When the Earl of Lithom, a highly skilled rider, is thrown by his horse and dies of a broken neck, some question whether it is an accident or a murder. What?s more, Gloria, his stunning daughter and heiress, claims to have seen a bloody corpse in the library, its throat slit. Was this a hallucination or a murder? John Mannering - alias the Baron - must seek the answers to these questions, all the while facing a thrilling mixture of danger, temptation, espionage and even death.

Master crime fiction writer John Creasey's near 600 titles have sold more than 80 million copies in over 25 languages under both his own name and over 25 other pseudonyms. His style varied with each identity and led to him being regarded as a literary phenomena. 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.

During his lifetime Creasey enjoyed an ever increasing reputation both in the UK and overseas, especially the USA. This was further enhanced by constant revision of his works in order to assure the best possible be presented to his readers and also by many awards, not least of which was being honoured twice by the Mystery Writer's of America, latterly as Grand Master.