A delightful period piece that evokes the historical glamour of bygone days. The characters present a whole gamut of personalities and there are certain people that you immediately warm to and urge the story to be good towards them. Anton du Beke's vast dancing experience lends credibility and depth to the dancing descriptions - you feel yourself drawn on a trip around the dancefloor many times. The festive setting adds warmth and feelings of hope with the build up to Christmas. The juxtaposition to the beauty and glamour, is the ravaging, background war raging on that provides an interesting opposing angle. I haven't read the author's first two books but would definitely read them based on this one. For people that love period pieces, they will enjoy this delightful novel - it has glamour, intrigue, love and much, much more. Dive in!