Gentle Grafter by O. Henry is a collection of short stories that showcases the author's witty and clever writing style. Each story features a con artist or swindler who uses their charm and cunning to achieve their goals. While some of the characters may be morally questionable, O. Henry manages to make them endearing and relatable to the reader.

One of the highlights of the book is O. Henry's ability to create intricate plots with unexpected twists. Readers will find themselves drawn into each story as they try to anticipate how the protagonist will outsmart their adversaries. The dialogue is sharp and humorous, adding to the overall entertainment value of the book.

Overall, Gentle Grafter is a delightful and entertaining read for fans of clever storytelling and engaging characters. O. Henry's unique voice and perspective make this collection of stories a standout in the genre of crime fiction.

Book Description:
If Jefferson "Parleyvoo" Pickens had appeared in print just a few years later, he might have been the "Gentle Grifter" instead of the "Gentle Grafter", the name O. Henry picked for him. His situation as an ethical graft artist gives Jeff an extra impediment in pursuing his craft, but he never wanted it to be too easy. The result is fourteen delightful tales for us and a number of new partners for him. With those partners (he always has at least one) he works his way through a number of confidence games. Some they win, some they lose, some go into extra innings. They seem never to end just the way you figure they will. In the end he conquers almost all, except for the English language, which often seems to defeat him. (Intro by Leslie Walden)