Helpful Score: 1
Jeffrey Archer is a terrific storyteller, and I loved the first two volumes in this series. This installment of the Clifton family saga I did not enjoy as much. For one, a good third of the plot involves a British election campaign where a lot of the terminology and machinations were (literally) foreign to me and therefore somewhat difficult to follow. Also, the plot seemed to degenerate into implausible potboiler - turns of plot solely to keep you on the edge of your seat rather than things that might really happen in the real world. I will give volume 4 a chance and then decide whether or not to read volumes 5 and onward.
Predictable, convenient, implausible. Archer tells his story and he makes sure all the pieces fit so easily that there is no depth to the story or characters. A very tidy story. There is no suspense or dramatic moments. Alex Fisher returns as the evil saboteur but his plans are thwarted in a matter of a few pages. Several times. This book has no soul but if you need to know what happens after "Sins of the Father" it's in here.
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
Another great one that ends with a cliff hanger and now I have to wait because I don't have the next book yet!!! The family saga continues, character re-emerge regularly and each one is developed more when you thought there was nothing left to learn about them. Can't wait to get the next one!
My interest in story is strong but the author has weakened the uniqueness in the plot. It now reads like many other family sagas.
The is book four about the Clifton/Barrington saga which I have been following closely. I love Mr. Archer's books (Kane and Able being my favorite) and they are all in my "keeper" collection. It is an exciting story and there is one more book coming out March 2014, "Careful What You Wish For" and I can hardly wait to read it.
This is a great series. I can't wait for book 5 to come out. Archer keeps you guessing all through the books and has lots of twists and turns. I didn't like that the endings leave you hanging until the next book comes out. You have to buy it just to find out what happened.
I avoided all books by Jeffrey Archer for years. Don't ask me why. I thought they were something else. He is a brilliant author and so far I've read six of his books. I couldn't put them down and now I sort of savor them for when I need a really good book to read. Best Kept Secret is Book 3 of the Clifton Chronicles, a great family saga that has kept me on the edge of my chair.
My advice before you read this is to have the next book in the series on hand. When you finish this fabulous page-turner, you will want to immediately begin the next book in the 'Clifton Chronicles' series.
I loved the first two 'Clifton' books and this one was as good (which is quite high praise). Besides being well written, it has all the elements Archer's fans expect - villians, heroes, excitement, twists & turns, as well as a real feel of post-war England.
If you haven't read Archer, this series is a great place to start.
I loved the first two 'Clifton' books and this one was as good (which is quite high praise). Besides being well written, it has all the elements Archer's fans expect - villians, heroes, excitement, twists & turns, as well as a real feel of post-war England.
If you haven't read Archer, this series is a great place to start.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
International bestselling author Jeffrey Archer's mesmerizing saga of the Clifton and Barrington families continues.
London, 1945. Who shall inherit the Barrington family fortune? The vote in the House of Lords has ended in a tie. The Lord Chancellor's deciding vote will cast a long shadow on the lives of Harry Clifton and Giles Barrington. Harry returns to America to promote his latest novel while Emma goes in search of the little girl who was found abandoned in her father's office on the night he was killed. When the general election is called, Giles Barrington has to defend his seat in the House of Commons and is horrified to discover who the Conservatives select to stand against him. But it is Sebastian Clifton, Harry and Emma's son, who ultimately influences his uncle's fate.
"One of the top ten storytellers in the world." Los Angeles Times
In 1957, Sebastian wins a scholarship to Cambridge, and a new generation of the Clifton family marches onto the page. But after Sebastian is expelled from school, he unwittingly becomes caught up in an international art fraud involving a Rodin statue that is worth far more than the sum it raises at auction. Does he become a millionaire? Does he go to Cambridge? Is his life in danger? Best Kept Secret, the third volume in Archer's bestselling series, will answer all these questions but, once again, pose so many more...
"[A] PAGE-TURNING, HEART-STOPPING SAGA."
Publishers Weekly on Sins of the Father
My Review
This 3rd book in the Clifton Chronicles picks up where the 2nd one left off with a major cliffhanger. It's finally decided who will inherit the Barrington fortune and the family saga continues. Giles Barrington runs for his next term in office and comes up against roadblocks. He needs to deal again with ex-wife, Lady Victoria, and Alex Fisher, two evil people from his past. Harry and Emma locate Jessica and they are raising her as their own. Sebastian's character is expanded upon and a major cliffhanger is once more waiting for us at the end of this book. The story moves quickly and is a real page turner. If you haven't started this series, now is a good time since book 1 thru 5 is readily available and you won't have to wait a whole year to find out what happens after each major cliffhanger. Jeffrey Archer is truly a great storyteller and I look forward to reading more from this series.
International bestselling author Jeffrey Archer's mesmerizing saga of the Clifton and Barrington families continues.
London, 1945. Who shall inherit the Barrington family fortune? The vote in the House of Lords has ended in a tie. The Lord Chancellor's deciding vote will cast a long shadow on the lives of Harry Clifton and Giles Barrington. Harry returns to America to promote his latest novel while Emma goes in search of the little girl who was found abandoned in her father's office on the night he was killed. When the general election is called, Giles Barrington has to defend his seat in the House of Commons and is horrified to discover who the Conservatives select to stand against him. But it is Sebastian Clifton, Harry and Emma's son, who ultimately influences his uncle's fate.
"One of the top ten storytellers in the world." Los Angeles Times
In 1957, Sebastian wins a scholarship to Cambridge, and a new generation of the Clifton family marches onto the page. But after Sebastian is expelled from school, he unwittingly becomes caught up in an international art fraud involving a Rodin statue that is worth far more than the sum it raises at auction. Does he become a millionaire? Does he go to Cambridge? Is his life in danger? Best Kept Secret, the third volume in Archer's bestselling series, will answer all these questions but, once again, pose so many more...
"[A] PAGE-TURNING, HEART-STOPPING SAGA."
Publishers Weekly on Sins of the Father
My Review
This 3rd book in the Clifton Chronicles picks up where the 2nd one left off with a major cliffhanger. It's finally decided who will inherit the Barrington fortune and the family saga continues. Giles Barrington runs for his next term in office and comes up against roadblocks. He needs to deal again with ex-wife, Lady Victoria, and Alex Fisher, two evil people from his past. Harry and Emma locate Jessica and they are raising her as their own. Sebastian's character is expanded upon and a major cliffhanger is once more waiting for us at the end of this book. The story moves quickly and is a real page turner. If you haven't started this series, now is a good time since book 1 thru 5 is readily available and you won't have to wait a whole year to find out what happens after each major cliffhanger. Jeffrey Archer is truly a great storyteller and I look forward to reading more from this series.
