A Trap to Catch a Cracksman by E W Hornung

In the glittering world of Edwardian London, where wealth flaunts itself shamelessly, a brash American boxer throws down an irresistible gauntlet. Barney Maguire, flush with prize money and sporting gaudy trophies, boasts of an unbeatable trap for thieves in his opulent Half-moon Street residence. Enter A.J. Raffles, gentleman thief extraordinaire, whose code of honor is matched only by his appetite for challenge. When Maguire's ostentatious display of riches collides with Raffles' unquenchable thirst for adventure, the stage is set for a battle of wits that will test the limits of cunning and audacity.
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[@sheilakethley5351]

The older I get, the more I like those explanations at the end of a detective story!

[@nct948]

Just to let you know: St Jean de Luz is by the Atlantic ocean, not far from the Spanish frontier. In France, we have a similar gentleman cracksman called Arsene Lupin,created in 1905.

[@classicdetective]

Ah yes, I know of him! Thank you for the geographical information :)

[@carolmikolj5134]

Great to hear a Raffles story. A cracksman is a term for a safebreaker.

[@debbiethompson6240]

Safecracker

[@TeresaHolloway-xc2ss]

I LOVE RAFFLES STORIES

[@davidreed9671]

Surely Raffles was actually a professional cracksman and an amateur cricketer ? BBC radio did a very funny take on this story

[@classicdetective]

fair point

[@soundsilence2604]

Appreciated the commentary on this one, as I'd never caught the Holmes parody.

[@Story-Voracious66]

This was great! 👏👏👏
Thanks Tony.
I think that McGuire is my favorite of all the characters you have played.
Very, very entertaining.
💗💗💗

[@shadownet3d]

Highly enjoyable! Great narration and afterthoughts as always!

[@kristinabaade2343]

My new favorite - so funny!!!😂

[@ScottishLeo]

Ikr 😂

[@TeresaHolloway-xc2ss]

THANK YOU

[@thurayya8905]

Unbelievably, although I have heard of Raffles, I don't think I have ever read any of the stories. Thank you for introducing us.

[@michaelgreaves2375]

Raffles!!! These are Good.

[@indigobunting2431]

The ending very clipped. Lovely speaking voice.

[@yesterdayitrained]

The best! Tony is so versatile- such a talent!

[@shirleybewley6646]

Great story! Love the back story of the author too!

[@doreekaplan2589]

"On the right side of the Atlantic." There's a wrong side? Pretty silly.

[@AlgorithmEngagementEntity]

Thanks for the introduction to Raffles and Bunny, amusing antihero Watson Sherlock. Found their origin story equally entertaining

[@BertieShaul-mn4qc]

This was a wonderful story! Good commentary! ❤❤😊😊🎉🎉

[@AlgorithmEngagementEntity]

Thanks, Tony. Always the proper chaser

[@MaggieatPlay]

Thank you, Tony! Loved the Raffles story.

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Splendid!!
(When I st moved to Carlisle, I used to wonder why Raffles, had his name was spray-painted Everywhere!!)
~Until I lived there for a while!!

[@MartiWilliams-r2z]

Very enjoyable. Thanks for introducing Raffles, new to me anyway. As always you're the best, Tony.

[@judikingsman6132]

I know of Raffles hotel. I've heard of Raffles the crook but this is my first listening to a Raffles story ❤❤❤❤

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Oh, the Brits and their American lingo!!!
The dialogue, not the reading.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

I know you carefully research each change to your channel so I will simply accept them.

[@soylentgreennewdealtimeshare]

A sound engineer should deesser to soften sibilance and carve out the frequencies highlighting some clicking and plosives.