Anatomy of a Scandal is being published at a time when both sides of rape trials are under enormous scrutiny in the press. While I was reading this book, two men were acquitted because full disclosure hadn’t taken place, some commentators believe this is partly caused by the drive to secure more convictions in rape trials. What no-one can deny that this crime is usually committed without witnesses and I don’t envy any jury having to sift fact from fiction or maybe hazy memories when so much is at stake for both alleged victim and perpetrator. Coupled with the rape are the many scandals that seem to provide a backdrop to our country from those who hold the highest offices in the land, at Westminster. So the combination of Ministers and rape, well this could come straight from the newspapers of today, except of course the book is very well written!
Over the years my love of courtroom drama has increased and so when I heard of this book back in the summer, I was desperate to get my hands on a copy; Dear Reader, this book did not disappoint in the slightest.
James Whitehouse is a loving father, an Oxford graduate and a Tory MP, in fact the Prime Minister is one of his oldest friends. James is married to Sophie and has been for many years when he is arrested for the rape of one of his assistants but Sophie is convinced it’s all a terrible mistake.
Kate is the prosecuting attorney, out to make a bigger name for herself she knows that if she can persuade a jury to find James guilty then she can ride high off the back of it. Sex crimes is her speciality although she is realistic about the low conviction rate, she’s determined to win this one.
The story unfolds through the three sets of eyes and ears: Sophie’s, Kate’s and James and as each one seeks to convince us of their truth, the shadows from the past are creeping back into their lives creating a complexity about the truth that is nebulous and yet not about to disappear anytime soon.
Sarah Vaughan is an accomplished writer, she had my feelings about the characters shifting almost imperceptibly as I struggled to work out what I should believe. The plot, just like a real trial, isn’t just about the truth, it also confronts our own moral stance from the obvious What were you wearing? Doing? Thinking? or in other words those questions aimed at the alleged victim by the defence team, to the more subtle question of privilege and the jury’s own prejudices.
The plotting was superb especially given that the story reaches back through time the author managed to keep a sense of place and time without causing confusion, which I’m sure is far harder than she made it look. I was also completely convinced by the characters they spoke and acted realistically given that this was a time of enormous stress for them all, albeit for different reasons.
Anatomy of a Scandal might be presented as a rape trial, and of course it is, but there is far more depth to this novel than I expected. The roller-coaster isn’t just about the verdict, it is also about marriage, friendship and moral dilemmas making for a highly satisfying read.
Anatomy for a Scandal is obviously perfect reading for a book group, I can see that this book will generate much discussion and debate around the subject matter and the way the trial progresses.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the publishers, Simon & Schuster UK, for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. You really did the right thing in purchasing this brilliant, intelligent and thought-provoking book. This unbiased review is my thank you to the publishers and of course, Sarah Vaughan, who I sincerely hope is busy writing something new for me to enjoy.
First Published UK: 11 January 2018
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
No of Pages: 400
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Great review Cleo I really need to read this book at some point, it’s one everyone seems to be raving about x
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Thank you – it’s a great read so I recommend you find room at some point!
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Great review so glad you enjoyed it too!
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Thank you Nicki, a great place to start the 2018 reviews!
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An excellent book so brilliantly reviewed.
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Thank you Joanne 🙂
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I like a tense legal thriller with interesting characters and a solid plot. I have only heard about this book.
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This is certainly tense!
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I’m excited about reading this one and am glad to hear your thoughts on it. Yes, these type of trials are certainly big news these days. Am moving this up my list of books to read next.
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I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did Kay.
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I’ve heard some really good things about this one, Cleo. It’s certainly a timely topic, and it sounds as though Vaughan treats it with real depth. I also like it that she explores the effect of all of this on the characters.
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I think it was a masterstroke including the narrative from the Minister’s wife in this book as the accused’s family don’t usually get much of a look in within crime fiction.
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Although I’ve heard a lot of praise for this book, for some reason it just doesn’t appeal to me. 🤔 I’m not sure why…
Great review though Cleo.
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No book is for everyone – thank you for your kind words.
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Sounds really timely Cleo and well structured. I like the idea that the book is told from differing viewpoints, as a trial would be.
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Sarah Vaughan did well not to play it straight with the victim versus the accused – having the accused’s wife and the defence lawyer’s viewpoints gives an entirely different slant – as you say, as would be played out in a trial.
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Nice review! I just loved it…
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Thank you – me too!
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Reallyyyy want to read this one! Great review!
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Thank you Amanda – it is a fab read so I hope you get to read it soon!
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I’m defiantly going to read it this year!
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I am very happy that I’ll be reading this book soon. I feel as though I’ve been waiting forever…because I wanted it from the minute I first saw it online. Thanks for a great review! Now I must start reading it …once I finish the other books on my list.
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Like you I felt I’d been holding back for an absolute age, which I had as I received my copy back in the summer – it was worth the anticipation though!
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Great review that’s made me want to read it even more now! I wish I could get out of NG limbo – they still have neither approved nor declined me for it, and I can’t buy it till they do! I know it’s not the major part of the book but the political angle really appeals to me, as does the courtroom drama aspect…
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I have three books in limbo, one from August which has long since been published so I took a chance and bought the book. The political slant isn’t prominent but the presentation of how it is run is exactly as the more sceptical of us might imagine… For me it was the legal aspect that made it for me – so realistic and unfortunately makes you realise that a trial isn’t really about the truth.
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I have this one coming up soon, so I’m glad to hear you liked it.
BTW I’m reading Paula Daly’s Just What Kind of Mother are You. You pointed me towards this author and this is the third one I’ve read by her. I wasn’t that wowed by The trophy Child but I’m enjoying the voice in JWKOMAU
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I was less convinced by Trophy Child but really did enjoy Just What Kind of Mother Are You? Compulsive reading indeed – glad you are enjoying it Guy.
Are you doing the Goodreads Mount TBR Challenge this year? I got to 34 in 2017 so having another go.
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I think I did 49 (without looking) and signed up for 48. I am joining the 2018 challenged and pledged another 48
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Ooh a really good go then – I’m aiming for 36 again!
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Good luck Cleo
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I love courtroom drama but I find it hard to get the good ones! Still, this one has been on my radar for some time and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It means I’m most likely to love it, too! The heavy subject makes for a wonderful point to work on and offers uncomfortable edges I can’t wait to discover!
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I think you’ll really enjoy it Meggy – there is lots to get to grips with the scenes at Oxford university, the trial and all manner of misbehaviour in high places.
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Gosh, this is a timely book! Great review, will definitely be going on my TBR, I have seen it a lot on Instagram but didn’t know what it was about. Thanks
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Thank you so much – it makes for a great read that’s for sure.
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Yay! It makes me so happy to hear that it is a great book. Everyone I trust loves it, and that makes me really excited about it since it’s next on my TBR pile.
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I think you will enjoy it Elena – it is not only a great read but challenges some of the issues around the subject matter but not in a hand-wringing way!
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The only thing putting me off reading it right now is that the blurb reminds me a bit of Apple Tree Yard. Am I wrong to think this? Because I enjoyed ATY, but it was not my favourite kind of crime fiction.
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There is a similarity in that there is a trial and a possible rape… I enjoyed both so I suppose it depends which aspect you weren’t so keen on?
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I don’t know. I think that my main problem with ATY was that it was a psychological novel, more than than a crime story for me.
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Hmm… that’s a tough one to answer then because this one does lean in the psychological direction too – perhaps you’ll just have to read it and see?
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Definitely! I’ll keep you posted x
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X😊
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