Anatomy of a Scandal: A Novel

Sarah Vaughan

Jan 2018 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

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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 Whitehouse has a lovely home, two adorable children, and a handsome, successful husband. In other words, she has the “perfect” life. But everything changes the night her husband James comes home and confesses an indiscretion. Suddenly, her neat, ordered world is turned upside down. Did she ever really know the man she married?

And, as it turns out, James’s revelation is just the tip of the iceberg. He stands accused of a terrible crime. But, the truth is even more shocking than anyone ever could have thought. Is James the guilty perpetrator or an innocent victim of a toxic agenda?

In this riveting story of love, revenge, and deception, no one’s motives are pure, but some people’s secrets are much darker than others.

Ratings and reviews

This is an astonishingly incisive and suspenseful novel about a scandal among Britain’s privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake. Sophie's husband, James, is a public figure. He's handsome, and charming, and he likes the ladies. He comes home one night to admit that he had been having an affair with his assistant. He's only telling her now because the story is going to be headline news in the morning. But James isn't telling her everything. The young woman has had him charged with more than having an affair. She says that on their last meeting... in an elevator,no less... he ripped her blouse and forced himself on her. Sophie swears he is innocent ..... but is he? Is he lying? Is his assistant getting back at him for ending the affair? Kate Woodcroft is the prosecutor .. and she goes after James with all she's got. Does she know more that she's telling? Why is she so positive that he is guilty? This story is told from differing perspectives .... Sophie, James, and Kate. It's told from the very beginning .. when Sophie and James were dating in college. It's a slow paced read, slowly building in intensity to the time of the trial ..and after. Many thanks to the author / Atria Books / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this engaging novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

The book follows the trial of Sophie's husband Jake. He is a public figure accused of rape his once mistress. Sophie does not believe he could do such a thing. Kate is the lawyer prosecuting the case. She is sure he is guilty and is determined to see that he pays for his crimes. I do not usually read courtroom dramas. I found the book to be a little slow in some areas. it seemed that once the main secret of the book is revealed, the rest just kind of drags. It did however keep my attention enough that I wanted to continue reading to see how it ended. The book had a couple interesting twists. If you enjoy courtroom dramas you may enjoy this book. I received this book from Bookishfirst for my honest opinion.

good depth of characters, interesting twist, breezy read.

About the author

Sarah Vaughan studied English at Oxford and went on to become a journalist. She spent eleven years at The Guardian as a news reporter and political correspondent before leaving to freelance and write fiction. Her first thriller, Anatomy of a Scandal, was an instant international bestseller, translated into twenty-four languages, and is available to stream on Netflix as a worldwide number one series starring Sienna Miller, Michelle Dockery, and Rupert Friend. Her bestselling novel, Little Disasters, has also been optioned for television, as has Reputation, her fifth novel. Find out more at SarahVaughanAuthor.com.