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)

I love Ken Follett

I started out with Pillars of the Earth, then World Without End. I have listened to both of them twice. I listened to a couple other of his shorter books next, but neither were as good as this one. Once you become familiar with the main characters, the momentum builds to the climax.

A Dangerous Fortune

Narrated by Michael Page, over sixteen hours of listening. This unabridged audiobook was released in 2008 by Blackstone Audio - although the original print version goes back to the late 90s.

A Dangerous Fortune is a mystery - however, you understand who the bad-guys are throughout. Not a thriller, rather a family saga riddled with black sheep and spoiled brats. Takes place in England, beginning in the 1860s through the 1890s. All topics from rags to riches to homosexuality to illegitimacy to prostitution to elicit affairs to high stakes banking. A plethora of topics, including noble ethical standards, kindness, greed, debauchery, murder. Something for everyone! The story begins with a school drowning, the ramifications of which traverse the pages to a somewhat predictable ending.

Typical of Follett, settings in A Dangerous Fortune, are wonderfully defined. The era, costumes, class system … you feel as if you are there, in that place, at that time - cinematic scenes. It took me a while to get hooked on the story … but after struggling through a few chapters, the soap opera aspect pulled me through to the conclusion.

Michael Page does a credible job, female voices included. No trouble discerning who-says-what-to-who. Tempo, pacing fine. A production issue with the repeat of a few paragraphs in the recording, not a major issue … still.

No gratuitous sex, but there are several such scenes relevant to the plot/character.

Overall, a worthy listen. Enjoy!

I loved this book.

I was a big fan of a World Without End and Pillars of the Earth and would rank this book at the top of the Follet list as well.

Classic Victorian time story

I don't know why I picked this book but I'm glad I did. It was a great story, cross between Count of Montecristo and War & Peace.

This was a pleasant reading/listening, the narrator was great. If you are into 18 or 19 century type stories, I strongly recommend this.

A well told exciting book

This is very well narrated. I will be looking for other books told by this narrator. The story is exciting, interesting, informative and well worth investing in. I got hours and hours of enjoyment out of it, although I do not usually go for the 'easy' reads, this one was superb holiday listening.