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Book Reviews of A Dangerous Fortune

A Dangerous Fortune
A Dangerous Fortune
Author: Ken Follett
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780440217497
ISBN-10: 0440217490
Publication Date: 12/1994
Pages: 568
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 202

3.8 stars, based on 202 ratings
Publisher: Island Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

37 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

mickmckeown avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Follett is fantastic in A Dangerous Fortune. The author introduces us to a family business and a couple of corrupt characters. As the reader you not only get to see the inner workings of the Victorian era banking house known as Pilaster's but you also get to see the making of a man in Hugh Pilaster. The book is fun, fast paced and if your a Follett fan then you will like this one. If you have never read Follett before this is a good book to start with. Enjoy!
sfc95 avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 686 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
As always, Ken Follett books get me so engrossed I can do little else but read them. the characters are well developed and can be despised and loved. This is another long book, but you don't want it to finish, to me it reminded me of Pillars with the style of writing and the character devlopments and relationships, certainly a good book, read all 568 pages in two days, I just couldn't put it down!!!
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent historical fiction following an English banking family through almost 2 generations. A long read though....but worth it.
recyclist1954 avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Follett is known for books that take its characters and the reader on a twisting, turning trip through time. This book is no exception. It tells of a dramatic period in world history, when women were just beginning to seek a better place in the world, when unions were forming to protect the workers and when banks were becoming the real power in a growing global economy. In England, however, these changes run into the existing class system, causing even larger conflicts, even among those in love. Weaving all of these together is Follett's tale of finance, greed, power and murder. This book simply cements Follett's place as a master storyteller.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 26 more book reviews
Very good. A quick read that was less formulaic than I expected.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 14 more book reviews
**** If you like Ken Follett's work, this will not disappoint. Somewhat of a departure from his more-common 20th century settings, the backdrop of this book is Victorian England. However, as usual, Follett has researched the milieu of the story, and the dark side of Victorian culture, with its stunting effects on the human psyche, really comes through.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 211 more book reviews
Of all the Follett books I've read, this one impressed me the least. It was well written. It may have been cuz I didn't like the subject of the book. I don't know for sure. It's been a while since I read it. Some of his books, I've read a 2nd time. I have no interest in re-reading this one.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 104 more book reviews
In 1866, tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student draws in a mysterious accident involving a small cicle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treaxhery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 61 more book reviews
Good Mystery in 19th century London.
pilot avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 21 more book reviews
Another Follett masterpiece.
isitfriday avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 170 more book reviews
My first Ken Follet book. I enjoyed the historical fiction. Good story with vivid characters. I will be reading more from this author!
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 14 more book reviews
excellent read for those follett fans! characters well defined. couldn't get enough of it.
mwelday avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 148 more book reviews
Good read. Interesting Characters. Lots of Drama!
poochiboop avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 4 more book reviews
Ken Follett is such a good writer. This one I read quickly because I couldn't put it down. All the characters feel so real and you have to remember it's just a book. I loved the time period it was written in also.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on
Fantastic read....
rooneyann avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 23 more book reviews
I listened to this book several times over the years. It's a great story. This is an abridged version, which means there is not really any foul language.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 27 more book reviews
One of Ken Follett's very best. The NYTimes said this book is "Breathlessly plotted and relentlessly suspenseful"
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 25 more book reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself rooting for the hero.
Puddnp avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 111 more book reviews
This will keep you reading. Fell asleep with it on my chest,LOL. Tried to read it all one night and accidently fell asleep. It is suspence filled and fast paced. A very good read!
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 131 more book reviews
Very interesting, engrossing saga. Recommended.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 12 more book reviews
In 1866, tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives...
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 7 more book reviews
Good historical novel. Well drawn villains.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 436 more book reviews
good read overall
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 78 more book reviews
Good mystery-supense
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 9 more book reviews
A terrific thriller with historic details
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 92 more book reviews
The plot begins in 1866, ending in 1892, in England. The protagonists are a banking family, an influential banking family. The members are a mixture of good and just plain nasty, the years of the book cover a wide range of events within the family and in the world around them, and the hero makes his way among all these factors. Such a good read!
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 110 more book reviews
Perfectly good Follet yarn
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 19 more book reviews
Interesting plot development that covers three decades.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 66 more book reviews
Ken Follett is such an engaging writer. The story pulled me in right away and I eagerly kept turning the pages to find out what would happen to this vast array of characters. Most of his books have a bit of "made for TV movie" about them but his plots and characters are so interesting I overlook that aspect. A very good read.
perryfran avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 1223 more book reviews
Super historical fiction from Follett.
eadieburke avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 1639 more book reviews
1866, tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives. This book is Follett at his best. English families with power, money, greed and murder at their core. The plot is fast-paced and easy to sink into until the very end. The characters are some you will love and some you will hate. They are realistic and believable. I'm looking forward to my next Follett book and highly recommend this to those who love historical fiction.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 227 more book reviews
In 1866 tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 224 more book reviews
In 1866 tradgedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.

Breathlessly plotted...relentlessly suspenseful----The New York Times.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 119 more book reviews
Good Read
Bossmare avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 306 more book reviews
Another good Follett book. He is an author worth reading.
BeckyWalker avatar reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 120 more book reviews
This was an enjoyable, well-researched book. Ken Follett's books are always interesting with excellent character development. I didn't realize this book was published in 1993 when I started listening to it, making it one of the earlier ones of Follett's I've listened to. He's a talented writer, always leaving the reader wanting a bit more.
reviewed A Dangerous Fortune on + 16 more book reviews
"...tradgedy strikes exclusive Windield School. Student drowns...initiates circle of treachery..."