Anatomy of a Scandal

A Novel

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Pub Date Jan 23 2018 | Archive Date Not set
Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Description

SOON TO BE A NETFLIX SERIES

Instant International Bestseller

“A nuanced story line perfectly in tune with our #metoo times.”—People, Book of the Week

“One of the season’s most buzzed-about thrillers.”—Bookish

“A strong choice for book clubs. Former political correspondent Vaughan makes an impressive debut with this savvy, propulsive courtroom drama.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Vaughan offers gripping insight into a political scandal’s hidden machinations and the tension between justice and privilege…Absorbing, polished.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Skillfully interweaving the story of the unfolding scandal, Vaughan gradually reveals just how shockingly high the stakes are…Sinewy…engrossing, twist-filled.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Some people’s secrets are darker than others.

Sophie’s husband James is a loving father, a handsome man, a charismatic and successful public figure. And yet 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 rip them apart.

Kate is the lawyer hired to prosecute the case: an experienced professional who knows that the law is all about winning the argument. And yet Kate seeks the truth at all times. She is certain James is guilty and is determined he will pay for his crimes.

Who is right about James? Sophie or Kate? And is either of them informed by anything more than instinct and personal experience? Despite her privileged upbringing, Sophie is well aware that her beautiful life is not inviolable. She has known it since she and James were first lovers, at Oxford, and she witnessed how easily pleasure could tip into tragedy.

Most people would prefer not to try to understand what passes between a man and a woman when they are alone: alone in bed, alone in an embrace, alone in an elevator… Or alone in the moonlit courtyard of an Oxford college, where a girl once stood before a boy, heart pounding with excitement, then fear. Sophie never understood why her tutorial partner Holly left Oxford so abruptly. What would she think, if she knew the truth?
SOON TO BE A NETFLIX SERIES

Instant International Bestseller

“A nuanced story line perfectly in tune with our #metoo times.”—People, Book of the Week

“One of the season’s most buzzed-about...

A Note From the Publisher

We'd love to see your reviews on Goodreads, B&N and Amazon as soon as possible. Please include direct links to these reviews in your Netgalley feedback. For questions about media or blog posts, please email atriapublicity@simonandschuster.com. Thanks, and happy reading!

We'd love to see your reviews on Goodreads, B&N and Amazon as soon as possible. Please include direct links to these reviews in your Netgalley feedback. For questions about media or blog posts...


Advance Praise

This is what readers so far have been saying:

Anatomy of a Scandal is a compelling and cautionary story about how we can never truly know someone else; how even after twelve years of marriage, a wife might not know everything about her husband. Brilliant, shocking, and gripping, once I started, I couldn't stop reading’ Claire Fuller, bestselling author of Our Endless Numbered Days

 

'Anatomy of a Scandal is that rare book that combines great writing, spot-on characterisation and a compulsive, page-turning narrative. I read it in one breathless day. Set against a fascinating backdrop of the Houses of Parliament, the Old Bailey and Oxford University, think House of Cards meets The Secret History. Meticulously researched, this is an outstanding read' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle

'A whip-smart, grown-up thriller with a hugely relevant moral question at its core' Tammy Cohen, author of When She Was Bad

Anatomy of a Scandal has bestseller written all over it. If there is any justice, it will fly to the top. It’s a fascinating insight into our justice system, and the nuances of trust and loyalty and how we re-write our actions to suit ourselves. A top-notch courtroom drama that takes the reader behind the scenes and into the lives of everyone involved in a high-profile case. Anatomy of a Scandal is masterful in its execution, teasing the audience as skilfully as a barrister playing cat and mouse with a witness. It’s whip-smart, utterly thrilling and deeply satisfying’ Veronica Henry, author of The Forever House

‘Sarah Vaughan has achieved that rare alchemy; a strong plot combined with complex characters and brilliant writing. Anatomy of a Scandal is thrilling. I came away feeling that I had read something extraordinarily good’ Emma Curtis, author of One Little Mistake

‘I enjoyed Anatomy of a Scandal very much. It’s so gripping! Adele Geras

‘I was hooked right from the start. So beautifully written, clever and compelling. I was gripped right up to the final page’ Claire Douglas, bestselling author of The Sisters and Local Girl Missing

‘I honestly could not put this book down.  It’s a fabulous read’ Milly Johnson

‘Racing through this – it’s bloody amazing! So gripping. I’ve been devouring it’ Katy Regan, author of Little Big Man

‘Oh, I loved this book SO MUCH!’ Sam Humphreys, Publishing Director, Mantle, who published Room

Wow! It blows the bloody doors off. Shocking. Compelling. Completely brilliant’ Eve Chase, bestselling author of Black Rabbit Hall

‘A super-hot book’ Hannah Beckerman

‘Finished Anatomy of a Scandal this morning and can’t stop thinking about it. Compulsive, shocking and moving. Powerful stuffFrankie Gray, Editorial Director, Transworld, who published The Widow and The Couple Next Door

‘The world has gone mad for this book. I’m so excited. What an outstanding premiseRosie Walsh, author of Ghosted

‘Incredibly authentic, highly involving character drama here, in a story that could easily be ripped from the headlines. Sarah Vaughan delves into a world of privilege and power, showing one scandal and criminal prosecution from many angles with insightful and realistic storytelling. Emotionally resonant with often teeth gnashing inducing truths about the system, Anatomy of a Scandal is really quite incredibly addictive and will leave you with a lot to think about. Brilliant stuff. Full review at publication but very happy to be part of the early buzz here on social media - Really excellent writing, could just as easily be fact as fiction and I will have no trouble at all shoving it at everyone I know when it’s out there.’ Booklikes.com

The Good Wife meets The Affair – fantastic! @bleachhouselibrary

‘I enjoyed Anatomy of a Scandal immensely – a very elegant dissection of a very messy affair. Loved it’ Louise Candlish, author of The Swimming Pool

This is what readers so far have been saying:

Anatomy of a Scandal is a compelling and cautionary story about how we can never truly know someone else; how even after twelve years of marriage, a...


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Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781501172168
PRICE $26.00 (USD)
PAGES 400

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Featured Reviews

Politics and privilege are the provocative ingredients in The Anatomy of a Scandal.

A confession of the affair. A man to his wife. But suddenly this prominent minister of parliament is accused of a more serious crime. Sophie has always known Jack to be a loving father and husband rallies behind his innocence. Kate, the prosecuting attorney is unwavering in seeing the minister pay for his crime. Sophie’s world and Kate’s world collide. Past confronts with present. The truth is played out In this high profile courtroom drama.

Sarah Vaughan’s novel is a clever portrayal of privilege in the setting of a sexual allegation. Although a familiar headline, the author cast a fresh spin of a politician’s life in the balance. Kate and Sophie are both raw, vibrant and human. The narrative is beautifully written with layers of imagery in a single thought. Specifically, Vaughan takes you through a tour of the halls of the Parliment in a way that you are engulfed in its splendor. A brilliant compelling read from the first page to the unexpected last. I highly recommend this book - A MUST READ to be out in December 2017.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

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Who do you believe? A husband that you've known for many years and have invested your entire life with? Have had children with? Or an unfamiliar woman who's already hurt you in a million ways by making public the fact that's she's been intimate with your husband? 

Science suggests that the more attractive a person is, the more successful they will be. Is it true? Do you judge a person by their appearance? Think someone who's attractive is smarter? Not want to believe they've done something wrong? Perception plays such a large part in our world that's filled with 24/7 news. "We want to believe our charismatic leaders speak the truth? What happens, though, if a truth is revealed? If a beautiful person tells an ugly lie? Does a hideous thing?

Is it true?

Through a series of flashbacks and present-day accounts, Sarah Vaughan spins a chilling tale of appearance versus reality, lies versus the truth, and where we all fall in between. Where do we draw the line,  wanting to believe but also acknowledge the unpalatable truth? Follow the author's carefully laid bread crumbs and discover your own truth in this taut and mesmerizing tale that's sure to keep you reading late into the night! Thanks

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I just finished this last night. I thought it was terrific and extremely timely. Anatomy of a Scandal needs to be brought out immediately, at least in the USA! It reads almost like a mystery and there are some great twists and turns. The focus of this novel is really rape and how we think about rape: whether it takes place in a dark place or in a well lit elevator. Fascinating and well written.

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