Cold War Conversations Podcast's Reviews > A Very English Scandal: Sex, Lies and a Murder Plot at the Heart of the Establishment

Serious, but entertaining insight into one UK establishment coverup of the 60s & 70s

I remember this scandal having huge impact in the late 70s when I was a teenager. I had expected this book to be quite a dull resume of the trial and associated events, but from the start you are thrust (literally!) into the warts and all detail of the case.

I found the book an entertaining read and some aspects are almost farce like. There are sections do go into some detail that some may find unnecessary, but the book does give some great portraits of the characters involved, none of whom end up unblemished.

However on serious side it does show the lengths the “establishment” went in this period to protect one of their own even in the face of mounting evidence of financial fraud and attempted murder, making it quite pertinent in the light of recent Savile and Cyril Smith revelations.

Overall it reads like a fictional political thriller and I would recommend for anyone who enjoys books about power, politics and English history.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.