The Toff on Ice — John Creasey

"Must there be a crowd?" asked Rollison glumly. "On this occasion I think it would he wise, sir," said Jolly, his man. "If you remember, there was a time when your birthday was always celebrated by a family gathering of some distinction. After all, it is an event."

"I seem to be the only one who doesn't think so," said Rollison, leaning back in an arm-chair.

Flo Hardy and some east end villains test the sleuthing veracity of the Hon Richard Rollison, aka the Toff.