Anatomy of a Scandal

A Novel

By: Sarah Vaughan

Narrated by: Julie Teal, Luke Thompson, Esther Wane, Sarah Feathers

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Soon to be a Netflix series

Instant International Best Seller

“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. 

©2017 Sarah Vaughan (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

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

"Vaughan offers gripping insight into a political scandal’s hidden machinations and the tension between justice and privilege.... Absorbing, polished." ( Booklist)

"Skillfully interweaving the story of the unfolding scandal, Vaughan gradually reveals just how shockingly high the stakes are.... Sinewy...engrossing, twist-filled." ( Publishers Weekly)

Slow start, but it amps up!

This book is a stunner. I was put off over how totally British it was in the beginning. It was slow and gentile and just bland that I almost turned it off. But all good things come to those who wait. And what starts off as a book that seems to have no direction, slowly starts to come together in a deep, well-written and effective story about choices and consequences and privilege...and how it dooms some and saves others.

The story is told from the perspective of a lawyer, a government official, his wife, and a young college woman. What seems disparate slowly, quietly but intentionally comes together at a pace that almost catches you off guard when the revelations occur. Things are hidden from the reader and revealed for the best impact. This convention works here - once the story gets rolling - there is a stunning revelation after revelation, which adds to the deepness and richness of the story, its characters and their plight.

I felt a genuine connection to the characters. I hated some and cheered for others. The main focus of the story is a court case - and even after a verdict was delivered - I wanted to know more. And Vaughan provides.

Stick with this one. It is worth it.

Very satisfying

Having just read "The Verdict," I was ready to be disappointed by another British courtroom drama. Not so. Well done. Well read. Not as unexpected as The Verdict, but still recommend.

Listened to it without a pause

What made the experience of listening to Anatomy of a Scandal the most enjoyable?

Story
Sarah Vaughan
Quality of the writing and the narration.
On the edge of my seat the whole time.
Wish there were more audiobooks this spectacular

Dreadful cliche

This story is mind numbing. The wife with a designer life that she accepted. Later, supposedly realizes people actually lie & more horribly that people change & compromise for their loved ones. Well I never!

Really really good! Loved it!

This author can write! A well woven and beautifully told story. The narrators were excellent as well. Highly recommend!

Men behaving badly

This is a timely story centered on the issue of consent vs rape. The male characters do not come across favorably. The courtroom scenes were compelling, but the flashback sequences slowed the narrative to a crawl. The best of the (4) narrators was LukeThompson, the others were adequate. Overall, disappointing due to the slow pacing.

really fun!

yea for strong women. couldn't wait to find out the ending. great insight into marriage

fun story read wonderfully.

great narration and characters. felt a little let down at the end but otherwise a good story.

Susan......UES

A disappointment.The first part of the book was okay. But the aftermath of the court case in relation to the wife’s reaction to her husbands’ testimony was overly naive and did not seem plausible.I would not advise the purchase of this book.

Try to put it down!

This book is perfect for today’s climate. It brings up compelling questions of what it means when a woman says no, and how can a man be sure. Even more pointedly, it shows the fall out when hubris makes a man think that a woman saying no actually means yes.

This book has beautiful pros, and of story that is beautifully woven, and hard to put down.

I would recommend this book to fans of John Grisham, Scott Turow, he and Hillary Mantell.