Book Review- Jeffrey Archer’s Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.

Book Review- Jeffrey Archer’s Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.

This was Jeffrey Archer’s first novel. The story starts with four men being duped into buying falsely inflated shares in a company named “Prospecta Oil”. The Share prices rise quickly with a falsified report stating that there was oil hidden at the site which Prospecta purchased. However, the share prices plunge soon after as the shares have no value - It was actually a plot by “Harvey Metcalfe” to scam those men of their money (They were not specifically picked - It was a coincidence that those four lost the most money.). Having lost over a Million in total, they decide to team up and get the money back. Thus, each of them creates their own plots to fool Harvey and get their money back. The title, “Not a Penny more, Not a Penny Less” refers to how the protagonist states that they shall only take what is owed to them, no more, no less.

Despite this being Jeffrey Archer’s first novel, I think that it really comes across as being a fun read. The characters are meticulous and go through stages after stages of planning to complete their plots. Each character is also well described, with each character almost taking on a life of their own. Some parts of this novel will make the reader grip the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next. The twist at the end of the story is also highly amusing!!