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Anatomy of a Scandal
Anatomy of a Scandal
Sarah Vaughan | 2018 | Thriller
10
7.8 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Anatomy of a Scandal is based around three central characters. First there’s James, the suave, charismatic family man and politician who is also good friends with the Prime Minister. He’s wealthy and over-privileged. Then we meet Kate, the young, ruthlessly ambitious prosecutor, who’s determined to see James get the guilty verdict he deserves. She’s also good at her job and made her name prosecuting the very worst sexual assault cases. Finally we meet Sophie, James’ wife who has been dating James since college and knows him better than anyone else. All have a vital part to play in this psychological, legal drama, which starts with a shocking scandal being revealed, which is then dissected in court.

James is accused of rape one of his assistants, but did he do it? While his wife Sophie is seemingly supportive on the outside, on the inside her mind is going crazy thinking about his alleged crimes and what he could in fact be capable of. Just how long can she remain loyal as the story unfolds?

We travel from the court case, back in time to Oxford in the 90s and into the current murky goings on within the privileged political world, where money, corruption and power rule the day.

This is an extremely well written and cleverly plotted, insightful story, which I can easily see adapted into a BBC drama, very much like Louise Doughty’s Apple Tree Yard.

Sarah Vaughan has mastered a treat for us with Anatomy of a Scandal, a sharp, engrossing and poignant political drama, which highlights some shocking hard-hitting facts with sensitivity and realism. Terrific!
  
A Snowbound Scandal
A Snowbound Scandal
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Chase Ferguson and Miriam “Mimi” Andrix knew each other 10 years ago. Very well as a matter of fact, but neither could survive in the other’s lifestyle. A Snowbound Scandal by Jessica Lemmon tells their story from 10 years later amid a possible mayoral scandal involving Chase and an old picture of activist Mimi.

Chase Ferguson is now Mayor in Dallas Texas. Miriam “Mimi” Andrix is from Bigfork Montana still an activist in her own right but more teacher than doer these days. They couldn’t still be more on the opposite sides of life if they tried. 10 years ago Chase and Mimi started a love affair that lasted all summer, until their social standings and callings got in the way and Chase let Mimi go.

All Chase has wanted to do since that moment was get her back but he knew he couldn’t bend her to fit into his life in Dallas, just as he couldn’t fit into her life in Montana. He did keep tabs on her and bought the mansion they used to fantasize about living in together one day. He regretted that decision all these years later and when a scandal threatens to expose that relationship and use it for harm, he goes to Bigfork in hopes of making it right.

Mimi has received notice of the scandal threat too, and may have even Googled Chase to see what his life had become. Heading to the grocery store for Thanksgiving supplies she never expected to run into him in Bigfork. He gives her his private number and she later invites him to Thanksgiving dinner, which he declines. She then makes it her mission to give him a piece of her mind and set him straight about just exactly who she is.

Chase and Mimi go round and round about the past and who is responsible or not. An unexpected snowstorm traps Mimi at the Mansion for days and they find they are not quite as over each other as they would want the other to believe.

In the end, they both decide to go their separate ways again to live the lives they are currently living, separate from the other. But will they finally give love a chance to overcome the biggest obstacles in their lives?

I received an advance copy from Netgalley without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.
  
Anatomy of a Scandal
Anatomy of a Scandal
Sarah Vaughan | 2018 | Thriller
8
7.8 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
A well-timed book about abuse of power
An Anatomy of a Scandal is a book about privilege and power, a timely novel given the recent spate of high profile sexual harassment cases. In this instance, James is a privileged, charismatic, successful member of Parliment and is accused of raping his mistress in a lift on the grounds of Westminster, while his doting wife Sophie, is torn between believing him and staying with him.

A trial then ensues, in which the accuser, Olivia is forced to face her worst nightmares, all the while fighting against a system in which he is king. Her lawyer Kate on the other hand, knows he is guilty, and we watch her back story unfold.

The book is told from alternating viewpoints with alternating timelines. As more of the past is revealed it is even more clear, that James is hiding more than expected.

An Anatomy of A Scandal exposes sexual assault for being more than just a moment in isolation. It is a culmination of behaviours and attitudes leading up to that moment and involves more than just the victim and the assaulter. An interesting read, and worth a trigger warning.
  
Our Brothers Grimmest
Our Brothers Grimmest
Eric C. Wilder | 2013 | Humor & Comedy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An absurd collection of tabloid-style articles that marries folklore, fairytales, and nursery rhymes with the issues of everyday life. From Rumplestiltskin being indicted for the straw-to-gold scandal to the sibling drama of the three little pigs, with headlines such as “Game-Changing Name Change for Rumplestiltskin” and “Wolf Suing Pigs for Injuries Sustained” you’re sure to be entertained.

As a lifelong fan of classic fairytales, I found myself laughing out loud as beloved characters were used to mock and poke fun at real-world issues.
  
    The War Room (1993)

    The War Room (1993)

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    Movie

    Given unprecedented access, documentary filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker Chris Hegedus follow part of the...