Need a list of fantasy books that have thievery in them

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

The "Hawk and Fisher" books by Simon Green. The main characters are cops, not thieves, but the city they inhabit is chock full o' scum. Good example of a grim and gritty setting, too. Also, a number of the stories incorporate 'classical' mysteries (the proverbial locked-room murder, for example).

 

[Shallown]

The Burning Realm and the Shattered world by Michael Reaves both feature thieves and assassin's and are quite good reads. Love the magic system as well.

Would make a great campaign world

later

 

[Lady Mer]

The Elenium (The Diamond Throne, The Ruby Knight and The Sapphire Rose) by David Eddings features several thieves. Same with the sequel series, The Tamuli (Domes of Fire, The Shining Ones and The Hidden City).

 

[barsoomcore]

Steven Erickson's The Gardens of the Moon features a thief who steals. Once. But yeah, there it is.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Probably out of print, but there's Joanna Russ' Adventures of Alyx.

I think a couple of the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer have some thievery going on.

There's also Kickaha from Philip Jose Farmer's World of Tiers. Did someone already mention him?

From mythology:

Hermes
Loki
Coyote
Spider (Anasasi myths)

 

[Drifter Bob]

I'm amazed that no-one mentioned Jack Vance's Eyes of the Overworld and Cugel's Saga

ME TO!!!!!

Though Michael Sheas Nifft the Lean stuff is somewhat close, being a direct derivitive.

For those interested, the D&D thief (now rogue, to the politically correct) class is based about 90% on Cugel from the Eyes of the Overworld and Cugels Saga, which are now available in paperback as the Dying Earth (along with all the other Dying Earth books).

Cugel isn't always a nice guy, but he's damn funny. If you like Gene Wolfe or Michael Shea or Fritz Lieber, you will probably really like Jack Vance.


DB

 

[CCamfield]

What no mention of Jack of Shadows by Roger Zelazny?!

Wow, that's shameful - I should have remembered! Jack also appeared in a short illustrated story called Shadowjack in The Illustrated Roger Zelazny.

The books I was trying to remember earlier were indeed by Lynn Flewelling, thanks guys.

 

[Steverooo]

There's also P. C. Hodgell's God Stalk and Dark of the Moon which have a female thief protagonist.

A Rage of Rathorns is in the same series. Good stuff!

 

[frankthedm]

artemis fowl

 

[diaglo]

don't forget the Ali Baba and the 40 thieves tales...