Subject
Thieves -- Fiction Books
Best books
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
Shavings: A Novel
"Shavings: A Novel" by Joseph C. Lincoln is a fictional work likely written during the early 20th century. The story is set in the fictional town of Orham and revolves around the life of Gabriel Bearse, a cheerful local busybody, who thrives on gossip and news about his neighbors. Mr. Bearse's interactions with other characters, including Jed Winslow, the town's quirky windmill maker, and Captain Sam Hunniwell, reveal the intricacies of small-town dynamics amid the backdrop of World War I, as they navigate personal, political, and community relationships. The opening of the novel introduces us to Mr. Bearse, who is unusually happy as he heads to the post office with a juicy piece of gossip about Captain Sam's recent appointment to the Exemption Board—a position of significant local interest due to the ongoing war. Along the way, he stops at Winslow’s windmill shop, where he attempts to extract more information about the Captain's news while bantering with the eccentric windmill maker, Jed. This lively exchange sets the tone for the novel, highlighting the humor and unique character interactions that characterize small-town life, as well as the underlying tensions brought about by the draft and the war. The blend of comedic dialogue and community intrigue invites readers to delve further into the lives of the residents of Orham.
William Harrison Ainsworth
Jack Sheppard: A Romance
"Jack Sheppard: A Romance" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical novel serially published from 1839 to 1840. Based on the life of an actual 18th-century London criminal, this Newgate novel follows young Jack Sheppard from infancy through his fate as a notorious thief. Manipulated by the vicious thief-catcher Jonathan Wild—who destroyed his father—Sheppard becomes infamous for his daring prison escapes and robberies. The tale weaves together crime, corruption, and the question of whether redemption is possible for a man caught in London's brutal underworld.
William Harrison Ainsworth
Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 1 (of 3)
"Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 1 (of 3)" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical romance serially published from 1839 to 1840. Based on the life of real 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard, this Newgate novel traces a boy's corruption into a life of theft under the shadow of the notorious thief-catcher Jonathan Wild. Through daring prison escapes and criminal exploits, Sheppard emerges as both rogue and tragic hero, caught between his crimes and his conscience in the dangerous London underworld.
William Harrison Ainsworth
Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 3 (of 3)
"Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 3 (of 3)" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a novel serially published from 1839 to 1840. This historical romance follows the real-life 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard through three dramatic epochs. Corrupted into crime by the ruthless thief-catcher Jonathan Wild, young Jack becomes a notorious thief whose ingenious prison escapes captivate London. As Wild's cruelty intensifies and tragedy strikes, Sheppard struggles between his criminal nature and fleeting redemption, hurtling toward an inevitable fate before thousands of onlookers.
William Harrison Ainsworth
Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 2 (of 3)
"Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 2 (of 3)" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical novel serialized from 1839 to 1840. This Newgate novel dramatizes the life of real 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard, caught in a deadly feud with notorious thief-catcher Jonathan Wild. Through three epochs spanning Jack's life, the story follows his descent into crime, ingenious prison escapes, and ultimate fate at the gallows, while exploring whether a corrupted soul can retain goodness even in the darkest circumstances.
William Le Queux
The Lady in the Car
"The Lady in the Car" by William Le Queux is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows the intriguing adventures of Prince Albert of Hesse-Holstein as he navigates the complexities of royal life, romance, and clandestine escapades while mingling with captivating women, particularly those from America and Britain. Le Queux dives into themes of social status, identity, and the tension between public persona and private desire. The opening of the book introduces us to the Prince in a luxurious Brighton hotel, where he enjoys a quiet moment of reflection after having dismissed an unwanted visitor. He is distinctly aware of the attention he attracts from other hotel guests, particularly the well-to-do American mother-daughter duo, Mrs. Jesup and Mary. The Prince’s curiosity about Mary leads to a charming invitation for a motor outing together, which serves to highlight their budding connection. Meanwhile, we see hints of intrigue and past adventures involving shadowy characters, setting the stage for a narrative filled with romance and potential mischief, as the Prince's past and present intertwine in surprising ways.
Cleveland Moffett
The Bishop's purse
"The Bishop's Purse" by Cleveland Moffett and Oliver Herford is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a chance encounter between a bishop, a charming American girl named Betty, and a mysterious young woman, Hester Storm, who is on the run from her past. Central to the plot is the bishop's lost purse containing a significant sum of money, which becomes the focal point of tension and intrigue that intertwines the lives of these characters. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the bishop and Betty as they travel on a train in England. The scene quickly shifts when Hester Storm, who initially appears to be merely an innocent fellow passenger, becomes embroiled in a stolen purse incident that raises questions about her true nature. Hester's internal struggle with her past and her impulsive decision to steal the bishop's money creates mounting suspense, especially as she tries to maintain her façade while navigating the repercussions of her actions. This opening establishes a compelling mix of humor, social commentary, and character development, suggesting both a lighthearted adventure and deeper explorations of morality and identity throughout the narrative.
Leigh Brackett
The Jewel of Bas
"The Jewel of Bas" by Leigh Brackett is a weird novel written in the mid-20th century. The narrative explores themes of power, identity, and survival against a backdrop of a richly imagined world filled with fantastical elements, focusing on characters Ciaran and Mouse as they face the threat posed by the androids created by the boy-god Bas, who is asleep with a mysterious power. As the story unfolds, they find themselves fighting against malevolent forces and dark legends that threaten their existence. At the start of the story, Ciaran and Mouse, two wandering mortals, set up camp in a desolate land bordering the infamous Forbidden Plains. Their banter reveals their complex relationship and hints at deeper fears of the rumored darkness and evil surrounding them—specifically the dreadful Kalds that bear servitude to Bas, the so-called immortal presence rumored to guard the Stone of Destiny. An ominous shadow manifests as inherent dangers appear, drawing them deeper into the unfolding legends that may alter their fates and the fate of their world, setting the stage for an epic conflict against the forces of subjugation stemming from Bas's immortal legacy.
Walter M. Miller
It Takes a Thief
"It Takes a Thief" by Walter M. Miller, Jr. is a science fiction short story published in the early 1950s. The narrative transports readers to a dying Mars, where myth, ritual, and the struggle for survival intertwine. The protagonist, Asir, a young thief, grapples with his dire fate of execution following his transgressions against the tribal order, navigating themes of knowledge, power, and the remnants of a once-great civilization. The story begins with Asir facing his execution but then shifts as he is unexpectedly spared, banished instead of executed. This turn of events propels him and the cunning Mara, daughter of a powerful kinsman, on an audacious adventure into the sacred vaults of the ancient Martians. As he uncovers the truth about the legendary creature, Big Joe, which guards the technologies needed to rekindle Mars’s dying atmosphere, Asir begins to forge a new identity. The story delves into Asir's struggle for redemption, highlighting the importance of knowledge and the potential to reclaim a lost civilization, all while entangled in a complex relationship with Mara that balances distrust and budding affection. Through their journey, Miller deftly explores the tension between myth and reality, challenging societal norms in pursuit of a greater purpose.
Alfred Coppel
Flight From Time
"Flight From Time" by Alfred Coppel is a science fiction narrative written during the mid-20th century. The story revolves around Malenson, a man who believes he can escape the consequences of his crimes by fleeing into the depths of space for an extended period. His journey serves as an exploration of isolation and the human perception of time, presenting a chilling reflection on the effects of solitude and the unwelcome surprises that can arise from seemingly well-laid plans. The plot follows Malenson as he steals a large sum of money and sets off into the galaxy, planning to hide from the law until the statute of limitations expires. Initially confident and in control of his fate, he soon faces a catastrophic malfunction with his ship's timekeeping systems, plunging him into a limbo of timelessness. Over the years, he becomes increasingly detached from reality, losing track of both time and his sense of self. As he returns to Earth, expecting to reclaim his life after what he perceives to be fifteen years, he is shocked to discover that only a little over two years have passed. The narrative culminates in a grim twist, revealing the true cost of his escapism as he faces arrest and the devastating effects of accelerated aging, leaving him a shell of his former self.
Murray Leinster
The Vault
"The Vault" by Murray Leinster is a short story written in the early 20th century, likely during the 1920s. This crime fiction tale revolves around a heist set in a jewelry and watch manufacturing plant, exploring themes of deception, betrayal, and the thrilling tension of a burglary in progress. The narrative follows an intruder's unexpected encounter with a bound man and the unfolding revelation of a nefarious plot that complicates what was initially intended to be a simple robbery. The story introduces Mike, a skilled burglar who breaks into the Whitney Jewelry & Watch Company, only to discover a man named Jack, tied up and helpless, in the vault room. Soon, Mike learns that Jack's boss, Saunders, is plotting to rob the company using Jack as a scapegoat to cover his crimes. Tension escalates as Mike overhears Saunders's plan to trap Jack in the vault, leading to a life-or-death situation for both men. In a frantic moment of panic, Mike inadvertently activates a switch that seals Saunders inside the vault, leaving him to face the consequences of his treachery. The story concludes with Mike escaping with part of the payroll, reflecting on the chaotic chain of events and the unexpected outcomes of the night's events.
Robert Silverberg
The guest rites
"The Guest Rites" by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction novella written in the late 1950s. The story is set on the planet Carthule, where the religious practices of its inhabitants revolve around their deity, Carthule, and the sacred concept of hospitality towards guests. The narrative explores themes of morality, sanctity, and cultural differences between the Earth's human travelers and the native inhabitants of Carthule. The plot follows Marik, the First Priest of Carthule, who encounters an Earthman lost in the desert. Despite the Earthman’s crime of stealing a precious gem from their temple, Marik is bound by the sacred Guest Rite to protect him while he is under their roof. As Marik grapples with his moral obligations and his rising suspicion of the Earthman, the latter's arrogance and sense of entitlement clash with the Carthulians' values. Throughout the story, the Earthman's inability to navigate the desert without a compass echoes a deeper commentary on the concept of guidance and the inherent conflict between different cultures. In the end, the Earthman becomes a reluctant permanent guest, unable to leave due to his theft and naivety, illustrating the persistent struggle between right and wrong, duty, and consequence.
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