The Greeks Have a Word For It by Barry Unsworth.

A thoroughly unpleasant cast of characters wallowing around in the very appealing setting of Athens. Two of them are only pleasing when they speak of visits just outside the city; only for the beauty around them do they suspend their venal natures. But oddly enough, I was never tempted to put the book aside. Without appearing to work too hard at it, the author puts you in the city.