I hadn't read the first book in this series, but this is just about readable as a standalone story - there are a few bits where you just have to accept that there's a backstory there that you don't know. An example of this would be whatever happened with Vivienne Edgerton in the first book - there are hints, but it isn't covered in detail.
The book is set in 1937, at a grand hotel (The Buckingham) in London. In the prologue, we join the central characters whilst a fire rips through the beloved Grand Ballroom of The Buckingham. We then move back in time 8 months and follow them in the run up to the tragedy: Raymond de Guise is off in America, Nancy Nettleton has arranged for her brother to join her working at The Buckingham, Vivienne Edgerton is keeping a low profile and Maynard Charles is doing his very best to keep The Buckingham running like clockwork.
This is a cosy read. It is quite predictable, and the romance is a bit much for my liking; but it is a pleasant way to pass a few hours.
The book is set in 1937, at a grand hotel (The Buckingham) in London. In the prologue, we join the central characters whilst a fire rips through the beloved Grand Ballroom of The Buckingham. We then move back in time 8 months and follow them in the run up to the tragedy: Raymond de Guise is off in America, Nancy Nettleton has arranged for her brother to join her working at The Buckingham, Vivienne Edgerton is keeping a low profile and Maynard Charles is doing his very best to keep The Buckingham running like clockwork.
This is a cosy read. It is quite predictable, and the romance is a bit much for my liking; but it is a pleasant way to pass a few hours.