The Baron Series

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) makes his first appearance in this volume. Lord Fauntley cannot help showing off both his daughter and the security under which his precious jewels are kept. Mannering finds himself attracted to both .... Money is tight and so he plans a burglary, but this fails and unexpected consequences result. The relationship with Lorna Fauntley flourishes, and a series of high profile thefts and adventures ensure Mannering’s future, so he believes, until Lorna equates him with ‘The Baron’. One of the many further twists in this award winning novel occurs when the police appear to seek Mannering’s help, only to have everything turned upside down as the plot develops . . .

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) bought the Dellamont Emeralds in Paris. They were beautiful, expensive - and sinister. But Mannering, connoisseur of precious gems, chose to ignore their history of misfortune. Then things began to happen - an attempted robbery of the famous jewels; and a quarrel with Lorna Fauntley. Seemingly separate incidents, yet all connected. The strangest thing of all was that someone was impersonating the Baron ….

A thief has ransacked every room in the Royal Hotel. Old friendships and connections are called upon and Superintendent Bristow of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. He discovers John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) is a guest, along with his wife, Lorna. Valuable jewellery has been stolen and there is clearly an abiding suspicion – but then comes a mysterious call. A man has two diamonds to sell and also has a very surprising confession to make to Mannering …

Retired gentleman cracksman, John Mannering, (aka ‘The Baron’), who runs Quinns Antiques in Mayfair, is faced with reverting to his old profession in an effort to save the life of a man accused of murder. The suspense is literally killing and even ‘The Baron’ is not sure of the man’s innocence. He gets involved to the point where he too is in danger of being suspected as an accomplice and the reader is kept on edge right up until a very unexpected climax and solution to the mystery is revealed.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) pulled his scarf up so as to hide his face. A casual observer from a window above would probably not even notice him. The finest jewel thief in London was utilising all of his skills to nail a crooked Solicitor. Mannering’s friend could be ruined by documents contained in the lawyer’s strong-room and so he risks all, especially his freedom, to get them back.

The Kallinov jewels were, for the first time in many years, to be collected together under one roof, and John Mannering was invited to add his own Gloria diamonds. What was not realised, however, was that Mannering was in fact the legendary ‘Baron’, a highly successful jewel thief! Then, Mannering hears a gunshot in the middle of the night and witnesses the entire collection being driven away by thieves.To make matters worse, he then receives a note from the thieves which makes it abundantly clear that he is probably going to be framed for the theft, and so finds himself hemmed in from all sides.

John Mannering, retired jewel thief known as ‘The Baron’, now runs Quinns, an antique shop in London’s Mayfair. He is offered a superb set of diamonds which turn out to have been stolen in a daring robbery from the Louvre in Paris. Mannering is now faces a dangerous dilemma, because the jewels may lead him to a murderer, with a further possible death to be prevented; and at the same time he is tempted to return to his old profession, at least to the extent of handling the diamonds. His decision leads to a daring and dangerous adventure, in which he is kidnapped and threatened with death, and which has all the hallmarks of being one of his most exciting escapades.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) is a former cracksman and jewel thief who is occasionally consulted by Scotland Yard when there is a particularly difficult, or mysterious, case to solve. Seemingly reluctantly, Superintendent Bristow contacts him because the police need help in tracking down some stolen precious stones, which have so far eluded them. Mannering suspects some sort of elaborate trap is being set and so very carefully lays down his own terms before rendering assistance. Then things change dramatically as the crime being investigated escalates from theft to murder. Were Mannering’s instincts correct in the first place?

The Earl of Lithorn is a very skilled rider, who nevertheless one day gets thrown by his horse and breaks his neck. Meanwhile, his daughter and heiress claims to have seen a corpse in the library with its throat slit. Is she hallucinating, or is there some deeper mystery that also extends to the death of the Earl? John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) investigates and is soon embroiled in a case that involves not just murder, but espionage and very real danger to himself.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) had purchased the Adalgo diamond, primarily out of curiosity as it was known as the ‘Blood Diamond’ because violent death had overtaken so many of its previous owners. Mannering did not believe in such myths, but soon after he was robbed, his wife was kidnapped and a friend was brutally murdered. Just what was the truth behind the legend and could Mannering solve the various mysteries? The suspense may be killing, but it lasts right up until the end!

When John Mannering - alias the Baron - picked up the receiver he heard a frightened man at the end of the line. When he later opened his front door he found a superbly confidant and supremely beautiful woman standing there. She had been robbed of diamonds and she needed Mannering's help. Were the two linked? As the story unfolds it consumes Mannering's friends and enemies, and sees the Baron and his wife put in grave danger. As the tension increases and time ticks by, Mannering must use his wits to escape the trap by which he has been ensnared and in which he might ultimately perish.

Dealer John Mannering (aka 'The Baron) is on his way to buy some famous emeralds at a country mansion. His journey is interrupted, however, and then two strangers warn him his life is in danger. How does he proceed?

Once the inheritance of a noble family, the five beautiful jewels of Castile were stolen, separated and their identity lost. Few men could recognize them for what they were, but John Mannering, alias ‘The Baron’ was such a man. In pursuit of jewels, Mannering has the misfortune to come up against three of the ugliest criminals he has ever met. To these men, robbery and violence are merely a game, and the Baron an inconvenient pawn who must fight for his life as well as the prize.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) is a retired jewel thief, known as the best in the business. Nonetheless he is tempted back into his former occupation by an offer from a strange Frenchman who visits him one evening. As a result, he is involved in a search for a famous collection of precious stones that have been smuggled into the country. Having agreed to help, however, he finds himself at odds with his old friend Superintendent Bristow of Scotland Yard, and on the run as The Baron once again …..

John Mannering (‘The Baron’) is called in by Scotland Yard’s Superintendent Bristow to help catch the mysterious jewel thief ‘The Shadow’. No one knows the thief’s identity, but he has managed to pull off many high profile robberies. However, as Mannering proceeds to track down the target, he finds the pursuer becomes the pursued . . . .

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) runs Quinns, an upmarket emporium in London’s Mayfair. He is often called upon to solve difficult crimes, but this one is different. ‘The Baron’ is himself the victim as Quinns has suffered a night time burglary. To make matters worse, a cold-blooded killing has taken place and now he is the suspect. The chase to find the culprits is on and it is a question of who gets there first in the face of both mystery and danger.

A series of minor thefts at Vere House prompts the owners to call in their old friend, John Mannering, to investigate. Whilst Mannering is doing so, the jewels and the famous Deverall necklace belonging to Lady Usk, a guest of the Vere's, are stolen. Reluctantly, the police are brought in and much to Mannering's disquiet, Scotland Yard send in Inspector Bristow, one of the few who suspect Mannering to be ‘The Baron’ — the cleverest jewel thief in the country. Mannering must prove his innocence when he discovers someone has planted the stolen Deverall necklace in his room . . .

Each previous owner of ‘The Diamond of Tears’ had been tortured and met a murderous end. Jacob Bernstein was the fifth in line and was to become a victim, which resulted in John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) beginning an investigation which proved to be intriguing and dangerous. What is it about this priceless jewel that attracts death for its owners, and why is ‘The Baron’ himself now in danger?

A ruthless killer is on the loose and forces the John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’), a retired jewel thief and master cracksman, to once again step outside of the law in order to hunt down the murderer, and also save his own skin. A victim had issued a cryptic warning before dying: 'Tell M. danger from Paul K'. It is clear Mannering is in extreme danger, but why, in what form the fatal blow might be delivered, and where he can start the pursuit remains to be deduced. Events lead to a hair-raising trail in which Mannering cannot afford any mistakes.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) is an ex-cracksman, who is not only now ‘straight’, but can also act when needed in solving crimes. His wife has painted and exhibited and the Summer Exhibition of the Royal Academy what may critics believe to be the finest work that year. She learns from her contacts that Quinns, a curio shop in London’s Mayfair is for sale, and urges Mannering to buy it. His attempt to do so, however, is shrouded in mystery, and the police start to wonder if once again he has turned his hand to being a master jewel thief.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) owns Quinns, a shop in London’s Mayfair, dealing in antique and precious stones. Used to solving seemingly impossible crimes, this time he is the victim. A young man seizes diamonds being shown to him, strikes ‘The Baron’ and makes off. Mannering is taken to hospital and is seriously ill, and whilst Scotland Yard is working hard on the case they have very little to go on.

Another gripping story featuring John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’). A burglar is robbing a dealer’s safe, but is interrupted. The burglar pulls out a gun and fires. Bullets tear into a man’s chest. Some jewels fall as the gun is used. A girl screams. Next morning, John Mannering is contemplating persuading his wife back to bed. The telephone rings and he is informed of the murder. Another complex and dangerous adventure begins, which sees Mannering at his best and in France. Moreover, he has to try and prove the innocence of the dealer’s assistant, who is the chief suspect, although Mannering is far from convinced …

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) of Quinns Antiques in Mayfair, is in danger. Several murders have taken place and a mysterious gunman pursues him. Behind it all lies a blond woman, who appears to be (at least temporarily) dumb and a nest egg of gold holding five bejewelled eggs. Can he escape danger and at the same time solve the mystery?

Now that he is retired as a master ‘cracksman’, John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) is sometimes consulted by Scotland Yard when they have a particularly difficult, or unusual, case. When a jeweller who himself walks the fine line between acceptable and unlawful behaviour is robbed, the Baron’s opinion is sought. However, he is on the trail with another case involving missing diamonds. Then he discovers that not only are the two crimes connected, but he is himself the chief suspect.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’), retired jewel thief and shop owner in London’s Mayfair, sets off to find a missing girl and subsequently becomes involved in a convoluted plot involving blackmail, theft and murder. There is also danger lurking for Mannering as he nears what he assumes to be the finish, but is it?

Why is George Morrow being threatened? Why was Jimmy Garfield murdered? What was really in the box that he kept in the seat of his wheelchair? John Mannering - alias ‘The Baron’ - takes on another spine-tingling adventure and seeks to solve the mystery.

John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) is secretly called to the house of William Blane by his young secretary Judy Darrow. He doesn’t really know what to expect, only that a frightened girl had urgently summoned him in a midnight telephone call. Upon arrival, Blane is found to be dead and the girl is very nearly so. That, however, is not the beginning of an investigation, as ‘The Baron’ is now himself in danger. There is also betrayal and an angry and suspicious detective to deal with.

A gripping mystery in which John Mannering flies out to India to help an old friend. There is a Maharajah who seeks credit, a dealer in jewels whose main interest is drugs, and an attempted detention. The Baron and his friend both have enemies — dealing not just in diamonds, but also death.

The fabulous Sumi crown jewels are up for sale-including the Mask of Sumi, a beautiful yet strangely repellent object. When the jewels are stolen, and taken on board ship by a woman, the Baron follows, only to find himself involved in a murder and in the midst of some very messy oriental politics.

A young employee of the Olde World Gallery is suspected of stealing jewellery and even those that know her well suspect the worst. The list of crimes of which she is the alleged perpetrator then grows to include arson, and even murder. John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’) comes to her aid and believes she is obviously being framed, but the evidence grows and there doesn’t appear to be any other rational explanation. Moreover, as Mannering draws closer to the truth, those others who are suspected start to die, and the intrigue deepens.