The Arts Club is a members-only club on Dover Street in Mayfair, London.

In chapter 18 of The Ink Black Heart, Strike and Robin share a taxi to the club where they have a lunch appointment with Allan Yeoman, Edie Ledwell’s agent, and Richard Elgar, head of Maverick Films in the UK.

On arrival at the club, Robin is surprised by the level of grandeur, with the white-jacketed waiters, the marble floors, the oyster bar, and extravagant modern chandeliers – “the place gave the Ritz a run for its money.”

Strike and Robin are led upstairs to a private dining room where the rest of the party is assembled.

The small room is described as having a “trace of an opium den about it, with its dark red walls, vaguely Chinese-looking carved wooden screens and subdued lighting.” Here, they are greeted by Allan Yeoman, Richard Elgar, Grant Ledwell and Heather Ledwell.

With the party sitting around a circular table, Robin is reminded of a séance because of the light pooled over the table and the corners of the room being left in shadow.

Strike, Yeoman and Grant order the Wagyu beef, Elgar and Robin salads, and Heather a risotto.

After finishing their food, Strike and Robin sign some paperwork and thus they are officially hired to investigate the identity of Anomie.

You can find the Arts Club website at theartsclub.co.uk

Nearby locations:

• The Ritz – 3-minute walk
• Franco’s (Lethal White) – 5-minute walk
• Fortnum & Mason (Troubled Blood) – 6-minute walk
• American Bar, The Stafford (Troubled Blood) – 8-minute walk
• Spencer House (Troubled Blood) – 8-minute walk
• Christie’s (Lethal White) – 8-minute walk
• The Red Lion (Lethal White) – 8-minute walk
• Lancaster House (Lethal White) – 9-minute walk
• Piccadilly Circus (The Cuckoo’s Calling) – 10-minute walk