The Paris Affair

Buckingham #6

by Anton du Beke

In the darkest days of war, a stranger will change everything.
Paris, 1926. A young dancer Ray Cohen arrives from London to compete at the Exhibition Paris. He is led astray by Hugo, a charismatic dancer born of the streets, who introduces him to the city's nightlife and a dazzling stranger called Hannah Lindt. 
London, 1941. With the heroic Raymond de Guise away fighting in North Africa, his beloved wife Nancy must balance her new position - as Head of Housekeeping at the Buckingham Hotel - with life as a new mother to their child. As the war rages on, a charismatic stranger from Raymond's past arrives at Nancy's doorstep, asking for work at the Buckingham Hotel.
 
 As dark secrets rise to the surface, the very heart of the Buckingham Hotel is under threat.  Will tragedy strike?

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this series had ended as after Book 5 we had the authors new series appear, but no Book 6 then arrived….
I love these books and am enthralled by the tales of hotel life and how the war affected everyone connected to it but feel maybe, just maybe this series has run its course, I say this as although did like it I found my mind wandering and noticed maybe a touch of repetition,but as with the previous 5 ( and you do need to read them all for this book to make any reading sense ) it was mostly a well written story with all the usual elements thet make the series so readable
I kinda hope we get Book 2 in the new series next and ADB concentrates on those now although will of course read Book 7 if it appears 🤗

[Linda Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Buckingham Hotel is surviving the war.

Not having read the previous books in this series it took me a while to familiarise myself with the various characters in The Paris Affair, their circumstances and their relationships with one another. If I’m brutally honest I was unsure if I would actually enjoy the story because there seemed so many people to meet.

I needn’t have worried. The plot is certainly multi-faceted and layered with a large cast of characters that initially felt daunting, but with every page turned I was drawn into the narrative and by the end of The Paris Affair I found it had had quite an emotional impact, particularly because of Raymond and Annie. Annie is an important character in introducing light relief and humour as well as anxiety and realism. However, it was Nancy who felt most relatable to me, because she is a woman doing her best in adverse circumstances with a universality to her character I found pragmatic, endearing and relatable.

There’s so much to absorb the reader, with real events and people introduced into Anton du Beke’s story to give it a feeling of authenticity, and the excitement and danger build convincingly throughout so that the denouement made my heart beat rather faster. There are some profound themes in The Paris Affair as well as an entertaining plot. National security, war, betrayal, duty, organised crime, identity and so on all swirl through the pages making for an intriguing read.

That said, with famous faces, glamorous evenings and a hedonistic atmosphere in the Buckingham ballroom presented so clearly through evocative and vivid descriptions, what works so well here is the prosaic, the ordinary. In The Paris Affair Anton du Beke explores how good people can do bad things but for positive reasons, and how family, friendship, support and loyalty can drive people apart as well as bring them together, so that there is much to ponder whilst enjoying the story. I loved the concept that whilst war rages and dreadful things are happening in the world, there are small comforts to be had at home. This is a message not just balancing the events in this narrative, but one much needed in today’s real world.

I thought the dance and musical aspects were wonderful, and very much what I would expect from this author, creating a sense of golden age glamour that is incredibly vivid. Having begun The Paris Affair slightly bewildered and a bit daunted by all the characters, I finished this smashing read feeling hugely engaged and entertained and believing it is crying out for a Sunday night television series. Now, having so enjoyed this story, all I need to do is read the other books in the series because I want to know more about the warm, realistic folk of the Buckingham Hotel.

[Hayden Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awhh just finished, I enjoyed this book, I love the Buckingham series it feels so warm and close to my heart, it’s a comfort read in a way although some parts in this book had me edge of my seat, I thought the writing was good and clever in some parts, I enjoyed the plot, was very exciting with some twists, I would say it started off very slow however it did pick up and I would have liked if the ended was explained a bit more and reactions to everything was elaborated on, however all in all I enjoyed it, it was a nice read, and I’m looking forward to the next one

[Susan Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 6 of the series, currently the final book but the ending is definitely indicative of a sequel. Another enjoyable read following the characters as they navigate through WW2, and I actually feel the series is getting better, probably because you become more invested in the characters as the series progresses.

[Emma Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic part to the series can’t wait for the next one

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story as always from Anton. Kept me gripped until the end and eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

[Annalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, familiar with the series which helped. Fast paced in the final chapters making it exciting as it neared it's conclusion.

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure in the Buckingham Hotel. Some new characters, but all the favourites still there. War continues, but so does all the hard work in the hotel. Wonderful to read.

[Lucy Dunphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only Anton Du Beke book I've rated less than 5 stars. I did really enjoy The Paris Affair but I definitely feel like it's the weakest book in the Buckingham series. It's quite long and I found it a bit drawn out at times. You're well into the book before the real drama starts, but when it does it's real page turning stuff. I absolutely adored Annie Brogan. Her character made me laugh out loud a few times. I'm sure there will be another book to come in this series and of course I'll look forward to reading it.

[J.M. Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another brilliant page turner from the king of ballroom!

Anton's books are full of wonderful characters that you just can't help careing about because they have real soul, very much like the characters created by the old highly talented authors of GOOD literature, e.g
R F Delderfield, A J Cronin, or Howard Spring, the likes of which I haven't seem until I started reading Anton's books. This latest book gives us a glimpse into the past where we find a young Raymond struggling at the very beginning of his dancing career when dancing competitions were the main focus in his life and winning was all important! Little did he know that a blast from that past would rattle the foundations of his family in the future!

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little disappointing as rather dull for the first 350 pages. It was the setting up for the last 150 which I then couldn't put the book down and finished in one go 😊, as that is where all the action was. The loveable rogue (Billy) of the former books turned into a thief and I felt that despite the reasoning behind it still wasn't wholly consistent with how the character of Billy has been presented. The war efforts were well described and sets the ending up for the next installment of the Buckingham. I'm glad Raymond is back as I think the characters of Archie, Raymond and Mrs Moffat were missed in the enrichment of the book. Frank and Rosa were there only on the sidelines too, until the end. Hopefully the next one will be more in keeping with his previous ones 😊

[Mrs Sarah Ridgway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read mixed reviews about this book. I didn’t know what to expect but I loved it! Anton you have done it again another great book in the Buckingham Hotel series! I cannot wait to read the next instalment. I really enjoyed the fact that there was more insight into Raymond’s past and the beginnings of his dancing career. Linking the past with the present storyline was great (maybe that is what people didn’t like!) However, at the end of the day it is personal taste. I loved the book and if you have enjoyed the Buckingham Hotel series I am sure you will too.

[lillybooks💕😝📖 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a really good book, however it was a bit dull. I only really started reading it at the end when all the secrets started to unravel. The writing style is great and I loved all the detail that was put into this book, but it took a lot longer to read than I thought it would because of the lack of the plot. I think the plot really started to show itself like in the last couple of chapters in the book. it’s a good book, but I would not recommend it for people who are in the book for a romantic the plot.😘📚❤️

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book fills the gaps in of the life of Raymond pre Buckingham hotel. It’s told through in pieces, in the main, by Hugo, a one time friend of Raymond when he was in Paris. Hugo turns up saying Raymond always said if he was in need of help, to turn to him. But with Ray away at war, it falls to Nancy. Changes afoot in the band, with a new band leader - but descent among the ranks threatens to cause chaos for the new leader.

[Rowena Onions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I applaud the view of this book about the impact of war, and whilst I could see that the overall story was well shaped and enjoyable, I felt that this book needed a good edit. I found whole chapters in the middle dragged and slowed the whole plot down. Will I listen to next year's equal? I'm not sure.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book but I wish I read the first book first as l found it hard to get into but maybe when I read the other books first the book was good but l have never read anything written by Anton Du Beke so will look forward to reading the rest

[Samantha Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a four star.
It was quite good. But I thought it was take a step back with the character.
Instead it was just a few pages on a few chapters to do with the title.
I thought it was how the character started to dance.
But still a good read.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generous 3 stars - could have given up at any point as I did not really like it but finished it anyway. Maybe I hadn’t read the other books so was not sure of the characters but the writing was confusing and the story lines a bit weak, not my cup of tea at all

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It combines the horrors of war and the London Blitz with the glamour of the ballroom. The descriptions are so well written that I can picture it all, from the bombed out homes to the dancers in the Buckingham hotel. I loved it and couldn’t put it down.

[Lorraine Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book in series

[Annette Hewlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anton du Beck back to his sparkling best. Lovely read.

[Joanne Whitefoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series of books. I do hope Anton Du Beke will be releasing another

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all Buckingham books so far and really felt the air of menace introduced in this one was a development in the author's style

[Sue K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't leave you disappointed, have read all Anton's books have loved every one of them.

[Helen DD Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyment

Great read, I could picture Anton telling the story. Will read more of your novels. Thank you Helen D D Campbell.

[Alexis Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

would have been a five star but for one of the plot lines about the Brogan family

[C J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anton Du Beke - Dancer, Judge, Author…

AND Brilliant, entertaining, fun, genuinely kind, generous and top SPL presenter. Plus a true gentleman in person through and through.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly more unrealistic but still enjoyable!

[Cath · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finding this rather slow after his previous book?

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, I just felt there were gaps in the story. Things happening in the 'background' that made the story a bit disjointed.