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Man on Fire is a 1980 thriller novel by Philip Nicholson, writing as A. J. Quinnell. The plot...

Man on Fire is a 1980 thriller novel by Philip Nicholson, writing as A. J. Quinnell. The plot features his popular character Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion, in his first appearance. In Italy, wealthy families often hire bodyguards to protect family members from the threat of kidnapping. When Rika Balletto urges her husband Ettore, a wealthy textiles producer living in Milan, to hire a bodyguard for their daughter Pinta, he is doubtful but agrees. After some searching, he finally settles for an American named Creasy. Marcus Creasy, an American-born veteran of the French Foreign Legion turned mercenary, finds himself in Italy after drifting around for months with no aim in life. On the spur of the moment he visits his only real friend in life, Guido Arrellio, who lives in Naples; here, his friend discovers that his once purposeful and lethal companion has become a burnt-out alcoholic. To keep him occupied, Guido suggests Creasy get a job, and offers to set him up as a bodyguard; hence his being hired by the Ballettos, where he meets his charge, Pinta. Creasy barely tolerates the precocious child and her pestering questions about him and his life.