The Heartbreaker - Susan Howatch

Carta Graham was a high flying city lawyer until the suicide of her husband Kim, in traumatic circumstances, caused her to rethink her priorities. Now, Carta has withdrawn from the rat race and is a fundraiser for St. Benet’s Church and Healing Centre, which helped her so much during that difficult time in her life. She has a new relationship with writer, Eric, and a strong circle of friends around her, including Nicholas Darrow, minister at St. Benet’s. Gavin Blake is a high class leisure worker, providing discreet sexual services to wealthy businessmen and raking in money for himself and his ... more

I didn't think I was going to like this book very much. It's not the kind of book I would normally read, as the main character is a male prostitute in London. I knew this because I'm on a mailing list for people who enjoy Susan Howatch's books, and although I'd avoided reading any spoiler discussions before I read 'The Heartbreaker', I couldn't help knowing the subject matter. I also knew that it was rather sleazy, and that several people considered it distinctly unpleasant. But I do like this author's writing, and I had read and enjoyed the other two books in the St Benet's trilogy, focussed ... more