Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer

I have read many of Jeffrey Archer's books like Kane and Abel, As the Crow Flies and Honour Among Thieves but I seemed to prefer his short stories more like A Quiver Full of Arrows, A Twist in the Tale and Twelve Red Herrings which gives you the envitable twists at the end. This book however was the exception to the rule. When I read the first page, I was hooked and I did not put it down until I finished the whole book. If there was any Jeffrey Archer book I would recommend people to read first IS this book. It is not thick, so therefore, it is not at all a daunting task to finish reading it and the funny wit and tension filled story telling is definately worth the ride. It is not as dramatic as Kane and Abel or As the Crow Flies but it is definately a book that can stand on its own among the others.

Apparently this is his first book (I have no idea, I must confirm this somewhere...yes I have confirmed it) but for a first book, it is pretty good. You would be introduced to the character Harvey Metcalf, a rich American con-man who swindled money from 4 unlikely people through a fraudulent petroleum scam. The total lost : One million dollars. They were suppose to wake up the next morning to enjoy their new found cash but instead found themselves staring at an empty bank account. Who are the four? An Oxford professor, a doctor, a gallery owner and a Lord. And they all want their money back.

So each of them will cook up their own plans to get back their money from the man who swindled it out of them, not a penny more and not a penny less. And in order for the plans to work, everyone will have to play a part. If you liked Ocean's Eleven or Ocean's Twelve or any caper stories, then you would definately enjoy this book as you root for them to outwit and outscam the devious Harvey Metcalf. But there are twists and turns in this book that will leave you sitting at the edge of your seats and bits and pieces that will have you laughing aloud.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think it is a keeper. Er, well, I think nearly every book I have ever read is a keeper which explains the amount of books I have here, at my sister's place and at home! Ah, well, they all love books, so my books will most probably have dog ears by now.

So if you come across this book anywhere, I would suggest that you pick it up, find a place somewhere and start enjoying yourself.