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Almost a Crime
Another classic from the queen of the blockbuster novel.
Tom and Octavia Fleming have the perfect power marriage: he is a spin-doctor and she runs a consultancy to the charity industry. They are attractive, rich, successful...Then Octavia discovers Tom is having an affair and not only the discovery but the affair itself have consequences that are potentially fatal - both to the marriage and its power.
For this is no ordinary affair, but one that leads to terror and danger, threatening other people, damaging other lives.
Tom and Octavia Fleming have the perfect power marriage: he is a spin-doctor and she runs a consultancy to the charity industry. They are attractive, rich, successful...Then Octavia discovers Tom is having an affair and not only the discovery but the affair itself have consequences that are potentially fatal - both to the marriage and its power.
For this is no ordinary affair, but one that leads to terror and danger, threatening other people, damaging other lives.
719 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
177 people are currently reading
847 people want to read
About the author
Penny Vincenzi
70 books936 followersPenny was nine years old when she embarked on her storytelling career. She wrote her own magazine called “Stories”, which she copied out three times on carbon paper and sold for two pence at school. So began a career in writing which has seen 7 million copies sold, and 17 bestselling novels.
After secretarial college, Penny worked as a junior secretary at Vogue and Tatler magazines, before moving to the Daily Mirror as personal assistant to Marje Proops, Britain's legendary agony aunt.
Marje encouraged her to write, and she became fashion editor and beauty writer at the Mirror, working for the women's editor in what was irreverently known as the "fragrant department". Penny’s journalistic career as a celebrated writer and columnist spanned several decades working for many of the leading newspapers and magazines of the time.
She once asked bestselling British author Jilly Cooper for advice on writing a novel while interviewing her for a magazine profile. Jilly put Penny in touch with her own agent, who promptly auctioned off her (then unwritten) first novel. It was quickly snapped up and the rest, as they say, is history.
Penny died in 2018. She was the proud and much-loved mother of four equally proud daughters, and grandmother to nine grandchildren.
After secretarial college, Penny worked as a junior secretary at Vogue and Tatler magazines, before moving to the Daily Mirror as personal assistant to Marje Proops, Britain's legendary agony aunt.
Marje encouraged her to write, and she became fashion editor and beauty writer at the Mirror, working for the women's editor in what was irreverently known as the "fragrant department". Penny’s journalistic career as a celebrated writer and columnist spanned several decades working for many of the leading newspapers and magazines of the time.
She once asked bestselling British author Jilly Cooper for advice on writing a novel while interviewing her for a magazine profile. Jilly put Penny in touch with her own agent, who promptly auctioned off her (then unwritten) first novel. It was quickly snapped up and the rest, as they say, is history.
Penny died in 2018. She was the proud and much-loved mother of four equally proud daughters, and grandmother to nine grandchildren.
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September 4, 2009I think I smiled throughout the entire million-page duration of this book. Rich people having affairs! Baby abductions! Evil best friends! Every five pages, someone bursts into tears; every ten pages, someone chokes down a glass of expensive champagne; and every twenty pages, someone insists that she can't possibly continue this conversation, as it's making her feel quite ill (the vast messy soap opera is narrated in the Queen's English). In short, I can't imagine a novel more perfect for slightly hungover beach reading.
January 23, 2011
This is an airport novel, big and heavy, but I like it. Octavia, a dame with class, is married to Tom, well-dressed and almost public school and they have a power marriage. Octavia's best friend is a bit unhinged after a cot death, and she inveigles Tom into an affair. (Or so we must believe in the absence of any other reason because Tom is clearly nice and the best friend of course must be a bit mad because she can't be bad *and* be a friend of the lovely Octavia, right?)
Anyway it's full of gossipy hit-and-miss affairs as substitutes while the marriage is under threat, but destiny brings them back together again and all is well.
Women, it seems, will put up with many things if their husbands are sexy and nice to the children LOL.
Anyway it's full of gossipy hit-and-miss affairs as substitutes while the marriage is under threat, but destiny brings them back together again and all is well.
Women, it seems, will put up with many things if their husbands are sexy and nice to the children LOL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2011
Penny Vicenzi always writes such entertaining books. However, "Amost a Crime" is too much. Or in this case, too many: Too many plots going on, too many coincidences, and way, way too many women who ending up "in a flood of tears."
October 21, 2016
I was rooting for everyone to die by the end.
August 5, 2008
As a follow up to her trilogy to the Lytton family, I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised. I fell immediately in love with the Lytton dynasty (No Angel being an absolute delight), so I was slightly nervous going into "Almost a Crime," afraid it would not live up to my expectations, having become so smitten with her previous work. Once again, I am smitten! Somehow, Vincenzi manages to write characters who live glamorous, wealthy, extravagant, successful existences, yet, when it comes to their emotional outpourings, I feel as though they are me and I am them. One can simultaneously live the life of a sexy and affluent businesswoman in London (perfect as far as escapism goes), yet be touched in an incredibly real way.
*Spoilers in following section
I was most moved when Octavia finally allowed herself to be embraced by Tom after the ordeal with the kidnapping. Her contradictory feelings already made perfectly clear, she gave in when she was most in need and went to the man who could easily provide the most comfort and security. It was a marvelous description of emotional complexity, knowing I, no matter what the circumstance, know I would want nothing more than to embrace my husband in such a terrible situation.
I was slightly annoyed, however, by the excessive detail into the lives of minor characters. Don't get me wrong. Romilly's short-lived modeling career and Zoe's forbidden trysts with Ian were certainly entertaining reading, but in some ways, felt tedious when compared to other aspects of the book. Of course, that may be the point of Vincenzi's novels, the tiniest details of circumstances lead from one life experience to another. Change just one detail, one chance meeting, one slip of the tongue and who knows what may occur instead. Had Caroline not found the cell phone in the towel drawer at the same time Tom was having breakfast, then their marriage would certainly have ended. In theory, I absolutely love this philosophy, and would not ask Vincenzi to change anything at all because, in the end, every detail becomes worth it. It is just that I have to admit that at times during the reading of these seemingly "side-tracked" stories, I found myself fervently wishing for less into Zoe's trysts and more into Octavia's. Which, in the end, I received.
*Spoilers in following section
I was most moved when Octavia finally allowed herself to be embraced by Tom after the ordeal with the kidnapping. Her contradictory feelings already made perfectly clear, she gave in when she was most in need and went to the man who could easily provide the most comfort and security. It was a marvelous description of emotional complexity, knowing I, no matter what the circumstance, know I would want nothing more than to embrace my husband in such a terrible situation.
I was slightly annoyed, however, by the excessive detail into the lives of minor characters. Don't get me wrong. Romilly's short-lived modeling career and Zoe's forbidden trysts with Ian were certainly entertaining reading, but in some ways, felt tedious when compared to other aspects of the book. Of course, that may be the point of Vincenzi's novels, the tiniest details of circumstances lead from one life experience to another. Change just one detail, one chance meeting, one slip of the tongue and who knows what may occur instead. Had Caroline not found the cell phone in the towel drawer at the same time Tom was having breakfast, then their marriage would certainly have ended. In theory, I absolutely love this philosophy, and would not ask Vincenzi to change anything at all because, in the end, every detail becomes worth it. It is just that I have to admit that at times during the reading of these seemingly "side-tracked" stories, I found myself fervently wishing for less into Zoe's trysts and more into Octavia's. Which, in the end, I received.
July 10, 2008
I'm very surprised I managed to get through all 817 pages of this. I wanted to hit all the characters in the book who, although believable, were shallow, stupid and self-absorbed, and I found it difficult to care what happened to them, let alone like anyone (including any of the minor characters). The story wandered around, with little suspense, barely reaching a point, and had an unsatisfactory ending (although admittedly, I'd probably only be satisfied if everyone in the book died).
March 20, 2015
Story about a power couple with 3 kids. Both parents successful and busy. The husband has an affair with the woman's best friend who appears to be quite mad. She even kidnaps their youngest child after the affair is ended. All the people around this couple and their characters are all quite interesting. An unputdownable book if it was not so thick.
June 29, 2015
The book is not almost a crime; it is an absolute crime against good writing. The characters are wooden and vapid; their lives uninteresting and boring. They cheat on each other and ignore their children. In the end, I was rooting for the crazy best friend to do in Octavia and keep her child.
June 1, 2024
Not the best one but a riveting read nonetheless. Love these books.
February 23, 2024
A couple weeks back I gave up on a book because it had so many POVs my head was spinning (see Goodfellas quote regarding Karen's wedding I reuse it too much)
I started this book and it seemed normal until after a couple of gentle chapters introducing all the player - and they are legion- it suddenly turned into a maelstrom of voices with nothing to warn you of this but a hard return.
Honestly I felt like a I needed a cheat sheet to keep everyone straight.
This book is set in the summer of 1997 in London.... and it is moving unstoppably towards the end of the summer just like Nelson DeMille's Night Fall is barrelling to 9-11 and I couldn't look away...
The main character of this book is an unlikable spoiled adult named Octavia. And lots of bad stuff happens to her and I was like (YAY). She's 1/2 of a power couple with her equally unlikable and mostly spineless husband whose name escapes me. She is the mother of twins (Polly & Gideon) and baby Minty (here is America we might be trashy but we don't name our kids after mouthwash flavors)
Octavia is the only child of her powerful and filthy rich and controlling father - whose name also escapes me. He is a widower who has a long term mistress named Marianne Marianne is the mother of 3 - a boy and 2 girls - divorced. When she joins her ...dude at his son in laws Ascot box she meets another Dude whose name escapes me. And they start seeing each other... this is the day that Octavia learns that her husband has been having and affair...
Oh literally I can't do any more there's a bunch of well to do or otherwise disgustingly rich people having mostly well to do or rich people problems.
I liked it enough while I was reading it but feel kind of stupid afterwards
I started this book and it seemed normal until after a couple of gentle chapters introducing all the player - and they are legion- it suddenly turned into a maelstrom of voices with nothing to warn you of this but a hard return.
Honestly I felt like a I needed a cheat sheet to keep everyone straight.
This book is set in the summer of 1997 in London.... and it is moving unstoppably towards the end of the summer just like Nelson DeMille's Night Fall is barrelling to 9-11 and I couldn't look away...
The main character of this book is an unlikable spoiled adult named Octavia. And lots of bad stuff happens to her and I was like (YAY). She's 1/2 of a power couple with her equally unlikable and mostly spineless husband whose name escapes me. She is the mother of twins (Polly & Gideon) and baby Minty (here is America we might be trashy but we don't name our kids after mouthwash flavors)
Octavia is the only child of her powerful and filthy rich and controlling father - whose name also escapes me. He is a widower who has a long term mistress named Marianne Marianne is the mother of 3 - a boy and 2 girls - divorced. When she joins her ...dude at his son in laws Ascot box she meets another Dude whose name escapes me. And they start seeing each other... this is the day that Octavia learns that her husband has been having and affair...
Oh literally I can't do any more there's a bunch of well to do or otherwise disgustingly rich people having mostly well to do or rich people problems.
I liked it enough while I was reading it but feel kind of stupid afterwards
August 27, 2020
I enjoy Vincenzi's writing, she's a personable character creater with a power to weave a story in all it's small parts and tie up the knots at the end. In this one, I didn't see the finale until quite close to when it happened! The predictability there was gone, but in other ways there are things you can assure yourself that the finale is going to be just what you expect after reading almost all of her books as I have!! In quick succession, I must add!
I really do think this, though not her best, is a definite book worth reading, it has adventure, conflict, complicated characters, and betrayal (unforgivable as well as acceptable, though how any betrayal can be acceptable is a matter of personal opinion, I think) - her characters are often as complicated as humans can are, making it easy to relate to on a human level, and her stories are often multi-faceted and interesting: a definite 4* book xx
I really do think this, though not her best, is a definite book worth reading, it has adventure, conflict, complicated characters, and betrayal (unforgivable as well as acceptable, though how any betrayal can be acceptable is a matter of personal opinion, I think) - her characters are often as complicated as humans can are, making it easy to relate to on a human level, and her stories are often multi-faceted and interesting: a definite 4* book xx
August 29, 2019
Took me longer than usual to be swept away by this Vincenzi novel. But once I did, I couldn't put it down.
So much happens in this book! There are lots of characters and something happens to most of them. Their stories intertwine making for some exciting plot twists.
Although some plot details I saw coming from miles away. It was pretty easy to guess who Tom was having an affair with.
I did feel sympathy for Octavia but like most of the adults in this book, she put her own selfish desires above her children’s. Kids are not stupid, they know when something is wrong. No one explains anything to them and then Octavia buggers off to Barbados with her new lover.
I always love Vincenzi's books. This is another winner.
So much happens in this book! There are lots of characters and something happens to most of them. Their stories intertwine making for some exciting plot twists.
Although some plot details I saw coming from miles away. It was pretty easy to guess who Tom was having an affair with.
I did feel sympathy for Octavia but like most of the adults in this book, she put her own selfish desires above her children’s. Kids are not stupid, they know when something is wrong. No one explains anything to them and then Octavia buggers off to Barbados with her new lover.
I always love Vincenzi's books. This is another winner.
June 16, 2020
4.5
“She lay awake... trying to decide how much could be forgiven... Whether love turned to hatred could ever become love again”
“The sweet intense flirtation that had begun at a dance party, extended to lunch, to wild, winging afternoons in hotel rooms, and thence to magically lovely stolen nights and days, had slowly darkened into tears, dependence, demands, protestations of love, of need, and finally declarations of hatred and of revenge”
“Love itself indeed, was a gamble; there was no way to be sure of a winning hand”
“Today was one of the good days. They weren’t all good; rather like someone convalescing from a long illness, there were times when she still felt dreadful. Still hurt. Still bewildered. Still afraid. But it was getting better.”
“She lay awake... trying to decide how much could be forgiven... Whether love turned to hatred could ever become love again”
“The sweet intense flirtation that had begun at a dance party, extended to lunch, to wild, winging afternoons in hotel rooms, and thence to magically lovely stolen nights and days, had slowly darkened into tears, dependence, demands, protestations of love, of need, and finally declarations of hatred and of revenge”
“Love itself indeed, was a gamble; there was no way to be sure of a winning hand”
“Today was one of the good days. They weren’t all good; rather like someone convalescing from a long illness, there were times when she still felt dreadful. Still hurt. Still bewildered. Still afraid. But it was getting better.”
June 28, 2025
the book was good, slow to begin with but it started to get interesting 200 pages in. it was a rollercoaster in the second and third parts, with certain plot points that shocked me.
my main gripe is that i hated most of the characters bc of the shit that they did. yes it was human, yes it was realistic. but i was yelling at the main character for much of the later parts bc she’s selectively blind with what was happening. the book does a somewhat good job of showing infidelity within marriage but boiled it down to the husband being trapped by a crazy woman, which is weird.
my main gripe is that i hated most of the characters bc of the shit that they did. yes it was human, yes it was realistic. but i was yelling at the main character for much of the later parts bc she’s selectively blind with what was happening. the book does a somewhat good job of showing infidelity within marriage but boiled it down to the husband being trapped by a crazy woman, which is weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2011
Tom and Octavia Fleming have what the media likes to call a “power marriage”. As well as having three children, they run their own highly successful companies and are always ready to share their individual expertise to help the other. They’re portrayed in the press as the perfect modern couple, and are much sought after at public functions for the glamour that surrounds them. If, perhaps, they don’t get to spend enough quality time either with one another or their children, the rewards make the sacrifice worthwhile.
Then, with appalling suddenness, their carefully ordered life seems set to collapse around them. Octavia makes the devastating discovery that Tom is having an affair, and Tom loses a vital client which takes his business to the brink of ruin. To make matters worse, someone seems intent on sabotaging not only Tom’s company, but any hope he and Octavia might have had of repairing their marriage. Only now does it become apparent exactly how precariously balanced their life together was, and how easily it could come crashing down. Picking up the pieces turns out to be an awful lot harder. In fact, it’s doubtful whether it can even be done.
Long as it is, this novel kept me riveted from beginning to end with its complex relationships, company politics and cleverly woven subplots. I honestly couldn’t put it down! Most of all, I loved the way the characters developed in response to the troubles confronting them. Octavia, always dominated by her overprotective father, painfully insecure and terribly serious, gradually gains confidence and the ability to laugh at herself. Tom, on the other hand, faced with the prospect of losing everything that’s important to him, is stripped of the arrogance I initially so disliked. By the end, much to my surprise, I found myself sincerely hoping these two would succeed in salvaging their marriage.
Then, with appalling suddenness, their carefully ordered life seems set to collapse around them. Octavia makes the devastating discovery that Tom is having an affair, and Tom loses a vital client which takes his business to the brink of ruin. To make matters worse, someone seems intent on sabotaging not only Tom’s company, but any hope he and Octavia might have had of repairing their marriage. Only now does it become apparent exactly how precariously balanced their life together was, and how easily it could come crashing down. Picking up the pieces turns out to be an awful lot harder. In fact, it’s doubtful whether it can even be done.
Long as it is, this novel kept me riveted from beginning to end with its complex relationships, company politics and cleverly woven subplots. I honestly couldn’t put it down! Most of all, I loved the way the characters developed in response to the troubles confronting them. Octavia, always dominated by her overprotective father, painfully insecure and terribly serious, gradually gains confidence and the ability to laugh at herself. Tom, on the other hand, faced with the prospect of losing everything that’s important to him, is stripped of the arrogance I initially so disliked. By the end, much to my surprise, I found myself sincerely hoping these two would succeed in salvaging their marriage.
January 20, 2012
Tom and Octavia Fleming are described by the media as a power couple. Attractive, wealthy, and poised on the cusp of a glorious future, neither of them is at all prepared for the events that blindside them.
Seemingly out of nowhere, an affair between Tom and a woman he refuses to name, catapults the two of them into a series of horrific scenarios that impact their personal and business lives.
"Almost a Crime" is a richly textured tale that feels as though it encompasses a vast period of time, but it really only spans a few months in the year 1997. Set in London, in the months preceding the shocking death of Princess Diana (in August), we watch as the rippling effects of Tom's affair circle out and touch everyone in their charmed circle.
Vincenzi's writing style takes the reader through a series of increasingly suspenseful vignettes, sharing a few morsels about each character, gradually revealing bits and pieces until we cannot stop reading and flipping pages, wanting to know more. Hints, clues, teasers—all lead to the dangerous events that will unravel gradually, reaching a crescendo of operatic proportions. Just when we thought that everything had finally revealed itself, we are stunned by another staggering blow.
How does the identity of Tom's mistress inform the lives of those around him? How do the machinations of Octavia's father add to the mix? Will Tom and Octavia finally resolve their differences, or will more and more complications arise for them? And how does an issue that threatens the land around Bartles Woods bring another layer of intrigue and suspense to the characters?
A wonderfully captivating novel full of enough detail to bring the reader right into the midst of the characters' lives, I could not put this one down...Despite its length. I'm giving this one five stars.
Seemingly out of nowhere, an affair between Tom and a woman he refuses to name, catapults the two of them into a series of horrific scenarios that impact their personal and business lives.
"Almost a Crime" is a richly textured tale that feels as though it encompasses a vast period of time, but it really only spans a few months in the year 1997. Set in London, in the months preceding the shocking death of Princess Diana (in August), we watch as the rippling effects of Tom's affair circle out and touch everyone in their charmed circle.
Vincenzi's writing style takes the reader through a series of increasingly suspenseful vignettes, sharing a few morsels about each character, gradually revealing bits and pieces until we cannot stop reading and flipping pages, wanting to know more. Hints, clues, teasers—all lead to the dangerous events that will unravel gradually, reaching a crescendo of operatic proportions. Just when we thought that everything had finally revealed itself, we are stunned by another staggering blow.
How does the identity of Tom's mistress inform the lives of those around him? How do the machinations of Octavia's father add to the mix? Will Tom and Octavia finally resolve their differences, or will more and more complications arise for them? And how does an issue that threatens the land around Bartles Woods bring another layer of intrigue and suspense to the characters?
A wonderfully captivating novel full of enough detail to bring the reader right into the midst of the characters' lives, I could not put this one down...Despite its length. I'm giving this one five stars.
September 4, 2012
I had previously read The Spoils of Time trilogy, though some time ago. But I remember quite liking them and when I found this thought I'd give it a go. However I could never really get to grips with it.
The characters seemed rather one dimensional, with none of them particularly likable. Now I don't mind 'unlikeable' characters, in fact thay can be quite intriguing, but here they just seem like cyphers in order to tell a well worn story.
The central character Octavia Fleming is mother of three and wife to Tom. It's a 'power marriage' with the two combining their successful careers. Not so succesful though is their core relationship, which soon reaches crisis point. Tom has been having an affair.
There then folows a lot of pretentious middle class procrastination with the characters becoming more and more unbeleiveable in order to hinge them to a a flimsy plot.
I was being persuaded by the author to be empathetic with Octavia who isn't sure whether to stick or bust, but everyone is so thoroughly shallow and bigotted that I couldn't care less.
I almost feel apologetic in reviewing this but if you like a little more depth in your read I'd steer clear. Ok at best.
The characters seemed rather one dimensional, with none of them particularly likable. Now I don't mind 'unlikeable' characters, in fact thay can be quite intriguing, but here they just seem like cyphers in order to tell a well worn story.
The central character Octavia Fleming is mother of three and wife to Tom. It's a 'power marriage' with the two combining their successful careers. Not so succesful though is their core relationship, which soon reaches crisis point. Tom has been having an affair.
There then folows a lot of pretentious middle class procrastination with the characters becoming more and more unbeleiveable in order to hinge them to a a flimsy plot.
I was being persuaded by the author to be empathetic with Octavia who isn't sure whether to stick or bust, but everyone is so thoroughly shallow and bigotted that I couldn't care less.
I almost feel apologetic in reviewing this but if you like a little more depth in your read I'd steer clear. Ok at best.
December 27, 2023
This book is angsty and the marriage troubles kept me hooked. I wish the book delved more into the motivations for the husband's affair, and I'm not convinced he won't do it again. The affair was long...I think 2 years? And with her best friend. And he had genuine feelings for her.
Anyways, lots of "I love you" statements from husband to wife, but they're just words: there's no real evidence that shows why and how they love each other. Family and history always seems to keep these couples together.
Anyways, lots of "I love you" statements from husband to wife, but they're just words: there's no real evidence that shows why and how they love each other. Family and history always seems to keep these couples together.
October 1, 2020
Tom and Octavia seem to have the perfect careers and marriage; however, Tom isn't always present and when Octavia learns of his affair everything changes.
I really struggled with this book and honestly, could not finish it. It is very wordy and long-winded. The plot becomes lost in the descriptives and it is extremely difficult to be interested in the characters.
I really struggled with this book and honestly, could not finish it. It is very wordy and long-winded. The plot becomes lost in the descriptives and it is extremely difficult to be interested in the characters.
June 23, 2011
A big, fat soap opera type book. It had some involving plot lines but felt overwritten. There were too many business discussions in the beginning that started to bore me. The characters were realistic and flawed. It was good enough for me to give the author another try.
December 1, 2013
This has to be the slowest book I have ever read. By the time it got interesting there was so much flipping between characters that I couldn't even remember who they were or how the were related to the main character in the book.
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December 2, 2025 رواية تحرق الأعصاب، تفقع القلب، وطويلة بشكل لا يصدق، يصعب على الواحد الانسجام مع الشخصيات من كثرتهم وسهل تتشتت وأنت تقرأه
أُكتيفيا، امرأة من الطبقة البرجوازية، صاحبة شركة وأعمال خيرية، وحيدة أبوها، يتيمة الأم، متزوجة وأم لثلاثة أطفال، توأم مختلف بنت وولد وبيبي صغيرة، من الصفحات الأولى بتعرف انها تكتشف خيانة زوجها لها بس السؤال هنا مع مين؟ ومن ضمن اتفاقية زواجهم الصوري انهم يشركوا بعض في بعض اجتماعاتهم المهنية الي أصلاً تتقاطع فيها مصالحهم سوا أحياناً، وأحياناً تختلف وتتضارب —— المهم وتجلس في أول مناسبة تجمعهم بعد ماعرفت عن خيانته تشكك في كل وحدة تكلمه وتسولف معاه انها "هي" وتحاول تكتشف هوية هذي العشيقة المجهولة —— وتصير أحداث وخرابيط حقيقي تبط الكبد من عفنها، وتصور لنا حقارة الرجل الخائن ودناءته الي بدل ما يظهر مدى أسفه وندمه بعد ما واجهته واعترف يروح يقلب الطاولة عليها ويشركها السبب ولا يتحمل مسؤولية أغلاطه وهفواته اللعين، وفي النهاية تطلع المرأة المجهولة هي أعز صديقاتها الي بعيدة كل البعد عن عالم الأعمال والتزمت بيتها من تزوجت تاركة وراها عالم الموضة والمودلينغ ثينغز، والسبب ايش؟ حسد وقلة البصيرة ان صحبتها قدرت تجمع ما بين الاثنين (الي هي العمل وبناء أسرة) وهي لا، وراحت لفت ودارت وما أخذت إلا زوج صحبتها الي ما يسوى بظفر 🦶—— وبعد كل هذا ولما تقرر أُكتيفيا تنتصر لنفسها وترد الصاع وتخونه كمان مع غيره يجن جنونه ويطلع عن طوره ويعبر لها عن حبه وتعلقه فيها وما يرضى عليها (ياحنيّن) وانه سوى الي سواه مو كرهاً لا العكس 🔪🔪
نادمة أشد الندم اني قلت خل أقرأ منه شوية قبل النوم، بس عشان أقفل على تشابتر جديد، والآن طير لي نومي وحرق لي دمي ولا استفدت شي
وبس قلت خليني أكتب عنه عشان أطلع القرقوعة الي في قلبي بدال ما أصيح، وأحاول أنام بسلام.
Dec 5th:
آخر شيء ما تطلقوا!
أُكتيفيا، امرأة من الطبقة البرجوازية، صاحبة شركة وأعمال خيرية، وحيدة أبوها، يتيمة الأم، متزوجة وأم لثلاثة أطفال، توأم مختلف بنت وولد وبيبي صغيرة، من الصفحات الأولى بتعرف انها تكتشف خيانة زوجها لها بس السؤال هنا مع مين؟ ومن ضمن اتفاقية زواجهم الصوري انهم يشركوا بعض في بعض اجتماعاتهم المهنية الي أصلاً تتقاطع فيها مصالحهم سوا أحياناً، وأحياناً تختلف وتتضارب —— المهم وتجلس في أول مناسبة تجمعهم بعد ماعرفت عن خيانته تشكك في كل وحدة تكلمه وتسولف معاه انها "هي" وتحاول تكتشف هوية هذي العشيقة المجهولة —— وتصير أحداث وخرابيط حقيقي تبط الكبد من عفنها، وتصور لنا حقارة الرجل الخائن ودناءته الي بدل ما يظهر مدى أسفه وندمه بعد ما واجهته واعترف يروح يقلب الطاولة عليها ويشركها السبب ولا يتحمل مسؤولية أغلاطه وهفواته اللعين، وفي النهاية تطلع المرأة المجهولة هي أعز صديقاتها الي بعيدة كل البعد عن عالم الأعمال والتزمت بيتها من تزوجت تاركة وراها عالم الموضة والمودلينغ ثينغز، والسبب ايش؟ حسد وقلة البصيرة ان صحبتها قدرت تجمع ما بين الاثنين (الي هي العمل وبناء أسرة) وهي لا، وراحت لفت ودارت وما أخذت إلا زوج صحبتها الي ما يسوى بظفر 🦶—— وبعد كل هذا ولما تقرر أُكتيفيا تنتصر لنفسها وترد الصاع وتخونه كمان مع غيره يجن جنونه ويطلع عن طوره ويعبر لها عن حبه وتعلقه فيها وما يرضى عليها (ياحنيّن) وانه سوى الي سواه مو كرهاً لا العكس 🔪🔪
نادمة أشد الندم اني قلت خل أقرأ منه شوية قبل النوم، بس عشان أقفل على تشابتر جديد، والآن طير لي نومي وحرق لي دمي ولا استفدت شي
وبس قلت خليني أكتب عنه عشان أطلع القرقوعة الي في قلبي بدال ما أصيح، وأحاول أنام بسلام.
Dec 5th:
آخر شيء ما تطلقوا!
May 22, 2025
I've read seven other Penny Vincenzi books in the last ten months and really enjoyed all but two of them. I was hoping this would be on the positive side - and it was! I know what to expect from these books now - hundreds and hundreds of pages of rich, privileged, often despicable people, doing largely terrible things to each other, but in a wildly compelling and highly entertaining way - occasionally with a bit of real emotion thrown in to keep me fully engaged.
And that is absolutely what I got from this book. It's got adultery, betrayal, complex family dynamics, problematic relationships, breakdowns, political shenanigans - you name it!
There's also a lot to do with trauma and motherhood, which is a common theme for this author - and I would definitely check the content warnings before diving in.
It dipped a bit around halfway, when everything I'd expected to happen had already occurred and I was worried the second half would be really dragged out - but then it went in multiple really surprising directions and I was very satisfied with how everything turned out in the end.
One thing I found interesting was that the main 'reveal' was really obvious to me right from the start - but then I realised it wasn't meant to be a mystery for the reader. It was more a case of the tension building around anticipating how the characters would react when they found out the truth - and that was done very effectively.
And that is absolutely what I got from this book. It's got adultery, betrayal, complex family dynamics, problematic relationships, breakdowns, political shenanigans - you name it!
There's also a lot to do with trauma and motherhood, which is a common theme for this author - and I would definitely check the content warnings before diving in.
It dipped a bit around halfway, when everything I'd expected to happen had already occurred and I was worried the second half would be really dragged out - but then it went in multiple really surprising directions and I was very satisfied with how everything turned out in the end.
One thing I found interesting was that the main 'reveal' was really obvious to me right from the start - but then I realised it wasn't meant to be a mystery for the reader. It was more a case of the tension building around anticipating how the characters would react when they found out the truth - and that was done very effectively.
May 14, 2018
Penny does it again! She is so masterful in writing and I can’t wait for her next book!
Octavia and Paul Fleming are on the outside a perfect couple in business. They each run successful companies and support each other through everything. They have 3 kids that are wonderful in their own right. However, Tom gets caught in an affair and then his company runs into trouble. Never mind his father-in-law is trying to destroy him. And Octavia gets caught up in a cause that goes against one of Tom’s clients. And Octavia runs to her best friend when Tom tells her of the affair. And when she finds out who he slept, no one is safe.
Betrayal, love, responsibility, family trust, affairs and understanding what you can handle as a person. It was such a page turner and I couldn’t put it down. Penny draws you into her stories and you can’t help but want to stay.
Octavia and Paul Fleming are on the outside a perfect couple in business. They each run successful companies and support each other through everything. They have 3 kids that are wonderful in their own right. However, Tom gets caught in an affair and then his company runs into trouble. Never mind his father-in-law is trying to destroy him. And Octavia gets caught up in a cause that goes against one of Tom’s clients. And Octavia runs to her best friend when Tom tells her of the affair. And when she finds out who he slept, no one is safe.
Betrayal, love, responsibility, family trust, affairs and understanding what you can handle as a person. It was such a page turner and I couldn’t put it down. Penny draws you into her stories and you can’t help but want to stay.
August 8, 2025
I don't know who has the patience or wish to sit through this kind of book. We called these word-processor books at the time. Because nobody would type all this many pages on a normal typewriter.
A woman called Octavia gets involved with charities, ladies who lunch and heavy duty fashion shopping. She and her father and her husband are having affairs. With different people, obviously. At least I think Octavia is, it becomes hard to keep track. All the side characters seem to be, taking drugs as well. The kids are not doing great, failing exams, who knew it's a bad influence on kids when the parents are not putting their welfare first. At the end we get a few pages about Princess Diana's funeral, or rather, the flowers left for her.
817 pages. Word processors were meant to help writers do a better job. You decide.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
A woman called Octavia gets involved with charities, ladies who lunch and heavy duty fashion shopping. She and her father and her husband are having affairs. With different people, obviously. At least I think Octavia is, it becomes hard to keep track. All the side characters seem to be, taking drugs as well. The kids are not doing great, failing exams, who knew it's a bad influence on kids when the parents are not putting their welfare first. At the end we get a few pages about Princess Diana's funeral, or rather, the flowers left for her.
817 pages. Word processors were meant to help writers do a better job. You decide.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
April 30, 2020
Very readable, and had the classic Penny cleverness with exploiting minor decisions and overlapping timelines. Somehow not totally enjoyable though; it felt like a bit too much. Too much drama. Too many heart strings being plucked. Too many frustrating characters. Having said that every time I picked it up I got sucked in to reading longer than I intended to... so although the subtlety was lost the intrigue was not.
Also, whoever was in charge of proof-reading this edition clearly had one eye closed, or far far too many expensive champagnes... there were typos and extra words so often that it was actually distracting. At least one per chapter, often more than one on the same page. Infuriating.
Also, whoever was in charge of proof-reading this edition clearly had one eye closed, or far far too many expensive champagnes... there were typos and extra words so often that it was actually distracting. At least one per chapter, often more than one on the same page. Infuriating.
March 23, 2021
Penny Vincenzi has written another fabulous fast moving story. This story is about Tom and Octavia Fleming and their very successful careers and marriages. Set in the wealthy area of Kensington in London and a few outlying villages the story is full of intrigue, family difficulties and different personalities that clash. There is a very good story line that moves quickly but not always the way we hope it will. Tom and Octavia have everything or seem to and it is amazing how some so called friends are happy to see them fall and perhaps tear them apart. Very good.
January 11, 2026
Always a good way to start the new year - a re-read of a huge 800 page Penny Vincenzi. Reading nearly 30 years on from its setting, the Princess Diana references do seem a bit stilted and excessive, but obviously would have had a lot more impact at the time of publication. As ever I enjoyed the tangle of characters and the scenes of a London lifestyle now pretty much over. I love all the references she makes to things and places she probably loved herself. Octavia was quite an annoying main character, so that’s held me off the full five starts, but this is one of her best books.
July 6, 2017
I love getting lost in a book by Penny Vincenzi. Her books are always 600-700 pages with lots of characters and plots. This book was no exception. But, it was not without its faults. One of the main characters, Octavia, was very annoying and the storylines were predictable. Still, the last 100 pages kept me up way past my bedtime to see how it ends. If you like Penny Vincenzi, you won't be disappointed.
July 8, 2017
Such a fast paced easy read. It's a long book so it was perfect for reading for awhile, putting down for a day or 2 and picking back up and knowing right where you left off..I loved the characters and there were many satisfying mini-plots and a fantastic ending..I've read just about all of her books and love her stories. This book did seem to go on due to the length but I liked that and it was never dull.
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