Archer's first novel begins slowly as we see Harvey Metcalfe's rise from the son of poor Polish emigrants to the owner of a corperation. Many of his achievements are done by bribes and shady deals.
In the second part of the novel we see the fun Archer has with characterization and language.

Metcalfe swindles four men, Stepehn Bradley, a mathmatical genius, Dr. Robert Oakley, a society doctor, Jean-Pierre Lamanns, owner of an art store, and James Brigsley an English lord.
Somewhat authbiographical since Archer was close to bankruptcy and resigned from public office to write this book in hope of repaying his creditors.
An enjoyable read for the patient reader. ( )

Excellent book. Thoroughly enjoyable. Jeffery Archer's way of writing book is very good. The only thing I didn't understand in this book is how can a person so intelligent be made fool so easily. That is the reason of 4 rating. ( )

You find yourself drawn into the story, and as it progresses you want the charaters to succeed. ( )

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. As usual, Jeffrey Archer delivers. The only reason I could not give it 5 stars was because as I was reading it I was fully aware of how dated it had become. This is not a sign of poor writing by any means, but merely that certain things are no longer relevant. ( )

Jeffrey Archer's first book and a grossly over-rated one at that. Although Archer can write well - I was not much impressed by the plot. Four people swindled by a rich man. But he is so rich (several hundred million rich) that the amount he swindled them out of (a quarter of a million each) hardly seems worth the effort!

They make a mutual pledge to get the money back - and each must devise a scheme for doing so. But the feckless "hero" of the book (presumably based on Archer himself) hasn't a clue how to do so. So when it comes to his turn he has to be saved by a Deus ex machina. Most writers would never get away with that. Jeffrey Archer did, presumably, because he had contacts. Why it became a best-seller is anyone's guess! ( )