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.

Michel's cooking is renowned far and wide, and many guests patronize the Pennyfoot Hotel simply to enjoy his excellent cuisine. Therefore, when Lord Sittingdon appears to have died from ingesting Michel's famed lobster salad, the reputation of the hotel is at stake. Cecily is faced with a dilemma that could very well signal the end of her illustrious career—until circumstances suggest that the aristocrat was murdered, giving her a chance to save the hotel and bring a killer to justice.