A very extraordinary plot that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat and an exciting experience to accompany the author and the characters as if you were one of them. Jeffrey Archer is one of those authors who would take you with him from the beginning introducing the characters in such a way that by the end of the story, you would really meet these characters and be a part of this well-planned, gorgeously woven story. . It is worth the time you spend reading this novel, the best I have read in a long time. I would recommend it to anyone and it will surely be on his favorites list.
The story begins with the introduction of main character Harvey Metcalfe as a 16-year-old messenger at the Stock Exchange. In a matter of time, he quickly understands the ups and downs in the stock market and jumps into his first successful venture. At 19 years old he wins his first million and Harvey Metcalfe, the super mind, does not stop.
The plot begins with Harvey making money off innocent, honest men who try their hand at stocks. Harvey puts up some stock in a Prospect Oil company of which his friend is the director and, with the help of his friends, spreads the word in the market that they have found an oil rig somewhere in the sea. from North. David Kesler, an innocent Harvard graduate, is drawn to this job that markets Prospecta oil well. David brings in money from Stephen, Robin, Jean-Pierre, and Lord James Brigsley, who are the scapegoats at Prospecta Oil. Little do they know about the stock market and, believing David, they fall into the trap of Harvey’s plans, who sweeps them away without leaving any clues.
The four led by Stephen band together to plot revenge against Harvey and recover the money they lost without Harvey’s knowledge. Stephen does a deep research on the history of Harvey Metcalfe, his work, routine, vacations, family, etc. and prepare 4 dossier copies.
The four agree to meet in 14 days, with a plan of their own to match their caliber and profession to recoup the million dollars plus interest and expenses incurred in the imminent future, ‘Not a Penny Less, Not a Penny More.’ They also make a pact to maintain confidentiality and each character is included to fulfill the other’s plan.
The first step is led by Jean Pierre who is an artist by profession and has several painting exhibitions. Harvey’s soft spot for a Van Gogh painting is the springboard for his plan. The four of them arrange to turn Harvey’s holiday into a well thought out plan to lead him to a Van Gogh painting which is of course a replica of the original, but very convincingly sells it to them for £1,70,000.
The second investigation is carried out by Robin, who is a doctor by profession. He has a full prearranged training for the other three to meet the requirements of his plan, from meeting medical needs, playing blackjack and casino games, and marking time to avoid traffic. They all excel in the role of him again beating Harvey into believing that he has a gallbladder stone and that he needs an emergency operation, saving his life for the whopping sum of $1,50,000.
Then comes mastermind Stephen who is a professor of mathematics and his calculations lead Harvey to Oxford university to meet with the chancellor and the vice-chancellor and honor him with the Doctorate of Letters, he collects another sum of $2,50,000.
Meanwhile, Lord James Brigsley, who doesn’t consider himself good at any profession, dates a girl, Anne Summerton, and tells her of their secret mission to avenge Harvey Metcalfe. To his full disclosure, he discovers that Anne Summerton is Harvey’s daughter, named Anne Rosalie Metcalfe. He is stunned when he finds out that Harvey couldn’t recognize James because he was in disguise on all three missions. James invites Stephen, Robin and Jean Pierre to his wedding, before the final mission he hasn’t revealed yet. At the wedding, they are surprised when Harvey steps aside to hand over his daughter at the church to Lord James Brigsley. They go unnoticed by Harvey and he finally presents his daughter’s wedding gift, a check for $2,50,000 that she signs to Stephen from the fourth mission.
The author has reserved so many climactic situations and has presented each and every event in such a way that the reader can feel goosebumps and will surely forget everything around him to know what happens next! Jeffrey Archer has all the details and settings laid out in a unique style, giving prominence to planning that really is the winner in the mastermind narrative.
Everyone is happy with their accomplishments when they hear the news that Prospecta Oil has found an oil rig and the stock appears to have hit $12.75.
Jeffrey Archer is an extraordinary mind who has demonstrated the importance of planning and has told a story so excellent that the reader is bound to be a part of it. He will surely pay you back for every penny you spent on the book and the time you spend reading this wonderful story. He now he has become one of my favorites.