Naturally, they decide that the best approach is to become pioneering, if not fearless, vigilantes, and so they turn their not inconsiderable combined brainpower onto the target in question, a ruthless businessman with a heck of a reputation, a huge fortune, and a daughter that is absolutely devoted to, while simultaneously dismissing any notion of turning to the trained authorities without even a token discussion. In Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, a group of men conned out of a great deal of money decide to band together, in the name of revenge and brotherhood, to win back A) their money, and B) their respect, and ultimately live happily ever after.

The usual fare, for this sort of novel, but familiarity does not always breed contempt, and, on this occasion, it didn’t seem to be a major, gut-churning problem. The premise and synopsis were promising, if somewhat familiar, suggesting at an intelligent, finely crafted narrative with lashings of witty humour and oodles of barbed dialogue. Unfortunately (I bet you saw this coming from at least a mile away), those hopes were dashed. It’s called revenge – and they were taught by a master.”

From the luxurious casinos of Monte Carlo to the high-stakes windows at Ascot to the bustling streets of Wall Street to fashionable London galleries, their own ingenious game has begun. Their plan: find Harvey, shadow him, trap him, and penny-for-penny, destroy him. With nothing left to lose four strangers are about to come together – each expert in their own field.

Overnight, each novice investor lost his life’s fortune to one man. “The conned: an Oxford don, a revered society physician, a chic French art dealer, and a charming English lord.

Not a penny less