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Paul Wornham
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The Philanthropist's Danse Kindle Edition

by Paul Wornham (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 575 ratings
Twelve people. Five days. One fortune.

Johnston Thurwell, one of the world’s richest men, dies unexpectedly. His family expects to inherit his wealth, but instead discover the dying philanthropist has spent his last days planning something called The Danse. The twelve most important people in his life are brought together to decide the most important question at the end of it. Who will inherit his fortune?

The family is sequestered in the philanthropists’ remote country mansion with a group that includes his best friend, his most loyal servants, and his greatest rival. They must agree who among them will share the fortune, but they must do it against the clock. Every twenty-four hours, the fortune is reduced. In just five days, it will all be gone.

The thin veneer of civility among the twelve is ripped away by naked greed as their lust for money drives them into betrayal, blackmail and violence.

The desperate family will do anything to save their inheritance. Except share it.
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  1. Print length
    410 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 21, 2011
  5. File size
    580 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing new voice in Mystery! August 14, 2011 By Tammy @NovelOpinion Format:Kindle Edition Once I began reading I was immediately drawn in to the story. Each character is intrinsic to the storyline and this author makes sure you are aware of it by allowing the reader to drop into the character's mind and see his point of view. No one character is the main focus of this story and though it may seem unsettling, this story simply flows. I felt like a fly on the wall. I was completely enthralled by each and every one of these characters and the circumstances that had brought them together.

I could not put this down. I had no idea what would happen next or how this could end. I will not ruin this story with too many details but if you like a good Agatha Christie mystery you will be very pleased with Paul Wornham's `Debut' novel, The Philanthropist's Danse.

5.0 out of 5 stars Definately A Must Read. August 23, 2011 By Mr Magic Format:Kindle Edition I figured that this was going to be a "Cluedo" type murder mystery when I read the synopsis of this story, I couldn't have been more wrong.

This story has it all, murder, mystery, suspense, prostitution, blackmail and a small mixture of romance intrically woven together, masterfully.

About the Author

Paul Wornham is the author of The Mercy Contracts and The Philanthropist's Danse.

Paul grew up in the city of Bath in England, a place that everyone should see once before they die.

He began his work life as a bookseller with WHSmith in the UK before they convinced him to sell music instead. He sold music and movies on both sides of the Atlantic over the next decade and a half, shifting with the times and technology from vinyl to CD and from VHS to DVD. In 2000, the emergence of Napster and file sharing convinced him the music business was over for retail, so he went back to school.

In 2002 he graduated with an MBA from the University of Alberta School of Business, joined a medical device manufacturer based in Edmonton, traveled to China and all over North America and generally had a blast.

He later moved to Ontario, where he now lives and writes in the company of a patient spouse and less patient felines. A lifelong reader, Paul's favorite books are A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo and everything by Charles Dickens.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0057J4ZMI
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 21, 2011
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1.1
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 580 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 410 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 575 ratings

About the author

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Paul Wornham

Paul Wornham

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Paul Wornham is the author of mystery novels The Philanthropist's Danse and The Mercy Contracts.

Paul grew up in the city of Bath in England, a place that everyone should see before they die.

He lives and writes in Ontario, Canada in the company of a patient spouse and less patient felines.

A lifelong reader, Paul's favorite books are A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo, and more recently the Wool series and just about anything else by Hugh Howey.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
575 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book engaging with its many twists and turns, and appreciate its well-rounded characters whose interactions are true to their personalities. Moreover, the writing is cleverly executed with realistic dialogue, and customers describe it as a fast-paced read that catches attention immediately. Additionally, they value the book's unique concept and consider it worth the price.

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159 customers mention "Plot twists"143 positive16 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in this mystery book, which features a large cast of sometimes mysterious characters.

"...It isn't Shakespeare, but it is a fun read that will keep you guessing and that's enough for a vacation novel!" Read more

"...Surprisingly, the individuals were easily memorable and not difficult to differentiate early on!..." Read more

"...This story was well done, showed great insight into human nature and holds the reader intrigued to keep reading. I loved it and recommend it." Read more

"The book was both enjoyable and easy to read. The plot is filled with intrigue and family system rivalries...." Read more

143 customers mention "Readability"143 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one noting it's well done for a first book, and several mentioning it kept their interest throughout.

"...It isn't Shakespeare, but it is a fun read that will keep you guessing and that's enough for a vacation novel!" Read more

"...to give literal suggestions to an already well written and fairly successful first novel, but I truly was disappointed with the unexciting ending!..." Read more

"...done, showed great insight into human nature and holds the reader intrigued to keep reading. I loved it and recommend it." Read more

"The book was both enjoyable and easy to read. The plot is filled with intrigue and family system rivalries...." Read more

78 customers mention "Character development"66 positive12 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting well-rounded personalities with true-to-life interactions and intriguing backstories, with one customer highlighting the realistic portrayal of the ultra-wealthy.

"...the Danse, and Jeremy, the loyal servant, were the most appealing characters in the book, and I would love to read more about them...." Read more

"...old and not very sharp at retention anymore, but these characters were easily distinguishable!..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this book because (a) it was a character study, and (b) it continues to ask the question of the reader: what would you do for a..." Read more

"...Jeremy, the majordomo is well used throughout. He displays noble character, and the utmost in humility and kindness...." Read more

67 customers mention "Writing quality"52 positive15 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its clever and engaging dialogue, and find it an easy read.

"...the individuals were easily memorable and not difficult to differentiate early on!..." Read more

"The book was both enjoyable and easy to read. The plot is filled with intrigue and family system rivalries...." Read more

"...There are a lot of characters, but it's easy enough to keep track of them, where they fit in, and who they are - though your perception of who they..." Read more

"...well written; nicely paced; intriguing; leaves you with just the right amount of unanswered questions..." Read more

30 customers mention "Originality"30 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's originality, praising its unique concept and profoundly detailed approach.

"...What a great premise, pitting 12 individuals against each other and forced together till a decision is reached over money!..." Read more

"This novel had the most unusual, interesting plot...." Read more

"...It's an atypical "whodunnit" containing characters with realistic flaws and virtues. All are adequately exposed for scrutiny...." Read more

"...It was not great writing, what I liked was the originality of the book. There are not many out there that go off on a different topic...." Read more

27 customers mention "Pacing"19 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, describing it as a fast-paced read that catches attention immediately, with one customer noting how it kept them glued from beginning to end.

"...What a great premise, pitting 12 individuals against each other and forced together till a decision is reached over money!..." Read more

"I enjoyed this enough that I finished it in one sitting, despite repeated warnings that my Kindle wanted recharging, and all the other things I was..." Read more

"...leaves you just a little frustrated (Gawd I wanted someone to beat the snit out of junior) ; and with a wonderful feeling..." Read more

"...This book catches your attention immediately and does not proceed to let it go until the end." "..." Read more

11 customers mention "Page turner"11 positive0 negative

Customers describe the book as a page turner.

"...There are no skipping pages or reading the last chapter for fear of not knowing what went on with who...." Read more

"...A page turner." Read more

"What a page turner! There are many life lessons to be learned from this well written work of fiction...." Read more

"...The characters are very well written. A definite page turner. I'm looking forward to the next book from the author." Read more

10 customers mention "Value for money"7 positive3 negative

Customers find the book worth the price, with one mentioning it's not too taxing to read.

"...Howver, it is a good read, not too taxing though you need to pay attention to the players." Read more

"This has to be the best $2.99 I've ever spent on a fiction book...." Read more

"...In the end it was anticlimatic and not worth the effort...." Read more

"...It is suitable for teens to elderly. This was a bargain book and yet I would have paid premium price for it." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • BeckiM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced and original
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book in spite of the occasional editing/proofreading errors. It starts out like an Agatha Christie-type mystery with a random assortment of characters invited to a secluded mansion. There, they find out that they must agree on how to distribute a wealthy philanthropist's estate. At midnight each night, the fortune will be reduced by 20% until they can agree, or the amount is reduced to nothing. It seemed like a simple set-up to me -- obviously they would be better off to all share the total amount than to lose money fighting over it -- but logic doesn't explain human nature. Each character has a different connection to the deceased -- some were relatives, lovers, business partners, rivals -- and so each has a different claim to the fortune. Just when it seems that everything is decided, you find out that Thurwell has anticipated a variety of possible scenarios -- each with their own twist to the rules. William Bird, the lawyer in charge of executing the Danse, and Jeremy, the loyal servant, were the most appealing characters in the book, and I would love to read more about them. Some of the characters were despicable, others charming, but I felt that most of them were fairly well-rounded with the exception of maybe Betty, Caroline, and Dennis. Lots of twists kept me reading late into the night, and I finished the book in a couple of days. It isn't Shakespeare, but it is a fun read that will keep you guessing and that's enough for a vacation novel!
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  • J. Schultz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well Done For A First Endeavor!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I actually was highly curious and interested after reading the summary and even though I have at least 200 books gathering dust and waiting to be read, I ignored those and immediately began enjoying this! What a great premise, pitting 12 individuals against each other and forced together till a decision is reached over money! Not just chump change but a huge fortune at stake!

    I couldn't put it down for the first several chapters but after a while, the group's machinations got a little tedious and boring! Surprisingly, the individuals were easily memorable and not difficult to differentiate early on! Nothing worse than starting a book and having a mass of characters to keep track of and remember from the first few chapters! I'm too old and not very sharp at retention anymore, but these characters were easily distinguishable! Just as their negotiations would get one fatigued, a sudden twist and turn would develop to get one aroused and interested again! There were some predictable moments but relatively few compared to the surprises!

    Kudos to the author for his first novel! Keeping each individual's quirks and personalities intact would be a huge job in itself but all the intricacies involved in the entire 'Danse' is pretty remarkable! Well done and I will definitely look for his name in any future endeavors!

    POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!!!! I wouldn't presume to give literal suggestions to an already well written and fairly successful first novel, but I truly was disappointed with the unexciting ending! I couldn't help proposing a few ideas to myself on what would have been cool to me (and me only!)! Like how about Mr. Bird NOT remembering the faux pas of the Judge's blurting out about the mysterious envelope that he slipped into Jeremy's pocket concerning the disposition of Philip! Everyone leaves in the morning and the story ends with Jeremy opening the instructions and walking into the mansion to complete his mission, unbeknownst to Mr. Bird, heading back to the city! Would have been a dramatic, thought-provoking ending and could also open ideas for a second book utilizing some of the other characters again! Just in my humble opinion!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Intriguing, Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This novel had the most unusual, interesting plot. Attorney William Byrd, following the written instructions of his deceased client, the famous philanthropist Johnston C. Thurwell, had to locate twelve people and get them to his client's mansion. Johnston Thurwell III, known as Junior, Bethany Thurwell and Philip Thurwell, were the three children of this man, all difficult; Dennis and Janice Elliot were house staff at one of Thurwell' mansions; Winifred Tremethick, an elderly widow lady from England didn't know Thurwell; Camile Jolivet, French illegitimate daughter of Thurwell; Lawrence MacLean, best friend of Thurwell's; Caroline Smith, CEO for a Thurwell foundation; Judge Ronald Freeman from Macon, Georgia, had Philip Thurwell in his court once; Betty Freah, a prostitute and Mr. Thurwell's companion and lover; and Freddie Hagood, a commercial rival of Thurwell.

    When the people had all arrived and ready to listen, William Byrd explained that Thurwell had died (much to the astonishment of everyone because his death had not been announced) and that each of the guests prior had agreed to be there up to one week and to surrender all means of communication to the outside world. Byrd announced that he had specific written instructions from Thurwell and that their task was to decide who among them would inherit Thurwell's fortune, who would received a share, if any, and how much. They would begin the next day at 9 a.m. and if they hadn't reached an agreement by midnight, the fortune would be reduced by twenty percent. And this would be repeated each day until they all reached an agreement by a 75% voting majority to make it valid.

    Thus is laid the groundwork for the novel complete with descriptions of the personalities, their backgrounds, plots and tricks to get more money than others, the lies and violence as their stories unravel. This story was well done, showed great insight into human nature and holds the reader intrigued to keep reading. I loved it and recommend it.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Alice
    5.0 out of 5 stars You never know whats going to happen next
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Johnston Thurwell has died. After his death 12 people including his children, employees and even his enemy are told to come to his house. They have a week to split his fortune between them, however it will be reduced by 20% at midnight each day, so the clock is ticking. There also has to be a majority consensus on how the money is divided. It soon becomes clear people are prepared to double cross each other and go to extreme measurers to insure they get what they feel they deserve.

    I really enjoyed this book from the start. I thought it was great the way different groups and people tried to manipulate each other, in order to get what they feel they deserve and then how their allegiances would change in order to secure themselves a better deal.

    Throughout the book I kept changing my mind about who I felt should get the money and why as we got to know each of the characters better. All the different twists and turns were great and I think this book could easily be adapted into a great TV drama.

    I felt that the characters were all really well developed and, especially as the book goes on, you feel you have a really insight into who these characters are and what makes them tick. The only negative comment I have is I think there could have been more description of the characters physical appearance. At the start we are very quickly introduced to twelve people and I think it would have been easier to remember who they were had more time been spent describing how they look.

    Other than that I thought it was a brilliant book with a great concept and loads of twists and turns. I highly recommend it.
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  • Jashrin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Blick in menschliche Abgründe
    Reviewed in Germany on January 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Während sich draußen ein Unwetter anbahnt, finden sich zwölf ganz unterschiedliche Personen im luxuriösen Landhaus von Johnston C. Thurwell ein. Jeder Gast folgte der Einladung in der Annahme ein persönliches Treffen mit dem Milliardär zu haben. Doch schon bald eröffnet Thurwells Anwalt, dass der vermeintliche Gastgeber verstorben ist und es die Aufgabe der Anwesenden sei, das beträchtliche Vermögen unter sich aufzuteilen'

    Während sich einige freuen, andere überlegen, ob ihre Einladung nicht ein großes Missverständnis war, sind es vor allem die Kinder des Verstorbenen, die schockiert sind von dieser Eröffnung. Viel Zeit für Gefühle bleibt allerdings nicht, denn Mr. Thurwells Anweisungen sind sehr präzise und durchdacht. Gibt es bis Mitternacht keine Einigung, so fallen zwanzig Prozent des Vermögens an Thurwells Stiftung, und so wird es sich alle vierundzwanzig Stunden wiederholen bis entweder eine Einigung erzielt ist oder das Vermögen nach fünf Tagen komplett an die Stiftung geht. Der 'Tanz' beginnt'

    Paul Wornham hat mit 'The philantropist's danse' ein grandioses Werk vorgelegt. Der Leser steckt mitten drin, wenn die oberflächliche Fassade aus Höflichkeit und Anstand immer weiter zerbricht und das wahre Gesicht der Anwesenden immer mehr zu Tage tritt. Geldgier, Neid und Selbstüberschätzung führen schon bald zu Intrigen, Anschuldigungen und mehr. Auch wenn der Verstorbene für fast alle erdenkliche Entwicklungen Vorkehrungen getroffen hat, so hat auch er wohl nicht mit dem Ablauf, des 'Tanzes', wie er diese Woche nannte, gerechntet.

    Dem Autor gelingt es scheinbar mühelos eine Atmosphäre der Anspannung und des Misstrauens zu erzeugen. Oft genug scheint eine latente Bedrohung im Raum zu stehen. Die Charaktere sind vielschichtig und ich hatte keinerlei Mühe sie mir vorzustellen. Ihre unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten würden allein für ausreichend Konfliktpotential sorgen, dazu kommt noch der Zeitdruck, unter dem alle gleichermaßen stehen.

    Der Schreibstil ist fesselnd und ich mochte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen. Am Ende bleibt die Frage, ob es in dieser Woche wirklich Gewinner gab.

    Mein Fazit: Ein geniales Buch, dass den Leser in die Abgründe der menschlichen Psyche blicken lässt und bis zur letzten Seite fesselt. Eine klare Leseempfehlung!
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  • AMG
    1.0 out of 5 stars This"mystery" killed my kindle -- bored it to death
    Reviewed in Canada on September 22, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This"mystery" killed my kindle -- bored it to death. Maybe it was just a coincidence that my kindle died after I attempted to read this book, but it was so enervating that it could have sucked the life out of the battery.
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  • EL
    4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant ideas, but careless in places
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I came across this in the download chart when it was free a few days ago, and was immediately intrigued by the storyline. In essence, the concept of a remote country house whose inhabitants are stuck there whether they like it or not while a mystery plays out, has been done before (in a lot of ways this book reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel brought into the present day, albeit set in the States rather than the UK).

    Although the scenario is of course deliberately far-fetched - and the dubious legality of the proceedings is ignored - none of that really matters since you get swept up in the story and the characters so quickly. For a first novel, the sheer number of characters, all of whom have individual personalities and subplots, is really impressive. In a book of this sort where it is very much an ensemble cast sometimes characters can seem hastily sketched, but in this case I felt as though I had a really strong sense of each person's character. This also grows and changes as the book progresses and we discover more layers to many of the characters.

    The way that the eponymous philanthropist's invitees fight for their potential inheritances feels very real, and the portrayal of human greed throughout the book is entirely believable. The various twists, turns and pitfalls along the way keeps you guessing as to exactly what the outcome is going to be, and who will walk away with a share of the money.

    Where I thought the book was weakest - and perhaps to some extent this is a symptom of it being a first novel - was the writing style. The content was excellent, but every now and then a clumsy sentence or an omitted word would jolt me out of the story. I think perhaps I'm pickier than many readers with this sort of thing, but typos and sentences with words missing or duplicated can be frustrating if they pop up enough to distract from the book. I think this could have benefited from a closer proof-reader to be honest - although believe me, it's not nearly as bad as a lot of other Kindle offerings!

    Overall I really enjoyed The Philanthropist's Danse and read it in virtually one sitting, which is always a good sign of a gripping story. This is an excellent Kindle read that I would thoroughly recommend to someone looking for a modern mystery story with a hint of the old-fashioned 'country house mystery' about it. I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for more books from this author in the future.
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  • KaS
    5.0 out of 5 stars The philanthropist's danse - absolutely brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Johnston Thurwell has passed away, leaving an enormous fortune to be distributed between the twelve people nominated in his will, all of whom (unbeknownst to each other) have been invited to stay in his country mansion following his demise. The twelve include his children, friends, staff, a business rival, and others - whose relationships to the deceased are revealed over time. In order to determine what percentage each person will inherit, it's up to the recipients themselves to decide via a majority vote how the money should be divided between them. Time is a critical factor - the amount available for inheritance will drop by 20% of the original sum each day - if they cannot decide how to split the money by the end of the fifth day, no-one gets anything and all of the money will go to the Foundation Trust.

    This is a marvellous must-read; beautifully written for a first novel, with a superb twisting plot line and engaging characters battling to take home what they perceive as their entitlement. Packed with suspense, intrigue, murder, betrayal and wonderful insights into human behaviour, I found it impossible to put this book down until I'd finished it, then wished I'd read it more slowly and savoured it. Fantastic stuff!
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