Front cover of The Winter Ball by Anton Du Beke, hardback

The Winter Ball : A sweeping story of love and war from the bestselling author of the Buckingham hotel series - Anton Du Beke

Anton Du Beke

£20.00
  • Pages · 416 pages
  • Publication Date · 23/10/2025
  • Genre · Historical romance
Collect in store Pick it up free from the shop in Oxford's Covered Market, usually quicker than the post.
Delivery Standard tracked £1.99, free on orders over £20. Express tracked £2.99.
Book Lovers' Happy Hour Three cocktails matched to your taste, three books chosen for you, an hour and a half at the bar. £60 per person. Book a place →

Don't miss the dazzling new novel from the nation's favourite entertainer'Heartbreaking, heartlifting and enchanting' CAROL KIRKWOOD1942, LondonIn the darkest times, hope lights the way... As the snow falls on Berkeley Square, the staff at the Buckingham Hotel are busy preparing for the arrival of American soldiers. 'King of the Ballroom' Raymond de Guise is rallying the performers for the forthcoming Winter Ball, with a familiar face returning to surprise the guests. As rumours circulate that the Royal Party will be in attendance on the night, tensions begin to rise on and off the dancefloor as shocking secrets are revealed. Raymond has always been a keeper of secrets, most especially his own. Unbeknownst to his friends and family, he has returned from the frontline to the ballroom to feed information from high society to the British government... As the festive season approaches, he is given his most dangerous assignment yet, welcoming three American officials into his home with the knowledge that one is a traitor. As the Christmas baubles glitter, he must discover who has treachery in his heart before it is too late. Will Raymond be able to protect his home and his country? Or will this be the time he finally loses what he loves the most? The Winter Ball is a sweeping wartime saga, filled with drama, intrigue, dance and romance from the star of Strictly Come Dancing, Anton Du Beke.

Only at Gulp Fiction

Book Lovers' Happy Hour

An hour and a half at the bar, with three cocktails matched to your taste and three books chosen for you. Tell us what you like when you book, and we'll have them waiting when you arrive.

  • 1½ hours
  • £60 per person
  • 3 cocktails, 3 books
Book Happy Hour

Up to four of you can come — book a place each and choose the same time slot, then tell us who you're with. For larger groups, email gulpfictionbooks@gmail.com and we'll arrange it.

Three customers at the window table in Gulp Fiction, cocktails in hand beside a stack of books, with Oxford's Covered Market visible through the glass

Collect in store

Order online and pick it up from the shop. It's free, and usually quicker than the post.

Find us

Units 28–29, Covered Market, Oxford OX1 3DU. Mon–Wed 10–5, Thu–Sat 10–10, Sun 11–4.

Book a table

The bar is open late Thursday to Saturday. Reserve a table for a drink among the books.