What do you do when you lose everything?
How do you cope when all that you have is under threat: your home, your livelihood, those you love best?
AN ABSOLUTE SCANDAL is the story of the last days of the glittering eighties and a devastating financial scandal that beset thousands of people when boom turned to bust.
For Nigel Cowper, it is terrifying. But he is sure of one thing; his beloved wife, Lucinda, the archetypal Sloane Ranger, devoted to her husband, happy with her lot. But Lucinda's about to do something wholly unexpected. She's about to have an affair.
For Simon Beaumont, it seems unbearable. Charismatic, powerful and rich, he suddenly faces a totally bleak future. His wife, career superwoman Elizabeth, still loves him - but can she forgive him for the hurt he's inflicted on her?
To Flora Fielding, it appears outrageous. Eccentric, beautiful, immensely courageous, she stares defeat down. But she has problems in her family; her son Richard seems intent on wrecking his marriage; and her daughter-in-law, Debbie, longs to be free.
To Joel Strickland, financial journalist, it is simply a great story: one that would lead him to a wonderful love affair.
But within a year someone will be dead. Who? And why?