When the Royal Hotel falls victim to theft, and every one of its rooms is ransacked, John Mannering - alias The Baron - is one of the first guests that Superintendent Bristow wishes to see. Nearly 15,000 pounds worth of jewellery has vanished. And when Mannering receives a call from a man with diamonds to sell and a confession to make, the scene is set for another thrilling John Creasey mystery.?

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 multiple 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 J. J. 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 audience and also by many awards, not least of which was being honoured twice by the Mystery Writers of America, latterly as Grand Master.