Books › Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less
First published 1980 · 411 pages
A globe-trotting, impeccably tailored revenge caper where the greatest thrill is watching a master swindler get swindled.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sipping a dry martini while watching a perfectly choreographed magic trick unfold. It is a breezy, glamorous caper that trades dark, gritty crime for the sheer, unadulterated fun of a high-society sting. The narrative moves at a brisk, confident clip, whisking you from the casinos of Monte Carlo to the galleries of London as an unlikely quartet of gentlemen pool their unique talents. The prose is sharp and entirely focused on the clever mechanics of the plot, keeping the tone light, wry, and immensely satisfying. It delights readers who crave a smart, non-violent revenge fantasy where the underdogs outwit a ruthless villain, delivering a triumphant emotional payoff that is as precise as a Swiss watch.
- Mood
- glamorous
- triumphant
- breezy
- high-stakes
- Tone
- clever
- wry
- satisfying
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the art of the con · righteous revenge · unlikely alliances · underdog triumph · high society hijinks
- The writing
- Accessible, plot-driven, and sharply paced, with a focus on clever mechanics and witty dialogue over deep introspection.
- The arc
- Moves from the sting of betrayal and financial ruin to the thrilling, step-by-step satisfaction of a perfectly executed payback.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love a smart, globe-trotting caper where the bad guy gets exactly what is coming to him through elaborate, non-violent schemes.
Content notes
- financial ruin
- fraud and deception
About the book
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.
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.
Description from Open Library.
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