Audio Review: Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer (Clifton Chronicles 3)

This is the third book in Jeffrey Archer's acclaimed Clifton Chronicles and it is one of my favorite series, especially as an audio.

About the Book:
(No Spoilers)

This installment picks up right where the second left off with Giles Barrington and Harry Clifton waiting to find out who will be the successor to the late Hugo Barrington for the family corporation. The result of the vote is revealed and all seems well until Giles marries. Unfortunately, Giles is the only one smitten with Lady Virginia and that point becomes quite clear when the late Lady Elizabeth Barrington's will is read.  Giles is devastated but Lady Virginia is enraged. As the years go by, the story begins to focus more on Harry's son, Sebastian as he grows up and attends university. The story also introduces the daughter Harry and Emma have adopted, whose young life is already filled with secrets, even though she, herself, is not yet aware. 

Time usually heals wounds, but Lady Virginia's wounds are still fresh so she enlists the help of an old nemesis from Giles's past to help her gain control of Barrington Industries. Unfortunately, Sebastian ends up getting caught up in her web of deceit and he is unknowingly falling right into a trap. It is up to Giles and Harry to figure out what is really going on and who is behind this betrayal before its too late.  

My Thoughts:

One thing I really like about this series is the pace at which things happen. There is no lull or stalling of the plot between books. With some books, they may feel rushed or maybe that would cause a disconnect for the reader, but Jeffrey Archer is such a master storyteller that it is completely seamless.

I loved the addition of the new characters in Sebastian's life and how they fit into the story and though Sebastian does inhabit much of the book, Harry, Emma and Giles are still front and center as well.  Just when I thought we'd heard the last of Captain Fisher, he resurfaces to cause more trouble for the family.

I'm sure I would still like this series if I were reading the print version, but I am so glad I listen to these books. The narrator, Alex Jennings, is absolutely perfect. I love listening to his voice as he reads the pages to me. His smooth British accent is both calming and enjoyable to listen to. His inflections for the different characters are subtle yet distinctive. He is one of my favorite parts of this audio series.

Another thing I appreciate about Jeffrey Archer's writing is his ability to leave such a wonderful cliff-hanger at the end of each book.  I thoroughly enjoy his writing and I'm always completely satisfied with where the story takes me. I will continue to read The Clifton Chronicles for as long as Mr. Archer comes up with new adventures.

BEST KEPT SECRET (Unabridged Audio Version)
Author: Jeffrey Archer
Publisher: St. Macmillan Audio
Published: April
Length: 11 Hrs 15 Min

[TSS] Review: The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer (Clifton Chronicles #2) Audio Version

One of the great benefits of the book blogging community that I am so blessed to be a part of is that I am constantly introduced to new-to-me authors that I may not have otherwise come into contact with. This is especially true of Jeffrey Archer and his series, The Clifton Chronicles. I was lucky enough last year to have won the audio of the first book in the series, ONLY TIME WILL TELL, from Anna over at Diary of an Eccentric. I was unfamiliar with Jeffrey Archer, not having read anything by him, but as soon as I started listening, I was completely drawn in.

The series centers around Harry Clifton, a young man from the town of Bristol, England. The first book, having been about Harry's childhood and his questionable parentage had a startling ending with what I consider to be a terrific cliff-hanger. In this follow-up, THE SINS of the FATHER, the story picks up right where the first left off. While the first book takes place entirely in England, this book takes us to America as well.

Harry, now a grown man, finds himself not only in a land he is totally unfamiliar with but also ensnared in a situation that could prove to end his life as he knows it. When Harry left England, he also left behind Emma, the woman he loves. With all the questions surrounding his paternity, that love is seemingly condemned but Harry vows to prove that Emma's father is not his own, so that they can at last have a life together. But the obstacles that Harry encounters along the way may well get him killed in the process. Unbeknownst to Harry, Emma has set out on her own to find him, even if it means going to America herself to bring him home. Being that it is the beginning of World War II and America has now entered the war, Harry finds himself fighting not only for his own personal freedom but for the freedoms of many country's.

My Thoughts:

In my opinion, the performance of this audio is stellar. The narrators, Alex Jennings and Emilia Fox are perfectly suited, putting this audio series at the top of my list. Add to that the story of Harry's questionable paternity, Emma's unwavering efforts to prove he did not die at sea as reported and following the lives of his loved ones, makes this a great story.

All of the characters are likable and very believable.  Even Hugo Barrington, Emma's scoundrel of a father, is the perfect villain who is always on the verge of getting away with all of his misdeeds. Each of the characters takes their turn in telling their stories and in doing so, Jeffrey Archer unfolds the story in layers that left me with many Aha! moments. When one character is speaking, it often sheds light on facts that a previous character was unaware of, therefore layering the plot perfectly. I just loved it!

The only downside to this series that I can see is that now I have to wait until the next book to find out what happens, because as with the first book, I was left with another great cliff-hanger! Jeffrey Archer is a master storyteller so it is easy to figure that I highly recommend this series. I'm sure the printed version would be equally as entertaining but if you enjoy audios I encourage you to give this one a try. I promise you won't be disappointed.

THE SINS OF THE FATHER (Clifton Chronicles #2)
Author: Jeffrey Archer
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Published: May 2012
Length: 10h 9m
Source: Audible.com
Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5