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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Great writing, intriguing storyline, what more could I ask for?
The writing was beautiful, but while the story was thought-provoking, I thought the plot was a bit flawed
‘I told the truth, near enough. Or the truth as I saw it.’
James Whitehouse, a junior minister in the British Home Office, seems to have it all. Educated at Oxford, James is privileged, handsome, well-off and the prime minister’s closest friend. He’s been married to Sophie for 12 years, and they have two children, Emily and Toby. He comes home late one night and, in advance of the tabloid headlines, confesses that’s he’s had an affair with his assistant, Olivia. The affair is finished, he tells Sophie. And then eleven days later, just as Sophie seems to be coming to terms with this infidelity, James is arrested. Olivia has filed a charge of rape against him.
The prosecuting barrister is: Kate Woodcroft, a highly experienced specialist in prosecuting sexual crimes. James’s defence barrister is Angela Regan. Both women know that whether James is found guilty or innocent will depend more on their skills in convincing a jury than it does on the truth.
Our view of James’s trial is given from the alternate points of Kate, Sophie and James. But is James innocent or guilty of raping Olivia? Did she consent, as he claims? Sophie want to believe that James in innocent. Kate is convinced that James is guilty.
But there’s another story unfolding as well. Set in the early 1990s, when Sophie, James, Tom Southern (the prime minister) and a girl named Holly were all studying at Oxford. Something happened at Oxford then. Something which caused Holly to leave. Something that James and Tom hope remains in the past.
This is Sarah Vaughan’s third novel, and I enjoyed it. While I think most readers will work out Holly’s place in this story comparatively early, this knowledge didn’t negatively impact on my enjoyment. ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ depicts three people, each of whom has been shaped (for better or worse) by their life experiences. And the ending? It worked for me.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
James Whitehouse, a junior minister in the British Home Office, seems to have it all. Educated at Oxford, James is privileged, handsome, well-off and the prime minister’s closest friend. He’s been married to Sophie for 12 years, and they have two children, Emily and Toby. He comes home late one night and, in advance of the tabloid headlines, confesses that’s he’s had an affair with his assistant, Olivia. The affair is finished, he tells Sophie. And then eleven days later, just as Sophie seems to be coming to terms with this infidelity, James is arrested. Olivia has filed a charge of rape against him.
The prosecuting barrister is: Kate Woodcroft, a highly experienced specialist in prosecuting sexual crimes. James’s defence barrister is Angela Regan. Both women know that whether James is found guilty or innocent will depend more on their skills in convincing a jury than it does on the truth.
Our view of James’s trial is given from the alternate points of Kate, Sophie and James. But is James innocent or guilty of raping Olivia? Did she consent, as he claims? Sophie want to believe that James in innocent. Kate is convinced that James is guilty.
But there’s another story unfolding as well. Set in the early 1990s, when Sophie, James, Tom Southern (the prime minister) and a girl named Holly were all studying at Oxford. Something happened at Oxford then. Something which caused Holly to leave. Something that James and Tom hope remains in the past.
This is Sarah Vaughan’s third novel, and I enjoyed it. While I think most readers will work out Holly’s place in this story comparatively early, this knowledge didn’t negatively impact on my enjoyment. ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ depicts three people, each of whom has been shaped (for better or worse) by their life experiences. And the ending? It worked for me.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
What I Appreciated About This Book: I love legal thrillers, and this is a smart one! I loved the writing in this book, the legal aspects, as well as the look at sexual assualt/rape cases. This is a strong story with well-developed characters (some more than others), and I was hooked the entire time. I flew through this one as I just had to know how it came together! The story is a fast-paced one, but has a lot to say about the male-dominated world, work politics and #metoo, what rape victims are put through for justice, and sexism in academia and policitcs. If you haven't watched the series yet, I would definitely recommend this book first!
What Did Not Work For Me: I really enjoyed this book. I will say that the character of Sophie, whose husband is accused of raping a coworker, fell a little flat for me. I could not totally picture her as a real person, or what drove her. Overall, I loved this one and would highly recommend it!
What Did Not Work For Me: I really enjoyed this book. I will say that the character of Sophie, whose husband is accused of raping a coworker, fell a little flat for me. I could not totally picture her as a real person, or what drove her. Overall, I loved this one and would highly recommend it!
premise:
James, a prolific political figure, a family man and now adulterer. Sophie is his wife and chooses to stand by him as his affair becomes public. Now, it's no longer just an affair but a rape case.
spoilers/personal reaction:
It's a timely book to say as much. You have three main people the book follows: James, Sophie and Kate. Kate is the attorney or the British law system equivalent trying to prosecute James. She's highly invested in this case and it 'appears' to be she has no ties. However, I found switching the chapters from character perspective and dates gave it away in an early Holly chapter that Holly was Kate (at least I knew Holly was Kate before they described Holly's rape from James). Also Holly's best friend Allison or Kate's best friend Ally and they were in shared friend groups that knew Sophie who was kinda dating James but privately(these are the college years).
The more interesting reveal is that James was being highly defended by his PM friend unconditionally and you learn it's because he helped him all those years ago with a drug/death scandal; the same day he raped Holly/Kate. And then Sophie, with the information that she knows James raped his affair lady (even though he was found not guilty) and doesn't feel guilt over it, chooses then not to stand by him. Then smartly, puts together that drugged up night and realizes why his PM friend defends him. She knows nothing will come of trying to bring the case for retrial, not to mention the negative affect in her children's life or that she doesn't believe the guilty will ever be at fault. What she can do and does, is throw a little fire into that cover up from years ago. That fire erupts just enough that James will not serve time but his big political career is over (which is honestly more punishment to him than prison) and he will be stuck in some lowly office job. Kate sees this news and agrees that he's serve he comeuppance.
James, a prolific political figure, a family man and now adulterer. Sophie is his wife and chooses to stand by him as his affair becomes public. Now, it's no longer just an affair but a rape case.
Spoiler
spoilers/personal reaction:
It's a timely book to say as much. You have three main people the book follows: James, Sophie and Kate. Kate is the attorney or the British law system equivalent trying to prosecute James. She's highly invested in this case and it 'appears' to be she has no ties. However, I found switching the chapters from character perspective and dates gave it away in an early Holly chapter that Holly was Kate (at least I knew Holly was Kate before they described Holly's rape from James). Also Holly's best friend Allison or Kate's best friend Ally and they were in shared friend groups that knew Sophie who was kinda dating James but privately(these are the college years).
The more interesting reveal is that James was being highly defended by his PM friend unconditionally and you learn it's because he helped him all those years ago with a drug/death scandal; the same day he raped Holly/Kate. And then Sophie, with the information that she knows James raped his affair lady (even though he was found not guilty) and doesn't feel guilt over it, chooses then not to stand by him. Then smartly, puts together that drugged up night and realizes why his PM friend defends him. She knows nothing will come of trying to bring the case for retrial, not to mention the negative affect in her children's life or that she doesn't believe the guilty will ever be at fault. What she can do and does, is throw a little fire into that cover up from years ago. That fire erupts just enough that James will not serve time but his big political career is over (which is honestly more punishment to him than prison) and he will be stuck in some lowly office job. Kate sees this news and agrees that he's serve he comeuppance.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
meh
i hate lawyers
honestly, it was just so unsatisfying like what was the point
i hate lawyers
honestly, it was just so unsatisfying like what was the point
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes