I hadn't read the first Anton Du Beke but that didn't matter as this is a follow-on rather than a sequel. It took a while to get into it though and that was due to the number of characters, not all of whom were particularly interesting. The strongest were Maynard Charles, the hotel director, and George Peel who appears later in the book, and Arthur Cohen. I didn't dislike any characters, just that there were too many and we leapt from one to the next. Everyone had secrets, or major life-decisions to make, and apart from Maynard I really didn't care too much for them.
I've read a lot of non-fiction on the 1930s but I couldn't get the feel of this era throughout the book. It need more than just a mention of the King and events on the continent. Maynard's recollections of the traumas of World War I were actually stronger than the contemporary setting.
I've read a lot of non-fiction on the 1930s but I couldn't get the feel of this era throughout the book. It need more than just a mention of the King and events on the continent. Maynard's recollections of the traumas of World War I were actually stronger than the contemporary setting.