Book Description:
An African Millionaire is a witty and groundbreaking collection of linked detective stories by Grant Allen, first published in 1897. The book follows the misadventures of Sir Charles Van Drift, a wealthy South African diamond magnate, who is repeatedly outwitted by the elusive and cunning con artist Colonel Clay.
Each episode features Colonel Clay adopting a new identity and elaborate disguise to defraud Sir Charles, who, despite his wealth and self-assurance, is no match for the criminal’s intelligence and charm. With each caper, Allen satirizes the arrogance of the wealthy and the moral ambiguity of clever crime.
Recognized as one of the earliest examples of a fictional rogue protagonist, An African Millionaire paved the way for later con-artist and gentleman-thief characters like Raffles and Arsène Lupin. Clever, fast-paced, and richly entertaining, it remains a seminal work in the evolution of the modern crime story.
