It usually creates a realistic story of the public and private life of English bourgeoisie.

It often portrays the hero (a young man) being disillusioned with the life and dissatisfied with his job and the society where he is unfit and deprived of normal rights.

In his novels, Ackroyd employs pastiche, intertextuality, parody, and reference.

It is a multi-layered story which often places a particular emphasis on exploring and chronicling the city of London, its history, literature, culture and people.