The 8 Best Caper Books Featuring Heists and Hijinks

The Heist

Why The Heist is on this list: With an intricate plot of audacious thievery and side-splitting hidden identities, 'The Heist' shimmies through the tiny loophole separating lawful order and roguish shenanigans, making it an absolute must-read in our list of caper classics. We can smell the hijinks from a mile away.

The Heist introduces us to an unlikely partnership of Kate O’Hare, a by-the-book FBI agent and Nick Fox, an international con man, who are forced to work together to bust an inside man. The duo chases clues while baiting traps, in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that takes them around the world.

What readers like: Readers carried along the suspenseful rollercoaster will love Evanovich's devilishly clever writing style, flecked with her signature humor. The dynamic bond between the two main characters is filled with sharp-tongued banter and sparks flying, creating an atmosphere of humor and intrigue. People with an appetite for espionage, witty dialogue, and at every unexpected turn, a new puzzling predicament, can't resist being pulled into the heart-racing escapade.

Key to Rebecca

Why Key to Rebecca is on this list: A classic in the caper genre, this book perfectly blends strategic heists with comical hijinks that'll keep you flipping the pages.

What readers like: Readers love Follett’s intricate and slow-burn storytelling style that keeps you on edge till the end. The painstaking detail and research that goes into the plot give it a realistic feel, while the dashes of humor make the suspense bearable. Plus, who doesn't love a clever spy story with a good old-fashioned code-breaking twist?

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Why The Lies of Locke Lamora is on this list: At the heart of this riveting tale, are swindling, scamming, and delightful skullduggery, as our charming con artist and his team turn Grand Larceny into a rogue art form.

Welcome to the world of the Gentleman Bastard sequence, where Locke Lamora is raised amongst the elite scam artists and law avoiders. Educated to pull off high-profile heists, he's a man who appreciates the finer things in life, especially when they've been nicked from the city’s faculties. But when a sinister figure from Locke's past comes to haunt him, things start to tumble out of control in a cascade of messy thievery and irresponsible behavior.

What readers like: Readers love the razor-sharp wit, the intricate plot, and the cheeky escapades. A highlight is the bond between the thieves, which adds warmth to the cold hearted activity of stealing other people's prized possessions and generally reveling in mischief making. If you're in for a thrilling rogue adventure, then hoist up your pirate flag and dive into the intricate world of Locke Lamora!

The Historian

Why The Historian is on this list: While not your typical heist book, The Historian is loaded with twists and turns as the lead characters go on a thrilling quest to uncover secrets - a 'historical heist' if you will.

This gripping novel takes you across Europe in search of the truth about the infamous Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula Our protagonist, a young woman, plunges herself into a world of history, academia, suspense and danger as she follows a trail of letters left by her missing father, herself becoming a historian of sorts. She dodges hostile librarians, explores crypts, and escapes capture in her mission to solve a personal and historical mystery. Not a classic caper, but a captivating theft of dark secrets and cryptic clues from history itself.

What readers like: Readers love the depth and sophistication of the storytelling, the historical details intertwined with the spellbinding adventure. The characters are richly drawn, and the suspense is skillfully maintained throughout. It's a captivating blend of history, suspense, and drama that keeps you guessing.

Fingersmith

Why Fingersmith is on this list: If you're after a book that treads the line between classic heist tales and wily mischief, look no further. 'Fingersmith' serves up a deliciously complex plot full of twists, turns, swindles and subterfuge. Plus, who doesn't love a good Victorian-era romp?

'Fingersmith' transports you to the grimy underbelly of 19th century London. It follows the story of Sue Trinder, a young thief raised in a den of crooks, who becomes the maid of an elegant woman, Maud Lilly. But there's a catch - Sue is part of a plot to swindle Maud of her inheritance. As the lines of deceit blur, surprises and double crosses keep on coming. It's a rollercoaster ride of dirty tricks and daring scams.

What readers like: Readers love the unpredictability of the narrative, the intricate scheming, and the dramatic upheavals. The way Waters portrays her characters with deep-rooted flaws and yet makes you root for them is quite the feat. Plus, the vivid descriptions of Victorian London pull you right into the murky world of pickpockets and swindlers.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Why Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is on this list:

This is not your typical detective story. In fact, 'detective' might not be the right word for Dirk Gently—it's more like 'universe plotter'. The plot involves a missing cat, ghosts, a time machine and a lot of coincidences that are, according to Dirk, interconnected. It's as much a mad ride as it is a mystery; it's an interwoven puzzle of absurdity, left for the reader to decode and connect.

What readers like: Fans appreciate the book's quirky humor, oddball characters, and delightfully nonsensical plot twists. They also love Adams' special brand of witty, intellectual humor and his knack for turning normal mysteries on their head. But mostly, readers just enjoy the sheer unpredictability of the book—it's kind of like a roller coaster for your brain.

City of Thieves

Why City of Thieves is on this list: City of Thieves isn't your typical heist story, but it is an adventure full of twists, turns and, yep, a daring caper that traces a path straight through the heart of wartime Leningrad.

Taking place during the horrific siege of Leningrad in the darkest days of World War II, this story focuses on two unlikely companions. Lev, a scrawny, chess-loving boy, and Koyla, a charming, roguish soldier, are thrown together and tasked with finding a dozen eggs for a Soviet colonel's daughter's wedding cake. Sounds simple, right? Except almost everything is scarce in the war-torn city, let alone eggs. This unlikely errand leads them through dangerous territories, high stakes encounters, and unlikely friendships.

What readers like: Readers have loved this book for its heart, humor, and high stakes adventure. Despite the grim setting, they praise Benioff's ability to weave a tale of friendship and hope in the most desperate situations. They've mentioned loving the charming dynamic between Lev and Koyla, leading to laugh out loud moments on one page and nail-biting tension on the next. Plus, it's a caper story served with a side of history, how many of those do you come across?

Six of Crows

Why Six of Crows is on this list: If you're on the look out for high stakes thefts, intricate plans, and tight-knit rogue teams full of fascinating characters each with their own bag of tricks, look no further. This book is the masterclass caper, grand heists, and hilarious hijinks. It's practically a manual on how to pull off the perfect job... in a fantasy world, of course.

Set in the gritty high-stakes world of the city of Ketterdam, this book follows a band of six unlikely outcasts forced together to pull off an impossible heist. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A convict with a thirst for revenge. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A spy known as the Wraith. And a runaway with a privileged past. They're the only ones who can stop cataclysmic destruction. If, that is, they can keep from killing each other first.

What readers like: Readers get a kick out of the ragtag gang of misfits, each with their own story and personality that lights up the pages. They love Bardugo’s knack for detailing complex and unfolding plots that keep you guessing until the very end. And let's not forget the dry and sarcastic banter that brings an extra layer of charm to this thrilling read.