A Dance for the King

Buckingham #7

by Anton du Beke

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?

400 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2026

Reviews

[Mark]

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

[Brenda]

Good as usual

[Hayden Bradley]

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……”

[Val]

The 7th book in the Buckingham series.

Raymond has returned from the war - but unbeknownst to Nancy, by the time he turns up, he’s been back in Britain for two weeks. Not something he can divulge to her for reasons that will become clear as the story unfolds.

There have been changes almost everywhere, Max’s wayward nephew has turned up, the Americans have come to join the war and the top hotels are vying for as much business from he troops as they can garner.

But at the Buckingham things are changing - and not necessarily for the better.

[Ike Levick]

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!

[Rosemarie Deloughery]

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

[Clarico]

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.

[Samantha Neal]

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.

[Sophia Aouichaoui]

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.

[Laura]

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! :-)

[Linda Friday]

Buckingham Hotel

Another good book in this series, like the previous four books i couldn’t put this book down, a very good read.

[Joanne Cox]

Another excellent read from anton, can't wait for the next instalment, fantastic x

[Rosemarie Swayze]

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

[Annette Hewlett]

I enjoyed the stuff in the ballroom and The Royal Albert Hall, I wasn’t convinced by Raymond being a spy!

[Sarah]

Lovely continuation of the saga x

[Gill Bayer]

Very enjoyable. Love his books

[Fi]

Sorry Anton, I really wanted to like this book more, but ...... stick to the dancing & judging!

[Mrs Jane Chubb]

A light but enjoyable wartime story of espionage and dancing.

[Natalie Reilly]

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.

[Sue K]

Yet another brilliant novel set around the Buckingham Hotel

[Mrs Sarah Ridgway]

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.

[Bethany Martin]

Another lovely book within the glittering world of the Buckingham Hotel. ✨🤩

[Sarah]

The best one so far. I loved the intricate sub plot of the spies.

[Karen Pratt]

3.5 ⭐️

[Sandra Pearson]

I absolutely love this series of books by Anton Du Beke. He really brings war time London to life. Several twists in this one that helps keep the story and characters fresh

[Sharon Moriarty]

this series just gets better and better

[Rikki Jackson]

I feel this book was too Raymond focused and a lot of other characters/storylines were overlooked. I enjoyed it, but it definitely isn't my favourite in the series.

[Sheona Mallet]

Loved it

[Sarah Reynolds]

Loved it twists and turns

[Agata]

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.