A.J. Raffles, a gentleman thief and cricket enthusiast, navigates the social strata of late Victorian society while executing elaborate heists with his accomplice, Bunny Manders. Operating within the rigid class structures of the era, Raffles utilizes his status as a man-about-town to gain access to the homes of the wealthy. He and Manders face constant pressure to maintain their cover while evading detection by the authorities. The narrative framework consists of a series of interconnected short stories, primarily told from the perspective of Manders, which document their exploits across various international settings. The physical constraints of the world are defined by the technological and social limitations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the charm and wit inherent in the dynamic between Raffles and Manders. Discussion often centers on how the stories reflect the specific social anxieties and values of the late Victorian period. Many observers note that the pacing remains brisk, favoring clever plot twists over deep psychological introspection. The balance between the lighthearted nature of the crimes and the increasing sense of consequence provides a nuanced look at the anti-hero archetype. These stories remain a significant reference point for the development of the gentleman thief character in subsequent crime fiction.