A quandary for John Mannering (aka ‘The Baron’). A young brash artist is found half-dead, with a noose around his neck, on the same day he had attempted to get Mannering to finance his career. The artist's terrified girlfriend desperately seeks help. Has the man tried to kill himself, or is it a case of attempted murder?

The National Gallery has high security, but a painting is nevertheless stolen. Gideon of Scotland Yard knows of only a few thieves who could pull this off. However, one turns up dead and an art dealer's daughter is kidnapped and a counterfeiting ring moves into town. Clearly, Gideon is facing something both major and mysterious . . .

James Mortimer Liddel is charged with the murder of Lancelot Hay. All, however, is not as it seems and a conundrum develops for the famed Inspector West of Scotland Yard. There are visiting Americans; false accusations; a trial, and behind it all a spy ring. Only West and his uncanny instinct for the truth will get to the bottom of this puzzle.

Once a murder is committed, the perpetrators have nothing to lose – they can murder again, although the chances of being caught rise, especially if Roger West, one of Scotland Yard’s finest detectives, is on their trail. But there are always three ways of viewing the crime: that of the hunter, the hunted, and the victim’s.