The Baron and the Beggar — John Creasey

As the owner of Quinn's -- an exclusive Mayfair antiques shop -- John Mannering had purchased the Adalgo mainly out of curiosity. It had come to be known as a "blood diamond" as violent death had overcome many of its previous owners. Mannering -- alias the Baron -- scoffed at the legend but from the moment he acquires it he is beset with misfortune. He becomes the victim of theft, his wife is kidnapped and an old friend is brutally murdered. Could the curse of the "blood diamond" be coming true? Can the Baron escape its clutches?