Book Review - Only Time Will Tell

About the Book

International bestselling author Jeffrey Archer returns to the sweeping sagas that made him beloved by millions with Only Time Will Tell, the first in an ambitious series that tells the story of one family across generations and across oceans, from heartbreak to triumph.

The epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life begins in 1920, with the word, “I was told that my father was killed in the war.” A dock worker in Bristol, Harry never knew his father, but he learns about life on the docks from his uncle until his unexpected musical gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys’ school, and his life changes forever. 

As he enters into adulthood, Harry finally learns how his father really died. But the awful truth only leads him to question whether Arthur Clifton was his father at all. Is he the son of a stevedore who spent his life on the docks, or the first-born heir of a wealthy shipping family, whose stands to inherit all of their wealth and titles?

This introductory novel in The Clifton Chronicles includes a cast of colorful characters and takes readers from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War, when Harry must decide whether to study at Oxford or join the navy and go to war with Hitler’s Germany. From the docks of working-class England to the streets of 1940 New York City, Only Time Will Tell draws readers into an ongoing journey which will bring to life one hundred years of recent history and reveal a family story that neither the reader nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.

Veteran actor Roger Allam, who has narrated all of Archer’s beloved audiobooks, and Emilia Fox, whose narration credits include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and five Agatha Christie novels, display remarkable talent and impressive identification with  Archer’s characters as they bring Only Time WillTell to life.

About the Author

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include A Prisoner of Birth, And Thereby Hangs a Tale, and Kane and Abel, has topped the bestseller list across the world, with sales of more than 135 million copies. Paths of Glory, his most recent novel, was a New York Times bestseller. He is married with two sons, and lives in London and Cambridge.

My Take on the BookI was given the opportunity to hear the audiobook of this novel and though I had not read anything from this author in the past I was completely drawn into the book. The reading of the audiobook was masterfully done. I have listened to a number of audiobooks in my day and have heard a number of actors, and this was a great one.

The book itself was full of gripping plot and storyline. I particularly enjoyed the characters that you are introduced to. You have to get used to the way in which the author switches between first and third point perspective, but I came to find this enjoyable and easy to understand and get used to.

The book provides some very good twists and turns that keeps you guessing. The plot also keeps you on the edge of your seat. You are kept guessing through each chapter and the end of the story is one that will pull everything together. 


This was a fun read and one that I would highly recommend!






All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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