BookView Review

In this sharply observed political drama, Day turns a critical eye on power, privilege, and the fragile loyalties that bind an elite circle together. Fliss Fitzmaurice’s death in Bali appears accidental, yet it unsettles a powerful family built on influence and favors. Ben, next in line for Prime Minister, wants silence, not scrutiny. Martin returns, hoping grief will reopen old doors. Serena questions her gilded life, Cosima rejects her parents’ values, and Richard eyes redemption. Over everything looms Andrew Jarvis, whose wealth may control more than anyone admits. As old friendships resurface, buried tensions and hypocrisies begin to unravel in dangerous, revealing ways.

A biting portrait of corruption within British politics, this ensemble drama unfolds through rotating first-person chapters that reveal how each character views the others. The cast is unapologetically vain, self-absorbed, and often deeply unpleasant, yet their perspectives create a compelling mosaic of ambition, resentment, and moral decay. The near-constant perspective changes can feel slightly wearing at times, but they reinforce the fractured nature of the group. The tone shifts from dark humor to unsettling gravity, exposing the distortions of class and power. Though readers remain observers rather than confidants, the narrative proves difficult to set aside. Packed with betrayal, grudges, and sharp twists, this sequel stands confidently on its own.

***