In every detective's life there are cases that can't be discussed, and throughout the 'Bryant & May' novels there have been mentions of some of these such as the 'Deptford Demon' or the 'Little Italy Whelk Smuggling Scandal'. Now Arthur Bryant has decided to open the files on eleven of these previously unseen investigations that required the collective genius and unique modus operandi of Arthur Bryant and John May and the Peculiar Crimes Unit - investigations that range from different times (London during the Great Smog) and a variety of places: a circus freak show, on board a London Tour Bus and even a yacht off the coast of Turkey.