'Staircase at the Heart's Delight' Summary

Detective Ebenezer Gryce, recounting his early days as a detective, unravels the case of the drowned men in New York City. A string of wealthy individuals are found dead, washed ashore, their deaths seemingly accidental. Gryce begins his investigation by focusing on a disreputable money lender, a man named John Armitage, who has been known to exploit the financially vulnerable. The trail leads Gryce to a hidden society of powerful figures, each with their own secrets and motivations. He discovers that the victims were entangled in a network of financial schemes, each having secrets they wished to keep hidden. As Gryce delves deeper, he encounters a cast of characters, each with their own desires and vulnerabilities. The story unfolds with suspense and intrigue as Gryce navigates the treacherous waters of high society, unearthing the truth behind the seemingly accidental deaths. In the end, Gryce must confront the perpetrator, a figure who holds the power to manipulate the wealthy and vulnerable alike, and expose their dark secret.