The Pennyfoot hides many secrets, and its downstairs staff keeps a tight lip, even when the Edwardian aristocrats are spotted dallying with damsels in the boudoirs or gambling in the card rooms hidden below the floorboards. Should now and then one of the hotel guests fall prey to a dastardly murderer, however, it is up to Cecily Sinclair to restore order before Scotland Yard steps in and shuts down her infamous seaside hotel.

The downstairs staff of the Pennyfoot Hotel is on edge when a young Romani girl is found murdered in the woods, slain by an axe. Even the aristocrats upstairs are discussing the crime. Cecily tries to carry on as usual, until she's informed of the latest development: The axe in the coal shed has disappeared.