Nothing to Declare by Manning Coles, 1960

 

mysteryfile.com

About the author: Manning Coles is the pseudonym of two British writers, Adelaide Frances Oke Manning (1891–1959) and Cyril Henry Coles (1899–1965), who wrote many spy thrillers from the early 40s through the early 60s. The fictional protagonist in 26 of their books was Thomas Elphinstone Hambledon, who works for the Foreign Office. (wikipedia)

This is billed as "12 short stories" but they are not all independent stories. 1 through 4 comprise one continuing story.

1. The Blue Envelope - Tommy Hambledon and Chief Superintendent Bagshott of Scotland Yard team up to recover a fabulous jewel, The Luck of Kenilworth.
2. It Pays to be Honest - the story continues
3. Set a Thief- the story continues
4. Out of Luck- the story continues
5. An Angel on my Foot - Tommy Hambledon tries to find what is behind a rash of gravestone thefts.
6. Nothing to Declare - A man is found dead in his home, and the only thing missing is his empty suitcase. Meanwhile, police receive reports of other missing empty suitcases around the city.
7. Handcuffs Don't Hold Ghosts - Tommy is listening to a B.B.C. feature of an exploration into a supposedly haunted mansion, when suddenly the radio commentators disappear; leaving the listeners with empty air.
8. The Case of the Six Indignant Footmen - Six footmen are hired to serve a lavish party which turns into a lavish jewel theft.
9. The Dip - Tommy is after a notorious pickpocket, and drops into a Belgian bar he may frequent. Tommy's drink gets drugged, he gets abducted, and his only way out is riding a untamed horse.
10. Here Lies --- The constable is new on the job, and discovers a murdered body in the road one night. The man is dead. The constable is all alone - what to do now? Despite his better judgement, he leaves the body alone to call it in. But when he returns, it is gone!
11. Holiday Romantic - A traveling photographer inadvertently snaps a photo of a wanted thief.
12. Buyer Collects - Diamond smugglers have a bright idea: transport their diamonds in a garish, beat up old suitcase which is held closed with a rope. Not their brightest idea. 

Review: Tommy Hambledon short stories are bite-sized for one sitting, and usually involve stolen documents or diamonds; rather than a murder (which takes more pages to resolve). These are best read in order, as many refer back to previous ones. Stories 1-4 are really one long story. This may be the first Coles book I have read which does not have Tommy uttering his famous sentence: "Some scheme will doubtless present itself".