Jeffrey Archer The Clifton Chronicles Series 7 Books Collection Set

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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. DISCLOSURE: I borrowed a copy of Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer, published by St Martin's Press, from my good friend and fellow bookworm, Chris Adams. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. When I was 70 years old, I needed something to focus on, something to drive me and I realized if I set the task of writing a series of books called The Clifton Chronicles, the story of Harry Clifton and the woman he falls in love with, Emma Barrington and his best friend Giles Barrington, I would be working flat out for at least five years. So that was the original purpose. 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. 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.

She looked up and smiled. He didn’t know her name, and perhaps it was better that he didn’t. All he knew was that she spoke fluent English, was an interpreter by profession, roughly the same age as Karin, and would be wearing an identical outfit to hers. But there was one thing Walter hadn’t explained. Why was she willing to take such a risk? 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. 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. Overall, Cometh The Hour was entertaining, dramatic and engaging historical fiction. Not best in series but I liked it.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. In a nutshell, the story is extremely enticing, captivating and highly exciting despite being sympathetic in its own way. The author devised one hell of a spellbinding tale that won't disappoint any of his readers. All of them are likable in their own way. As one goes on reading the series, chapters after chapter, he sees himself getting dissolved in the flawless fabrication weaved by the author. This is the final installment in the Clifton Chronicles series by Jeffrey Archer. The prologue here takes place in 1978, followed by a section on Harry Clifton and his wife Emma from 1978 to 1979, and at the end are chapters on Harry and Emma in 1992. 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?

When Harry Clifton visits his publisher in New York, he learns that he has been elected as the new president of English PEN, and immediately launches a campaign for the release of a fellow author, Anatoly Babakov, who’s imprisoned in Siberia. Babakov’s crime? Writing a book called Uncle Joe, a devastating insight into what it was like to work for Stalin.

This Was a Man' opens with a shot being fired, but who pulled the trigger, and who lives and who dies? Maisie's sacrifices and the secret of Harry's parentage are the main focus of Only Time Will Tell. Harry has grown up thinking Arthur Clifton is his father and that he died in the war. Maisie knows the truth about Harry's parentage, and a few people know the truth about Arthur Clifton's death, but no one tells Harry anything. 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.