In the series of adventure novels by John Creasey, the Toff
is the nickname of the Honourable Richard Rollison, an upper-class crime
sleuth.[1] Creasey published almost 60 Toff adventures, beginning with
Introducing the Toff in 1938 and continuing through The Toff and the Crooked
Copper, published in 1977, four years after the author's death.
Rollison is in many ways similar to Simon Templar, although
Creasey's other character The Baron bears an even closer resemblance. Unlike
Templar and The Baron, Rollison has no earlier life of crime, although he
frequently breaks or bends the law in pursuing his investigations.
Rollison's calling card includes a caricature of a toff—a
line drawing with a top hat, monocle, bow-tie and cigarette with a holder. His
flat includes a trophy wall, on which is a memento of every case Rollison
helped to solve.
In these stories Rollison is moderately well-known, as his
exploits are frequently reported in the newspapers. He is as at home in
upper-crust society circles as he is in the East End of London.
Toff on The Farm
1. Trouble for Sale
2. Dead on Arrival
3. Destination Danger
4. Cause for Alarm
5. A Step in The Dark
6. The Mystery of Selby Farm
Toff and The Runaway Bride
7. Honeymoon for One
8. The Finger of Suspicion
9. No Sleep for the Wicked
10. Death Is No Alibi
11. Motive for Murder
12. Confrontation in Paris