The Royal Show by Anton Du Beke was a beautifully written book with an eye catching cover. I loved all the characters and the way Anton described the all the scenes. A great book for your holiday relaxing by the pool.

Big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected too. It was so engaging and compelling. A really enjoyable read

Having read all of Antons book so far this was another enjoyable read.Antons books are nice reads and based in olden times.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - there are already plenty of reviews like that out there!

This is the first novel I've read by Anton Du Beke, though I understand he has already written several others (on my list to track down).

I enjoyed reading this novel - the settings, attitudes and behaviours of the characters seemed exactly right for the period it was set in (the 1960s). Things were changing, but some social attitudes had not yet relaxed.

The characters were well written - the main characters were an interesting mix, some likeable, some rather unpleasant, and some obviously hiding secrets! The book uses flashbacks as a way of fleshing out the history of some of the characters, which I always enjoy in a novel. I also liked the fact that there were several subplots going on. There were some good twists in the plot, though I did guess the main culprit after a while.

All in all an enjoyable read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this book something completely different to what I normally read. Great storyline and loved the characters.

Anton Du Beke's stories always bring me to new places and show me fascinating backgrounds and make me meet intriguing people.
This is about variety, the changing of time, and how a fading company could be up for a show for a queen.
I loved the characters and loved the well plotted story. The historical background is vivid and loved it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

It is 1962 and the Forsyth Variety troupe has been chosen to perform at the Royal Variety Show in front of her majesty the Queen. For Ed Forsyth it is coming full circle as he performed in front of her grandfather fifty years before, now as he thinks of his retirement it feels like his swan song. His daughter Evie has been his right hand since his son Cal disappeared several years before. Now Cal has returned but not necessarily for the right reasons, Evie is in a romance with one of her dancers and the surprise guest artist is causing problems. Will it be alright on the night for their big performance?
The story moves swiftly through rehearsals for the show with well drawn characters and interesting back stories. It is the first book by Anton du Beke that I have read and I will be reading his earlier novels with interest.

Oh what a treasure, what a delight! Anton is back! I first read “ A Christmas to Remember '' which was a joy and pleasure. Anton now as a seasoned author comes back with a bang in this book about a touring company about to do a royal command performance for a young Queen Elizabeth just after her first decade on the throne. The leader's son has just returned after a five year absence and many are not happy about it, not least of all his twin sister, who felt his leaving after their mothers death was unforgivable. A star is brought in to draw the crowds and there is much to do to revive what could have been a fading touring group.

“Decorum dictates” - this is the early 1960’s and there is much more “decorum” than in modern times. A time of gentleman and ladies but also much misogyny and disparity. The reader is quickly waltzed into the era by the wonderful writing style of Anton. It's as if you are dancing, in the arms of a consummate professional who gently guides and glides you around and takes all the pressure away- I was quickly taken into another world- to me the mark of an excellent writer. There is a little of everything in this- a little romance, a mystery or two, even a murder and an abundance of drama befitting a story of theatre of that era. A wonderful, era evocative, spellbinding treasure of a read.
(amazon to be done on publication)

I am a big fan of this author's Buckingham Hotel series so I was quite intrigued to see what he would do with this, his latest series opener, set in the wonderful world of variety. In it we meet the Forsyth Variety Company as they have just returned from an overseas tour, and are about to embark on a very special assignation - to perform before the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance. The year is 1962 and company owner Ed Forsyth, on the cusp or possible retirement, who maybe handing the reins over to daughter Evie, is reminiscing of the time he performed for the King...
But the family is not without its issues. Prodigal son Cal chooses (not really but) this busy time to return to the family having abandoned them, leaving them in the lurch after the death of his mother...
And then there's Billy Rich who has come back from Hollywood to star in the show...
I loved this book. I've already said that. What I have always loved about all this author's books is that as well as a cracking story, he manages to create a wonderful cast of simply delicious characters. Not all good, but all easy to connect with - good and bad and all things in-between! We have delight and devilment and a wee splot of romance to be found herein. All delivered ably and with interest and intrigue aplenty. Oh and a wee foray to a very special place ;)
Yes some of the twists and turns are a bit predictable - well they were for me but I am a seasoned reader of this genre so... But my attention never wavered and it all wrapped up nicely to my satisfaction at the end. Apart from leaving me wondering what's next for the characters and hankering for the next book, that is!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I just couldn't get into this book, no matter how much I want to as I'm a fan of Anton and wanted to finally read some of his work. I felt like another long lost brother wanting the business back, the sister getting pushed out and that just isn't for me. Although the prologue suggested another wise.

4.5 but I'm rounding up to 5.

I am a huge fan of Anton Du Beke's Buckinghim series, so when I heard that there he was writing something new I was intrigued. I'll start off my saying that it did take me a while to get into The Royal Show, but once I didnl I didn't want it to end. I will say that I guessed the twists pretty early on in the book but it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. Anton really has a talent for setting the scenes for the readers as regards anything to do with entertainment, wheater it's a ballroom or a variety show, he paints a vivid picture. I really hope that there's a follow up to this book so we can see what the future holds for the Forsyth Varieties.