The story opens in the sumptuous Artemis Hotel in 1926 where the proprietor, Diana Gold, is preparing some kind of exit because the extravagance of the reopened hotel does not mask her debts.

A little later, Joe Carberry checks in but, now, it is 2026. Joe is researching some nasty things in the woodshed of the Artemis Hotel for a book! Specifically, the nastiness is in the vaults in the shape of two coffins which have been found to contain human remains. Exactly who these remains belong to is the substance of the book!

It’s a complicated story involving corrupt politicians, sexual shenanigans and organised crime but it unravels nicely while the great and the good of 1920s London celebrate, quite unaware of what is happening.

There are some entertaining characters including Cleo, an American who turns out not to be as she appears to be and a politicians wife, Polly Fox-Stanton, who disguises herself and her intentions.

And, when it comes to Joe’s book, that turns out not to be without its risks in the present day. It’s a lively and well told story with a big plot and cinematic settings!