Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

Four successful professionals fall victim to an elaborate stock market scam orchestrated by Harvey Metcalfe, a shrewd businessman who built his fortune through deceptive practices. When they discover the fraud has left them with significant financial losses, they realize legal channels offer no path to justice. The victims - a professor, a doctor, an art dealer, and an aristocrat's son - unite to devise an intricate plan to reclaim their stolen money. Each man must create and execute a scheme targeting Metcalfe's specific interests and vulnerabilities to recover their exact losses. The plot moves between London, Oxford, Monte Carlo, and other European locations as the four men attempt their complex revenge mission, requiring precision timing and flawless execution to succeed against their formidable opponent. This tale of revenge and justice explores themes of greed, deception, and the moral complexities that arise when victims choose to operate outside the law to right a wrong.

Readers call this revenge tale entertaining but flawed, noting it shows Archer's raw potential as a first novel. Positive reviews highlight: - Complex, clever revenge schemes - Fast-paced plotting - Satisfying conclusion - Clear writing style - Educational details about art and finance Common criticisms: - One-dimensional characters - Dated references and attitudes - Unrealistic coincidences - Wooden dialogue - Too many financial/business details Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (900+ ratings) "The schemes are ingenious but the characters feel like cardboard cutouts," notes one Amazon reviewer. A frequent Goodreads comment mentions the book functions better as a revenge plot outline than a fully realized novel. Multiple readers compare it unfavorably to Archer's later works, though many finish it despite the flaws.

The Racketeer by John Grisham A disgraced lawyer orchestrates an intricate revenge scheme against those who wrongly imprisoned him.

The Eight by Katherine Neville Multiple timelines interweave as characters pursue a chess set with mysterious powers through an intricate game of deception and revenge.

The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer Two brothers working at a private bank execute a perfect crime but find themselves entangled in a web of financial conspiracy.

Trust Me by Peter Leonard A con artist targets wealthy marks in Detroit but faces unexpected complications when one victim turns the tables.

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton A mute safecracker with extraordinary skills becomes caught in a complex scheme of betrayal and retribution.

🔸 Jeffrey Archer wrote this debut novel while facing financial ruin himself, after losing nearly everything in a fraudulent investment scheme in 1974, making the story deeply personal. 🔸 The book was initially rejected by 14 different publishers before being accepted by Deborah Owen at Jonathan Cape in 1975, going on to become an international bestseller. 🔸 The novel's plot was partially inspired by real-life fraudster Bernie Cornfeld and his company Investors Overseas Services (IOS), which collapsed in 1970 causing massive investor losses. 🔸 The story has been adapted twice for television - first as a BBC mini-series in 1977 and later as a German television film titled "Nicht ein Penny mehr, nicht ein Penny weniger" in 1989. 🔸 The success of this book helped Archer pay off his debts of £427,727 (equivalent to about £4.5 million today) and launched his career as a bestselling author, leading to over 37 published works.