It seemed like an ordinary theft by night, at first. So why then should John Mannering, aka the Baron, take an interest? The reason ? the scene of the crime, Quinns, was owned by Mannering and known across the globe for its rare, old and beautiful things. For the first time, the Baron finds himself the victim of theft, as well as a suspect in a cold-blooded murder case.

Master crime fiction writer John Creasey's near 600 titles have sold more than 80 million copies in over 25 languages across 100 countries under both his own name and more than 20 other pseudonyms. His style varied with each identity and led to him being regarded as a literary phenomenon. Amongst the many series written were Gideon of Scotland Yard, The Toff, The Baron, Dr. Palfrey and Inspector West, as JJ Marric, Michael Halliday, Patrick Dawlish and others.