What do you think?
Rate this book
The Clifton Chronicles #4
Cuidado com o Que Desejas
Harry Clifton e a sua mulher, Emma, correm para o hospital para saber o destino do filho Sebastian, envolvido num acidente fatal. Mas quem morreu? Sebastian ou o seu melhor amigo Bruno? Quando Ross Buchanan é obrigado a deixar a presidência da Barrington Shipping Company, Emma Clifton quer tomar o seu lugar. Mas Don Pedro Martinez tem a intenção de lá colocar o major Alex Fisher, um homem que ele manipula e controla, para destruir a empresa da família justamente quando se planeia construir um novo navio de luxo. Em Londres, a filha adotiva de Harry e Emma ganha uma bolsa de estudo para a conceituada Slade School, onde se irá apaixonar por um colega, Clive Bingham, que a pede em casamento.
As duas famílias estão encantadas, até ao momento em que a futura sogra de Jessica recebe a visita de uma velha amiga, Lady Virginia Fenwick, ansiosa por destilar o seu veneno. E depois, inesperadamente, Cedric Hardcastle, de quem nunca se ouviu falar, passa a ocupar um lugar na direção de Barrington’s. A situação gera um tumulto que ninguém tinha previsto e mudará para sempre a vida de todos os membros das famílias Clifton e Barrington. A primeira decisão de Hardcastle será escolher se vai apoiar Emma Clifton ou o major Alex Fisher para a presidência. E com essa decisão, tudo mudará.
As duas famílias estão encantadas, até ao momento em que a futura sogra de Jessica recebe a visita de uma velha amiga, Lady Virginia Fenwick, ansiosa por destilar o seu veneno. E depois, inesperadamente, Cedric Hardcastle, de quem nunca se ouviu falar, passa a ocupar um lugar na direção de Barrington’s. A situação gera um tumulto que ninguém tinha previsto e mudará para sempre a vida de todos os membros das famílias Clifton e Barrington. A primeira decisão de Hardcastle será escolher se vai apoiar Emma Clifton ou o major Alex Fisher para a presidência. E com essa decisão, tudo mudará.
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2014
4046 people are currently reading
14522 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
652 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,422 reviews
March 23, 2014
This saga is draggin out a bit too long for me. This is number 4 in the Clifton Family soap opera and there is at least one more to go. Strikes me that old Jeffrey is just making hay while he can. The story is very predictable but the most disappointing thing for me is the lack of connection with the characters. They are there, playing their parts but I really don't have any feeling for them one way or another. The worst part about this is that I'll probably read the next one too....!
March 24, 2014
I have friends who will not read a series of books until they have brought them all. Having been frustrated at having to wait until 2015 to see how this ends I am beginning to see there point. That is how good this series of books it. I was frustrated at the end of the last one and I am frustrated at the end of this one. I hate waiting.
The story starts exactly where the last left us and continues the story of all the characters we have come to love in the Clifton Chronicles. As the novels progress the author focuses more on the next generation of Clifton's and how there life progresses. The author has also introduced some new characters who are just as engaging as previous characters.
The story is full of the traditional intrigue and excitement. I have always loved Jeffrey Archer books and this series is one of my favourites. Can't wait to read the last in the series even if I have to wait until 2015.
The story starts exactly where the last left us and continues the story of all the characters we have come to love in the Clifton Chronicles. As the novels progress the author focuses more on the next generation of Clifton's and how there life progresses. The author has also introduced some new characters who are just as engaging as previous characters.
The story is full of the traditional intrigue and excitement. I have always loved Jeffrey Archer books and this series is one of my favourites. Can't wait to read the last in the series even if I have to wait until 2015.
March 15, 2014
Clifton Chronicles in the fourth episode first drifts then decays and by the end simply disintegrates into a purposeless record of a barely interesting family. It keeps trying to evoke reader emotions through the same story tricks used frequently in the previous books but they are no longer charming, if not outright annoying.
Multi-generation accounts are always tricky. The arrow of a usual such story requires an opening in the initial phase that meets some sort of a closure in the climax to hang events across different times and characters together. Relevancy is introduced when an emotional or financial or similar scar or trait continues to affect developments through decades. Without such a glue, the tale could at best be used to show some sort of philosophical meaninglessness of life, where events that appear extremely important in real time turn at best into mildly interesting historic facts later.
If there was ever a hope of some meaning in the saga of the Cliftons before, it is quickly removed in this book. What remains are a series of short stories surrounding the same main characters. However, unlike in the previous versions of the Chronicles and surely far from the mastery displayed in Archer's various short story collections, there are no warm fables or parables here. Rather, the author spends unusually long time just defining the evil guys and their plots and then working out the counter-response of the heroes.
Jeffrey Archer's forte is not in creating the most devilish villains. By the standards of what goes as the baddies in books of our time, the villains of the novel - while without a shade of grey - are almost as mild as those in Jane Austin novels or equivalent of street thugs in their power and influence. The only thing that surpasses their bad deeds in prosaicness is the banality of the good guys' response despite all their wealth, connections and state power.
For some mysterious reasons, the author completely drops the developments of the senior Cliftons - including the three siblings and Harry - where he could have at least provided some good life stories or at least witty interactions with smart dialogues. A couple of decent anecdotes do raise the hope of some of this in the middle of the story (particularly around the Sony delegation visit), but that's all that one gets.
The real tragedy is the author's tendency to overuse the tricks that appeared charming earlier: Archer simply cannot stay away from cliff-hanger votes (in company board meetings this time) or in an unfinished book ending. The expectation of a lack of resolution - a repeat of what has happened in all the previous books - could make many lost interest in the last quarter of the book.
In the least, the author has a lot to do in the last installation of the Chronicles to infuse some sort of relevancy in the series.
Multi-generation accounts are always tricky. The arrow of a usual such story requires an opening in the initial phase that meets some sort of a closure in the climax to hang events across different times and characters together. Relevancy is introduced when an emotional or financial or similar scar or trait continues to affect developments through decades. Without such a glue, the tale could at best be used to show some sort of philosophical meaninglessness of life, where events that appear extremely important in real time turn at best into mildly interesting historic facts later.
If there was ever a hope of some meaning in the saga of the Cliftons before, it is quickly removed in this book. What remains are a series of short stories surrounding the same main characters. However, unlike in the previous versions of the Chronicles and surely far from the mastery displayed in Archer's various short story collections, there are no warm fables or parables here. Rather, the author spends unusually long time just defining the evil guys and their plots and then working out the counter-response of the heroes.
Jeffrey Archer's forte is not in creating the most devilish villains. By the standards of what goes as the baddies in books of our time, the villains of the novel - while without a shade of grey - are almost as mild as those in Jane Austin novels or equivalent of street thugs in their power and influence. The only thing that surpasses their bad deeds in prosaicness is the banality of the good guys' response despite all their wealth, connections and state power.
For some mysterious reasons, the author completely drops the developments of the senior Cliftons - including the three siblings and Harry - where he could have at least provided some good life stories or at least witty interactions with smart dialogues. A couple of decent anecdotes do raise the hope of some of this in the middle of the story (particularly around the Sony delegation visit), but that's all that one gets.
The real tragedy is the author's tendency to overuse the tricks that appeared charming earlier: Archer simply cannot stay away from cliff-hanger votes (in company board meetings this time) or in an unfinished book ending. The expectation of a lack of resolution - a repeat of what has happened in all the previous books - could make many lost interest in the last quarter of the book.
In the least, the author has a lot to do in the last installation of the Chronicles to infuse some sort of relevancy in the series.
July 1, 2019
The fourth book of The Clifton Chronicles, and just as gripping as the others. What I find funny is often I can predict where it's going, but I'm completely caught up regardless. I find myself reading this in massive chunks, desperate to know what's going to happen next. My investment in this saga is high. So far they have all ended on a cliffhanger, so I'm on the edge of my seat, hoping to have a copy of the fifth book in the next week or two!
I'm still reeling over one sadly inevitable outcome and am genuinely on edge as to the fate of some of my favourite characters. These books have become ones I know I can depend on being entertained by so I'm very glad I started reading them!
I'm still reeling over one sadly inevitable outcome and am genuinely on edge as to the fate of some of my favourite characters. These books have become ones I know I can depend on being entertained by so I'm very glad I started reading them!
April 23, 2014
HOW DARE YOU END A STORY THAT WAY MR. ARCHER!!!!
Jeffrey Archer forces me, and other readers alike, to wait a whole year before we can get the book 5 in the Clifton Chronicles?!?!?! That is unacceptable. Like it's predecessors, Be Careful What You Wish For ends with a cliffhanger that cleverly forces readers to buy the next in the series. I see what you did there Mr. Archer. And I'm not mad at all. Not one little bit...
Be Careful What You Wish For begins where leaves off barely allowing a moment to breath before getting swept away in the lives of a family that seems to attract the most ruthless villains. What's insane is that the Barrington's and Clifton's are a good family that just want to maintain their lives in peace. Giles Barrington has his politics, Harry has his novels, and Emma has her company... What makes people work so ruthlessly to destroy them?
I have learned through Jeffrey Archer that with greatness comes a whole sort of problems and the only way to make it through is by thinking two steps ahead of the enemy. Similar to the previous books, the Barringtons/Clifton's constantly try to thwart the devastating blows that are thrown their way by ruthless people who only want to see their demise. There's one heartbreaking loss that totally took me by surprise and reminded me why I love Archer's writing so much.
My review in a nutshell is that Be Careful What You Wish For is an awesome follow up to Best Kept Secret and should not be read without starting the first in the series. I repeat: DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ BOOKS 1-3!!!!. I do look forward to the conclusion of this series and only regret that I'll have to wait until 2015 to accomplish that.
Copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley
Jeffrey Archer forces me, and other readers alike, to wait a whole year before we can get the book 5 in the Clifton Chronicles?!?!?! That is unacceptable. Like it's predecessors, Be Careful What You Wish For ends with a cliffhanger that cleverly forces readers to buy the next in the series. I see what you did there Mr. Archer. And I'm not mad at all. Not one little bit...
Be Careful What You Wish For begins where leaves off barely allowing a moment to breath before getting swept away in the lives of a family that seems to attract the most ruthless villains. What's insane is that the Barrington's and Clifton's are a good family that just want to maintain their lives in peace. Giles Barrington has his politics, Harry has his novels, and Emma has her company... What makes people work so ruthlessly to destroy them?
I have learned through Jeffrey Archer that with greatness comes a whole sort of problems and the only way to make it through is by thinking two steps ahead of the enemy. Similar to the previous books, the Barringtons/Clifton's constantly try to thwart the devastating blows that are thrown their way by ruthless people who only want to see their demise. There's one heartbreaking loss that totally took me by surprise and reminded me why I love Archer's writing so much.
My review in a nutshell is that Be Careful What You Wish For is an awesome follow up to Best Kept Secret and should not be read without starting the first in the series. I repeat: DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ BOOKS 1-3!!!!. I do look forward to the conclusion of this series and only regret that I'll have to wait until 2015 to accomplish that.
Copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley
April 24, 2018
As usual Archer spins a wonderful tale and keeps the reader engrossed throughout. Continuing with the fourth installment of Clifton Chronicles, this takes the reader through the lives of the Barrington and Clifton families. Love, death, conspiracies and plentiful suspense in this book. As usual Archer ends the book at a crucial juncture. You are left wondering what happens next and tempted to pick up the next book in the series.
April 2, 2014
When I was in Class 7, my father recommended the first Jeffrey Archer novel I read - Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less. I did not quite understand the intricacies of the stock fraud but the reverse stings were spectacular. And I was hooked for life.
When you are nearing forty, you get used to quality of your favourite things deteriorating. Old haunts shut down. Favourite authors turn boring. Actors you love start hamming.
The Clifton Chronicles come as a welcome relief. Jeffrey Archer, whom I remember as "the storyteller in the class of Dumas" from one of his early blurbs, is still going strong.
The Clifton family saga has turned out to be a masterful mix of fiction in a factually correct world, quirks of logical people and speedy action backed by a lot of thought. Boardroom coups, elections, genius artists, devious criminals, scrupulous bankers, unscrupulous terrorists are all part of a wonderful tapestry - with some tantalisingly loose threads to be picked up in the next books.
Highly recommend Book 4. Highly await Book 5. Let me re-read Kane And Abel till that one comes out.
When you are nearing forty, you get used to quality of your favourite things deteriorating. Old haunts shut down. Favourite authors turn boring. Actors you love start hamming.
The Clifton Chronicles come as a welcome relief. Jeffrey Archer, whom I remember as "the storyteller in the class of Dumas" from one of his early blurbs, is still going strong.
The Clifton family saga has turned out to be a masterful mix of fiction in a factually correct world, quirks of logical people and speedy action backed by a lot of thought. Boardroom coups, elections, genius artists, devious criminals, scrupulous bankers, unscrupulous terrorists are all part of a wonderful tapestry - with some tantalisingly loose threads to be picked up in the next books.
Highly recommend Book 4. Highly await Book 5. Let me re-read Kane And Abel till that one comes out.
July 27, 2018
The books in this series all follow a sort of pattern, and I just knew that this of course would end with another cliffhanger where you don't know who in the Clifton / Barrington families will or will not survive. It's for that reason I never mention any of their names in my reviews.
This takes place in the 60s and the women have really come into their own. Simon Wiesenthal makes a brief appearance, along with the IRA, and I was also introduced to the British food product fish paste. Reading about it is as close to the actual thing I'd want to get, thank you very much.
I was thinking this might be where I end the series, but I think I have to know how the cliffhanger turns out, even though I have a pretty good idea already.
This takes place in the 60s and the women have really come into their own. Simon Wiesenthal makes a brief appearance, along with the IRA, and I was also introduced to the British food product fish paste. Reading about it is as close to the actual thing I'd want to get, thank you very much.
I was thinking this might be where I end the series, but I think I have to know how the cliffhanger turns out, even though I have a pretty good idea already.
March 17, 2014
I am disappointed by this book as I have expected more.
it seems that the story getting repetitious. previously Lady Virginia wants to destroy the family. in this book, it's Don Pedro turn.
for me Boardroom politics is getting a bit tedious. too much time was spent on boardrooms squabbles.
I felt that the aftermath of Sebastian and Bruno's accident was rather flat.
the part about Jessica and Clive was not intense enough.
maybe branching out and writing about various events in the life of the next generation had diluted the story...or could this be the foundation for book 5 which will be out in year 2015; hence stories seems to be so scattered ?
However, am starting to like Sebastian ingenuity.
hoping book 5 will wrap up everything neatly as the story is getting to be too long.
it seems that the story getting repetitious. previously Lady Virginia wants to destroy the family. in this book, it's Don Pedro turn.
for me Boardroom politics is getting a bit tedious. too much time was spent on boardrooms squabbles.
I felt that the aftermath of Sebastian and Bruno's accident was rather flat.
the part about Jessica and Clive was not intense enough.
maybe branching out and writing about various events in the life of the next generation had diluted the story...or could this be the foundation for book 5 which will be out in year 2015; hence stories seems to be so scattered ?
However, am starting to like Sebastian ingenuity.
hoping book 5 will wrap up everything neatly as the story is getting to be too long.
May 30, 2020
“تذكر قول المافيا: حين يؤول المطاف إلى قتل العدو، على الأمر أن يكون عبارة عن أعمال دومًا، وليس مسألة شخصية”.
“إن البروتوكول هو المفتاح الأساسي لفهم العقلية اليابانية، كل جزء منها مهم لإتقان اللغة”.
“إن وجدت الذهب، لِمَ البحث عن النحاس؟”.
جيفري آرشير.
April 23, 2024
Wow, a definite page turner. Love the plot and the fast pace of the story. Was a little sad the likable character Jessica Clifton was killed off. That was kind of a bummer… The last third of the novel was really fun to read. Being a Jeffrey Archer novel, of course the book ends in a nail biting cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read Mightier Than The Sword, the next book in the Clifton Chronicles.
March 11, 2015
Archer's heptalogy continues with the fourth instalment of the Clifton Chronicles. The novel opens hoping to resolve the major cliffhanger after Sebastian is in a major car accident and someone has died. Harry and Emma rush to the hospital to get the news, which changes their lives forever. Emma cannot sit by idly as Barrington Shipping's chairman resigns, leaving her the opportunity to fill the void. Don Pedro Martinez, a powerful new enemy of the Cliftons, uses his company shares in an attempt to place a hand-picked candidate in the chairmanship. While Barrington Shipping seeks to build its new luxury liner, the MV Buckingham, Martinez proves the masterful saboteur in hopes of bringing the company to its knees as a final act of vindication. All the while, Harry and Emma's other child, Jessica, is making a name for herself in the art world and finding love in all the right places. That is, until another old rival, Lady Virginia Fenwick opens old wounds in an attempt to derail any happy future for Jessica and her extended family. Archer pits Martinez and Fenick against the Clifton and Barrington families in a set of adventures that will keep the reader wondering how long the fast-paced action can continue. Complete with another stunning Archer cliffhanger, the novel ends just as the reader is hopeless hooked. When Archer's in control, anything is possible.
Archer continues the story so effectively, adding characters and plot lines at every turn. The story never stops and even the minor branch-offs prove highly entertaining and develop the ever-growing list of individuals whose lives become intertwined with the Cliftons and Barringtons. Archer's constant development of ideas set against historical events proves seamless, though he uses said events only in passing, unlike Follett or Rutherfurd in their respective multi-generational series.
Kudos, Lord Archer for another stellar piece of work. Onwards to see what else you have in store.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Archer continues the story so effectively, adding characters and plot lines at every turn. The story never stops and even the minor branch-offs prove highly entertaining and develop the ever-growing list of individuals whose lives become intertwined with the Cliftons and Barringtons. Archer's constant development of ideas set against historical events proves seamless, though he uses said events only in passing, unlike Follett or Rutherfurd in their respective multi-generational series.
Kudos, Lord Archer for another stellar piece of work. Onwards to see what else you have in store.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 23, 2014
I'm so disappointed with this book that it's heartbreaking for me, especially since Jeffrey Archer is one of my favourite authors. There's overuse of the same cheap tricks over and over, and the events becomes quite predictable. Even the cliff hanger at the end is not very intriguing, because there are only two possible resolutions, and the sequence of events following either of them is nothing to look forward to if the writing continues to be so insipid.
Definitely not worth the year long wait, that's for sure. I can only hope the next installment is better.
Definitely not worth the year long wait, that's for sure. I can only hope the next installment is better.
May 24, 2020
3.5 stars
The soap opera that is the lives of the Clifton and Barrington families continues in this fourth entry in the Clifton Chronicles. The story opens in 1957 right where Best Kept Secret left off and answers the question of who survived the car crash involving Sebastian and Bruno. This is not a stand alone novel. You need to read the earlier books in the series to get to know the characters.
The Barrington Shipping Company has voted to build its new luxury liner, the MV Buckingham, but Don Pedro Martinez has vowed to destroy the Clifton and Barrington families regardless of the cost. Lady Virginia Fenwick also makes an appearance and is still has her claws out. Major Alex Fisher, ever the weasel, is a pawn for both Don Pedro and Lady Virginia.
When Ross Buchanan is forced to resign as chairman of the Barrington Shipping Company, Emma Clifton wants to replace him but Don Pedro has a plan to install his own puppet. Her brother, Giles, has political ambitions. Be careful what you wish for. Is this meant for Emma? Giles? Don Pedro? Maybe it is a message to everyone.
The book has high points and low points. A lot of the "action" takes place in the boardroom. It was not my favorite in the series. The series is supposed to be about the life of one man, Harry Clifton, but Harry takes a backseat in this story. Jeffrey Archer is not afraid to kill off characters as this entry proves. And as we have seen he ends the book with a cliff hanger so you will have to read Mightier Than the Sword to find out what happens. Overall it is an enjoyable story. Characters you love and characters you hate. Characters you hope will get what they deserve. The story introduces a new character into the saga and takes us up to 1964.
The soap opera that is the lives of the Clifton and Barrington families continues in this fourth entry in the Clifton Chronicles. The story opens in 1957 right where Best Kept Secret left off and answers the question of who survived the car crash involving Sebastian and Bruno. This is not a stand alone novel. You need to read the earlier books in the series to get to know the characters.
The Barrington Shipping Company has voted to build its new luxury liner, the MV Buckingham, but Don Pedro Martinez has vowed to destroy the Clifton and Barrington families regardless of the cost. Lady Virginia Fenwick also makes an appearance and is still has her claws out. Major Alex Fisher, ever the weasel, is a pawn for both Don Pedro and Lady Virginia.
When Ross Buchanan is forced to resign as chairman of the Barrington Shipping Company, Emma Clifton wants to replace him but Don Pedro has a plan to install his own puppet. Her brother, Giles, has political ambitions. Be careful what you wish for. Is this meant for Emma? Giles? Don Pedro? Maybe it is a message to everyone.
The book has high points and low points. A lot of the "action" takes place in the boardroom. It was not my favorite in the series. The series is supposed to be about the life of one man, Harry Clifton, but Harry takes a backseat in this story. Jeffrey Archer is not afraid to kill off characters as this entry proves. And as we have seen he ends the book with a cliff hanger so you will have to read Mightier Than the Sword to find out what happens. Overall it is an enjoyable story. Characters you love and characters you hate. Characters you hope will get what they deserve. The story introduces a new character into the saga and takes us up to 1964.
April 20, 2014
I loved the first couple of books in this series and the last one I found somewhat enjoyable as well. Sadly, by this book I no longer have much interest.
This book felt...lacking. As I was reading through the accounts of the daily life of this family, I felt like I was watching a rather lackluster reality show. The story is still well written and the characters are as real as ever, but I didn't feel like this book had the drive and excitement that the previous ones did.
I did enjoy getting to uncover some of the answers to questions I had about the previous books and finding the threads that tied the other books together.
Overall I thought this was a good book, but not one that I will likely read again or remember a lot about in the future.
This book felt...lacking. As I was reading through the accounts of the daily life of this family, I felt like I was watching a rather lackluster reality show. The story is still well written and the characters are as real as ever, but I didn't feel like this book had the drive and excitement that the previous ones did.
I did enjoy getting to uncover some of the answers to questions I had about the previous books and finding the threads that tied the other books together.
Overall I thought this was a good book, but not one that I will likely read again or remember a lot about in the future.
April 13, 2014
Very well written page turner that leaves you gasping for the next installment of the series. 9 of 10 stars
May 10, 2021
Once again Jeffrey archer brings an amazing exhilarating volume of The Clifton Chronicles. I'm looking forward to read the next volume as soon as I get hands on it.
Unfolding story of Harry and Emma Clifton makes the reader excited for every next chapter.
I recommend everyone who has read the previous volumes of The Clifton Chronicles to read this. And those who have not read the previous volumes I suggest reading the thriller volumes first as you won't be able to understand the story if won't read them first.
Overall, this is a great novel. The plot of story and presentation of characters is of a different class.
Unfolding story of Harry and Emma Clifton makes the reader excited for every next chapter.
I recommend everyone who has read the previous volumes of The Clifton Chronicles to read this. And those who have not read the previous volumes I suggest reading the thriller volumes first as you won't be able to understand the story if won't read them first.
Overall, this is a great novel. The plot of story and presentation of characters is of a different class.
April 1, 2014
A quick read and engaging story in the Harry Clifton chronicles. There are good guys and bad guys (really bad guys). What is that old saying - "Revenge is a dish best served cold"?? And who wins in the end? I had to keep turning the pages!
April 19, 2019
A quick and easy read which introduces a new character and focuses on a Boardroom meeting, deception, family struggle, and good vs evil. Turns boring sometimes but liked it.
January 10, 2020
8,5/10
Quarto volume da série “As Crónicas de Clifton”. Neste volume, Jeffrey Archer dá continuidade à saga das famílias Clifton e Barrington, mas, na minha opinião este livro prendeu-se mais com os meandros dos negócios e da política e menos com as suas personagens.
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
Quarto volume da série “As Crónicas de Clifton”. Neste volume, Jeffrey Archer dá continuidade à saga das famílias Clifton e Barrington, mas, na minha opinião este livro prendeu-se mais com os meandros dos negócios e da política e menos com as suas personagens.
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
February 16, 2020
This particular volume was an emotional roller coaster for me. Many characters touched my heart and their lives took so many unexpected twists, which has surely blown my mind. Jeffrey has performed an amazing job by making the readers attached to certain characters and then dropping them under the bus. This volume has taken a new high as it was growing towards the end. You will be astonished and at the same time equally keen to know about the turn of events that has taken place in the end.
All in all, I can't wait to read its next volume.
All in all, I can't wait to read its next volume.
February 19, 2022
This is the fourth book in ‘The Clifton Chronicles’ series by author Jeffrey Archer. Another very enjoyable read and very much carries on where ‘Best Kept Secret’ finished.
‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ begins with Harry Clifton and his wife Emma rushing to hospital to for urgent news following a fatal car crash involving their son Sebastian and his best friend Bruno. One of the friends is dead, but which one.
Emma Clifton is looking to replace the resigning chairman of Barrington Shipping Company but Don Pedro Martinez intends to appoint Major Alex Fisher who he believes will help him destroy the Barrington family firm just as the company plans to build its new luxury liner, the MV Buckingham.
As expected with Jeffrey Archer there are lots of twists and turns as well as cliff hangers in this latest offering. This is a very entertaining series.
‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ begins with Harry Clifton and his wife Emma rushing to hospital to for urgent news following a fatal car crash involving their son Sebastian and his best friend Bruno. One of the friends is dead, but which one.
Emma Clifton is looking to replace the resigning chairman of Barrington Shipping Company but Don Pedro Martinez intends to appoint Major Alex Fisher who he believes will help him destroy the Barrington family firm just as the company plans to build its new luxury liner, the MV Buckingham.
As expected with Jeffrey Archer there are lots of twists and turns as well as cliff hangers in this latest offering. This is a very entertaining series.
February 5, 2020
Livro após livro Jeffrey Archer continua a fazer-nos ler até às tantas e a não conseguir pousar o livro. Extremamente viciante! Gostei ainda mais que o anterior. Venha o próximo!!
March 29, 2014
Once again, an amazing book in this author's "Clifton Chronicles" series - #4. The suspense builds through the entire book and then on the last page (the same in each book), you are left hanging - impossible to imagine the fate of your favorite characters. I hate having to wait until sometime in 2015 to read the next book. All of the characters and their relationships have been so well written. It has been a joy to read each book (except nothing else in my life gets done).
I highly recommend that you start the series ASAP - the first book is "Only Time Will Tell".
I highly recommend that you start the series ASAP - the first book is "Only Time Will Tell".
December 10, 2016
Another Archer cliffhanger! One absolutely devastating event, I suppose I understand why it was necessary to the plot, but I was still not happy about it
Certain characters seem to get their comeuppance, but that's what's so satisfying about Archer. Will new ones be introduced in book five or will these old ones rear their ugly heads again?
The story continues to branch out from the immediate family members, which enriches the read. And of course the book ends with such a device to motivate you to read the next one. I'm glad I don't have to wait that year for publication.
Certain characters seem to get their comeuppance, but that's what's so satisfying about Archer. Will new ones be introduced in book five or will these old ones rear their ugly heads again?
The story continues to branch out from the immediate family members, which enriches the read. And of course the book ends with such a device to motivate you to read the next one. I'm glad I don't have to wait that year for publication.
September 21, 2018
Толкова нямам търпение да разбера как ще се развият събитията, че не ми остава време да си отбележа някои важни попадения като това:
" Раждането е първият лотариен билет на живота."
Става все по-напечено.
Харесва ми обаче позитивната нагласа на автора.
Въпреки , че има загуби, доброто побеждава.
" Раждането е първият лотариен билет на живота."
Става все по-напечено.
Харесва ми обаче позитивната нагласа на автора.
Въпреки , че има загуби, доброто побеждава.
January 25, 2022
Ora bem, esta saga é basicamente uma novela da TVI sem os diálogos péssimos... mas em bom! Isto é tão viciante...
September 12, 2019
The Clifton Chronicles book #4
The fourth novel in the Clifton Chronicles series picks up minutes where the “Best Kept Secret” left. Set in England and spanning the years 1957-1964 we follow the Clifton-Barrington family saga in their face off with Don Pedro Martinez, a smuggler who became a staunch enemy in the preceding book and is hell-bent to destroying them.
You definitely need to read the three first books before you get to this one. We do not have many details and the characters’ background to have a complete idea of what the Clifton Chronicles are about. (It would be a big miss on your part). Mr. Archer weaves an “unputdownable” story with the use of such simplest possible words. He is so easy to read, I wanted to keep reading just to find out what was happening to the Cliftons and the Barringtons and in what kind of troubles they managed to get into this time (the best part in my books). The story contains thrilling surprises page after page and is plotted with skills to play a cat-and mouse game with us. The tension and the built-up are terrific and have kept me on the edge of my seat.
No family saga is without a villain, this book has a good one, a well-drawn and believable character. While telling this tale, Mr. Archer's characters, even in the midst of blazing run-ins maintain their British elegance and dry sense of humour. What a treat to read.
Being a marvelous storyteller and a tease that he is, has managed to leave the story with an excellent cliff-hanger that constrains us to get the following installment (I already have it).
“Be Careful What You Wish For” is thoroughly engaging.
The fourth novel in the Clifton Chronicles series picks up minutes where the “Best Kept Secret” left. Set in England and spanning the years 1957-1964 we follow the Clifton-Barrington family saga in their face off with Don Pedro Martinez, a smuggler who became a staunch enemy in the preceding book and is hell-bent to destroying them.
You definitely need to read the three first books before you get to this one. We do not have many details and the characters’ background to have a complete idea of what the Clifton Chronicles are about. (It would be a big miss on your part). Mr. Archer weaves an “unputdownable” story with the use of such simplest possible words. He is so easy to read, I wanted to keep reading just to find out what was happening to the Cliftons and the Barringtons and in what kind of troubles they managed to get into this time (the best part in my books). The story contains thrilling surprises page after page and is plotted with skills to play a cat-and mouse game with us. The tension and the built-up are terrific and have kept me on the edge of my seat.
No family saga is without a villain, this book has a good one, a well-drawn and believable character. While telling this tale, Mr. Archer's characters, even in the midst of blazing run-ins maintain their British elegance and dry sense of humour. What a treat to read.
Being a marvelous storyteller and a tease that he is, has managed to leave the story with an excellent cliff-hanger that constrains us to get the following installment (I already have it).
“Be Careful What You Wish For” is thoroughly engaging.
February 19, 2017
42. [Be Careful What You Wish For] by Jeffrey Archer - 4.5 Stars
Be Careful What You Wish For is the fourth novel in the Clifton Chronicles, set primarily in England and spanning the years 1957 to 1964. It continues to follow the Clifton and Barrington families as they try to outmaneuver Don Pedro Martinez, an Argentinean smuggler who featured heavily in the prior novel, Best Kept Secret.
I don't recommend reading this book as a standalone novel because you would miss out on some of the history of the drama that is always in high gear in this epic family drama. The series chronicles the life and times of Harry Clifton, his wife, Emma Barrington, and Emma's brother and Harry's best friend, Giles Barrington. There are some incredibly memorable characters throughout the series. I have to admit some of my favorites are the evil ones, especially Lady Virginia and Major Alex Fisher, who try their best to seek revenge on the Cliftons and the Barringtons.
Potential readers should be warned that each and every one of these novels ends with a cliffhanger. The good news is that all seven of the Clifton Chronicles are now published so you won't have to wait for a year to discover how the cliffhanger is resolved. I'm totally hooked on the series and have been listening to it in audio, narrated by Alex Jennings, who is phenomenal. The writing is smooth and the narrative effortlessly takes the reader on an engaging journey through the lives of the characters. Be Careful What You Wish For is everything you would want or expect from a Jeffrey Archer novel. I can't wait to read Book 5 – Mightier Than the Sword.
Be Careful What You Wish For is the fourth novel in the Clifton Chronicles, set primarily in England and spanning the years 1957 to 1964. It continues to follow the Clifton and Barrington families as they try to outmaneuver Don Pedro Martinez, an Argentinean smuggler who featured heavily in the prior novel, Best Kept Secret.
I don't recommend reading this book as a standalone novel because you would miss out on some of the history of the drama that is always in high gear in this epic family drama. The series chronicles the life and times of Harry Clifton, his wife, Emma Barrington, and Emma's brother and Harry's best friend, Giles Barrington. There are some incredibly memorable characters throughout the series. I have to admit some of my favorites are the evil ones, especially Lady Virginia and Major Alex Fisher, who try their best to seek revenge on the Cliftons and the Barringtons.
Potential readers should be warned that each and every one of these novels ends with a cliffhanger. The good news is that all seven of the Clifton Chronicles are now published so you won't have to wait for a year to discover how the cliffhanger is resolved. I'm totally hooked on the series and have been listening to it in audio, narrated by Alex Jennings, who is phenomenal. The writing is smooth and the narrative effortlessly takes the reader on an engaging journey through the lives of the characters. Be Careful What You Wish For is everything you would want or expect from a Jeffrey Archer novel. I can't wait to read Book 5 – Mightier Than the Sword.
April 26, 2014
Now on its fourth book, Archer's Clifton Chronicles seems to be on a downward spiral. I really enjoyed the first two in the series, but then the third wasn't up to the same standard - with one of the most significant reasons being the ill advised plot featuring the irritating Lady Virginia. Sadly, this latest instalment continues the trend, including a couple of unwelcome cameos by the aforementioned Lady V.
Much of the early part of Be Careful What You Wish For revolves around boardroom battles at Barrington Shipping. This dragged on and in the end became rather silly, which didn't bode well for the rest of the book. Pantomime villain Don Pedro features quite strongly again, and I felt that Archer lost the plot with The Argentinian antagonist's quest for revenge against the Barringtons and Cliftons.
To make up for the tiredness of the revenge plot, Archer does introduce a Northern element to the plot to freshen things up a bit. As a resident of North Lincolnshire, I enjoyed the visits to Yorkshire and tales of fish and chips in Grimsby. The new down-to-earth characters worked well and are good additions to the series.
Praise over with, I'll have to mention another weakness that many authors are guilty of. Rather too many conveniences and coincidences were used to help the plot along. Reminiscent of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series (and many others, I'm sure), every time a character needed help with something, they just happened to have someone in the right place at the right time. I realise that authors may need to this in places, but it seemed a bit overdone to me.
The Clifton Chronicles started off as a great series, but Archer seems to have lost his way with it, which is a great shame. It's not a complete failure as there were enough strands to keep me going, but that interest is waning. The ending ensures that most readers will eagerly await the fifth instalment, but Archer needs to get back to what made the opening books so enjoyable.
Much of the early part of Be Careful What You Wish For revolves around boardroom battles at Barrington Shipping. This dragged on and in the end became rather silly, which didn't bode well for the rest of the book. Pantomime villain Don Pedro features quite strongly again, and I felt that Archer lost the plot with The Argentinian antagonist's quest for revenge against the Barringtons and Cliftons.
To make up for the tiredness of the revenge plot, Archer does introduce a Northern element to the plot to freshen things up a bit. As a resident of North Lincolnshire, I enjoyed the visits to Yorkshire and tales of fish and chips in Grimsby. The new down-to-earth characters worked well and are good additions to the series.
Praise over with, I'll have to mention another weakness that many authors are guilty of. Rather too many conveniences and coincidences were used to help the plot along. Reminiscent of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series (and many others, I'm sure), every time a character needed help with something, they just happened to have someone in the right place at the right time. I realise that authors may need to this in places, but it seemed a bit overdone to me.
The Clifton Chronicles started off as a great series, but Archer seems to have lost his way with it, which is a great shame. It's not a complete failure as there were enough strands to keep me going, but that interest is waning. The ending ensures that most readers will eagerly await the fifth instalment, but Archer needs to get back to what made the opening books so enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,422 reviews