Jeffrey ArcherSt. Martin's Press Only Time Will Tell

I have only praise and worship for Jeffrey Archer, for this moving first volume of the Clifton Chronicles.As my all time favourite story-teller, Archer did not disappoint with volume one of the torrid life of Harry Clifton and his sordid beginnings, which we can already see leading to strife, anguish, heartache and betrayal as he grows up.Sitting down to read this book, it was almost like someone had wrapped a cosy blanket around me and given me a steaming mug of hot chocolate, such is the warm glow that Archer's stories always give me.This is a man who knows how to tell a tale, both epic and short. My preference is the endless epic, which I truly wish would never end.

Whatever Jeffrey Archer gets up to in his spare time,and being his own publicity organisation, he does write real page turning books.I have read many of his books, and this follows a similar format,but heigh do not kill the fatted calf,it works,and Archer gives lots of details, and as a piece of entertainment it in the top position. There is a sequel,which has just come out in hardback,and it will be on my wishlist when it comes out in paperback I am ashamed to say.I do not think you have top reveal any of the storyline,because as I have said previously it follows his usual format of following people from birth onwards.Highly recommended for long distance travelling as it occupies the boring time very well.

I was in the library just browsing, getting bored when I chanced across some Jeffrey Archer novels.I had never read anything of his before as mistakenly, I thought he just wrote political thrillers etc Anyway, having read the comments from critics, and scanning a few pages, I was sufficiently intriqued to take the book home. What a find! What a discovery! It's true what they say. He is a fantastic story-teller. I really couldn't put it down! Now, there are about 500 pages in this book, so when I tell you that I finished it within a day. Yes, one day! I started reading in bed that night, and read every available opportunity all the following day. Good thing I'm retired!Let me just tell you this....Get a cuppa, a comfy chair, turn your phone off, and start reading the story of Harry Clifton and his family from just after the First World War up to and including the Second World War. A story of love, family, lies, deceit, and mostly the 'triumph of good over evil' as one critic puts it.You will not be disappointed.I was really disappointed to have finished the book though,especially after reading the 'bombshell' Archer drops into the final paragraph!! This on it's own propelled me to the library the next day to get the second part of the trilogy.

Most people I know who deem themselves intellectual think Jeffrey Archer is a poor writer and would'nt think of buying his books or reading them. I had no opinion on him either way until last week when someone lent me their copy of his new book : Only Time will Tell. For me, who loves Somerset Maughan's works, Jeffrey Archer is a modern version, a wonderful story teller. His prose is not classic but flows along well and, the most important part for me, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next, even if what was going to happen next was sometimes predictable. I will certainly be buying the next Clifton Chronicle and much look forward to it.

Wonderful series of the seven books and once you read the first you just have to keep on reading until you put down the seventh book. Great books