"Take Honor From Me and My Life is Done" -- Shakespeare, Richard II
Emma Webster is a member of Parliament, a leading fighter for women's rights. She is under tremendous pressure and, thankfully, not painted as a superhumanly brave courageous hero. This woman has flaws and makes questionable decisions. Dedicated to her career, she blatantly neglects her teenage daughter and, while a marital breakup is always up to two-- she never saw the union of her husband and her friend coming. All this is before the story even begins.
Emma has a lot of enemies, The pressure from threats is tremendous. Her staff handles the social media accounts...the terror is that bad. Daily life soon sinks into a nightmare when she feels she is being stalked by an unhinged constituent.
And then...her daughter makes a huge blunder. Emma will do anything to keep the press from reporting it, from forever ruining the girl's reputation. Emma will lie. Emma will lie a lot. Emma's reputation is at stake, as well. Her career hangs in the balance.
And then...a body is found at Emma's flat. Murder? Not good for that reputation.
Sarah Vaughan's "Reputation" is a fast paced thriller and a suspenseful read. It brings up a number of issues, the most striking is the intimidation women politicians must endure as a price of their vocation. Again, Emma is presented as an emotional imperfect human--but frustration builds as it becomes increasingly difficult to accept that someone this intelligent is making the choices she does.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Emma Webster is a member of Parliament, a leading fighter for women's rights. She is under tremendous pressure and, thankfully, not painted as a superhumanly brave courageous hero. This woman has flaws and makes questionable decisions. Dedicated to her career, she blatantly neglects her teenage daughter and, while a marital breakup is always up to two-- she never saw the union of her husband and her friend coming. All this is before the story even begins.
Emma has a lot of enemies, The pressure from threats is tremendous. Her staff handles the social media accounts...the terror is that bad. Daily life soon sinks into a nightmare when she feels she is being stalked by an unhinged constituent.
And then...her daughter makes a huge blunder. Emma will do anything to keep the press from reporting it, from forever ruining the girl's reputation. Emma will lie. Emma will lie a lot. Emma's reputation is at stake, as well. Her career hangs in the balance.
And then...a body is found at Emma's flat. Murder? Not good for that reputation.
Sarah Vaughan's "Reputation" is a fast paced thriller and a suspenseful read. It brings up a number of issues, the most striking is the intimidation women politicians must endure as a price of their vocation. Again, Emma is presented as an emotional imperfect human--but frustration builds as it becomes increasingly difficult to accept that someone this intelligent is making the choices she does.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.