Something Dangerous
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\ Sally QuinnHere's the thing about this book: It's so relaxing. It is in no way intellectual. It requires nothing of the reader. It takes place in England between 1928 and 1946, and it's like a great big cup of steaming hot tea with milk and honey and scones with clotted cream. It's not really a beach read; it's more of a curl up in front of the fireplace with a throw over your lap kind of read.\ — The Washington Post\ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyExpansively written and lushly detailed, this fast-paced sequel to No Angel follows the Lyttons, a prominent British publishing family, into the mid-20th century. It's 1928 as the book opens, and the Lytton heirs apparent-Giles, Kit and their twin sisters, Venetia and Adele-are more absorbed in their personal lives than in steering themselves toward future stewardship of the family empire. Giles, ensconced in a mid-level Lytton post, feels a professional and social failure; Kit is bright, but only eight; and the beautiful 18-year-old twins are more concerned with their court debuts than with learning anything useful about publishing. Lytton foster child Barty Miller, who graduated from Oxford with honors, might take the business seriously; she shows remarkable intelligence and drive, but not the gratitude that Celia Lytton, senior editor of the house and matron of the family, would like. The business and family survive the Depression as the Lyttons begin publishing cheaper books, the twins lose their virginity, Kit grows into a fine young man and Giles gets married. Then WWII comes along and snaps, if not sense, then at least some backbone into the Lytton children. But is it too late? As family secrets and the Nazis both threaten to crush the house of Lytton, Vincenzi tightens her grip on readers, churning out surprising twists that not only resolve current conflicts but promise delicious future crises. Agent, Clare Alexander. (Oct.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \ \ Library JournalVincenzi's new entry in the Lytton family saga seamlessly picks up where No Angel left off, but this time around twin daughters Adele and Venetia are central to the action. And what action there is, ranging from London to New York and set against the ominous backdrop of a world about to plunge into the battle against Hitler. Vincenzi does an excellent job of creating fully defined characters (while weaving historical figures into the action), and her plot lines are feasible and contain enough drama, romance, and secrets to keep readers enthralled. Those who enjoy Barbara Taylor Bradford will be eagerly anticipating Vincenzi's next installment, Into Temptation. Recommended for most women's fiction collections. Marianne Fitzgerald, Anne Arundel Cty. Schs., Annapolis, MD Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ Kirkus ReviewsDangerous? Only if you drop this endless sequel (No Angel, 2003) on your foot. Meandering tale of privileged twins, penned in typically effulgent style, spanning several decades and a continent or two. Venetia and Adele Lytton, spoiled darlings of the Lytton family of publishing fame, prove to be among the most popular, charming, witty, and irresistible debutantes of the year 1928: not only are they pretty, they are unarguably pretty (a much overused word in Vincenzi's lexicon, along with extremely, hugely, desperately, terribly, extraordinarily, hideously, dreadfully, and their poor little relation, very.) The twins pooh-pooh the ineffectual scolding of their concerned mummy, Celia, who pretends to disapprove of their modern manners-she's scandalized when Venetia powders her perfect nose at the table! Though her daughters seem to be wasting their excellent education, Celia is pleased by their social success, perhaps because they are no match for her. "The beautiful, brilliant Lady Celia Lytton moved among the great literary figures of her day . . . ." But doesn't she have a dark secret or something? Well, yes-but Vincenzi doesn't get around to it until hundreds of pages later. The twins must grow up in an uncertain world, fall in and out of love with toffee-nosed prigs, learn that life isn't always fair, explore New York when Lytton opens a branch there, etc. In the meantime, that silly Hitler-such a common man-is making stiff-armed salutes and rabble-rousing in Europe. And if someone doesn't put a stop to his fascist manias, what will happen to all the dear little cuckoo clocks? Will the twins have to give up waltzing because of its Viennese connection? But they have other worries:Barty, a redoubtable bluestocking with a certain horsy charm, is jockeying for control of Lytton. Oh, and Celia's dark secret? Kit, her fair-haired boy, doesn't look so very much like her long-suffering husband, does he?Trees of the world and dauntless readers, take note: The author gives warning on the last page that "this story is far from over."Agent: Desmond Elliot in association with Clare Alexander/Gillon Aitken\ \
