A Conspiracy of Paper

Benjamin Weaver Series, Book 2

By: David Liss

Narrated by: John Lee

Benjamin Weaver is an outsider in 18th-century London: a Jew among Christians; a ruffian among aristocrats; a retired pugilist who, hired by London's gentry, travels through the criminal underworld in pursuit of debtors and thieves.

In A Conspiracy of Paper, Weaver investigates a crime of the most personal sort: the mysterious death of his estranged father, a notorious stockjobber. To find the answers, Weaver must contend with a desperate prostitute who knows too much about his past, relatives who remind him of his alienation from the Jewish faith, and a cabal of powerful men in the world of British finance who have hidden their business dealings behind an intricate web of deception and violence. Relying on brains and brawn, Weaver uncovers the beginnings of a strange new economic order based on stock speculation - a way of life that poses great risk for investors but real danger for Weaver and his family.

In the tradition of The Alienist and written with scholarly attention to period detail, A Conspiracy of Paper is one of the wittiest and most suspenseful historical novels in recent memory, as well as a perceptive and beguiling depiction of the origin of today's financial markets.

©2000 David Liss (P)2019 Tantor

Outstanding Narration

While John Lee's narration was wonderful as usual, the story just seemed to drag. Had a hard time sticking with it.

interesting, a touch repetitive

Reminds a bit of a Sherlock Holmes story but with a meat head for a detective and a philosopher as his doctor side kick. I really enjoyed it

Not as good as The Alienist

If you love details about the stock market you'll get lost in this historical thriller. More sympathetic characters with greater stakes would have held my interest during the wild ride through forgeries and paperwork. Narrator did well overall but chose to put annoying pauses into a lot of character's voices. Generally entertaining but not as gripping as The Alienist.

Surprisingly interesting.

Very complex plot. The story is interesting. And draws you in. The narrator is excellent.

One of the best books I've read this year.

500+ audio books and probably one of 2 or 3 I've actually commented on. Loved the book!