Product Description

An explosive novel of high finance and underworld villainy from the grand master of international action and suspense.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112078 in Books
• Published on: 1987-10-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780451167309
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Originally published under the pseudonym Zachary Stone, this is a happily rediscovered suspense thriller written in the mid-'70s by Follett, the bestselling author of Lie Down with Lions. Its plot, set in London, and intended to show that crime, high finance and journalism are corruptly interconnected, is, according to Follett, the cleverest he has ever devised. The fast-paced action spans, in hour-to-hour fashion, one day in the life of an evening newspaper and features an adulterous politician, a corrupt financier, a criminal gang, a mentally retarded youth and an eager cub reporter, their linked destinies all moving toward a singleand intensely excitingclimax. Though painted in broad brushstrokes, the characters seem compellingly real, as do their professional environments. Follett can proudly acknowledge this one.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Follett is a master." -- Time

"Follett is an artist of compelling talents." -- Philadelphia Inquirer

"Ken Follett can hold his own with the best." -- Indianapolis News

From the Publisher
Crime, high finance and journalism - all are interconnected in this early thriller by the author of On Wings of Eagles, Lie Down with Lions, and The Key to Rebecca. In one suspenseful, action-packed day, fortunes change hands as the Evening Post's ambitious young reporter scrambles to crack the story. A suicidal junior minister, an avaricious tycoon, and a seasoned criminal with his team of tough "lads" all play their parts in a scheme that moves "paper money" around at a dizzying pace.

Customer Reviews

Worth reading
This was written before the best selling Eye of the Needle back in 1976 and under a pseudonym. Follett considers it his best unsuccessful book. I consider it an interesting opportunity to see an early effort from a well known author. The story takes place in one day and involves about a half dozen people who have no idea how their lives are becoming interlinked by events. Were he to write the same story today, it would probably be tied together a bit differently and would be fleshed out a little more, but all the ingredients are there and if you have been a fan of this author, it is well worth your time to read this one.

Early Follett novel
Follett writes an introduction to this book and explains that in this early novel the plot was too complex and their were too many characters that didn't get enough development. So Follett admits, this isn't the best book, but it was still entertaining, even if the end was abrupt.

The plot revolves around an British politician who is seduced by a young woman then blackmailed into revealing who wins a government oil contract. Also, financial wizard Felix Laski tells a henchman Tony Cox the location of a delivery of money to be destroyed.

The plot then follows the money being stolen and Laski wheeling and dealing to buy the company that won the oil contract. All of this information is filtered through a newspaper office where the reporters must decide what to print and what not to print. The only intrigue lies in will the reporters discover the scheme and will they print it, and will some of the bad guys get there due. For an early novel, this isn't bad, but is extremely obvious that Follett improved greatly after this book.

Paper money is short and good read for a Follett fan, but not anyone else.

Paper Money
We were horrified at the poor reviews for this book. It is our favorite Ken Follett. It seemed to relate to his frustation as a reporter who was unable to report a fabulous story which had been clevely discovered. We, also, were a bit taken back by the ending, since we expected the bad guys to be suitably punished - but as one thought about it further, they received some punishment, and the good guys came out OK. Follett is telling us this is the way it is sometimes. And the plot really is very subtle - the reader certainly is constantly amazed as the story unfolds. Follett's introduction, which was very helpful, suggested to us that it was one of his favorite books. If you like Follett, and if you are willing to allow a relaxation of the traditional thriller format, we think you will really enjoy this book. We certainly did.