Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

This was on a list of books to read if you missed Downton Abbey so of course why not go to the master himself.  There was much that was similar - a grand English house or two, family secrets, the rule of class, historical drama - but I realized how much the acting in DA brought the characters to life.  I found the people in this book flat, not fully realized, role players in a common human drama.  The time period is early 19th century, following the war with Napoleon.  The women are manipulative but not yet challenging their role as property.  There is the hint of a rising industrial class but they still all long to be earls or whatever.   Belgravia might make a good period soap opera but only if they found a role for the likes of Maggie Smith.