The Toff and the Dead Man's Finger, John Creasey — 1st Edition

Publication: London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1978.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 218.

Condition Report: Very Good: The original pictorial dust jacket is complete and unclipped, retaining its striking black background, pink and cream lettering, and vividly coloured illustration. Light rubbing, superficial scuffing and scattered fine scratches are visible across the glossy surface, particularly on the front panel, with minor creasing and rubbing to the extremities and small areas of wear at the corners and head and foot of the spine. The rear panel exhibits noticeable uneven fading to its original pink colouring, most pronounced across the lower portion. The publisher's original red cloth boards, with contrasting dark spine and gilt lettering, are well preserved, showing no significant distortion or structural deterioration. The binding remains firm and square, with the boards securely attached and no apparent weakness to the hinges. The text block is sound, with light age-related toning to the exposed edges and occasional small marks, but without pronounced foxing or substantial soiling. Internally, the pages remain clean and legible, displaying modest natural toning consistent with their age.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first impression, with 'First printed 1978' stated on the copyright page. Published in the original hardback binding with its illustrated dust jacket.

An especially interesting volume in the history of John Creasey's long-running Toff series, this was the final adventure featuring his celebrated aristocratic detective, the Honourable Richard Rollison. Creasey died in 1973, and the novel was written by William Vivian Butler as a continuation of the established series. The title page explicitly credits Butler and identifies the work as the 58th book of the Toff.

This unusual authorship distinguishes the volume from the preceding adventures written by Creasey himself. It represents the concluding instalment of one of the most extensive detective-fiction series of the twentieth century, whose origins extend to the 1930s.

First-edition hardback copies retaining their original dust jackets are not commonly encountered on the open market. The book is of particular bibliographical interest to collectors seeking to complete the original Toff series, especially those concentrating on first impressions in their original bindings.

The Honourable Richard Rollison, better known as the Toff, returns for one final encounter with murder, deception and danger. Beneath the polished surface of respectable society, sinister forces are at work, and a seemingly straightforward investigation promises to draw the aristocratic detective into a far more treacherous affair. With his characteristic resourcefulness, sharp instincts and disregard for personal danger, Rollison must unravel a mystery in which appearances are deceptive and the consequences potentially fatal. Written by William Vivian Butler following the death of John Creasey, The Toff and the Dead Man's Finger brings one of British crime fiction's most enduring detective series to its conclusion.