This is a quite unremarkable, moderately entertaining work of fiction set in late 19th century England. As with another of Follett's works, A Place Called Freedom, it has little to recommend it over dozens of other similar novels set in the period.

The plot revolves around the Pilasters, a wealthy and contentious banking family, whose various branches struggle for control of the family business. Subplots involving a fictitious South American country and members of the British "underclass" bring some spice into the history. However, as with A Place Called Freedom, the most striking aspect of the novel is its utter predictability. Twists in the story become strikingly obvious scores of pages in advance.

I would rate this novel slightly above the aforementioned A Place Called Freedom, but both pale in comparison to Follett's two novels Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. Readers familiar with those works will likely be disappointed with this effort.

I didn't think I would like this book because I'm not typically a fan of this period of history, but Follett managed to keep my interest piqued throughout the entire book. It starts out with kids at boarding school that are part of a nasty, secret accident and then follows the boys as they grow up and how their secret haunts them. Very twisted tale!

Written with typical style the characters are described and built so well you feel like you know them. Great story telling as always, plenty of drama, action and a little romance thrown in.

If your a fan or just looking for something new to read I recommend this book to you.

I thought this was a good book it started off a little slow but picked up with the deciept, mystery, and intrigue. It was easy so figure out in some parts but still good.

A Dangerous Fortune
An enjoyable story. Another reason why Ken Follett is one of my favorite authors - particularly of historical novels.

... had the pleasure of reading and I've read many, many books. It was one of those - cannot put down, just one more page before bed, can't wait to get back to - books. I probably read it more then 15 years ago, so I won't comment too much on plot, pros and cons. I'm about to start "Pillars of the Earth," so I'll have to re-read "Dangerous Fortune" a couple books after I finish Pillars and "World Without End." But, I remember LOVING this book, thinking how great it is with each passing page and how many people I have to lend it to. It was definitely my luck to just pick this book up bored one night many years ago. Follett is a great writer, but this book is one of his best ... fantastic!!!

As usual Ken Follett tells a great story. This book was fast paced and good all the way through. I would highly recommend this book.

An incident buried in the past underlies the dynamics of a family's banking fortunes. One of my all-time favorite books was Follett's Pillars of the Earth, and what he did in Pillars, he also did with A Dangerous Fortune: define an era of history through the personal struggles of believable characters. Follett introduces a cast of privileged family, outcasts, renegades and mavericks whose lives intertwine with 19th Century England's financial futures. Honor, loves, shame, and villainy make page-turning intrigue to the very end.

"A dangerous fortune" is a typical Follett book: set in a historical context, a plot involving murder and money, with many characters, usually divided between the good ones and the bad ones. The bad ones are more interesting, they have power, they have money, and the good ones, though poor, are always correct and faithful to their traditional beliefs. Between "The pillars of Earth" and "Night over water" this formula suited Follett's plots very well, and he gathererd many constant readers around the world. "A dangerous fortune" is one formulaic book, though it doesn't mean it is bad. On the contrary, it's the usual Follett, thrilling, well written and full of good moments. But it's far from the author's best.

The center of the story is the Pillaster family, traditional bankers - but not yet noble - of the London society at the second half of the nineteenth century. Hugh is the talented young Pillaster, but he's sort of a black sheep of the family. Edward and his mother Augusta, the book's arch-villain, spend the whole book trying to get control of the family bank, while Edward's friend Micky Miranda, a south-american from a ficticious country very similar to Colombia is always trying to make Edward lend him the bank's money in order to achieve a coup d'etat at home. And Hugh must prevent all of that from happening, of course. Throw in lots of love interests, four or five murders, a couple of sex-scenes - also usual in Follett's books - and you begin to get an initial idea of what this book is about.

As I've already said, "A dangerous fortune" is not a bad book, far from that. If you are kew to Follett's work, don't be afraid to try this one: it's not a flopper like "The third twin" or "Hammer of Edden". But for Follett's long-time readers this one will bring nothing new. It seems like a compilation of what the author had already put in his previous books. Even so, it's an above-average thriller.

Grade 8.2/10

Money has always corrupted those who give mind to it. It's appalling how paper, nickel, copper and other materials have manipulated actions, decisions and, lamentably, families. Money is a god.

Ken Follett has spun a web of corruption, conspiracy, murder and lies. A Dangerous Fortune is the tale of the Pilasters - a family so immersed in their fortune that paternal love has no accommodations. The trust of sons and daughters, husbands and wives, uncles and best friends is betrayed - shoved to second place. Everything is placed on a thin line for one purpose only: money.

The characters are fleshed out to their fullest capacity. The dialogue is belivable. When Hugh Pilaster, in his prime as a banker, gathers the immediate family to announce a catastrophical situation, one can't help but feel in the middle of the scene. The spotlight is shining bright, and it's pointing directly at you.

The story leaves your mind searching for answers, answers that not even 500+ pages could answer. Life is full of questions and A Dangerous Fortune will leave you questioning your impulses and inclinations, your greed and generosity, your loyalty and your love.

This was my second book by the author, after "Night Over Water," and I was not disappointed. The two books are not similar at all, except in their quality of writing and very engaging plot. Characters are well developed and a reader can relate. "A Dangerous Fortune" has to do with English upper-class society, intrigues, banking system, inheritance issues, love, lust, deception, and more deception. A fantastic read. Highly recommend.

By Ken Follett!Somehow this one slipped through the cracks! 1993 was a pretty hectic year for me, hence the delay in reading A.D.F.Anyway, this is one helluva read! The 500+ pages fly by quickly, and the characters are developed really well, I can't emphasize how great the novel is! I just finished reading it last night and I can't get it out of my mind! Pick up a copy and see for yourself!

This is the third Follett book I've read in a row. It all started with Pillars of the Earth, the best book I've ever read. I read A placed Called Freedom right after that and enjoyed that alot as well. And I just got finished with A Dangerous Fortune. I can't possibly say enough good things about Ken Follett. Once again, it's the characters that drive the book. He takes you on a journey with these characters through many years of their lives and you get to see how they encounter, react and truimph over adversity. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this is another 'must read' in my opinion. His characters are varied and colorful and the relationships, from friendship to love, villainy and hatred are so genuine I couldn't help but wish that these people lived at that point in history. A wonderful read that I will no doubt enjoy again in the future.

ooow, this was a good one! great story-history,family,romance,money, greed...oh, delicious!
worth the read.

This book captivated me from the beginning and I loved every minute of it. The only negative I had about this book was the ending. I guess I expected some sort of surprise but was disappointed when the book ended logically. But now I realize what Follet did with this novel. Maybe if he wrote the same story now he would add a twist because those are popular now. But he didn't and I still loved this book.

Dangerous Fortune tells the story of the Pilaster Bank and its fall. Most of the characters seem to be stereotypes, forced into a role by their position in society. But I soon realized that was how real life was in 19th century London. Your roll in life was largely determined by your ancestors, your profession, or your title.

All characters acted like they were expected to, the loyal wives, the respected businessmen, the sons who were the heirs, but Follet shows us how they got around being respectful by gambling, visiting brothels, and lying and stealing. This book is full of intrigue and lust and greed. I liked that but I also enjoyed the educational aspect of what life was like for the upper class of England long ago. I assume Follet knows what he is talking about.

I recommend this book!