A gentleman thief navigates the high society of Victorian London while executing elaborate burglaries under the guise of a respectable sportsman. Arthur J. Raffles, a renowned cricketer and socialite, utilizes his status to gain access to the homes of the wealthy, where he systematically relieves them of their valuables. He is accompanied by his former schoolmate, Bunny Manders, who serves as his reluctant accomplice and chronicler. The narrative framework is presented through Bunny's first-person perspective, detailing the moral ambiguity of their criminal exploits. They operate within the strict social hierarchies of the late 19th century, where reputation is the primary defense against suspicion.

Readers frequently highlight the influence of this work on the development of the gentleman thief archetype in crime fiction. Discussion often centers on the complex, often parasitic relationship between Raffles and his narrator, Bunny. Critics note the stylistic elegance of the prose, which captures the atmosphere of the late Victorian era with precision. The pacing is generally considered brisk, reflecting the high-stakes nature of the burglaries described in each installment. Many readers appreciate the subversion of traditional detective tropes by placing the criminal at the center of the narrative focus.