The Great Game
In 1905, A.J. Raffles, the “Gentleman Thief” or “Amateur Cracksman”, is reconnoitering a country house for jewels to burgle when he witnesses the aftermath of a macabre murder. Together with his off-sider “Bunny”, he then happens upon an even worse massacre of three family members. (In this reboot of the Raffles character created by E.W. Hornung, “Bunny” is now Indian trainee barrister, Balvinder dev Singh, who is the story’s narrator.)
When it appears senior public figures or imperial officials are the targets, the under-secretary for the colonies, Winston Churchill, recruits the pair in conjunction with Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson to help solve the crimes. Singh wonders if Holmes is aware that Raffles is a crook, but he agrees with their inclusion. “Who, after all is better placed to catch a criminal mastermind than a pair of accomplished criminals?” Singh is selected to infiltrate anti-imperialist groups that may be involved. In the process, he meets spirited Irish radical, Maud, with whom he has a relationship.
This reincarnation of both Raffles and Holmes is refreshingly different, as it is seen through the eyes of one of Britain’s colonial subjects who is conflicted, benefiting from the Empire’s opportunities while also aware of its dark side. In addition to Churchill, there are cameos of other real-life individuals. Plus, there’s another fictional character with a background that some readers may recognise, although here he is far more monstrous than his legendary Hollywood image. The result of an anticipated terrorism event is delightfully quirky, as is the closing scene featuring the latter character with some of his African “friends”.
Written with panache, imagination and wit, as well as displaying shrewd insight into the inequities of the Empire during the Edwardian era, this exceptional mash-up of fiction and reality is vividly entertaining and highly recommended.
