Two Crafty Criminals! by Philip Pullman, published in 2011, is a charming and witty collection of two novellas, “Thunderbolt’s Waxwork” and “The Gas-Fitters’ Ball,” featuring the New Cut Gang, a lively band of Victorian children navigating the bustling streets of 1894 London. Packed with mischief, adventure, and humor, Pullman transports readers to a world of counterfeiters, waxworks, and daring schemes.

Plot Summary

On a misty November evening in Lambeth, London, 1894, Thunderbolt Dobney, a shy and scholarly boy with a passion for collecting curiosities, stood outside the Waxwork Museum, proudly holding a lump of lead traded from a classmate. This small victory is overshadowed as his eyes and those of his ragtag companions – Benny Kaminsky, the cunning leader of the New Cut Gang; Bridie Malone, fierce and red-haired; Sharky Bob, her food-loving little brother; and the mild-mannered Dippy Hitchcock, the local chestnut seller – are drawn to the museum poster advertising the ghastly “Death of a Thousand Cuts.”

Drawn by hunger rather than horror, they drift toward Dippy’s chestnut stand, where they laugh over dreams and schemes. Dippy, with wistful eyes, reveals his greatest wish: to be immortalized as a waxwork. Benny, a boy of endless plans, immediately vows to make it happen. Yet, the mood darkens when Benny bites into a shiny sixpence Dippy gives him as change and discovers it’s counterfeit. The gang’s playful evening turns to whispers of suspicion and the thrill of unraveling a mystery.

Back home, Thunderbolt tends to his eccentric father, an inventor tinkering late into the night in their basement. But soon, unease creeps into Thunderbolt’s heart. His father’s secrecy, the presence of strange tools and electrical contraptions, and the coincidence of the counterfeit coins begin to gnaw at him. When the police storm the house, arresting Mr. Dobney for coining offenses, Thunderbolt’s world cracks. His father’s bewildered face behind the iron grip of the constable sears into his mind as he flees into the night, hiding in a cold stable loft.

Bridie finds him shivering under a mound of straw, pie in hand, and together with Benny, the gang decides to take matters into their own hands. Benny’s detective ambitions surge to the fore. The New Cut Gang splits up, fanning across London to trace the spread of the fake coins. Thunderbolt, trembling between loyalty and dread, learns from local beggars that passing counterfeit money requires a network of “smashers.” Meanwhile, Bridie and Sharky discover that the forged coins seem to center around Rummage’s Emporium, a sprawling department store ruled by the loud, bad-tempered Mr. Rummage. Benny, visiting old detective contacts, returns triumphant with a vital clue: all the counterfeit coins are dated 1878.

The revelation hits like a spark in dry straw. That date points back to Stamper Billings, a long-dead coiner who once operated beneath the very spot where Rummage’s Emporium now stands. Benny’s mind races: Rummage must have unearthed a hidden stash during recent renovations. Yet suspicion alone will not free Thunderbolt’s father.

With their waxwork Dippy dummy half-assembled and wobbling in the stable loft, the gang devises a plan. They will catch Rummage red-handed. The scheme grows chaotic as a mysterious Frenchman – perhaps an art thief or perhaps just a lunatic – blunders into the loft and tumbles away into the night, chased by the stable’s angry horse and a pack of dogs. Still, Benny’s determination remains unshaken. They must “slum” the coins, dirty them to appear old, and trick Rummage into handling them in the open.

As the fog deepens over Lambeth, the gang sets their trap. Dippy, loyal despite his longing for waxwork fame, agrees to plant the idea in Rummage’s ear. Benny borrows a detective’s camera, Bridie prepares the distractions, and Thunderbolt, heart thudding, overcomes his fears to help. The bustling Emporium, with its glittering counters and harried clerks, becomes the stage for their final act.

Inside, Rummage, red-faced and blustering as always, falls neatly into the snare. Caught by the camera’s eye, slumming the ancient coins to disguise their freshness, he doesn’t notice the children darting through the aisles like spirits in the mist. Moments later, Benny and Bridie rush to the nearest constable, their evidence clutched tight.

The truth tumbles out like coins from a broken purse. The police raid the Emporium, finding not only the counterfeit stash but the tools hidden behind false panels in the basement. Mr. Dobney is released, bewildered and grateful, though he never quite understands how his son and his wild band of friends saved him from the gallows.

That evening, the gang gathers in the stable loft under the sputtering glow of a candle lantern. Thunderbolt, his shoulders lighter, watches Bridie scold Sharky Bob for trying to eat a wax ear. Benny, triumphant but already plotting his next scheme, imagines a future where the New Cut Gang becomes London’s most famous detectives. And Dippy, gentle Dippy, gets his moment of fame – not in wax perhaps, but in the hearts of the children who made sure his wish mattered.

Outside, London swirls with fog and lamp glow, the streets humming with the footsteps of merchants, beggars, thieves, and dreamers. The New Cut Gang, victorious and undefeated, leans back in their makeshift hideout, the echoes of laughter mingling with the soft hooves of horses and the distant clatter of the city. For now, all is well. Tomorrow, there will be new schemes, new villains, and new adventures. But tonight, there is only the warmth of friendship, the triumph of justice, and the quiet satisfaction that even the smallest heroes can change the course of a world far bigger than themselves.

Main Characters

• Benny Kaminsky: The charismatic, quick-thinking leader of the New Cut Gang. Benny is a boy with a boundless imagination, whose sharp mind concocts wild schemes and plans, always pulling the gang into thrilling adventures. His confidence sometimes borders on overambition, but his loyalty to his friends makes him a natural leader.

• Thunderbolt Dobney (Samuel Dobney): A thoughtful, earnest boy with a scholarly streak and a passion for collecting oddities. Thunderbolt’s nickname comes from a rare burst of bravery, but usually, he is the gentle, cautious counterweight to Benny’s boldness. His personal arc centers on family loyalty, especially when his father is falsely accused.

• Bridie Malone: Red-haired, fiery, and fiercely protective of her younger brother, Bridie is a force to be reckoned with. She’s practical, sharp-tongued, and courageous, often acting as the voice of reason within the gang, and is instrumental in cooking up and executing plans.

• Sharky Bob: Bridie’s younger brother, known for his good-natured, easygoing attitude and an almost supernatural ability to eat anything. Though not the brightest, Sharky’s innocent charm and unexpected contributions often bring surprising help to the gang.

• Dippy Hitchcock: An endearing, elderly chestnut seller with dreams of being immortalized as a waxwork figure. His longing for recognition gives the gang one of their main missions, and his vulnerability makes him a beloved figure in the group’s circle.

• Mr. Dobney (Thunderbolt’s father): A struggling inventor with a warm heart, whose wrongful arrest on counterfeiting charges becomes one of the central conflicts. His quiet resilience and affection for Thunderbolt add emotional depth to the story.

• Mr. Rummage: The blustering, greedy owner of Rummage’s Emporium. His scornful treatment of the children and suspected criminal activities position him as a key antagonist in the counterfeit plotline.

Theme

• Friendship and Loyalty: The gang’s adventures highlight the strength of friendship and the deep loyalty they show toward one another, especially in times of crisis. When Thunderbolt’s father is accused of a crime, the gang’s united effort to clear his name shows the power of standing together.

• Justice and Morality: The children grapple with questions of right and wrong, often venturing into morally gray areas to achieve justice. Their determination to see fairness prevail, even against corrupt adults, underscores the theme of youthful integrity.

• Class and Society: Set in working-class Victorian London, the stories explore class divisions and the struggles of the poor. Characters like Dippy and Thunderbolt’s father dream of better lives, while figures like Mr. Rummage wield power and money, often unjustly.

• Ingenuity and Resourcefulness: Throughout their adventures, the gang relies on clever thinking, improvisation, and resilience. Their childlike inventiveness not only drives the plot but also celebrates the creativity of young minds in overcoming adult challenges.

Writing Style and Tone

Philip Pullman’s writing style in Two Crafty Criminals! sparkles with humor, warmth, and a playful energy that perfectly suits the Victorian setting. His language blends period-appropriate dialogue and descriptions with witty, modern storytelling that feels both authentic and accessible to young readers. The narration often carries a sly, knowing tone, as if the storyteller is sharing a delightful secret with the audience.

Pullman masterfully balances suspense and comedy, shifting between the tension of crime-solving and the charm of everyday moments, like Bridie cooking herrings or Benny’s grand schemes. His vivid descriptions bring the foggy streets, bustling markets, and chaotic households to life. The tone is fundamentally optimistic, celebrating the pluck and determination of underdog characters, yet it doesn’t shy away from the hardships of poverty, injustice, and the sometimes cruel adult world.