallsreichtum des Verbrechers bei weitem unterschätzt haben.
In ihrem gegenseitigen Beschützeranspruch spielen sich die Gentlemen-Einbrecher auch mal unfreiwillige Streiche. Als Raffles eine Länderspielberufung ins Old Trafford erhält, muss Bunny allein einen Bruch in Angriff nehmen, bei dem tatsächlich alles schief zu gehen scheint, der hochgradig asthmatische Sohn des Hauses kann nicht schlafen, schöpft Verdacht und lädt Bunny zu Whisky und Cricket-Talk in den Salon, um ein wenig Nervenkitzel zu haben. Ein anderer Einbrecher zerstreut jeden Verdacht, Bunny bringt sein geballtes Wissen zum Einsatz und Raffles mittels dessen Totschläger zur Strecke.
Old Trafford steht seit dem frühen Nachmittag komplett unter Wasser, da wollte der Mentor seinen Schützling nicht alleine mit dem »Keucher« lassen. Mit vereinten Kräften gelingen Bruch und Flucht. Der größte Coup des Duos ist das Ausräumen der Raffles-Devotionalien-Kammer in der Ausstellung von Scotland-Yard. Das verbrecherische Genie längst nominell tot, Bunny, nach dem Verbüßen seiner Haftstrafe die Außenverbindung zur Welt. Dadurch sind allerlei Abhängigkeiten entstanden, weswegen das Genie die Verhältnisse wieder ins Lot setzen muss, indem gewisse Requisiten früherer Coups noch einmal neu instrumentalisiert werden.
In Sachen Kritik an der spätviktorianischen Gesellschaft und bei der Gestaltung des persönlichen Verhältnisses ist Hornung seinem Schwager klar überlegen, daher kommen auch noch die beiden anderen Bände mit den Streichen von Raffles und Bunny dran.
March 2, 2018
Raffles, the amateur cracksman, is “back” in this collection of short stories following his death at the end of the second collection. This is an accounting of tales that hadn’t been previously told due to the sensitivity of people involved. So, in a way, it is a bit like having that storage box of Watson’s contained at the bank ... except that we are allowed to browse as much as we like!
Not unlike the Sherlock Holmes stories, the Raffles tales give a strong sense of both society and location. The Reader can almost breathe the air of the city and countryside. Holmes’ creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, appreciated the Raffles stories ... although he cautioned against glorifying the criminal. Consequently, while Raffles and Bunny have a number of enjoyable adventures, their exploits are not easy ones and frequently go awry in some way of the other.
If you enjoyed the Raffles stories in the first two collections, you will most certainly enjoy these, too. All of them feature memorable incidents and characters, are vivid in their descriptions without going into too much detail, and offer a bonus by tying together the first and the last story in the book, thus offering some closure.
These were mentioned as being “the Last Word” about Raffles, but the writer wasn’t quite ready to let it all go. He wrote a concluding novel, MR. JUSTICE RAFFLES. I will certainly add that one to my reading list!
A most enjoyable collection that can be read as a stand-alone, but will be much more fun knowing the background. Recommended.
Not unlike the Sherlock Holmes stories, the Raffles tales give a strong sense of both society and location. The Reader can almost breathe the air of the city and countryside. Holmes’ creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, appreciated the Raffles stories ... although he cautioned against glorifying the criminal. Consequently, while Raffles and Bunny have a number of enjoyable adventures, their exploits are not easy ones and frequently go awry in some way of the other.
If you enjoyed the Raffles stories in the first two collections, you will most certainly enjoy these, too. All of them feature memorable incidents and characters, are vivid in their descriptions without going into too much detail, and offer a bonus by tying together the first and the last story in the book, thus offering some closure.
These were mentioned as being “the Last Word” about Raffles, but the writer wasn’t quite ready to let it all go. He wrote a concluding novel, MR. JUSTICE RAFFLES. I will certainly add that one to my reading list!
A most enjoyable collection that can be read as a stand-alone, but will be much more fun knowing the background. Recommended.
December 8, 2014
Note: Again, Good reads lost all my status updates while reading this book. Great job, Goodreads/Amazon.
We love our gentlemen thieves, don't we? Raffles is a noble thief, should one ever care to combine those two sentiments to describe someone who steals your stuff. If you don't have good jewelry or good silver/gold, you might be safe. But if you have a safe, be prepared for its cracking. Raffles is also a top-notch cricketer, though not really being familiar with that game, I don't quite get what he actually does in the game.
A Thief in the Night is a series of short stories as told from the point of view of Bunny, Raffles' friend and compatriot in crime, each story describing a particular caper and how it was accomplished. Bunny, every bit as complicit in the several crimes detailed, always comes across as an earnest Barney Fife character: somewhat incompetent but dependable in his specific competencies and lack thereof. Raffles constructs his capers keeping in mind how Bunny is likely to (re)act. Bunny is just smart enough to recognize that Raffles has done this and usually takes offense, but Raffles, ever demonstrating the silver tongue, soothes Bunny's feelings and makes his capabilities seem a plus.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Only one story didn't quite click with me, but I think that had way more to do with the loudness of the woman two tables away breaking my concentration while I was eating breakfast and attempting to read. (Aside: a young girl related to her was getting ready at 8:30 a.m. for a group date to go see a movie at 4:00 p.m. It was her first date with the boy who asked her. At least there was some amusement for my interruption.) I really like caper stories, not so much for the actual stealing (which I'm generally against--unless I can get away with it ), but for the working out of the puzzle. I'm just dumb enough to be kept guessing. Occasionally, I get on the obvious track, but usually the clue train has left the station without me.
I also try to imagine the stories in a modern setting (these take place in Victorian London). These would need some work because of the tremendous advances in security, probably brought on by the progenitors of thieves such as detailed in these stories. Recommended.
We love our gentlemen thieves, don't we? Raffles is a noble thief, should one ever care to combine those two sentiments to describe someone who steals your stuff. If you don't have good jewelry or good silver/gold, you might be safe. But if you have a safe, be prepared for its cracking. Raffles is also a top-notch cricketer, though not really being familiar with that game, I don't quite get what he actually does in the game.
A Thief in the Night is a series of short stories as told from the point of view of Bunny, Raffles' friend and compatriot in crime, each story describing a particular caper and how it was accomplished. Bunny, every bit as complicit in the several crimes detailed, always comes across as an earnest Barney Fife character: somewhat incompetent but dependable in his specific competencies and lack thereof. Raffles constructs his capers keeping in mind how Bunny is likely to (re)act. Bunny is just smart enough to recognize that Raffles has done this and usually takes offense, but Raffles, ever demonstrating the silver tongue, soothes Bunny's feelings and makes his capabilities seem a plus.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Only one story didn't quite click with me, but I think that had way more to do with the loudness of the woman two tables away breaking my concentration while I was eating breakfast and attempting to read. (Aside: a young girl related to her was getting ready at 8:30 a.m. for a group date to go see a movie at 4:00 p.m. It was her first date with the boy who asked her. At least there was some amusement for my interruption.) I really like caper stories, not so much for the actual stealing (which I'm generally against--unless I can get away with it ), but for the working out of the puzzle. I'm just dumb enough to be kept guessing. Occasionally, I get on the obvious track, but usually the clue train has left the station without me.
I also try to imagine the stories in a modern setting (these take place in Victorian London). These would need some work because of the tremendous advances in security, probably brought on by the progenitors of thieves such as detailed in these stories. Recommended.
December 30, 2019
A Thief in the Night (A.J. Raffles, The Gentleman Thief #3) by E.W. Hornung
E.W. Hornung (1866-1921), was the brother-in-law of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the world’s greatest detective, Sherlock Homes. It’s believed that Hornung took up writing to tweak the nose of his brother-in-law.
Hornung created A.J. Raffles, a bit of a rouge, playboy, famous cricket player, gentleman jewel thief, and socialite, but by night a safe-cracker. A Thief in the Night is a series of short stories much of which is told through the eyes of Bunny Manders, his friend and often companion on nefarious adventures.
Hornung’s writing style is verbose at which times I found confusing. However overall, I found the stories entertaining and at times down-right amusing. If you’re into late 19th century mysteries and literature you could find this an enjoyable read.
E.W. Hornung (1866-1921), was the brother-in-law of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the world’s greatest detective, Sherlock Homes. It’s believed that Hornung took up writing to tweak the nose of his brother-in-law.
Hornung created A.J. Raffles, a bit of a rouge, playboy, famous cricket player, gentleman jewel thief, and socialite, but by night a safe-cracker. A Thief in the Night is a series of short stories much of which is told through the eyes of Bunny Manders, his friend and often companion on nefarious adventures.
Hornung’s writing style is verbose at which times I found confusing. However overall, I found the stories entertaining and at times down-right amusing. If you’re into late 19th century mysteries and literature you could find this an enjoyable read.
July 8, 2017
Horning writing style is loquaciousness at its best.
March 16, 2025
Oh, how I missed my best friends Bunny and AJ Raffles! This is the third collection in the series, which is written from a point even further in the future and that doesn't follow any specific timeline, but is instead intended to fill in the gaps between their infamous adventures. Bunny, our unreliable narrator extraordinaire, opens with a rather ominous promise to finally expose the true, irredeemable nature of his partner in crime: "I have dwelt unduly on the redeeming side. And this I may do again, blinded even as I write by the gallant glamour that made my villain more to me than any hero." A Thief in the Night is much quieter, much more intimate in tone, full of tender reminiscence and meditations on reciprocity and human nature. Each case is rooted in some personal history or a major emotional revelation experienced by the two protagonists. As usual, the person who gets revealed the most is Bunny, extremely entertaining in his slightly psychotic unpredictability, and who is constantly oscillating between presenting himself as a poor lamb, completely enthralled by the devilish Raffles, and debasing himself for being a complete delinquent, never worthy to be by Raffles' side to begin with.
Crime and Cricket is often criticized for being lacklustre in terms of actual heist and mystery elements. And it's certainly the most underdeveloped part, but I think it's also the least satisfying way to approach this series. On the one hand, it's a gently mocking Sherlock Holmes pastiche that concentrates on the character studies within the duo and is interested in revealing the hypocrisy behind a Watsonian narrator. On the other hand, it is a masterful, exhaustive, and endlessly touching love letter to the gay culture of the 19th century England in all its vastness, indulgences, and criminality. A Thief in the Night is a book of grief, of introspection - and of self-acceptance. Of recognition of reciprocity and of getting past the love- and self-recrimination-induced blindness. It broke my heart and then put it together again. It is immensely moving and historically important, I would read 30 more Raffles books in a heartbeat!
"Old Raffles opened his own door to me. I cannot remember finding him fresher, more immaculate, more delightful to behold in every way. Could I paint a picture of Raffles with something other than my pen, it would be as I saw him that bright March morning, at his open door in the Albany, a trim, slim figure in matutinal gray, cool and gay and breezy as incarnate spring."
Crime and Cricket is often criticized for being lacklustre in terms of actual heist and mystery elements. And it's certainly the most underdeveloped part, but I think it's also the least satisfying way to approach this series. On the one hand, it's a gently mocking Sherlock Holmes pastiche that concentrates on the character studies within the duo and is interested in revealing the hypocrisy behind a Watsonian narrator. On the other hand, it is a masterful, exhaustive, and endlessly touching love letter to the gay culture of the 19th century England in all its vastness, indulgences, and criminality. A Thief in the Night is a book of grief, of introspection - and of self-acceptance. Of recognition of reciprocity and of getting past the love- and self-recrimination-induced blindness. It broke my heart and then put it together again. It is immensely moving and historically important, I would read 30 more Raffles books in a heartbeat!
"Old Raffles opened his own door to me. I cannot remember finding him fresher, more immaculate, more delightful to behold in every way. Could I paint a picture of Raffles with something other than my pen, it would be as I saw him that bright March morning, at his open door in the Albany, a trim, slim figure in matutinal gray, cool and gay and breezy as incarnate spring."
January 1, 2026
The Raffles Relics
Career criminal is at the end of his capers and wants to enjoy looking back at his past exploits by visiting the museum at Scotland Yard. It is by invitation only so his trusty partner in crime, Bunny, secures the invitations. When they arrive, they are led around on a tour by a clerk who keeps getting details of their crimes wrong, which angers Bunny. But before he can get himself into trouble, Raffles goes missing. Bunny is sure that he felt danger and escaped but when Bunny arrives home, Raffles is no where to be seen. Raffles never left Scotland Yard but rather hid in the museum until nightfall where he smuggled out his old revolver and other tools of his criminal trade, being careful to replace them with other items in the collection so that their theft may go unnoticed for weeks or more. 4 stars
Career criminal is at the end of his capers and wants to enjoy looking back at his past exploits by visiting the museum at Scotland Yard. It is by invitation only so his trusty partner in crime, Bunny, secures the invitations. When they arrive, they are led around on a tour by a clerk who keeps getting details of their crimes wrong, which angers Bunny. But before he can get himself into trouble, Raffles goes missing. Bunny is sure that he felt danger and escaped but when Bunny arrives home, Raffles is no where to be seen. Raffles never left Scotland Yard but rather hid in the museum until nightfall where he smuggled out his old revolver and other tools of his criminal trade, being careful to replace them with other items in the collection so that their theft may go unnoticed for weeks or more. 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2025
I'm not a huge fan of the Raffles stories, but I found some of these to be quite interesting. I think I might enjoy a future read-through if I picked up the books (instead of the ebooks) but I suppose we shall see. All in all, an interesting read, if not my favorite.
February 28, 2025
Out of Paradise - lol, homewrecker Raffles. 4/5
Chest of Silver - This was an absolutely charming one. The twist is fairly easy to see, for my money, but it’s still a lot of fun and contains Raffles at approaching his most impressive. 5/5
The Rest Cure - My favourite Raffles short story, also known as: the one where Bunny crossdresses only for the purposes of teasing Raffles. You cannot make this stuff up. 5/5
The Criminologists’ Club - The crime in this is a really interesting and smart one, you can feel Hornung’s smugness at thinking of it even over a hundred years later (I do not hold it against him at ALL), but otherwise… it was fine. Nothing that special, but fun enough. 3/5
The Field of Philippi - A very funny caper, with some excellent Raffles moments in it. Not much more than a caper, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. 4/5
A Bad Night - Probably my second favourite Raffles short story. Bunny is just ADORABLE in this one, and it’s actually fairly satisfying to see Raffles himself - who I love, but who is VERY mean to my perfect baby angel Bunny - get his comeuppance in such a hilarious way. 5/5
A Trap to Catch a Cracksman - My third favourite Raffles short story? XD IDK, this collection just has some REAL highs for me. I love it when Raffles actually stumbles, and Bunny is forced to swoop in to save the day. And this is just endearingly smart all around, with so many interesting solutions that really held the attention. I very much enjoyed it! 5/5
The Spoils of Sacrilege - This one was absolutely HILARIOUS. I love Bunny flailing about, I love Raffles at his most genially evil, I LOVE the ending where Bunny tries to be noble for once and Raffles goes “aw :)” and GOES AHEAD WITH HIS PLANS ANYWAY.
With perhaps one or two exceptions, I absolutely adore this collection. I think Raffles is being written as the tiniest bit nicer (for him), and Bunny is being written as a little more amorally chaotic. It all adds up to a really fun read! 5/5
The Raffles Relics - Raffles goes meta, for his last proper short story! Well, sort of meta. Meta by the standards of the time!
This was a sweet wrapping up! Nothing that profound, but the nature of the crime was very smart and both of them were incredibly charming. And I was incredibly amused by the revelation that Raffles used to hide inside his trunk from Bunny. Nobody does an insanely toxic relationship like them. <3 4.5/5
The Last Word - The final short story, and one that isn’t very like the others. It’s quite short, contains no action and only the memory of Raffles… And it’s really sweet! Raffles tries to undo his homewrecking in the least effectual way possible, and maybe Bunny will discover what it is to be in a non-toxic relationship post-canon! Good for him. 4/5
10/10
General opinion of the collection: Oh, this just is my favourite collection! There are a few weaker stories, but it contains my three favourite Raffles stories and is just so charming in basically every way. Some fun crimes, a lot of fun action and very fun dynamics between the main characters. I adored it. 4/5
Chest of Silver - This was an absolutely charming one. The twist is fairly easy to see, for my money, but it’s still a lot of fun and contains Raffles at approaching his most impressive. 5/5
The Rest Cure - My favourite Raffles short story, also known as: the one where Bunny crossdresses only for the purposes of teasing Raffles. You cannot make this stuff up. 5/5
The Criminologists’ Club - The crime in this is a really interesting and smart one, you can feel Hornung’s smugness at thinking of it even over a hundred years later (I do not hold it against him at ALL), but otherwise… it was fine. Nothing that special, but fun enough. 3/5
The Field of Philippi - A very funny caper, with some excellent Raffles moments in it. Not much more than a caper, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. 4/5
A Bad Night - Probably my second favourite Raffles short story. Bunny is just ADORABLE in this one, and it’s actually fairly satisfying to see Raffles himself - who I love, but who is VERY mean to my perfect baby angel Bunny - get his comeuppance in such a hilarious way. 5/5
A Trap to Catch a Cracksman - My third favourite Raffles short story? XD IDK, this collection just has some REAL highs for me. I love it when Raffles actually stumbles, and Bunny is forced to swoop in to save the day. And this is just endearingly smart all around, with so many interesting solutions that really held the attention. I very much enjoyed it! 5/5
The Spoils of Sacrilege - This one was absolutely HILARIOUS. I love Bunny flailing about, I love Raffles at his most genially evil, I LOVE the ending where Bunny tries to be noble for once and Raffles goes “aw :)” and GOES AHEAD WITH HIS PLANS ANYWAY.
With perhaps one or two exceptions, I absolutely adore this collection. I think Raffles is being written as the tiniest bit nicer (for him), and Bunny is being written as a little more amorally chaotic. It all adds up to a really fun read! 5/5
The Raffles Relics - Raffles goes meta, for his last proper short story! Well, sort of meta. Meta by the standards of the time!
This was a sweet wrapping up! Nothing that profound, but the nature of the crime was very smart and both of them were incredibly charming. And I was incredibly amused by the revelation that Raffles used to hide inside his trunk from Bunny. Nobody does an insanely toxic relationship like them. <3 4.5/5
The Last Word - The final short story, and one that isn’t very like the others. It’s quite short, contains no action and only the memory of Raffles… And it’s really sweet! Raffles tries to undo his homewrecking in the least effectual way possible, and maybe Bunny will discover what it is to be in a non-toxic relationship post-canon! Good for him. 4/5
10/10
General opinion of the collection: Oh, this just is my favourite collection! There are a few weaker stories, but it contains my three favourite Raffles stories and is just so charming in basically every way. Some fun crimes, a lot of fun action and very fun dynamics between the main characters. I adored it. 4/5
December 14, 2008
"A Thief in the Night," the third in the series of books about gentleman thief (or, in author E.W. Hornung's parlance, amateur cracksman) Raffles, is lighter and a bit more scattershot than its immediate predecessor -- and more fun as a result.
In the third installment, most of the stories predate those in "Raffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman," and Hornung doesn't attempt to interconnect them as much as he did the tales in the first two Raffles books. Still, any reader who picks up this volume without having read the first two will miss references to earlier stories.
As is the case in the previous two books, the twists in "Thief"'s stories aren't nearly as ingenious as those in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories (Hornung and Doyle were brothers in law, and Raffles and his sidekick-chronicler Bunny serve as the lawbreaking version of Holmes and Watson), but they are a bit more clever than those in earlier Raffles installments.
"Thief" is great fun, especially for readers of the previous Raffles books and fans of Sherlock Holmes.
In the third installment, most of the stories predate those in "Raffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman," and Hornung doesn't attempt to interconnect them as much as he did the tales in the first two Raffles books. Still, any reader who picks up this volume without having read the first two will miss references to earlier stories.
As is the case in the previous two books, the twists in "Thief"'s stories aren't nearly as ingenious as those in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories (Hornung and Doyle were brothers in law, and Raffles and his sidekick-chronicler Bunny serve as the lawbreaking version of Holmes and Watson), but they are a bit more clever than those in earlier Raffles installments.
"Thief" is great fun, especially for readers of the previous Raffles books and fans of Sherlock Holmes.
January 5, 2020
This was another grouping of short stories featuring A.J. Raffles and Harry "Bunny" Manders. These stories take place in-between and around the other two books. I continued to enjoy the relationship between Bunny and Raffles. Bunny is an interesting character because he enjoys the high from committing crime but then he has regrets and lots of guilt. Plus he craves Raffles approval and attention and he gets both by going along on these capers. Raffles in most of the stories seems very carefree and seems to be chasing the high that comes with outsmarting others. He is very lackadaisical about his crimes except for a couple of the later ones where he expresses regrets and wants to make amends.
August 16, 2016
And now I have to go back and read The Amateur Cracksman, because I started with A Thief in the Night, and I felt like I had missed half the story so far, and gentlemen thieves are just what I need to be reading more about.
September 19, 2018
More Raffles tales, narrated by our stalwart, Bunny, with plenty of action, adventures, and near catastrophes. I am particular fond of the visit to the Black Museum, and an unexpected bit of closure for our dear Bunny.
July 13, 2024
Out of Paradise -- this story, about a sordid affair far early in the history of Bunny and Raffles, is a lurid articulation of love and society. Raffles is at his worst in this story, deliberately lying to Bunny about the robbery they are to undertake. There's a bit of humanization--we see that he may not have known the lady, Bunny's fiancée, was at the house--but that is all there is; his power is in boldness and bohemianism.
I really liked the characterization in this story. The love that Bunny has for his fiancée is one which we can see as numinous--she, to him, is never to be named, precisely because she is so loved; in her turn, despite the horror of their final circumstance, still feels enough affection for him not to give him in, to end things cordially. She is an all-forgiving person. She is Christ-like. This is contrasted heavily with the "love" (and this is the term used) that Bunny has for Raffles. To him, Raffles is audacious and full of humor; he is characterized by his gayety, cleverness, and courage. These things, more than their life of crime, is what attracts Bunny, and these things are what ultimately allow him to choose Raffles.
Raffles, on his side, acts pretty much how Bunny describes him. He is audacious, thinking on the spot about what he is to do, tricking Bunny on a moment without (if we believe him) finding full comfort in a full knowledge of the situation at the target home. He is confident and joking, their talk is banter--if serious banter. Raffles, further, is a gentleman; his hair is black and well-groomed, he acts with courtesy. He doesn't come around to see Bunny again after the incident, in part out of shame, but mostly because he thinks that Bunny may still be "in Paradise"--he may still have a chance with the girl, such that he cannot invite him fully into his life of crime. Read in this way, his plan is that of a coquette and his various reticent attitudes those of a tsundere. He wants what he claims to despise--he wants Bunny to be his partner, but he cautions Bunny all the way against it--and he wins Bunny through these boldly subtle behaviors, through the very ambivalent feelings he has over his Bunny.
This story is also plain fun. Hornung didn't trick me--but he did write Bunny's foolishness out very nicely, and the whole story--filled with insane melodrama--is absolutely fantastic.
"The Chest of Silver" --
This story was fun. Raffles' home is going to be looked over by the police, he must hide his valuables, and so he orchestrates a plot (via tricking Bunny, of course) to rob himself (more-or-less) to avoid suspicion. It is a little strange. The major plot beat--and I mean heart beat, I suppose--is the mutual attraction between Raffles and Bunny. In this case, Bunny is totally done in by Raffles' guiles, trusting completely in his curt attitude. Raffles, despite is apparently winsome trickery, himself still trusts Bunny--in this case, Bunny's subjective responses to the whole affair as he presents it--and to Bunny's moral compass (such that it is) to make things work out. The plot of this story is either ripped wholly from other crime fiction--such as Sherlock Holmes--or is part of a trope.
The Rest Cure --
Raffles and Bunny take up residence in a house illegally. They stay there--Bunny desiring more attention from Raffles, them both keeping quiet--until the Colonel--the owner of the house--appears unexpectedly. Bunny has dressed all in woman's clothing in a feat to trick Raffles, who he wants to revenge himself for his neglect, and a comedic scene ensues. Finally, a brawl breaks loose, and Raffles saves Bunny; they tye of the Colonel tighter than any other binding Bunny has seen, leaving him perhaps to die. But Raffles sends a note to the police to save them, with Bunny simply believing that Raffles--this worst part of Raffles, his vengeance and anger; his criminality--would supersede his humanity; ultimately, this was not the case.
I really liked the characterization in this story. The love that Bunny has for his fiancée is one which we can see as numinous--she, to him, is never to be named, precisely because she is so loved; in her turn, despite the horror of their final circumstance, still feels enough affection for him not to give him in, to end things cordially. She is an all-forgiving person. She is Christ-like. This is contrasted heavily with the "love" (and this is the term used) that Bunny has for Raffles. To him, Raffles is audacious and full of humor; he is characterized by his gayety, cleverness, and courage. These things, more than their life of crime, is what attracts Bunny, and these things are what ultimately allow him to choose Raffles.
Raffles, on his side, acts pretty much how Bunny describes him. He is audacious, thinking on the spot about what he is to do, tricking Bunny on a moment without (if we believe him) finding full comfort in a full knowledge of the situation at the target home. He is confident and joking, their talk is banter--if serious banter. Raffles, further, is a gentleman; his hair is black and well-groomed, he acts with courtesy. He doesn't come around to see Bunny again after the incident, in part out of shame, but mostly because he thinks that Bunny may still be "in Paradise"--he may still have a chance with the girl, such that he cannot invite him fully into his life of crime. Read in this way, his plan is that of a coquette and his various reticent attitudes those of a tsundere. He wants what he claims to despise--he wants Bunny to be his partner, but he cautions Bunny all the way against it--and he wins Bunny through these boldly subtle behaviors, through the very ambivalent feelings he has over his Bunny.
This story is also plain fun. Hornung didn't trick me--but he did write Bunny's foolishness out very nicely, and the whole story--filled with insane melodrama--is absolutely fantastic.
"The Chest of Silver" --
This story was fun. Raffles' home is going to be looked over by the police, he must hide his valuables, and so he orchestrates a plot (via tricking Bunny, of course) to rob himself (more-or-less) to avoid suspicion. It is a little strange. The major plot beat--and I mean heart beat, I suppose--is the mutual attraction between Raffles and Bunny. In this case, Bunny is totally done in by Raffles' guiles, trusting completely in his curt attitude. Raffles, despite is apparently winsome trickery, himself still trusts Bunny--in this case, Bunny's subjective responses to the whole affair as he presents it--and to Bunny's moral compass (such that it is) to make things work out. The plot of this story is either ripped wholly from other crime fiction--such as Sherlock Holmes--or is part of a trope.
The Rest Cure --
Raffles and Bunny take up residence in a house illegally. They stay there--Bunny desiring more attention from Raffles, them both keeping quiet--until the Colonel--the owner of the house--appears unexpectedly. Bunny has dressed all in woman's clothing in a feat to trick Raffles, who he wants to revenge himself for his neglect, and a comedic scene ensues. Finally, a brawl breaks loose, and Raffles saves Bunny; they tye of the Colonel tighter than any other binding Bunny has seen, leaving him perhaps to die. But Raffles sends a note to the police to save them, with Bunny simply believing that Raffles--this worst part of Raffles, his vengeance and anger; his criminality--would supersede his humanity; ultimately, this was not the case.
December 7, 2025
With how the last book ended, I almost expected a Sherlock Holmes type twist (though, I guess that's how book 1 ended soooooo maybe not so much). Either way, I was a little surprised that that isn't how it went. Rather, we have gone back to look at some of their earlier adventures that our dear Bunny was too ashamed of to recount earlier.
I liked this book more than the previous two. For one, if there was any racism in this book, it was not of the sort that I recognized. For another, while Bunny and Raffles will never quite be on equal footing, they felt more like partners in this book than in the previous two. Raffles seems to have more of a genuine respect and affection for Bunny which appeared in glimpses in the other books, but was much more on display here. I'm absolutely reading this book pretty much entirely for the Gay Victorian Vibes, so that's a pretty big selling point for me in this one. I have not written fanfiction in years -- nearly in decades. I'm almost tempted to write Raffles/Bunny fanfiction.
This is the last of the short stories. There's only the short novel left, which I'll probably get started before bed tonight. And then that's it. That's all there is for the Adventures of Raffles. These books aren't especially great literature, but I'm going to be sad to leave them behind all the same.
I liked this book more than the previous two. For one, if there was any racism in this book, it was not of the sort that I recognized. For another, while Bunny and Raffles will never quite be on equal footing, they felt more like partners in this book than in the previous two. Raffles seems to have more of a genuine respect and affection for Bunny which appeared in glimpses in the other books, but was much more on display here. I'm absolutely reading this book pretty much entirely for the Gay Victorian Vibes, so that's a pretty big selling point for me in this one. I have not written fanfiction in years -- nearly in decades. I'm almost tempted to write Raffles/Bunny fanfiction.
This is the last of the short stories. There's only the short novel left, which I'll probably get started before bed tonight. And then that's it. That's all there is for the Adventures of Raffles. These books aren't especially great literature, but I'm going to be sad to leave them behind all the same.
September 25, 2019
I listened to a Librivox recording. I could not find it listed.
This is the third Raffles book. It has quite a melancholy air about it, as Raffles’ companion is writing sometime after Raffles had died. Adventures that had not been written before, that had been withheld for various reasons. This book is more like a collection of short stories than the others. But some do have some of the old lightheartedness about them. I particularly liked the adventure which involved the police museum collections of items detained by them from the adventures before he “drowned”. I also liked that more of Raffles cricketing prowess is mentioned. And that other facets of Raffles’ life are part of these recollections. The ending has been done in a very touching way to draw the whole of the escapades to a close.
The reader was very good, though different than the one in the first two books. She read differently, but still in a way that kept up the interest in the book.
This is the third Raffles book. It has quite a melancholy air about it, as Raffles’ companion is writing sometime after Raffles had died. Adventures that had not been written before, that had been withheld for various reasons. This book is more like a collection of short stories than the others. But some do have some of the old lightheartedness about them. I particularly liked the adventure which involved the police museum collections of items detained by them from the adventures before he “drowned”. I also liked that more of Raffles cricketing prowess is mentioned. And that other facets of Raffles’ life are part of these recollections. The ending has been done in a very touching way to draw the whole of the escapades to a close.
The reader was very good, though different than the one in the first two books. She read differently, but still in a way that kept up the interest in the book.
April 10, 2020
A Thief in the Night features Bunny as the narrator as he describes additional adventures that had been previously omitted from various points in their criminal careers. While all stories are largely self-contained and could be independently read, the final two stories take place after Raffles and Bunny become professional criminals of ruined reputations. However, the final story is an exception as it serves as an epilogue to events explored in the first story. Each story was first published in serial format, excluding "The Last Word" which is a short epilogue to the events of "Out of Paradise".
May 20, 2022
Thief is the third and final Raffles short story collection. Not the best of the three, yet Thief does contain a few of the most entertaining of Hornung’s stories, e.g. “The Rest Cure,” "The Field of Philippi,” and “Raffles Relics.” I have been told that the final Hornung book (the novel “Justice Raffles”), is not really worth reading (though I shall, in a completist frenzy), but I would suggest that if you have read the first two collections, you should at least complete the cycle with “A Thief in the Night.”
March 28, 2020
Bunny cuts the apron-strings and goes alone a lot in this one - which sadly means a little less of the sizzling dialogue between them. The stronger stories are in the front half of the book and I felt it was a bit lighter on the period detail that I have come to love ('we got this hansom...it was like this...the driver was like this...etc' - there's less of that). Still it's great - hey, even a slightly-weaker Raffles book is still pretty darn wonderful compared with most other literature of the era.
August 28, 2020
This one is a set of short stories about different random events in the Bunny/Raffles domestic partnership of crime. I liked it a lot better than the second book in the series, since it was a lot more positive. Also, Bunny plots a robbery at his childhood home because he's super mad the new owner ripped out his family's vineyards and replaced them with horse racing stuff. So mad. Raffles just sort of goes along with that one.
February 22, 2021
Raffles es una imagen poética de lo que es un "ladrón caballero" pero que dista mucho de las ensoñaciones de otros personajes como Robin Hood, más bien, Raffles es un ladrón sin un código moral definido que se atiene a ciertas "reglas de la sociedad" que justifica un poco sus actos, como el hecho de no asesinar o no usar violencia. Lo que más perdura de la serie de Raffles en nuestros días es ese "miedo" a caer en la escala social, que tambien sirve como justificación al robar.
June 26, 2022
Un recueil qui se veut plutôt amusant, n'hésitant pas à mettre les deux protagonistes dans des situations cocasses et délicates.
Les deux personnages et leur relation sont davantage développés, et cela aurait été préférable d'apprendre tout cela avant la dernière nouvelle du recueil précédent.
Mention spéciale pour la nouvelle The Raffles Relics qui est la définition même du culot.
Les deux personnages et leur relation sont davantage développés, et cela aurait été préférable d'apprendre tout cela avant la dernière nouvelle du recueil précédent.
Mention spéciale pour la nouvelle The Raffles Relics qui est la définition même du culot.
July 4, 2021
Here are the stories that the Bunny character admits show Raffles and him in a less favourable light, sometimes failing to in their exploits, sometimes violating their code. Was Hornung worried about romanticising wrongdoing?
November 10, 2018
Great
As usual, great read. An adventure from beginning to end and i really love Raffles. He is adorable, sneaky, and just wonderful!
As usual, great read. An adventure from beginning to end and i really love Raffles. He is adorable, sneaky, and just wonderful!
October 25, 2019
Definitely enjoyed the first edition version I had, which was a collection of stories including this one. They're funny and full of love.
March 27, 2022
I was bored.
October 21, 2023
Gay, and all it goes full circle, very cute.
December 30, 2023
Came across audio version and thoroughly enjoyed.
Read
January 10, 2024Favourites:
- The Chest of Silver
- The Criminologist’s Club
- The Raffles Relics
- The Chest of Silver
- The Criminologist’s Club
- The Raffles Relics
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