What do you think?
Rate this book
Buckingham #7
A Dance for the King
In London 1942 the war is far from over. Soldier Raymond de Guise returns from North Africa to his family and friends at the Buckingham Hotel. He has suffered hardship and loss, but England needs him more than ever. Spies have infiltrated high society at the hotel, alongside a wave of American GIs. Can Raymond protect his King and country before it is too late?
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2024
45 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 5, 2024
If you have read the previous ‘Buckingham Hotel’ books then you will know exactly what to expect and in that it really doesn’t disappoint,I would recommend reading all the series and in order as a lot of the characters are the same and the books follow their ever changing lives
We start in Summer 1942 and follow many stories but my favourite was Raymond ( ex main dancer at the hotel ) being summoned back from the war to act as a spy amongst some of the less well meaning guests at the luxury Mayfair hotel,it was a fast action part of the book
The other stories that featured I could take or leave and were readable of course but none came near the excitement of the above
Still full of glamour and gossip,wealth and privilege the book does and gives exactly as promises and for fans of the series will be another long awaited stay at the hotel where dreams ( and sometimes nightmares ) happen
It gives as it promises and in that respect it is a good read
We start in Summer 1942 and follow many stories but my favourite was Raymond ( ex main dancer at the hotel ) being summoned back from the war to act as a spy amongst some of the less well meaning guests at the luxury Mayfair hotel,it was a fast action part of the book
The other stories that featured I could take or leave and were readable of course but none came near the excitement of the above
Still full of glamour and gossip,wealth and privilege the book does and gives exactly as promises and for fans of the series will be another long awaited stay at the hotel where dreams ( and sometimes nightmares ) happen
It gives as it promises and in that respect it is a good read
March 29, 2025
Good as usual
October 28, 2025
The 7th instalment of the Buckingham series by Du Beke came to an end nicely, as it mostly does with room for continuation, which is something to look forward too. This tale is again as they always are is sweet and a nice and easy read for beginning to end, it was slow at the beginning and then picked up and all crescendoed near the end, and all fitted well.
A random quote that struck me from this book was:
“It might feel grave today, but tomorrow things change, and then they change again, for now it’s grief, but trust me - grief has other victims waiting, it moves on.”
I like that it just hits hard in the feels as some people might say.
It’s hard to rate lower than a 4 with these books because I have read them for so long, so familiar with all the characters and the buildings it’s just a nice read, it’s also hard to give a 5 because it isn’t outstanding piece of writing and doesn’t blow you away but that’s okay. This continued during the Second World War in 1942 only being the first half of it though which makes my guess that the best book will be second half of 1942. It has a lot of love, happiness, laughs, a lot of lies and treachery, heartbreak and fulfilment. I’ll end on this quote, which is displayed a lot throughout this series.
“But in the end. It was the dancing that mattered, let’s dance……”
A random quote that struck me from this book was:
“It might feel grave today, but tomorrow things change, and then they change again, for now it’s grief, but trust me - grief has other victims waiting, it moves on.”
I like that it just hits hard in the feels as some people might say.
It’s hard to rate lower than a 4 with these books because I have read them for so long, so familiar with all the characters and the buildings it’s just a nice read, it’s also hard to give a 5 because it isn’t outstanding piece of writing and doesn’t blow you away but that’s okay. This continued during the Second World War in 1942 only being the first half of it though which makes my guess that the best book will be second half of 1942. It has a lot of love, happiness, laughs, a lot of lies and treachery, heartbreak and fulfilment. I’ll end on this quote, which is displayed a lot throughout this series.
“But in the end. It was the dancing that mattered, let’s dance……”
June 26, 2025
A dance for the king by Anton du Beke
I listened to this one, and when I downloaded it I didn’t realise that it was the seventh (I think) book in a series, woops!
Nonetheless; it’s set in London during WWII and revolves around the fictional Buckingham Hotel and its grand ballroom. I think it’s called a historical drama – and there is certainly plenty of that! Lots of dancing (unsurprising, it was written by a professional dancer), lots of mystery and secrets, rich aristocrats behaving badly, feisty American soldiers, and an uncle-nephew duo who both have music running through their veins.
It was fun reading about the impact of American soldiers on London life during the mobilisation, and spending time in the world of the Buckingham Hotel with its huge, lively cast of characters. I didn’t feel like I had to read the earlier books to enjoy this one—so that was a relief!
I listened to this one, and when I downloaded it I didn’t realise that it was the seventh (I think) book in a series, woops!
Nonetheless; it’s set in London during WWII and revolves around the fictional Buckingham Hotel and its grand ballroom. I think it’s called a historical drama – and there is certainly plenty of that! Lots of dancing (unsurprising, it was written by a professional dancer), lots of mystery and secrets, rich aristocrats behaving badly, feisty American soldiers, and an uncle-nephew duo who both have music running through their veins.
It was fun reading about the impact of American soldiers on London life during the mobilisation, and spending time in the world of the Buckingham Hotel with its huge, lively cast of characters. I didn’t feel like I had to read the earlier books to enjoy this one—so that was a relief!
September 30, 2024
loved it
Didn’t want it to end. Loved every moment of it. I wanted to slap Nelson. I just have to presume another book on the way , it can’t end here, get writing Anton, I am ready x
Didn’t want it to end. Loved every moment of it. I wanted to slap Nelson. I just have to presume another book on the way , it can’t end here, get writing Anton, I am ready x
August 21, 2025
Strictly meets war time London…. Another instalment of the Buckingham hotel series …. Nice to catch up with the characters and how their lives grow and change during the war x looking forward to the next instalment.
September 22, 2025
This was one book I couldn't put down.
I really enjoyed it. They were shocked and surprises and glad to say it's not over yet.
This has to be one book that made me feel like I was dancing.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
I really enjoyed it. They were shocked and surprises and glad to say it's not over yet.
This has to be one book that made me feel like I was dancing.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
December 2, 2025
As always such a pleasure visiting The Buckingham Hotel again.
The characters continue to grow and you get a true feeling of the tough times that they're going through and what means most in these dark times...family and what is important to them.
The characters continue to grow and you get a true feeling of the tough times that they're going through and what means most in these dark times...family and what is important to them.
December 10, 2025
I say this after every Buckingham book, but please someone make this into a big budget Sunday night TV show. This truly feels like it should be the new Downton Abbey. And I stand by my previous idea - Danny Mac as Raymond de Guise please! :-)
October 7, 2024
Buckingham Hotel
Another good book in this series, like the previous four books i couldn’t put this book down, a very good read.
Another good book in this series, like the previous four books i couldn’t put this book down, a very good read.
October 12, 2024
Another excellent read from anton, can't wait for the next instalment, fantastic x
October 23, 2024
A Dance for the King
What a brilliant book. Thoroughly enjoyed the twist and turns and how Raymond's life is turned around. Can't wait for the next instalment
What a brilliant book. Thoroughly enjoyed the twist and turns and how Raymond's life is turned around. Can't wait for the next instalment
October 30, 2024
I enjoyed the stuff in the ballroom and The Royal Albert Hall, I wasn’t convinced by Raymond being a spy!
December 16, 2024
Lovely continuation of the saga x
December 27, 2024
Very enjoyable. Love his books
January 1, 2025
Sorry Anton, I really wanted to like this book more, but ...... stick to the dancing & judging!
January 2, 2025
A light but enjoyable wartime story of espionage and dancing.
February 5, 2025
As usual a great story that carries the saga forward. Love the characters, the hotel and the dancing. Really hope there’s another one to come.
February 8, 2025
Yet another brilliant novel set around the Buckingham Hotel
February 27, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down! I have really enjoyed the Buckingham series of books. Looking forward to Anton’s new series and book in the Summer.
March 6, 2025
Another lovely book within the glittering world of the Buckingham Hotel. ✨🤩
March 12, 2025
The best one so far. I loved the intricate sub plot of the spies.
June 21, 2025
This book is as lovely, sentimental and romantic in its character as the author himself.
I love the Buckingham Hotel personel and truly appreciate being immersed in their life story once again. I don’t think I could ever get bored of them!
Anton Du Beke manages to add a new level of interest to this story by introducing espionage and complicating relationships and personal morale. It’s a great summer read, easy page turner. Definitely an enjoyable book for anybody who likes flowery, elaborate writing, additionally embellished with glamour of the dance floor.
I love the Buckingham Hotel personel and truly appreciate being immersed in their life story once again. I don’t think I could ever get bored of them!
Anton Du Beke manages to add a new level of interest to this story by introducing espionage and complicating relationships and personal morale. It’s a great summer read, easy page turner. Definitely an enjoyable book for anybody who likes flowery, elaborate writing, additionally embellished with glamour of the dance floor.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews