A Trap to Catch a Cracksman
A Trap to Catch a Cracksman is a short story written by E.W. Hornung in 1897. It follows the adventures of A.J. Raffles, a gentleman thief who uses his skills and wits to steal from the wealthy. In this particular story, Raffles sets up a trap for a rival cracksman named Crawshay, who has been stealing from him. The plan involves using a fake safe to lure Crawshay into a trap, where he is caught and arrested by the police.
By E.W. Hornung · First published 1899 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller · 8,224 words
First lines
I was just putting out my light when the telephone rang a furious tocsin in the next room. I flounced out of bed more asleep than awake; in another minute I should have been past ringing up. It was one o'clock in the morning, and I had been dining with Swigger Morrison at his club.
"Hulloa!"
What this Textopian page supports
A Trap to Catch a Cracksman is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.W. Hornung, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: E.W. Hornung
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Adventure, Detective Fiction
- Length: 8,224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 168 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Trap to Catch a Cracksman by E.W. Hornung
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Trap to Catch a Cracksman?
- How does this novel by E.W. Hornung fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Crime Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Chest Of Silver by E. W. Hornung
- A Burgling Incident by Arthur Morrison
- The Raffles Relics by E. W. Hornung
- The Shadow Of A Man by E. W. Hornung
- A Bad Night by E. W. Hornung
- No Hero by E. W. Hornung
Genres
- Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around a burglary and the clever tactics employed by the protagonist, Raffles, to outsmart a notorious pugilist.
- Mystery — The story involves suspense and the unraveling of a trap set for a burglar, creating an atmosphere of intrigue.
- Thriller — The narrative includes elements of danger and tension, particularly surrounding Raffles' predicament and the threat posed by Maguire.
- Adventure — The characters engage in a risky endeavor that involves stealth and cunning, typical of adventure narratives.
Tags
crime · mystery · detective · thief · heist · suspense · intrigue · London · victorian · adventure · plot twist · cunning