Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: John Lee

The thrilling novel that launched #1 New York Times bestseller Jeffrey Archer's career, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.

THE SWINDLE IS INGENIOUS

The conned: an Oxford don, a revered society physician, a chic French art dealer, and a charming English lord. They have one thing in common. Overnight, each novice investor lost his life's fortune to one man. The con: Harvey Metcalfe. A brilliant, self-made guru of deceit. A very dangerous individual. And now, a hunted man.

SO IS THE REVENGE

With nothing left to lose, four strangers are about to come together—each expert in their own field. Their plan: find Harvey, shadow him, trap him, and penny-for-penny, destroy him. From the luxurious casinos of Monte Carlo to the high-stakes windows at Ascot to the bustling streets of Wall Street to fashionable London galleries, their own ingenious game has begun.

It's called revenge—and they were taught by a master.

Critic reviews

<p>“Archer is a master storyteller.” —<i>Time</i><br><br>“One of the top ten storytellers in the world.” —<i>Los Angeles Times</i><br><br>“There isn't a better storyteller alive.” —<i>Larry King</i><br><br>“'Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less' [is] read by Martin Jarvis, who switched voices so quickly that not a beat is lost in th[is] fast-moving mystery.” —<i>Patriot News</i></p>

Entertaining Caper

This was quite an entertaining caper.

Archer’s writing style is very distinctive:

• Very little dialogue.

• A lot of “showing” - No need to exercise your imagination.

• A propensity to explain plans in minute detail. Sometimes I swear he was reading off a spread sheet! I am paraphrasing here, but not exaggerating : “He owes fifty eight thousand four hundred and nine dollars and fifty two cents, and paid twenty seven thousand six hundred and seventy eight dollars and ninety seven cents, so his remaining balance is thirty thousand seven hundred and thirty dollars and fifty five cents”

• Books that feel like a collection of short stories.

• Any excuse to show off his research.

If you like his style then you’ll enjoy this adventure; it felt nostalgic to me somehow, like an 80s miniseries.

What a Story

The thorough research and the details are as fascinating as the story it self. The audio performance is understated and just right.

I've got a bridge to sell you!!

I've enjoyed so many of J.A. Books. One might say I've nearly overdosed on them. This particular read has a slightly different twist. I enjoyed the read thoroughly. It was great fun!!

Interesting

Interesting, quick read by Jeffrey Archer. It tells the tale of a big time swindler who swindles those less fortunate than him, and what happens when he swindles a group of the wrong men. They form a group for pay back and from there the story goes. Normally Jeffrey Archer gets a 4 or 5 from me, but this earlier writing is not quite up to the quality of his more recent books. He is a phenomenal author and this book is worth the read, which will go quickly.

None better than John Lee

John Lee turns an average story into an enjoyable listen.

With touches of a Count of Monte Christo type revenge plot, the story is enjoyable but just not as gripping as some of Archer's other efforts. The let down comes with the way the story winds down and concludes.

Overall it's a decent story with a great narrator so I'd recommend it.