"Engaging British legal procedural"
Elderly and gay Francis Richmond utilizes his
connections to the social and political English aristocracy
to attend all the parties and galas of the rich and
famous. Francis uses these events to gather gossip to
record in his diary. When he dies, his boy toy inherits
this titillating piece of scandal mongering. He sells the
diary to Digby Price, owner of a London paper. In one diary entry Francis claims to have observed the
Minister of Defense Procurement Richard Tancred in secret
meetings with defense contractor Oscar Sleaven. Digby has
a score to settle with Tancred and exposes the Minister's
corruption in his paper. Tancred resigns from government
service and sues Digby for libel, taking their squabble
into the courtroom, a place where lies are the norm. This British legal procedural is strong on
characterizations yet contains an enigmatic plot that
leaves the reader wondering what is going on. THE RICHMOND
DIARY exemplifies to the audience an astute look into the
British judicial system. Peter Rawlinson establishes
himself as more than just a credible legal thriller author.
He proves he belongs with the sub-genre's elite. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 3, 2001
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