Plot

Set in London during the 1920s, the book focuses on the famous nightclubs in London owned by Nellie Coker (inspired by Kate Meyrick, a real-life nightclub owner in the 1920s) and her son Niven, who has returned to London after fighting in the Somme during World War I. Police inspector Frobisher closely monitors their activities. Gwendolen Kelling, a librarian and former nurse who worked in the military, is asked by an old friend to find her missing teenage daughters in London. Kelling asks Frobisher for help, and their search leads them to Coker's nightclubs.

Reception

Anthony Quinn of The Guardian noted a small disappointment with what he described as "the hurried ending," but he also stated that the book is worth reading for its energy, humor, and the gentle way characters are written, which have made Atkinson very popular.

Anthony Cummins of The Guardian praised Atkinson's ability to move smoothly between very dark scenes and a quick summary of what happened next, without hiding the story's sad parts. He called this a strong example of skillful writing.

Leah Greenblatt wrote in the New York Times that the novel

Sarah Chihaya of The New Yorker wrote that