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?
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 stuff’ Frankie 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 premise’ Rosie 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
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah VaughanMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Anatomy of a Scandal revolves around a trial. A politician has been accused of rape by a woman who works under him. To make things more blurry, they had previously had an affair, and he's married with children. The book is written from the points of view of the politician, his wife and the prosecuting attorney. As the story goes, you learn more about each of their backstories and how they are connected. It's mostly an internal storyline. There's not much action. Your inside their heads, especially the women. The deeper you get, the more you choose to judge or sympathize with the way they feel and act. I've seen this listed as a thriller and suspense, but I would categorize it more as drama.
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