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Baron #42
Last Laugh for the Baron
A phone call from a man fearing a murderous death leads the baron to a complex plot of violence
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 23, 2019
John Creasey was a thriller writer who wrote over 200 books during his lifetime. He wrote under a number of pseudonyms; J.J. Marric, Anthony Morton, Gordon Ashe, etc. I've enjoyed his Inspector Gideon books (as Marric) very much. I have read one of his Dr. Palfrey books (as Creasey) as well. This was my first attempt at The Baron series. I've had two of the books in the series for a number of years and thought it about time to finally try one.
Last Laugh for the Baron is the 42 book in this series. As I said, Creasey was prolific. The Baron, John Mannering, is an ex-jewel thief, cat burglar, etc. In this book, he's retired from his life and runs an antique store in London. While he is away on business, a strange event occurs. His manager, John Larraby, receives a very strange phone call and sends one of his clerks to investigate. At the same time, a young lady, Belle Danizon, arrives at the shop demanding to speak to Mannering. When Mannering is caught up with via a phone call, she leaves him with a strange message.
So there you go, that's the start of this story. As it progresses, we follow a series of jewel robberies from rich families of London, with their adult children suspected of involvement, a threat to the career of Mannering's friend, Inspector Bristow and murders and threats to Mannering's wife. The central villain is a mysterious man who seems to have power over the young people.
Mannering must rekindle his skills as The Baron in fighting the stranger, a man called Yenn, and utilize all of the friendships at his disposal to try and solve what is going on and to save himself and these same friends. It's all a bit of a wild ride, reminding me of The Avengers TV show from the '60s. In fact, The Baron was also turned into a TV series (I've got to find an episode or two) starring Steve Forrest as The Baron.
Suspend disbelief, get a bowl of popcorn and just enjoy a light, entertaining, pulp action / mystery. Don't expect any grand motives or such, just entertainment. Now to find a few more of the series. (3 stars)
Last Laugh for the Baron is the 42 book in this series. As I said, Creasey was prolific. The Baron, John Mannering, is an ex-jewel thief, cat burglar, etc. In this book, he's retired from his life and runs an antique store in London. While he is away on business, a strange event occurs. His manager, John Larraby, receives a very strange phone call and sends one of his clerks to investigate. At the same time, a young lady, Belle Danizon, arrives at the shop demanding to speak to Mannering. When Mannering is caught up with via a phone call, she leaves him with a strange message.
So there you go, that's the start of this story. As it progresses, we follow a series of jewel robberies from rich families of London, with their adult children suspected of involvement, a threat to the career of Mannering's friend, Inspector Bristow and murders and threats to Mannering's wife. The central villain is a mysterious man who seems to have power over the young people.
Mannering must rekindle his skills as The Baron in fighting the stranger, a man called Yenn, and utilize all of the friendships at his disposal to try and solve what is going on and to save himself and these same friends. It's all a bit of a wild ride, reminding me of The Avengers TV show from the '60s. In fact, The Baron was also turned into a TV series (I've got to find an episode or two) starring Steve Forrest as The Baron.
Suspend disbelief, get a bowl of popcorn and just enjoy a light, entertaining, pulp action / mystery. Don't expect any grand motives or such, just entertainment. Now to find a few more of the series. (3 stars)
August 9, 2018
2nd "Baron" book I've read.
My copy: pub.1984, 190 pages
My copy: pub.1984, 190 pages
July 1, 2014
creasey's baron
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews