Other People's Money

"Other People's Money" by Emile Gaboriau is a late 19th-century novel that centers on Vincent Favoral, a bank cashier whose life is upended when he's accused of stealing a lot of money. The story investigates the world of financial fraud, how important reputation is to society, and the complicated bonds within families. The opening introduces us to the quiet neighborhood where Favoral lives in Paris, showing his predictable life. When a servant starts asking questions about him, the neighbors get suspicious, with their conversations revealing that Favoral seemed trustworthy, despite some tension with his family. The community's intrigue and the hint of a coming crisis suggest big changes ahead for Favoral and everyone connected to him.