A Very English Scandal

A Very English Scandal by John Preston is an unputdownable real-life political thriller set against the backdrop of the House of Commons. This engrossing narrative intricately unveils a remarkable true story of power, secrecy, and scandal within British high society.

The late 1960s saw Jeremy Thorpe, the charismatic and ambitious leader of the Liberal Party, reaching the zenith of his political career. In a period when homosexuality had just been decriminalised, Thorpe's carefully maintained public persona was threatened by the existence of a former intimate relationship with Norman Scott, a younger man. As Scott stood poised to expose their affair, Thorpe found himself ensnared in a web of deceit and desperation.

Turning to underhanded tactics and supported by an inner circle of influential politicos, Thorpe engaged in blackmail, conspiracy, and embezzlement, eventually contemplating the most extreme measure to silence his ex-lover permanently. Preston meticulously details the bizarre and often darkly comic series of events that ensued, rendering this story almost stranger than fiction.

The book reaches its crescendo with the infamous trial, where British society was confronted with the duplicitous nature of its political elite and the lengths to which the Establishment would go to protect its own. The trial was a watershed moment, revealing the systemic corruption that permeated the upper echelons of power.

With gripping prose and assiduous research, Preston resurrects this sensational case with all the elements of a classic thriller, underscoring that the most compelling stories are often those rooted in truth. The narrative's vivid portrayal of this extraordinary scandal has captivated readers, and it also inspired the Bafta-winning BBC drama starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw.

The book has garnered widespread acclaim for its riveting storytelling:

"Gripping. A story of cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home Secretaries" - Daily Telegraph

"I loved it; eccentric, dark, humane and English in the very best sense" - Alain de Botton

"Retold with masterful skill... It grips like a detective story" - Daily Mail, Book of the Week

A Very English Scandal offers a fascinating look into a dark chapter of British political history, bringing to light the audacity and hubris of those in power. It remains an essential read for anyone intrigued by the interplay of politics, scandal, and justice.