An Immoral Code

Caper Court #3

by Caro Fraser

The elegant front of Caper Court, the elite barristers' chambers, conceals unexpected emotional turmoil. As QC, Leo Davies' big case of the year is to represent a group of Lloyd's Names. They've staked everything on Leo's performance in court, blissfully unaware of the turmoil in his private life which threatens to destroy their case, for at home, the delicate facade of Leo's marriage to Rachel is already crumbling. Being married doesn't stop him from making a play for one of his plaintiffs, the handsome, feckless Charles Beecham. But while Leo eyes Beecham, Beecham is pursuing Rachel.

Genres: Fiction

428 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 1998

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

[Robyn Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first by this author and I found it intriguing. So unusual to have such an immoral person as a main character. The Lloyd’s court case plot was difficult to follow and definitely something different. All the characters had their faults and flaws which made it quite amusing.

[Marian Stead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much in the same vein as "Judicial Whispers" - lighthearted reading for a couple of evenings, but I would hate to think of my Legal Team behaving like these characters. The are more like infant school pupils.

[Jeff Howells · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank God that's over. One dimensional characters and not a single one likeable. Cliche followed cliche...

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third one in the series and as enjoyable as the other two.

[Nikki H · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a pleasure to be re-reading this series, one book straight after another. The backdrop to this book is the Lloyd’s Names financial scandal of the 1980s and 1990s, where individual investors (known as “Names”) had potentially unlimited personal liability for insurance losses, particularly those arising out of asbestos claims in the US. I don’t claim to know the rights and wrongs of the real-life story, but it’s interesting that the Names in this book are by no means all portrayed in a favourable light, notwithstanding the way they had allegedly been treated. Leo Davies, the barrister who leads the claim for the Names, is as morally reprehensible as ever. Although married to the vulnerable Rachel, who has borne him a son, Leo has no compunction about seeking to seduce one of his male clients (who – naturally! – has his own designs on Rachel) or to bed the female family nanny. In comparison, his chambers colleague Anthony Cross is a paragon of virtue, although when you look closely, his treatment of women does also leave something to be desired. I can’t remember from my last reading of the series whether Leo and Anthony ever get it together sexually, but the sexual undercurrent between them is so strong that I suspect they do. One of the delights for me of the series is the minor characters – Felicity, formerly Rachel’s inept secretary in Book 1 (or was it Book 2?), is now doing well as a wheeling and dealing barristers’ clerk at 5 Caper Court. And I’m sure that in the next book the devious Sarah will be causing mischief at Caper Court in her new role there as a pupil barrister … It's all very soap opera-like, notwithstanding the legal setting, but easy reading and great fun.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The legal soap opera chunters on with sex, secrets, intrigue and a fair bit of law. Much of this centres around silver fox Leo, who grows ever more irritating. He is supposed to be a highly intelligent charismatic man with a double life but comes across as a posh Peter Stringfellow at times. His treatment of Rachel is a big no for me. She is an ornament in his life, a disguise and she deserves better, darn it.

Leo is busy prepping for a big case representing a group of Lloyd's Names. Being Leo, he preps assiduously while making a play for his client, Charles Beecham. Charles is making a play for Leo's wife Rachel. I wanted Rachel to have a fling with Charles then settle down with Anthony Cross. Remember Anthony? He is lawyering away and making a play for someone who isn't Rachel while helping Leo on the big case and dismissing any feels for Leo. Anthony never questioned his sexuality before meeting Leo, but such is his charisma etc.

As I don't like Leo I took more of an interest in The Case, which I now can't remember. I remember being impressed by Fraser's presentation of something that looked well dull on paper being quite compelling. She specialised in shipping law, you know.

The mannered world of these lascivious legal eagles continues to hold my interest. Looking forward to the next book.

[Cliff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really the book equivalent of s TV soap, set in barristers chambers. There is far more of the characters love lives, or lack thereof in some cases, than legal goings on. The main characters are engaged in the Lloyds Names litigation which so far as I recollect seemed interminable, although on an American website run for American names the latest addition to the litigation is long ago, an affidavit in 2005. The author is to be complimented on her grasping something of what all this kerfuffle was about. She does show a slight lack of legal knowledge in certain aspects. She certainly should know that QCs don't settle pleadings as she sends Leo Davies QC off to do at one point. I have to admit that I found the prose a little turgid. It's difficult to put my finger of exactly what I find objectionable, but I know what I mean when I keep on putting a book down after reading a few pages! The main male characters are all handsome and the female ones beautiful. Apart from the fact that Leo Davies has silver hair (as a middle aged roué, he would wouldn't he), I didn't get much idea of what the author considered handsom and beautiful. I see there are 8 books at least in the series. I'm not going to rush to read others

[Dannica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series continues to be sort of amusing but also so depressing and problematic. I guess this is more of a 2.5 than a flat 2? I did enjoy the Camilla/Anthony relationship, and it's nice seeing Rachel get the hell out of her relationship with Leo, but on the other hand, this book was not at all queer enough (apart from Leo's promiscuity making him a bisexual stereotype, though to be fair everyone in this book is ten seconds away from making out with everyone they meet so maybe I'm being a little harsh) and also kind of sexist (largely the characters' views, but why do we have to be so mean to poor Camilla's initial fashion sense? why).

I don't like Charles Beecham, and it would be much better for Rachel to just not be in a relationship with one of these awful, shallow people, but oh well. Them's the breaks. I hope Rachel will eventually get an equitable salary and that Camilla won't end up in too much trouble over her relationship with Anthony. And I may come back for book 4 because even though I dislike almost all the characters in this series, somehow I still want to know what happens next.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a mystery. It isn't. It's one of a series of dramas about a group of lawyers (or solicitors). The main character appears to be Leo Davies, a mid-forties QC who has been chosen to lead a team representing a group of investors. The legal side of the story is interesting to those of us who had not thought about how large insurers like Lloyds of London work. The plot mixes the story of that case with the story of several characters: Leo, his wife Rachel, his protege Anthony, a newbie named Camilla, and several side characters. There are many love interests going in different directions. Clearly a series, as little is actually resolved in that department. I'm cheering for Anthony and Camilla but it's unlikely I will seek out another book in the series. It was fun to read but I have so many other books to get to!

[Ruth Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this - it's a bit more modern than my usual fare, but it's definitely an enjoyable peek into the late 80s and early 90s, and the fiasco of the lloyd's downfall and the chaos and upset that ensued for many of the names involved. It's well-written, there's plenty of sex, drugs and rock and roll, as they say, and a bit of more internal conflict and love, I would definitely read more from this author! xx

[PureVintageStar · Rating 3 out of 5]

As good as the first two

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love all the characters in the book and there are so many twists and turns to the story.

[Christine Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good thick slice of life at 5 Caper Court. Leo is utterly vile I think - and I find it hard to sympathise with him at all. Anthony on the other hand I liked better in this novel - maybe he is growing up, and also Camilla is nice, but I suspect the vile Sarah will be heavily involved in the next. I also got a bit exaspereated with Rachel as I thought some of her desicions were rather odd - but I will be interested in what happens to her next. I find these novels very informative about a world I have no expierence of at all. Caro Fraser writes well about the law, and her knowledge about complex areas of the law is obviously considerable. These novels are light reading, and a bit soap operary, but somethimes that's just what you're in the mood for.

[Maureen Hetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book set in lawyers chambers in England but the case is less important to the plot than the intriguing relationships among those in chambers. A continuation of a series with fascinating characters of much complexity. And you won't like some of them but still need to know what happens...looking forward to the next few of the series.

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was brill, I could read this better then the second book of the same season. Have to look round for the fourth book to see what happens

[Andrea Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read perfect for holidays where you don't need the book to bring home.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. I quit after page 48. Just couldn't bring myself to continue. Thank god I got it for free.