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Anatomy of a Scandal

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Member Reviews

Pacy mix of a legal thriller, a hidden past crime and a dangerous marriage. Really readable and compulsive.

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I enjoyed this book but would have liked a bit more action in the courtroom. James,an MP accused of rape of his mistress in a lift. This is one of these,who do you believe cases which could go either way.
Kate, the barrister is determined to get a guilty verdict and see James sent to prison. We hear a lot about James and his friends during their university years and how it probably shaped their lives for a future of feeling privileged.
I felt sorry for Jame's wife Sophie having to live with an unfaithful man. There's a few surprises in this book which make the whole read worthwhile .

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James is the darling of Westminster. Good looking and charismatic, best chums with the PM, not even a sordid affair seems to threaten his ascending star. His wife Sophie is heartbroken and struggles to forgive him. But when he's accused of rape she's sure there's a miscarriage of justice - could the father of her children do something so heinous? But equally as sure that he could do it is Kate, a barrister who thrives on cases like this. She throws herself into every case she prosecutes but this one seems to consume her....

Revenge, privilege, heartbreak, intrigue - it's all here. This has been described as a courtroom drama but it's more than that. It tells a story for four viewpoints, James, Sophie, Kate and Holly (and old study partner of Sophie's). There's no question from the outset that James is a slimy a-hole but this novel studies if he's really as bad as Kate and his accusers make out? There's no huge surprises in this novel but in many ways this story is more about the journey than the outcome. It raises interesting questions about what we are willing to let people get away with when they are so good looking, so seemingly happy, so charming and blessed.

I very much enjoyed this. It's a compelling read from start to finish. You know a book is good when despite been up for 22 hours you just HAVE to finish. It's well structured, well written - this author is surely destined for even more success.

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What would you do if your husband and the father of your two children was accused of rape? Sophie Whitehouse's politician husband, James, has been accused and will be prosecuted for his actions. Is James the man that Sophie thought he was? Indeed, is anyone?

I declare a shameless prejudice in thinking that pretty much all politicians are corrupt and it was therefore not at all a stretch to believe the characterisation of James and his colleagues portrayed in this novel. That is not to say that they weren't very well written in their own right, indeed all the characters were, nor that my personal prejudices took away from my enjoyment of this novel in any way because they certainly didn't.

This is not, however, simply a novel of privilege and entitlement. It is one of sadness, anger and all round admiration for strong women and the parts they also have to play in the future. I particularly liked the character of Ali who is so supportive of her friend and who is the one to see through it all the most clearly.

A novel of intrigue and interest (there is a twist in there too but frankly that's pretty easy to guess almost straightaway) and one which leaves a great deal of food for thought.

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An easy read but covers some very current situations. The author seems well appraised and knowledgeable regarding courts and the law. A light read but never the less enjoyable.

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Whilst I did enjoy this book, I found the links between the characters highly implausible and a bit too far fetched to take seriously. Some disturbing back stories nevertheless which kept my interest going.

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I found this book really hard work. It didn't grip me and I only persevered with it so I could give it a fair review. Had I not received it from Net Galley I'd have abandoned it halfway through.

I felt there was way too much padding in the story and it could have been condensed down into something much shorter and concise. I also felt the characterisation was a little weak and did not warm to any of the characters. Kate in particular didn't seem to have been built up enough. I could not relate to any of the characters and I did not care about them.

I got the impression that this is based on a true story and the writer was trying to subtly expose someone she knew involved in something similar - just my impression of course. It seemed very unrealistic that the prosecutor of the trial was someone the defendant knew previously. I am not sure that could ever actually happen - surely the CPS would've realised they knew each other. I doubt any well paid lawyer would've risked their entire career like that. So that part seemed very far-fetched.

The writing itself seemed a little repetitive and Sarah Vaughan used the word "for" far too many times. Other subordinating conjunctions such as "because", "since", "although", "whereas" and "while" might've given the text a bit more variety.

All in all, this was a disappointing read and I would not recommend it..

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I don’t really do court room dramas to be honest however I did enjoy this and I read it in only a couple of sittings,very fast paced and thrilling to boot. I had no idea who to believe half the time and was constantly kept guessing and and double taking what people said. I liked Sophie and really felt for her throughout not knowing whether or not her husband did commit the awful act he was accused of. A seriously good read, I liked the ending too and would read more court room dramas if they were like this one!!!!

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A thoroughly enjoyable, fast paced and twisted read

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Loved the twists and turns of this book, the pace was unrelenting and the author's turn of phrase incredibly precise and descriptive. Really loved it.

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Rising star of the Conservative Party James Whitehouse seems to have everything. Successful in his career, handsome, popular and with the perfect family, James has lived a gilded life but he harbours secrets. When at Oxford he was involved in a night he has spent his time trying to forget. After an ill-favoured affair with a colleague James is accused of rape and brought to trial. The prosecutor, Kate, has her own reasons for wanting to ensure James is found guilty and, as the case goes on, James wife Sophie finds the scales falling from her eyes.

Reading the reviews I was a little sceptical of this novel, it comes across as a rather formulaic attempt to write something that addresses current obsessions. In fact it is all of that but it is so much more. The pace is breathless, the characters quite rounded and the plot suitably complex to catch my attention. I really found myself addicted to it and loved the twist!

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When I finished reading Anatomy of a Scandal, I was suffering from flu. I didn't have the brain power to write a full review, so I created a Twitter banner instead.

This Twitter banner really does summarise my thoughts:
'Anatomy of a Scandal is twisty, gripping, thought-provoking, multi-layered, heart-stopping and breath-holding brilliance. Very much a novel of modern times. The writing is sublime. Wow!'

And now I'm attempting to put my thoughts into something longer and more coherent. But I'm still struggling as there's so much I want to say and I don't feel I can do this book justice. I'm not mentioning anything about the plot (so no spoilers) and I'm not mentioning specific characters either - but I am mentioning the themes.

Anatomy of a Scandal is a courtroom drama combined with psychological thriller. It's a believable and gripping dissection of an affair and a marriage, a window into the lives of politicians and barristers and a thought-provoking insight into class divide. There's the topical 'Me Too' theme, about the strength of women and issues surrounding consent. This multi-layered plot is filled with moral dilemmas and themes of revenge, truth, lies and privilege.

For me, my enjoyment of the book wasn't about the twists, shocks and surprises - that doesn't mean there aren't any, but I did guess certain things. Instead, I appreciated how much this book got right under my skin, right until the end. And how it raised so many questions.

I read Anatomy of a Scandal with another reader, stopping after a few chapters and discussing our thoughts. I'm so glad that I read it in this way, as this book needs to be discussed and dissected,. Anatomy of a Scandal is a perfect choice for a reading group/book club, and the type of book that I would read again and again.

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This novel covers a very topical subject at the moment with so much in the media about sexual harassment by those in positions of power. It takes us through the tragic effects on the family of the accused in a rape trial as well as showing us the long term harm abuse can have when left unaddressed. Very well researched and well told with the main female characters taking it in turns to tell their story. The trial itself is heart wrenching seen through the perspective of the wife of the accused and the historic back story seem altogether depressingly familiar.The verdict of the trial is predictable but frustrating given the public standing of the accused but the ending serves us the come uppance we are rooting for.
Highly recommended

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Kate Woodcroft QC is a criminal barrister specialising in prosecuting sexual crimes who is married to the job. She is 42, single & childless.

In this fascinating story the Secretary of State, the ever charming and handsome James Whitehouse is accused of rape by a junior member of staff Olivia Lytton. The situation has a big impact on his wife Sophie, who is publically humiliated by the affair and the circumstances that come to light as a result of such intimacies. She wants to believe he is innocent but is he?

The story is told interchangeably in the 1st person by Sophie, James and Kate. Hearing their voices and their personalities is very intriguing. It is a case where both agree they have enjoyed risky mutual sex, but a possibly spontaneous liaison after James ends the relationship results in an accusation of rape. Alongside the court case, Kate’s backstory comes to life and you find out there is more to this situation than meets the eye.

It is fast paced, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable from the start. Dialogues and perspectives create a layered story, full of altered perspectives and intrigue. There are gradual reveals and lots of angles to enjoy getting your head around. It is realistic and at times quite a gritty psychological thriller that touches on some of the institutionalised male behaviours recently hitting the news.

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I really enjoyed this book. The descriptive elements work very well: you could almost smell the dusty corridors of Westminster and the Oxford colleges. I felt that the transition of Holly into Kate tested my credulity rather more than I liked, but it is a key element of a gripping story. Would I have liked James's eventual fall from grace to have been part of it? Yes, perhaps. After all, he had it coming!

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A clever plot well written . The story centres around James the politician who is accused of rape , his wife Sophie desperate to believe his innocence and Kare the prosecutor fighting to prove him guilty . .. A believable story and unfortunately current in the world we live in. this is a well executed storyline and one I devoured in 24 hours . . Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for my opportunity to read

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Sophie’s husband James is a loving father, a very handsome man, a charismatic and successful public figure. but he stands accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is convinced he is innocent and desperate to protect her precious family from the lies that threaten to tear them apart.

Kate is the lawyer that is hired to prosecute the high profile case, she is a experienced professional who knows the law who knows whats right from wrong she's very intelligent, and she want's the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth because that is what law is all about isn't it? and yet Kate is very sure that james is guilty of this crime not just sure but 100% certain, or is she letting something that happened in her past cloud her professional judgement?

who is right about james? Sophie his beautiful loyal wife mother of this two children or Kate an experienced lawyer, Sophie is not stupid shes known james most of her life she knows what his like and Kate see has seen things like this before she knows what to look out for... but what ever the out come of this court case it's going to leave someone devastated!!

Anatomy of a Scandal for me was a highly claustrophobic page turning book it grab's you in makes you feel apart of the case makes you feel you have now choice but to be there listening to all of the shocking graphic details of this case, who's side will you be on who do you believe because if like me you will change your mind, i could not stop reading because i felt so involved in the case in the story that i just had to know what happens next and just when you thing the truth is out you are hit with more and more and more! this book literally leaves you guessing until the last word on the page!! i would highly recommend "Anatomy Of a Scandal" to anyone who loves a page turning Book!! thank you to Netgalley & the Publishers for my copy

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A very up to date story of scandal. An MP is accused of a terrible crime, his wife Sophie is not sure who to believe, but needs to keep her family safe. The prosecuting barrister Kate also has her own personal reasons to want to prove James guilty. A very well written book that draws you in from the first chapter and keeps your interest to the very last page. This book is going to be a best seller and certainly deserves to be top of the book charts.

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What do you do if your handsome husband who also happens to be a member of parliament and junior minister admits to an affair just before it is splashed across the papers? If your Sophie, his beautiful wife, mother of his two children, you brush yourself down, forgive him his misdemeanour, and wait for it all to blow over. And this is exactly what happens until suddenly that same person with whom he has the affair accuses James of rape.

Enter Kate Woodcroft, QC; criminal barrister hired by rape victim, Olivia to prosecute James. Focused, tenacious, a bit of a loner, Kate is determined to ensure James is found guilty and pays for his crime.

The stage is set, will Kate succeed, is James guilty, and can Sophie withstand the humiliation and betrayal and stand by her husband?

What unfolds is a novel steeped in intrigue, power and class divide.

Told from the perspective of the three main protagonists, Kate, Sophie and James, Vaughan gives us a deep insight into the thoughts and indeed the differing sides of the story.

James, privately educated, wealthy, an Oxford graduate and the best friend of the Prime Minister. It is in flashbacks to his time at Oxford in the 90’s and his membership of the Libertines, a rich boys lunch club, that his true character comes alive. He has a real sense of entitlement that whatever he does is right, that money and connections will protect him. His behaviour and particularly his attitude towards women is questionable but to reveal the full extent would be to spoil the plot. From the very beginning I disliked James and as the story unfolded my dislike intensified. He is everything we often see today on our televisions, and in our newspapers. It was appalling to read of the antics of his peers at Oxford because we know all too well that it is in the 90’s it was so very true.

Sophie is also privately educated, fairly wealthy background, and an Oxford graduate. It is during her time at Oxford that she meets and falls in love with James. Wooed by his charm James can do no wrong, although they lose touch at Oxford before meeting and marrying seven years later. Their marriage is dominated by James’s ambition to rise through the ranks of government, Sophie subservient, bending to his will. At the beginning I found Sophie hugely frustrating, so subservient, willing to accept James’s version of events and then slowly the real Sophie emerged. The real Sophie was a woman who realised that she could stand on her own two feet and have the life that she wanted, out of James’s shadow and control.

Kate is the normal, working class girl. Brought up in humble surroundings with no private education and none of the trappings of wealth, Kate has had to work hard to get where she is. A naive and shy girl, an incident forces Kate to reinvent herself, to become the the tenacious, confident and focused barrister who will eventually prosecute James. She has one true friend, Ali, is a friend that will stay with her through all of the novels tumultuous events. She is not an easy character to like but you have to admire her strong will, her vulnerability and her ability to hide her one big dark secret.

Vaughan holds nothing back in this novel neither from a political or class point of view. She writes so vividly and expertly about class divide, the haves and have not’s, not only in general society but also at places of such notorious privilege as Oxford. Vaughan has exaggerated the differing perspectives to heighten the drama and yes clubs may still exist at Oxford or Cambridge but I doubt such outrageous behaviour would be tolerated now as it was in the 1990’s. From a political perspective, I think Vaughan has got it spot on and it is quite worrying that MP’s such as James do exist, that they are responsible for running our country. Her previous career as a news reporter and political journalist have no doubt helped provide such authenticity to the events she so wonderfully describes.

You can guess or predict some of the revelations, but that is not what this novel is about. It is more about why things happen and how the characters are able to deal with secrets long hidden, and to reconcile what they have done or not done. It is about the intricacies of the relationships between the characters and the clever way in which the pieces of the jigsaw fit together.

Anatomy of a Scandal is what it is says it, an anatomy of a scandal both the good and the bad. It is a scarily true novel of our times and deserves all of the hype and attention it is currently receiving.

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There's a saying "Sometimes the timing in life just isn't right for a book" and for me Anatomy of a Scandal couldn't of fit that saying anymore accurately - I picked it up 2, maybe 3 times before Christmas and could not get past the first couple of chapters. I then tried for a last time after Christmas and I did enjoy it so much more.

A courtroom drama should of been totally up my street, but what I struggled mostly with was the slow pace and overloading of information to start with. Definitely on my part and not the book (as it's worked for so many others, it's just I like more fast paced).

As I say, once I got past the opening and the story started to come to light I was a lot more interested. It's a very relevant book. It looks extremely closely at Rape and consent, especially a lift scene between the accused, James Whitehouse and Olivia who made the allegation. Does "No" mean no? What does consent mean to both parties? Esp in the case of these 2 having been having an affair. The court parts were indeed my favourite and I wish we could of had a bit more, I felt like it was real and I was there and I loved getting information on everyone's roles and how things work in the court system, it's something that really interests me and it's clear the author knows her stuff.

James was such a good thought out character, in the fact that I detested him, like I don't think I've hated a character that much in a long time! The book flips between courtroom and politics (and again I think it's the politics that knocked some stars off my rating - it's just something that goes over my head, so my enjoyment factor wavered).

I can see people having extremely mixed thoughts on this book and I definitely think it'd be a great one for Book Clubs!

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