Peter, in full full dress uniform of checked trousers, navy blue jacket and yellow tie, carried their luggage and helped them through the famous revolving door.

The Brighton-born thriller writer, on whose novels the hit TV series Grace is based, is known for his extensive research.

His eight-hour shift gave him insight into the life of a hotel concierge and information that will be vital to writing his next novel.

“It will be for the book after the next one,” he said.

“I want a character who disappears, and a janitor here estimates that the guy has been here, incognito, for several months on and off.

Today’s concierge team with Peter, center

“So I wanted to know how much they would see; they don’t miss much.

“I went through all the tasks: recommending places, carrying bags, parking cars – well, I opened the garage doors, I don’t think I’m insured for driving.”

The Brighton author has had experience in many character research roles over the years: taxi driver, garbage truck worker and even The Argus journalist and editor.

But his first two are, unsurprisingly, days spent working with pathologists and the police.

“It’s fascinating. I went out with Brighton Police last week,” he said.

“I think the police see the world from the other side. I once spent a lot of time with a detective in New York – policing there is so different. Policing the order there is usually much more in your face than in Brighton.

Concierge Paul Anderson and Peter

“I was with the police in Russia. We got shot. This cop pushed my head down. It was in 2007.

“I remember saying to the commander, ‘Is the Russian mafia real or is it just the Western press?’ He said: “We lost control of Moscow in 2000, and only got it back this year.”

Peter is currently enjoying huge success with Grace – the ITV show based on his books – which will be renewed for a third season.

He has a new book in the fall, Picture You Dead, which explores the world of art forgery.