This Was a Man' opens with a shot being fired, but who pulled the trigger, and who lives and who dies? The Chronicles continue to meander aimlessly in the penultimate episode. There are ten or more short stories that progress so rapidly that one could almost feel the weight of the author's deadline pressure. For a change, there are no famous Archerisq close votes or a cliff-hanger book-end - two definite new positives! However, substituting them are these plethora of' tales that appear to have been lifted straight out of a collection of 1970s' books and movies, summarised almost without much modification. So determined is Harry to see Babakov released and the book published, that he puts his own life in danger.

Harry Clifton is an author on a crusade. As President of the English PEN society, he is determined to be the catalyst for the Russians freeing jailed author Anatoly Babakov. Then there are flashes of the past; Sebastian, who while waiting to visit a jail prisoner, reads a copy of the Daily Mail filled with photos of Prince Charles and Lady Diana talking at a garden party. "Diana looked really happy, while the Prince looked as if he was opening a power station," the accompanying story noted.Early on, Harry brings an end to his popular book series, deciding instead to turn his attention to writing his best-ever work. Emma, who’s spent the last 10 years as chairwoman of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, gets a call from none other than Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who offers her a job. Sir Giles, meanwhile, is ramping up his efforts as a member of Parliament on the opposing side – pitting him squarely against his sister Emma. I was surprised when I learnt this last book was being released so soon after the last book and I think it does show quite starkly. It was a bit of a mish mash of information. Archer seems to expect his readers to remember every little detail of the previous novels (and sometimes it's seems like he's forgotten, he's vague about aspects of the previous novels and has made a couple of mistakes) and doesn't alway elaborate on the plot so it does get a bit confusing. There seemed to be babies born with no preamble, dead relatives with no funerals, children adopting parents, 70 years olds embarking on new career paths with no real explanation, art prizes being flung around while personal lives were completely ignored and one of the most major themes of these novels was glossed over in one paragraph. He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married to Mary Archer, a scientist specialising in solar power. Outside politics, he is a novelist, playwright and short story writer. I knew what to expect with Book 7, and my review is pretty much the same as Book 6 however this time around I was not as into it. The “collection of short stories” feel was too high and I didn’t feel like there was a solid plot running through the book to tie everything together. It felt too random for me.

Although it’s obvious, this book is part of a series, and to be honest, you do need to have read the other books before this one. It would make the story much more understandable, and if you didn’t you will miss out on 6 books of great storytelling! I’ve heard a lot of people say that they won’t read any Archer books as they don’t like the man – whatever you feel about him or his past, you can’t deny that the man is an amazing author and storyteller, capturing each decade, scenario or situation perfectly. Verdict: The best possible way to say goodbye to the Cliftons and the Barringtons! Long live Mr. Archer! Giving anything away of its synopsis would be an injustice to others. So I'll only talk about what I felt throughout the book.

I do not blame Archer since there are very few exciting plots one can design when your heroes are turning great grand parents and the villains have stopped concerning themselves with the Cliftons due to their own problems. BUT and here comes my big but I really miss emotions and an emotional binding with the characters to make this from a good read to something I will revisit more than once! Which is a pity!!! That being said, I’m finding it hard to get past Harry and Emma’s relationship being, for all intents and purposes, widely accepted within their families and social circles. There’s a decent chance they’re related by blood...and everyone’s just ok with that? I mean yeah, the wedding gets stopped and it’s mentioned once or twice that they can’t do anything in the circumstances but still. Everyone feels sorry for them and is hoping they’ll still get married, even if it can’t be proven that they’re not related? Hmm. I can’t imagine my friends or family being too thrilled at the prospect of me marrying a possible half sibling. I admire the authors broad knowledge in many aspects of life. If he came up with all these stories without help of experts such financial, medical or legal advisers, then Jeff Archer should be congratulated for his supersized brain. ABOUT THIS BOOK: Cometh the Hour opens with the reading of a suicide note, which has devastating consequences for Harry and Emma Clifton, Giles Barrington and Lady Virginia.

It is a story about coincidences, about what people will do for love, about how life can go full circle, and how people get their due. This is a story about friendship, about the way different events are important to different people, and about how the actions of others – that we don’t even know about – can affect so many aspects of our lives. This is a story about unfortunate circumstances, about class bigotry, and about redemption. The characters yet once again excels with their striking demeanor. They are real to the very core, flawed, and extremely believable. All the characters are distinct from one another, and even the bad ones, like Lady Virginia too will make the readers fall for her constantly plotting ideas against the Cliftons, and also the weaker ones who make the story interesting. Each and every character is like a rare piece of gem that brightens up the whole story with their individual glow and aura. As the undercover officers start to draw the threads together, William realizes that the corruption may go deeper still, and more of his colleagues than he first thought might be willing to turn a blind eye. Maisie Clifton - Harry's mother who after sudden death of her husband Arthur, tries to make ends meet to support her family and Harry's education.Harry Clifton sets out to write his magnum opus, while his wife Emma completes her ten years as Chairman of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and receives an unexpected call from Margaret Thatcher offering her a job. The characters’ stories intertwined with historical events of the period such as the Cold war and Margaret Thatcher’s political ascent. While some chapters focus on British political and international espionage others will on corporate espionage and financial crime and some will give us more social commentary of the time. The portrayal of these different views is really what keeps the story fresh and engaging. All good things must come to an end and that is true with the Clifton Chronicles. This Was a Man is the seventh and final book in the series. I am left with mixed feelings. I am sad because I will miss Harry, Emma, Giles, and Sebastian. The ending was terrific and emotional but made sense and was fitting. One of the endearing points of this book to me, in fact, is the inside look at British politics, some of which, as a personal aside, could well be applied to the current state of affairs here in the United States. Sir Giles, for instance, quips to his wife Karin: "...you have to understand that being a scoundrel is simply part of a politician's job description."

The sunset book in the Clifton Chronicles is an average fare. Yes, it showed brilliance in parts, the cliched at places - but as the 7th book in the series it was much less dramatic. Other, than to hint that the final act is a delightful mixture of fictional writing, political speech writing, and poignancy written from the mind and heart of an author who has surely lived and experienced that of which he crafts his ending. It is courageous, eloquent, humanitarian, and worthy of the high ovation he places around those characters of whom he created to demonstrate what faith, courage, and seeking the truth can reap for all communities, which fosters that character. What I found extremely striking about the author's writing was that he first gets his readers surrounded with the thoughts of only his characters and one by one, he asks you to choose your comrade among them. And while I absolutely loved the book, I will note, as I've done in describing other of these books - it is reminiscent of the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods (even the Barrington name is common to both). Mostly, it's the matter-of-fact presentation; no matter what happens, no one gets excited, bent out of shape or otherwise emotionally unhinged. Lost your job and your fortune? Bloody sorry, old chap. Unmarried and pregnant? Dreadful. Do you prefer Earle Grey or camomile?

The Clifton Chronicles Series in Order (7 Books)

Keep those opinions coming. They help and I’m grateful and I hope you’ll continue to read The Clifton Chronicles.