Perfect Obsession

Caper Court #5

by Caro Fraser

For all those who adore Joanna Trollope's cool, honest writing style comes the fifth novel in the hugely popular "Caper Court" series. Leo Davies QC - charismatic, attractive and sexually ambiguous - inspires powerful feelings. Feelings that sometimes border on obsession. There's Sarah - manipulative, scheming but sexy; Anthony, Leo's ex-pupil and close friend; Gideon, a civil servant on the make; and sweet, smitten Camilla, a junior lawyer in his chambers. Plenty of opportunities, then, for a ruthless, silver-haired sophisticate to have his fun. But Leo is beginning to feel rather jaded by his hedonistic lifestyle. Perhaps what he really needs is - love? Could it be that the legendarily cool Leo will fall? And, if so, for whom...?

Genres: Chick Lit

Paperback

First published November 26, 2002

About the author

Caroline Georgiana ("Caro") Fraser was a novelist.

Fraser began her career as an advertising copywriter. She became a commercial and maritime lawyer, and practised until 1992, when she became a full-time writer.

Reviews

[Nikki H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more than previous books in the series, this one (no. 5 out of 9) really does have a soap opera feel to it – full of drama, emotions, and ending in a cliff-hanger. There is even a summary at the start for new readers (or for anyone who has forgotten what happened in the previous book).

Again, there is a legal backdrop of the Lloyd's Names litigation, but this very much takes second place to the usual escapades involving the usual characters. As always, Leo is quintessentially amoral, thinking only of himself and happy to break hearts to achieve what he wants. I am slightly irritated by his apparent ability to seduce a woman once and then have her sexually besotted with him for life. I’m also no great fan of Anthony, who is as preoccupied with his own feelings as ever. However, Rachel is probably my favourite character at the moment: abused and betrayed by the man she loved (and still loves), feeling guilty for not having the same love for the man she is now with, bringing up her young child ... Though I do very much also like some of the lesser characters such as Felicity and Henry.

I found the art world scenes a bit OTT, even though they are presumably intended as satire. I got the impression also that the author couldn’t quite make up her mind about mobile phones. They are used on some occasions, but then on others we are back to a world of landlines and the inevitable inability to reach people. But I still very much enjoyed the book and look forward to re-reading the next in the series. However, there were a surprising number of typos in my Kindle edition - let’s hope that’s just a one-off.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light enjoyable read...perfect for a day on a banana chair with music playing and a drink or two...

[Christine Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly absorbing.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Lots of twists and turns in the story.

[Cathy Porteus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably only worth reading if you have read and loved the rest of the Caper Court series. These are books about a rather incestuous group of solicitors, who swap partners and get into trouble frequently. I found the timescale on this one a bit confusing - it didn't seem long enough after the previous books, as it was dated in the last recession, although just recently released.

A fun summer read but glad I just got it from the library rather than buying it, as I doubt I would reread it frequently.

[Dain Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light easy holiday read - love the goings on at Caper Court! Very soap opera-ish, but Fraser writes well and fluently.