Having read and enjoyed Beauty earlier this year, my lovely god-sister loaned me a few Louise Bagshawe books. It was recommended that I start with Sparkles and I can see why - it's completely addictive reading, with more bitching and backstabbing than an episode of Dynasty.

As with Beauty, Louise Bagshawe goes into such descriptive detail, from the designer of the clothes to the cut of the diamond, that a multi-dimensional picture is created in your mind and the characters are almost jumping out of the page in 3D.

I loved and loved to hate all of the characters. There is Pierre's widow, Sophie, who has to step in to save the business for her son, Tom. Pierre's haughty mother, Katherine, who bends Tom's ear and convinces him that Sophie is devaluing his inheritance. Tom, the son, and spoilt playboy who thinks he's a man but can't see when he is being played. Not forgetting my favourite love to hate character of Judy, one of Pierre's mistresses, who intends to get her hands on the Massot business one way or another.

There is a massive twist in the story and I didn't guess all of it. In fact it's a twist that, once revealed, keeps twisting. It reminded me that hell hath no fury, like a woman scorned...but which scorned woman will have her revenge? You'll just have to read it for yourself to find out! ( )

This is one of the 'beach blockbusters' that you can pick up and put down but I'll guarantee you won't be able to put it down. Full of action, passion, betrayal and ultra-glam.

Back Cover Blurb:
The glittering fortunes of the Massot family, vastly wealthy owners of Paris's greatest jewellery firm, were plunged into confusion seven years ago by the disappearance of Pierre Massot, its charismatic, secretive head. Now his beautiful young widow Sophie has decided she and her son Tom - and the firm - must move on to survive.
But their enemies have other ideas and a trail of scandal is waiting to be uncovered....What really happened to Pierre? And what was the family secret he tried so hard to conceal? ( )

Pierre Massot drove away from his wife into nowhere. Now, seven years later his wife has decided to declare him dead. She also wants to do something about the mess the company is in but her son is opposed, as is the company managers. Her husband also has a few ex-girlfriends dotted around who are wondering what's next for them.

Just as Sophie is about to turn the fortunes around the rug is pulled from under her.

Full of intrigue, this is a grand story in the footsteps of Daniel Steel and Barbara Taylor Bradford. ( )