This book was very good, but it was not quite flawless. As a couple other people have commented, the middle pages do tend to drag a little bit; also, I didn't find the ending especially satisfying, but Demille's books always have strange endings, so I can't be too surprised. Overall, however, this was classic DeMille--I thought that it was funnier than Plum Island, and (at least in stretches) almost as funny as Gold Coast. For the record, I would rank DeMille's books: 1. Gold Coast (the best modern novel I have ever read) 2. Charm School 3. Lion's Game 4. Word of Honor 5. General's daughter 6. Cathedral 7. Spencerville (what happened?). #2 - #6 were all very good, just no Gold Coast, and #7 was the only blacksheep.