Sue Trinder is a "fingersmith"—a pickpocket—living in the London slums. Orphaned as an infant, she was raised by Mrs. Sucksby, who trained her to be a thief. When Richard "Gentleman" Rivers comes to them with an elaborate scheme to swindle the rich Maud Lilly of her inheritance, Sue agrees to befriend Maud by becoming her maid. But as Sue and Maud grow closer, Sue begins to doubt her commitment to the scam.