"Precipice" by Robert Harris was the first book to be read and discussed by Book Group 2. Not all enjoyed the book but most found the writing style easy to read and everyone learnt a lot about events leading up to the WW1.

The book tells the true story of the affair between the beautiful socialite Venetia Stanley and the Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, and why a young intelligence officer is assigned to investigate a leak of top secret documents during the very sensitive time in Britain's political history leading up to the first world war. 

Asquith, married, twice the age of Venetia and totally besotted by her, takes these documents to their trysts, discusses their contents with her and afterwards disposes of them in a very casual manner. Some of these papers are handed over to the police who quickly determine that they have been discarded by a member of the cabinet but they need to determine who the documents are being shown to, so a young investigator is assigned to find out.

As always Robert Harris is meticulous with his research and he uses his ability to weave a credible storyline into the incredible truth.
The group was enthusiastic about the book and it instigated a lively discussion. Many had researched into the political and social history of the time.