Fingersmith, in 19th century London, was the name for a petty thief. Sue Trinder grew up in this underworld, as an orphan under the care of Mrs Sucksby and her loosely termed "family". Sue has no money, but a great deal of love.

Maud Lilly, also an orphan, is reclaimed from the orphanage when she is eleven years old by her uncle. He takes her to live with him in his large, bleak mansion with its secret library. Maud has no love, but a great deal of money. Money inherited through marriage.