Caro Fraser's Breath of Corruption was just what I needed to start off my vacation--a quick, entertaining read. I didn't know that a novel featuring members of the British legal profession could be so smart and sexy, but it was both. This is the seventh in a series of novels about a group of London barristers and their families, friends and lovers. Now my question--are barristers the equivalent to American lawyers? I'll have to do a little research into that question.
Once again I've jumped in on a series on the tail end rather than starting at the beginning, but that didn't seem to affect any enjoyment of the story. I suspect it is nice to have all the back story and know where the relationships began, but I am also under the impression that there are also a few new characters in this particular installment. The story revolves mainly around Leo Davies the head of Chambers at 5 Caper Court. He's 40-ish, handsome, very intelligent and attracts lovers of both male and female persuasion. He's also divorced (and not particularly amicably it would seem) and has a small son. Around him orbits a cast of characters--fellow colleagues at the chambers, a gorgeous girlfriend, her annoying younger half-sister, his ex-wife, and a few unsavory individuals he'd rather not have any dealings with.
Breath of Corruption is a blend of drama and farce presented in a witty manner. At the outset of the story Leo's life seems simple enough. The usual case load at work, an encounter with an old friend and the promise of a new relationship with a model. But when Leo discovers a fishy invoice amongst his papers things start to go awry. When he begins questioning it, he has a run in with a Ukrainian thug. Not only that but his girlfriend's younger sister has set him in her sights romantically. After a series of mishaps and misunderstandings his world seems to crumble around him. Besides his personal problems it's havoc at work as well. The usual bickering amongst colleagues turns nasty when a little illegal snooping uncovers some very unprofessional behavior by another member of the chamber. There is a lot to work out in this story, but Fraser does it with panache.
I really enjoyed Breath of Corruption, and I've already got the first novel in the series, The Pupil, lined up to read, so I can see where it all started. Used copies of the earlier books seem readily available here in the US (I've got the second and third coming already as well). Many thanks to Caro Fraser for passing along a copy of her new novel to me. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Leo and his fellow barristers.