In John Creasey's favorite of his own novels, John Mannering - alias the
Baron - ventures to Australia. The `Alda insignia' is set to be sold at
auction but Mannering refuses to purchase it for a mysterious
Australian. However, when threatened by the seller's lawyers he sets off
Down Under, where he meets with a particularly hostile reception, to try
to uncover the truth. The Baron is not deterred and the plot thickens
when he comes across a manor house almost identical to one in England
and a family clearly divided between the two countries. At the centre is
a massive debt, precious jewels and, what's more, the affair of the
Picasso painting. Mannering might very well have his work cut out.
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 10 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 Writer's of America, latterly as
Grand Master.
