by Scott Lynch
Part of Gentleman Bastard
First published 2009
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen arrive in Tal Verarr as fugitives from their destroyed past. The master thieves set their sights on the Sinspire, a gambling house so secure that nobody has ever stolen from it and survived. Locke craves this ultimate challenge. But before he can execute his elaborate scheme, a mysterious enemy captures the Gentleman Bastards and forces them into an unwanted job. The blackmailer demands their criminal skills for a specific purpose and threatens death if they refuse. Soon Locke and Jean find themselves thrust into the world of piracy, despite knowing nothing about ships or sailing. They must navigate deadly waters both literal and figurative while planning their escape. The thieves face enemies on multiple fronts as their carefully laid plans crumble around them. Lynch weaves together the impossible heist and the forced piracy into a tale where Locke's greatest strengths become his most dangerous weaknesses.
Genres: fiction, adventure, crime, fantasy
Vibes: clever, fast-paced, gritty, suspenseful, witty
Tropes: enemies-closing-in, forced-proximity, found-family, impossible-heist
Setting: Tal Verarr, Sinspire
628 pages · Paperback · Gollancz
Content warnings: death, violence