An Absolute Scandal

March 3, 2008
Britain's bestselling Vincenzi (Sheer Abandon
, etc.) sets this doggedly optimistic epic at the sunset of Thatcherism, and the bleak economic landscape proves fertile territory for a saga of families whose futures and fortunes become entwined in a court battle with the prestigious London insurer, Lloyds. There's Elizabeth, wife and mother of three with a “Very Big Job” in advertising; her charming husband, Simon, a banker with an eye for the ladies; posh Lucinda, who falls for working-class Blue and then risks everything to save her ex's fortune; Debbie's frustrated by her insensitive husband, Richard, afraid of her formidable mother-in-law and devoted to her three kids; and reporter Joel, who helps bring a Lloyds scandal to light and falls in love with one of its victims. Vincenzi deftly imbues the “Greed Decade” with all the twisty turns of an overheated soap—couples trapped by boredom, wives tortured by infidelity, singles hamstrung by convention, children buffeted by circumstance. The general stiff-upper-lipped attitude may sound tinny to American ears (even the Yankees sound like Brits-in-training), but this chickensian drama delivers all the goods required for a sizzling summer read.

Starred review from June 15, 2008
This intoxicating, engrossing saga, based on an actual Lloyds of London scandal from 20 years ago, could easily be a miniseries. A multigenerational cast of victims, all fighting to make sense of their orderly lives when financial ruin knocks on their doors, vividly demonstrates the struggles of class, money, and, of course, sex. Vincenzi's ("Almost a Crime") long and luxurious style sucks you in and keeps a seductive hold throughout. Not to be missed.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2008
Reminiscent of the kind of financial destruction wrought in the wake of Enron and other megalomaniacal excesses, Vincenzis complex saga of corporate malfeasance on the part of the venerable Lloyds of London cogently exposes the insidious nature of unadulterated greed while sympathetically exploring the devastating personal toll such rapaciousness extracts. From a wealthy banker to a penniless teacher, Vincenzis victims of Lloyds corrupt moneymaking scheme represent a somewhat stereotypical cross-section of Englands economic, geographic, and social strata. As the enormity of their potential loss grows, this disparate group of overly trusting investors unites in a last-ditch effort to seek justice from the powerful financial institution. While marriages falter and fortunes evaporate, even greater tragedy strikes those who can least afford to have their lives work destroyed by the impending scandal. Although the sheer volume of characters and subplots can be distracting, Vincenzi nonetheless admirably demonstrates her nuanced talent for personal storytelling on a majestic scale as she nimbly navigates the sophisticated and labyrinthine world of high-stakes investment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)