Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan is a superb read for fans of courtroom dramas and character driven mystery thrillers. I listened to the audio version of this book while taking a walk around the park, and I got so immersed in the story that I just sat down on a bench and I didn’t even noticed when it got dark.
James is handsome, smart, charming and charismatic. He is also a successful public figure and a loving father. All in all he seems like the perfect man until you get to see under the surface. Sophie knows her husband James is far from perfect but she loves him. So when he confesses to an affair and that the story about it is just about to break in the news, she is hurt and furious but also determined to save their marriage and James’s political career.
Then he is accused of rape.
Sophie is horrified but confident in her husband’s innocence. Yes, he had an affair, but he ended it. James is just a victim of a scorned woman’s agenda. Sophie is sure of it.
Kate is the lawyer hired to prosecute the case. She is brilliant, competitive and passionate about finding out the truth and making sure justice is served. She is certain James is guilty and determined to prove it.
The book alternates between different perspectives. But we don’t get to hear the story from the point of view of Olivia, the woman accusing James of rape. All we get is her testimony at court. We don’t know her thoughts or feelings beyond those she expresses to other characters. This structure forces the reader to go over the evidence presented in the narrative to decide whether James is guilty of the charge or not.
All in all this was a great read with a smart and though provoking novel. I recommend this book for fans of gripping court drama with compelling characters.
Ariana Galeano is a community services librarian with the Richmond Public Library
