Scotland Yard
Commander Gideon would be facing a difficult time. A conference of heads of governments from various countries
would be held in London. In addition to this political meeting, there would be visits from heads of states and a state
procession was also planned. All these would attract local and tourist crowds which meant confusion, crimes and generally trouble!
Moreover the commander in charge of the uniform division was going on sick leave; instead of appointing his second man to take charge, the Commissioner had appointed Gideon instead. So now Gideon had more than just the conference security to handle, he had to manage a disappointed subordinate from another division. Meanwhile others were also preparing for the great day. A man who hated France was preparing a bomb for the French minister; another man was getting his people ready to work the crowds - muggers, con artists, pickpockets, bag-snatchers, gangs and assassins.
Various crimes were happening around the city – a girl was murdered because she knew too much about her boyfriend who was involved in a murder. Her sister, who persisted in seeking out information about her, was soon in danger too.
On the day of the procession, a man threw a bomb into the crowd, killing Gideon’s longtime assistant and a young couple. Other than that, everything went off without a hitch. For Gideon and the police force, it was a very sad day.
John Creasy wrote these stories under the pseudonym JJ Marric – he had a very distinctive style. The story was written in the 1960s ; a time of old fashioned chivalry, which was very charming. This is an entertaining book – light and easy to read.