Set in the war post Dunkirk and mid London blitz we are introduced to a catalogue of characters from behind the scenes. A consummate storyteller adept at captivating audiences, he is now captivating readers as he whisks them away to worlds of dance, intrigue, high society and scandal. I also would have liked one more chapter on Raymond and Nancy starting the next part of their lives together but hopefully this has been saved for another book!

Not only from the real evil enemy and their bombings, but also closer to home from looters and profiteers.As bombs rain down on London in 1940, those employed by the well renowned Buckingham Hotel, do what they can to ensure their guests are kept comfortable. This was my first introduction to Anton Du Beke’s writing, having normally been accustomed to watching him on my television screen during the Autumn months dancing and judging away, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. In 2018, he realised his boyhood ambition and published the first in a series of bestselling novels set in the 1930s world of the exclusive Mayfair hotel, The Buckingham. I loved getting to know the characters and despite not having read the others, it didn’t hinder me too much.

However, Raymond is driven, after the death of his brother, to go out every night to help on the streets with the ARP going to bombed out areas and tackling fires.Raymond,on sick leave takes up a position with the ARP, in an endeavour to continue doing his bit for the war effort. It was a great page turning and it was such a lovely feeling catching up with all our favourite characters again. While wartime tales are not always my go to genre this book pulled me in and i just could not put it down.