A Dangerous Fortune

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: Michael Page

A breathtaking thriller featuring “political and amorous intrigues, cold-blooded murder, and financial crises” (San Francisco Chronicle), from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Column of Fire

In 1866, tragedy strikes the exclusive Windfield School when a young student drowns in a mysterious accident. His death and its aftermath initiate a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.

From the exclusive men’s clubs and brothels that cater to every dark desire of London’s upper class to the dazzling ballrooms and mahogany-paneled suites of the manipulators of the world’s wealth, one family is splintered by a shared legacy. But greed, fed by the shocking truth of a boy’s death, must be stopped, or the dreams of a nation will die.

©1993 by Ken Follett. (P)1994 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Breathlessly plotted...relentlessly suspenseful." (The New York Times)

"Ken Follett is a matchless storyteller, and this story is tailor-made for audio.... With Follett teamed up with Page, you can't stop listening." (AudioFile)

Great story, Great reader, Great ending

I was hoping to listen to another book by Follett after Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. I'm just not much into war stories. This one is perfect. It had a few little surprises and wraps up nicely in the end. The characters were terrific. The reader does the book justice. I just couldn't stop listening to it and now I'm sad its finished.

Five BIG ✳️✳️✳️✳️✳️

I'm always wary to commit to a lengthy book. ( actually, not only books!) This book is worth every star. In fact, I'm going to buy one of Ken Follett's major works right now.

Good read.

This is my third read of a Ken Follet novel. Easy read. Fast on the move book. Each character very identifiable and well place in the story. Certainly worth a listen.

GOOD & BAD

THE GOOD:  (1) Follett is an all-time favorite and, one of, if not THE BEST historical-fiction Writers of the 21st century. Many of his books are EXCEPTIONAL; and easily among the BEST of this genre. (2) "A Dangerous Fortune," while NOT one of his best offerings, provides a morbid glimpse into the underbelly --- the debase aspects --- of Western-Elite societal culture, allowing the reader/listener to revel in smug comfort, knowing rich people DO NOT HAVE IT ALL.


THE BAD: As stated, "A Dangerous Fortune" is not among the jewels of Follett's greatness. Story consists of two main antagonists, in the end getting their just due, yet, in the meantime, wreaking havoc in the lives of all the other characters, over a 30-year period, to the point of being boring and silly! How can SO MANY well-meaning people continually allow themselves to be manipulated?  In reality, it happens, yet: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Shame on me." In essence, the on-going-deceptive dance is silly, yet in the end, these horrible culprits reap their just rewards, while the protagonist, and the other remaining cohorts-of-endearment, watch on with relief, and overdue satisfaction.


Narration is pretty good.

A Dangerous Fortune

The story, mystery was very good. All the language and sexual content, in my view, was not necessary. Thank-you

Less than Follett's best is still very good

I was introduced to Ken Follett with Pillars of the Earth and have been a fan ever since. I have mostly listened to his stories and the performances of Michael Page, on this story and John Lee on others are both top notch.

I find a common formula in all of Follett's stories where there is a protagonist who endures heartbreaking struggles and a villain who unfairly seems to thrive and supporting entourages of characters in the continuum between them.

A Dangerous Fortune explores honour, courage, deceit, love and loyalty. Some of my favorite Follett stories take longer to develop a bigger cast of characters and more complex plot, but this one does it in about 16 hours, which was long enough in this case. Like I said before, it is not my favorite Follett book, but I am running out of choices and he is such a good story-teller that any of his are worth hearing

Interesting banking family

What did you love best about A Dangerous Fortune?

The world and banking history.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was compelling and interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

The mother trying to push the trunk into the sea.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have any extreme reactions but it proves that what goes around comes around.

Any additional comments?

I would like to read more books like this one.

Love Ken Follett's books!

Excellent plot, development of characters, and story line. Lives up to all of my expectations for a Ken Follett book. Narration was well done too.

Follett saga

I really love Ken Follett authored books. The sagas that move through the generations of families and storylines keep me throughly entertained.

Terrific Read!

This is a very well crafted book with strong characters and a very good plot. This is my first Ken Follett novel so I cannot comment on how similar the plot is to his other novels. This narrator is terrific. I read this book in two installments driving from Santa Fe to Sedona and back and was never bored. Highly recommended.