Jeffrey Archer is one of those authors that it seems everyone has heard of and read.
When my good friend Kathy and her family very enthusiastically suggested that I read Only Time Will Tell by Archer, I was curious and as surprised as they were that I hadn’t read any of his books. I am so happy that they introduced me to his books, especially this one.
Only Time Will Tell is the first in a series of five books named the Clifton Chronicles after the protagonist Harry Clifton.
Set in the 1920s and 1930s, this installment records the first twenty or so years of Harry’s life from the perspective of several different characters, each adding to or changing what had been told before, thereby deepening our understanding of the events and the people involved. We celebrate, along with Harry, his triumphs and setbacks, the secrets and lies and the many melodramas. The story is eventful, engaging and fast paced. Harry is likeable and a shining example of virtue, as are most of the other characters, aside from one, who is the obvious baddie in this story. Curse you Hugo Barrington!
This story hangs on the mystery of Harry’s parentage: who was his father? This mystery, in turn, creates others. What difference does it make who Harry’s father is? How did his father disappear? Why is it such a secret? If the mystery of Harry’s father isn’t resolved, will it destroy his life?
Only Time Will Tell is not particularly challenging or literary; it is good old-fashioned escapist fiction at its best, as some of my most beloved books seem to be. If you are going away this spring break, this is the perfect book to take on an airplane, in the car or just read on the beach.
I enjoyed reading it and was completely enthralled and captivated after the first few pages. I didn’t want to put it down. My plan as soon as I finished it was to head to the used bookstore in Bragg Creek to pick up number two: The Sins of the Father.
