Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less

About Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer

Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less is the first novel by Jeffrey Archer, first published in 1976 by Jonathan Cape in the United Kingdom and Doubleday in the United States. If you are looking for a classic caper about money, trickery and a carefully planned response, Not A Penny More is the place to begin with Archer’s fiction. Please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock.

What is the novel about?

The story begins with a ruthless, self-made American businessman who sets up a company that takes advantage of a British oil-drilling policy. Four investors in London and Oxford are drawn into his scheme, and the book is about how they respond after they have been financially harmed. We will not reveal what they do, since the fun of a caper lies in watching the plan take shape. The title itself tells you the aim of the four: they want back exactly what they lost, no more and no less.

Themes in the book

• Greed and the damage that unchecked ambition can do
• Trust, and how easily it can be abused in financial dealings
• Cleverness, planning and teamwork among people with very different backgrounds
• Fairness: the idea of recovering what is yours without taking more
• Wit and tension working together in a light-hearted thriller

The author behind the book

Jeffrey Archer wrote this novel at a time when he had himself come close to financial ruin, and the book is said to have been inspired by that experience. It launched his career as a novelist, and he has since written many bestselling novels and short story collections. Reading his first book shows you the roots of the style that later made him famous: crisp chapters, lively characters and a plot that keeps moving.

Why this novel still finds readers

Stories about money and fairness never go out of date. Investors, traders, students of commerce and everyday readers all understand the worry of putting trust in the wrong hands. The novel turns that worry into entertainment, and it does so in plain, readable English. It also teaches a quiet lesson about caution: anyone who hears a promise of easy profit should ask questions before handing over money.

Who should read it

• Readers who enjoy capers, financial thrillers and clever plots
• Fans of Jeffrey Archer who want to read his first novel
• Students of commerce or business who like fiction on money and ethics
• College readers looking for an easy way to practise English
• Anyone shopping for a gift for a thriller lover

Reading tips

Pay attention to the four main characters and what each brings to the plan; the story is more enjoyable when you notice how their different skills fit together. Read a few chapters at a time and try to predict the next move. If you are using the book to build your English, mark unfamiliar words and look them up after you finish a chapter, so that the flow of the story is not broken.

A first novel that deserves a place on the shelf

For a reader who wants to understand where a famous writing career began, this book is the natural choice. It also pairs well with Archer’s short story collections for readers who wish to explore his work step by step.

Edition details

Language: English. Author: Jeffrey Archer. Title: Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less. First published in 1976; the first novel by Jeffrey Archer. For the publisher, edition, number of pages and condition of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar. Delivery takes about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less? Jeffrey Archer.

Is it his first novel? Yes, it was first published in 1976.

Does the description give away the plot? No. We describe only the setup and the themes.

How quickly will it reach me? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar. Delivery is about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

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