Anne Glenconner – författare

A storm. A disappearance. A race against time . . .Mustique is in a state of breathless calm as tropical storm Cristobal edges towards it across the Atlantic. Most villa owners have escaped the island but a few young socialites remain, unwilling to let summer''s partying end. American heiress Amanda Fortini is one such thrill-seeker - until she heads out for a morning swim and doesn''t return.Detective Sergeant Solomon Nile is just 28 years old and the island''s only fully trained police officer. He quickly realises he needs to contact Lord and Lady Blake, who bought the island decades ago and have invested time, money and love creating a paradise. Jasper is in St Lucia designing a new village of luxury villas but Lady Veronica (Vee to her friends) catches a plane immediately. Her beloved god-daughter, Lily, is on the island and this disappearance has alarming echoes of what happened to Lily''s mother many years ago. Lady Vee would never desert a friend in need, and she can keep a cool head in a crisis.When Amanda''s body is found, a murder investigation begins. Nile knows the killer must be an islander because flights and ferry crossings have stopped due to the storm warning, but the local community isn''t co-operating. And then the storm hits, and someone else disappears . . .

**OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD**

''Real life Bridgerton'' - this is the perfect read for Bridgerton fans.''The gossip is stupendous but it''s also tremendously touching. It''s one of those books that makes you long for bed so you can read more!'' - JILLY COOPER

A Maid of Honour at the Queen''s Coronation and former Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, Anne Glenconner has spent her life as a friend of the royal family. In this bestselling memoir, she looks back on an extraordinary life full of glamour, drama and tragedy.

''The best royal book by miles . . . funny, gossipy and riveting'' -JANE RIDLEY, SPECTATOR

''If your jaw doesn''t drop at least three times every chapter, you''ve not been paying proper attention'' - SUNDAY TIMES

The eldest child of the 5th Earl of Leicester, Anne knew as a daughter she would not inherit the family fortune and was instead brought up to secure an eligible husband. Her marriage to the charismatic Colin Tennant - later Lord Glenconner - would prove a test of every strength she possessed, while her friendship with Princess Margaret, which began in childhood, grew ever closer.

From the tragic loss of two of her grown-up sons to the cruel surprise of her late husband''s final will, Lady in Waiting is Anne Glenconner''s remarkable testament to the resilience and humour that define her as she emerges from the shadow of her husband and the crown, reminding us that all that glitters is not gold.

''A captivating account of a life lived with resilience and grace'' - DAILY MAIL

''The stoical Lady G writes with infectious joy and optimism'' - DAILY EXPRESS

''I can''t recommend it highly enough'' - LORRAINE KELLY

''Gentle, wise, unpretentious, but above all inspiring'' - THE TIMES

''A candid, witty and stylish memoir'' - MIRANDA SEYMOUR, FINANCIAL TIMES

''Stalwart and disarmingly honest . . . emotion resonates through this delightful memoir'' - THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

''Discretion and honour emerge as the hallmarks of Glenconner''s career as a royal servant, culminating in this book which manages to be both candid and kind'' - GUARDIAN

''I couldn''t put it down. Funny and touching - like looking through a keyhole at a lost world.'' - RUPERT EVERETT

Bracing honesty, rare insight and hilarious revelations from Princess Margaret''s former Lady in Waiting as she shares everything she''s learned from her extraordinary and unexpected life.