The following version of this book was used to create the guide: James, Tania. Loot. Penguin Random House LLC, 2023.

Tania James's novel Loot is predominantly written from the third person point of view and in the present tense. Spanning two continents and over 50 years, the novel traces the lives of key characters including Abbas, Lucien Du Leze, and Jehanne as they attempt to exact their dreams through times of significant political upheaval. The following summary abides by a streamlined and linear mode of explanation.

In 1794, Abbas is still a young man when he is summoned to the Summer Palace by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Srirangapatna, Mysore. When Abbas arrives, the sultan informs him that he has heard of his expertise in making toys. He therefore wants Abbas to help a resident French inventor named Lucien Du Leze design and build an automaton for him. Although sad to leave his home and family, Abbas is grateful for the opportunity.

Abbas and Du Leze begin designing and building the automaton. The mechanism is meant to depict a tiger attacking a man, symbolic of India's power in spite of its colonization. Over the course of Abbas and Du Leze's time working together, Abbas becomes increasingly attached to Du Leze.

Shortly after Abbas and Du Leze unveil the automaton to Tipu and the court, Du Leze disappears. Abbas is stunned to find him comatose in bed after ingesting poison. After he revives Du Leze, he begs him never to harm himself again.

For the next several years, Abbas apprentices under Du Leze at the Summer Palace. He is hopeful that after completing the apprenticeship he will become a renowned clockmaker in the region. These plans are derailed, however, when Du Leze returns to France with his acquaintance Martine and his daughter Jehanne. Shortly after their departure, England invades, Tipu dies, and Abbas flees.

Abbas signs a contract with the East India Company, joining the Peppercorn crew. He plans to break the contract, and simply use the ship to secure his voyage to France where he will finally reunite with Du Leze. A series of unpredictable events, however, extends his journey. He therefore does not arrive in Rouen, France until after Du Leze is dead.

Although Jehanne barely knew Abbas before, she welcomes him to live and work with her in Rouen. The two soon develop a plan to procure the automaton from an elite woman in England, Lady Agnes Selwyn. She acquired the automaton after the siege, as her husband gave it to her as a gift.

Jehanne and Abbas write to Lady Selwyn and secure an audience with her. Although they have come to allegedly show Lady Selwyn other Tipu artifacts that might interest her, Lady Selwyn's valet Rum distrusts their motives. Although the two do everything in their power to recover the automaton, their efforts ultimately fail. One night, Agnes accidentally lights her own house on fire when she falls asleep smoking. The automaton survives, but Agnes dies.

Jehanne and Abbas do their best to acclimate to their lives back in Rouen. Noticing Abbas's withdrawn demeanor, Jehanne encourages him to try making toys again, as he loved this pastime when he was a young man. Although initially reluctant, Abbas does take Jehanne's advice. Together, the two go on to develop a crying baby doll, which they manufacture and sell throughout the region. They develop a romantic and business partnership thereafter, affording them reconciliation with their pasts and hope for their futures.