
On a scorching August night, a weary narrator seeks refuge from the heat by dangling in a hammock on a fire‑escape, his thoughts drifting between cigars and the oppressive summer air. Suddenly, a shadowy figure slips through a kitchen window and climbs the fire‑escape with the silence of a cat, catching the narrator’s attention. He watches the intruder—later revealed as the charismatic Raffles Holmes—inspect the building with a lantern that flickers out as quickly as his movements. This moment sets a playful tone for a series of capers where wit and daring meet.
Each tale follows Holmes as he balances his reputation as a brilliant detective with a gentleman thief’s flair, tackling mysteries from stolen jewels to baffling burglaries. The narrator’s witty commentary highlights the quirks of the colourful tenants and the eccentric London backdrop. Listeners can expect clever dialogue, playful twists, and a charming blend of mystery and comedy that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It’s a delightful listen for anyone who enjoys a clever sleuth willing to bend the rules for a good story.
Full title
R. Holmes & Co. Being the Remarkable Adventures of Raffles Holmes, Esq., Detective and Amateur Cracksman by Birth
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (184K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-02-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1922
Best remembered for witty, imaginative stories that helped shape what later came to be called Bangsian fantasy, this American humorist delighted readers with playful takes on the afterlife, politics, and everyday absurdity. He also had a lively career in magazine editing, bringing his sharp comic voice to both fiction and journalism.
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