Heist Fiction Writing Prompts to Plot the Perfect Caper
There’s something undeniably thrilling about a heist story. The clever planning, the unexpected twists, the adrenaline-pumping getaways — it’s the perfect recipe for an unputdownable tale. Whether you’re writing a gritty urban thriller or a fast-paced comedy caper, heist fiction offers endless possibilities.
These Heist Fiction Writing Prompts are designed to spark creativity Start building tension, and challenge your characters in the most entertaining ways. Let’s get plotting!
21 Heist Fiction Writing Prompts
- The Perfect Distraction:
During the city’s annual firework festival, a seasoned crew plans to rob the central bank. Each member has a specific role, from crowd control to hacking the traffic system, but things spiral when one team member unexpectedly disappears mid-job. - The Inside Job Gone Wrong:
A museum curator secretly works with an art theft ring. When a priceless sculpture disappears, her boss assigns her to the case. She investigates — and realises her own crew set her up. - Digital Ghosts:
A reclusive Cyber hacker is hired to hack into a billionaire’s cryptocurrency vault. But once inside the system, they discover an AI monitoring their every move — and it knows their real identity. - The Inheritance Heist:
A group of estranged siblings discovers their late father left behind a secret treasure, hidden behind layers of security in his estate. But to get it, they must work together… and revisit old betrayals. - Sky-High Robbery:
A luxury jet carrying diamonds is mid-flight when a crew disguised as cabin staff executes a heist in the air. But with nowhere to run, they must improvise a plan to land safely and escape undetected. - The Time-Locked Vault:
Every year on New Year’s Eve, a prestigious auction house opens a time-locked vault. This year, a crew plans to break in just before it opens. Which one of them has a personal vendetta that puts the entire operation at risk. - The Charity Scam:
A criminal crew hosts a glamorous charity gala to launder a stash of stolen jewels. When an undercover journalist infiltrates the operation to expose them, they begin to connect with the crew’s mission — and question whose side they’re really on. - Old Habits Die Hard:
A retired getaway driver enjoys a quiet life in the countryside — until their niece lands in trouble during a botched heist. With time running out, the driver jumps back behind the wheel and tracks down former allies, each carrying old grudges and unfinished business. - The Reverse Heist:
Instead of stealing something, the crew’s job is to secretly return a stolen artefact without anyone noticing — especially the powerful crime syndicate they accidentally stole it from. - Escape Room of Secrets:
A billionaire hosts an exclusive escape room experience. Unfortunately it’s actually a trap to test potential thieves for a high-stakes heist he’s planning. The players must figure out whether to go along with it or turn the tables on their host. - The Locked City:
After a cyberattack shuts down all communications, a criminal mastermind uses the chaos to target the city’s high-tech data bank. But the isolated streets are patrolled by drones, and one rogue operator may be onto them. - The Rival’s Riddle:
A legendary thief leaves behind a trail of clues to the location of their final score. Two rival crews race to crack the riddles, but sabotage, misdirection, and betrayal lie around every corner. - Undercover in Paris:
An MI5 agent goes deep undercover with an international art theft ring operating out of Paris. But when she begins falling for the charming but ruthless crew leader, her loyalty is pushed to the edge. - Train of Treasures:
A historic steam train carrying royal artefacts is en route to a museum exhibit. A crew plans a classic train robbery. A teenage stowaway overhears their plan and demands a cut — or threatens to blow the whistle. - The Vault Beneath the Opera House:
Hidden beneath a 19th-century opera house is a forgotten vault filled with war-time gold. A team of stagehands and performers use the show’s set pieces and tunnels to stage the most dramatic heist the city has never seen. - Last Job Before Prison:
With 48 hours until their prison sentence begins, a notorious thief takes one last job — not for the money, but to clear the name of a wrongly accused friend. Every minute counts. - The Stolen Cure:
A top-secret lab creates a breakthrough cure for a deadly virus, but the formula is locked away for profit. A rogue scientist assembles a crew to steal it and leak it to the world — but corporate assassins are already closing in. - The Heist That Wasn’t:
A retired getaway driver lives quietly in the countryside. When their niece gets caught in a failed heist, they jump back into action. With time running out, they round up old crew members — all with grudges to settle. - Family Business:
A legendary criminal family reunites after years apart for one last heist — robbing the man who tore their family apart. But the job digs up old wounds, and not everyone is ready to forgive and forget. - The Deep Dive:
An underwater casino built into an old oil rig houses a vault filled with gold chips. A specialist crew of divers and con artists must break in during a weekend tournament, battling time, pressure, and betrayal. - A Heist Told Backwards:
The story begins with the successful getaway, but as the crew celebrates, strange things start to unravel. Flashbacks reveal a series of lies and twists that slowly dismantle the illusion of the “perfect” job.
Heist fiction is all about daring plans, unlikely alliances, and the thrill of the unknown. These prompts are a brilliant springboard for your next novel, short story, or writing exercise. Whether you’re going for gritty realism or light-hearted antics, there’s a prompt here to help you crack the safe and uncover your next big idea.
Got a favourite prompt from the list? Or have you written a story inspired by one of these ideas? I’d love to hear about it.