London, 1934 and a young socialite is about to tell her husband something, but unfortunately she interrupts a meeting he is having. He later slaps and punches her because she interrupted the meeting. As a result she packs a bag and leaves going to live with her father in Bleeding Heart Square.
There Lydia Langstone comes upon the story of Miss Penhow and how she was swindled out of her savings and home. The thing is, Miss Penhow has been missing for four years. While Lydia is looking for a job she discovers a man watching Bleeding Heart Square. And, unbeknownst to her, a young journalist is looking into the disappearance of Miss Penhow on behalf of her niece. Rory Wentwood has just returned from working as a journalist in India, and moves into the same building that Lydia is now living in.
Together the two young people begin to put their heads together to determine what has happened to Miss Penhow. Lydia's husband has joined the British Union of Fascists, and their brutal tactics play a role in the story. Throughout the story, author Andrew Taylor continually references the diary of Miss Penhow. The diary slowly puts together her story.
Although the story is slow at the start it builds up a good head of steam and in the end the reader is given a totally surprising conclusion! A very good read.
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