Murder is one way to end a party.
In a world powered by steam and pneuma, art is power and the latest invention, an illuminer, promises to reign supreme. But first, there is the small issue of the dead body in the library.
Prime Inspector Beaumont just wants a cup of tea and a nap, but his partner Inspector Hoadley demands a slice of justice. With a cast of unhelpful suspects, including an overly involved illuminator's assistant, can they wade through an eddy of tea, pastry, and death to reveal the truth?