On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. At first thought to be meteors, the United States military suspect that a number of enormous alien spacecraft are on a collision course with Earth. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less...

The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune.