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The Clifton Chronicles #1-4
The Clifton Chronicles, Books 1-4: Only Time Will Tell; The Sins of the Father; Best Kept Secret; Be Careful What You Wish For
#1 New York Times and international bestselling author Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles series has taken the world by storm, with 2.5 million copies in print in English.
This multi-generational, multi-volume saga of fate, fortune, and redemption follows the Clifton and Barrington families on a breathtaking journey from 1920 all the way through the present. Here together for the first time in an eBook bundle are the first four Clifton Chronicles
Only Time Will Tell
The first book in the Clifton Chronicles begins in 1920 with the words, "I was told that my father was killed in the war," launching the story of Harry Clifton, the hero of Archer's epic tale, and taking him as far as the beginning of WWII.
The Sins of the Father
On the run from a terrible family secret, Harry Clifton joins the Merchant Navy on the eve of WWII and must escape both the consequences of assuming another soldier's identity and the horrors of war.
Best Kept Secret
Now that Harry and the love of his life are free to marry, the powerful Clifton Chronicles moves into the 1950s and the boyhood of Harry's son Sebastian.
Be Careful What You Wish For
As the popular Clifton Chronicles advances to the 1960s, Harry's nemesis Don Pedro Martinez will stop at nothing to get his revenge on Harry on his family.
This multi-generational, multi-volume saga of fate, fortune, and redemption follows the Clifton and Barrington families on a breathtaking journey from 1920 all the way through the present. Here together for the first time in an eBook bundle are the first four Clifton Chronicles
Only Time Will Tell
The first book in the Clifton Chronicles begins in 1920 with the words, "I was told that my father was killed in the war," launching the story of Harry Clifton, the hero of Archer's epic tale, and taking him as far as the beginning of WWII.
The Sins of the Father
On the run from a terrible family secret, Harry Clifton joins the Merchant Navy on the eve of WWII and must escape both the consequences of assuming another soldier's identity and the horrors of war.
Best Kept Secret
Now that Harry and the love of his life are free to marry, the powerful Clifton Chronicles moves into the 1950s and the boyhood of Harry's son Sebastian.
Be Careful What You Wish For
As the popular Clifton Chronicles advances to the 1960s, Harry's nemesis Don Pedro Martinez will stop at nothing to get his revenge on Harry on his family.
1355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2015
108 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
659 books12.4k followersJeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 4, 2015
Really like these historical fiction style books that chronical a story throught decades. Similar to the Ken Follett series, which I really loved.
Read
July 28, 2018Rather superficial and formulaic, but I have to admit that I want to read the next book to see what happens. Kind of like waiting eagerly for the next episode of Dallas.
March 11, 2021
Having just finished the entire series of SEVEN books I can thoroughly recommend this long read.
Like all good family sagas the story of the Clifton and Barrington dynasty has everything to keep the reader glued to the pages. Poverty and Wealth, Success and Failure, Love and Deceipt. And the central question of who fathered Harry Clifton.
The characters are all well rounded and interesting in their own right and the intertwining theme with its many ups and downs is wholly gripping. I found myself really caring for each, saddened by their tragedies and carried along on their joys....and hoping (of course) that the villains were brought to book.
The author uses his own real life experiences to describe, in some depth, the day to day occurences behind the doors of Westminster - which brings a surprisingly interesting insight into life at the despatch box. This side topic added much to the main story and at no point did I ever feel the need to flip pages.
I was gifted the first six books but not until I bought the final seventh book did I have the answer to the mystery. I consider it money well spent.
Like all good family sagas the story of the Clifton and Barrington dynasty has everything to keep the reader glued to the pages. Poverty and Wealth, Success and Failure, Love and Deceipt. And the central question of who fathered Harry Clifton.
The characters are all well rounded and interesting in their own right and the intertwining theme with its many ups and downs is wholly gripping. I found myself really caring for each, saddened by their tragedies and carried along on their joys....and hoping (of course) that the villains were brought to book.
The author uses his own real life experiences to describe, in some depth, the day to day occurences behind the doors of Westminster - which brings a surprisingly interesting insight into life at the despatch box. This side topic added much to the main story and at no point did I ever feel the need to flip pages.
I was gifted the first six books but not until I bought the final seventh book did I have the answer to the mystery. I consider it money well spent.
August 8, 2015
I'm normally a Jeffrey Archer fan, and rarely fail to finish a book, but this one was a disappointment. My main frustration was reading about the same events from so many points of view - it became tedious and didn't add enough 'more information' to justify. Undoubtedly well written in terms of character/time/place, but couldn't come to grips with the structure.
October 26, 2018
Predictable and dragged out
What a disappointment this 4 book collection was. Often drawn out stories with unimpressive story lines. To make things worse, after managing to make it to the end of the final book, to realize there is a 'cliffhanger' ending that can only be disclosed by buying another book of his. Awful. Don't waste your money eyes or your time.
What a disappointment this 4 book collection was. Often drawn out stories with unimpressive story lines. To make things worse, after managing to make it to the end of the final book, to realize there is a 'cliffhanger' ending that can only be disclosed by buying another book of his. Awful. Don't waste your money eyes or your time.
December 30, 2016
It's quite good but it goes on a bit and some plots are becoming predictable. Don't feel inclined to get book 4 at the moment
August 26, 2023
Harmless but Disposable Fiction
This is a good but not great, standard issue beach read - although I knocked it off over a couple of days during the cold and rainy Christmas holidays. The premise of the book (and series) is of a penurius young boy whose father may be either a poor but long deceased dock worker or a wealthy but living scion of a shipping company. Not even mum is sure (she had a busy week) although she has her suspicions. Young Harry is bright and ambitious and, with the help of a supporting cast of characters he gets a first class education culminating at Oxford. As fate, and the author, would have it, his best and slightly younger friend through his school years is the son of the aforementioned shipping magnate while a romance blossoms with the magnate’s daughter. It all sounds rather incestuous but the central question remains - who is the heir to the fortunes and titles of the shipping estate.
A good premise for a soap opera yarn and that is what Archer delivers. A page turner - but not a memorable novel unlike some of his earlier works which live on in my memory. As other reviewers have noted, his characters tend to be somewhat two dimensional - the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad and there are not many shades of gray.
I’ll definitely read the other books in the series and I’m sure they’ll be page turners. Like cupcakes, they will be empty calories but it does no harm to splurge once in a while.
This is a good but not great, standard issue beach read - although I knocked it off over a couple of days during the cold and rainy Christmas holidays. The premise of the book (and series) is of a penurius young boy whose father may be either a poor but long deceased dock worker or a wealthy but living scion of a shipping company. Not even mum is sure (she had a busy week) although she has her suspicions. Young Harry is bright and ambitious and, with the help of a supporting cast of characters he gets a first class education culminating at Oxford. As fate, and the author, would have it, his best and slightly younger friend through his school years is the son of the aforementioned shipping magnate while a romance blossoms with the magnate’s daughter. It all sounds rather incestuous but the central question remains - who is the heir to the fortunes and titles of the shipping estate.
A good premise for a soap opera yarn and that is what Archer delivers. A page turner - but not a memorable novel unlike some of his earlier works which live on in my memory. As other reviewers have noted, his characters tend to be somewhat two dimensional - the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad and there are not many shades of gray.
I’ll definitely read the other books in the series and I’m sure they’ll be page turners. Like cupcakes, they will be empty calories but it does no harm to splurge once in a while.
September 24, 2023
I have always admired Jeffrey Archer's works. But this time he has failed to do so appallingly. Although the 1st book ends with a cliffhanger and one wants to dive into the 2nd book but the plot of the 2nd book is relatively boring and not at all riveting. The other books that follow face the same predicament.
It seemed to me like few apprentices under Archer had written these books separately. In between the lines of the entire series you will find that the author somehow keeps lady verginia intact all throughout the plot. It seems that he must have been smitten by some lady in the high ranking circles - with either a good or bad character - and was unable to put his hands on her, which is why he makes Lady Virginia's character as someone who is irresistibly beautiful even in her 60s and gets away everytime Scratch free. She also lives off everyone who she comes across and survives a very comfortable life whereas all the other male counter parts of her decease.
So the author must have been terribly smitten by this ladyship.
The Barringtons with all their resources - private detectives and all- fail to find out anything to implicate Lady Verginia.
Of all the characters i think she should be the lead character, as she is the one turning the plot this way or that. The series should be named after her as- Her Ladyship's Mace
It seemed to me like few apprentices under Archer had written these books separately. In between the lines of the entire series you will find that the author somehow keeps lady verginia intact all throughout the plot. It seems that he must have been smitten by some lady in the high ranking circles - with either a good or bad character - and was unable to put his hands on her, which is why he makes Lady Virginia's character as someone who is irresistibly beautiful even in her 60s and gets away everytime Scratch free. She also lives off everyone who she comes across and survives a very comfortable life whereas all the other male counter parts of her decease.
So the author must have been terribly smitten by this ladyship.
The Barringtons with all their resources - private detectives and all- fail to find out anything to implicate Lady Verginia.
Of all the characters i think she should be the lead character, as she is the one turning the plot this way or that. The series should be named after her as- Her Ladyship's Mace
May 21, 2017
I enjoyed the Series. By Jeffrey Archer. You get involved in their lives and can't put the book down. We just passed the series around in our family. I just finished the last book. I would recommend it for easy reading about the British lifestyle and Monarchy.
August 19, 2019
Read All 7 of this series: He's a good writer, but 7 books makes this is a bit dragged out, each books leaves you hanging so you'll read the next one. Way to make the author/publishers make more $$. :-(
April 1, 2018
The characters are well developed and their lives interesting.
May 21, 2018
Love it. Easy reading.
August 23, 2020
I only read the 1st book. I really enjoyed it as written by a master story teller.
June 22, 2021
Love the historical fiction that teaches as it entertains. Very engaging glimpse of a family's life from WW1-present day.
September 25, 2020
I love this series following the Clifton's and Barrington's over several Generations. Great historical fiction along the way. And the narrator is amazing. Can't wait to read the remainder books in the series
December 11, 2016
Awesome!
Loved! Enjoyed! Jeffrey Archer is as usual a wonderful storyteller. British authors do write differently than American authors, but you can enjoy both. The Clifton and Barrington families were believable
Loved! Enjoyed! Jeffrey Archer is as usual a wonderful storyteller. British authors do write differently than American authors, but you can enjoy both. The Clifton and Barrington families were believable
May 31, 2015
I hope the "Clifton Chronicles" have book 5,6,7,8.....coming out in the future. Always enjoyed the 4 volume!
January 31, 2016
FABULOUS! Couldn't put it down... highly recommend.
June 11, 2016
Very engaging, waiting for the rest
November 26, 2018
Chronicled
Finished reading books 1through 4 of the Clifton Chronicles only to find out there's more books. This is excellent news. They have been an emotional rollercoaster.
Finished reading books 1through 4 of the Clifton Chronicles only to find out there's more books. This is excellent news. They have been an emotional rollercoaster.
December 6, 2021
Jeffrey Archer. Never disappoints.
This series is really good.
Couldn't wait to devour one book after the other
This series is really good.
Couldn't wait to devour one book after the other
Read
January 2, 2016really enjoyed these books. First time i have read this author but now i am hooked.
February 5, 2016
An easy read Well reseearched Good length. Comparatively short chapters. Gooid plot
August 14, 2016
Can't wait for the final book in the series.
April 18, 2017
these were entertaining. Our whole family read them- so definitely appealed to a wide audience. As is true with many series, the read has gotten more predictable and less intriguing, but with only one more book to read, I will finish the series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews