It all started by chance. Helena Bonham Carter came to have tea with Anne Glenconner to do research for her role as Princess Margaret in The Crown. They talked for hours and hours, and when Helena left, Anne Glenconner realized that her life was so colorful that it deserved a book.

Anne Coke was married to Colin Glenconner. She was old nobility, he was new money. Anne was present at the coronation of Elizabeth and later became the lady-in-waiting of Princess Margaret. She had five children, two of whom died far too young. Her husband bought an island, Mustique, where he threw parties costing a fortune. Anyway, a delightful book where the paper sticks to your fingers, that's how quickly you read it.

A bestseller was born. And because Anne, at her old age (she is 87), still has enough energy, she immediately wrote a thrilling novel set on the island that her husband made so famous.

It is waiting for me this weekend. Are you reading along?