Jonathan Gash was as a lad a runner on antique market stalls. When he was older he attended college and became a doctor of tropical medicine. The market stall antics of passing on wares to the right customer staid with him later in life when he became a crime writer. The long-running Lovejoy series is known for its cast of roguish characters and the schemes they get up to. Lovejoy is a “divvy” or one that can discern who is genuine from the fake items that seem to flood the market.

The BBC ran a highly popular television adaptation with Ian McShane in the lead. Lovejoy, a bachelor, prefers the company of his dealer friends when he is not drawn into the arms of a pretty female; these tend to manipulate his better judgement, resulting in distrust and a little tantrums. Not so much murder and mayhem, as antiques and antics, as H R F Keating observed in his appreciation. Hence, this books title.

This is the deluxe lettered edition – the ordinary numbered are long since gone – with five raised bands on biscuit harmatan leather and the additional signature of H R F Keating to that of the author.The limitation was just 20 lettered copies.