Apparently this is a sequel, which explains one of the problems I had with this book. The reader is introduced to about a dozen characters in the first few pages, each of whom is languid and rich and pretty and full of desire. I really couldn't tell them apart. I certainly couldn't tell which characters I was supposed to care about. Despite their varying backgrounds--one is a prostitute turned infamous society lady, another a debutante, etc--they all play the same role: they speak cattily at each other and yearn for more intimate connections. After a chapter or two of their non-witty witicisms and blunt reparte, I was done. ( )