The Sins of the Father

Clifton Chronicles, Book 2

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Alex Jennings, Emilia Fox

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

On the heels of the international best seller Only Time Will Tell, Jeffrey Archer picks up the sweeping story of the Clifton Chronicles….

Only days before Britain declares war on Germany, Harry Clifton, hoping to escape the consequences of long-buried family secrets, and forced to accept that his desire to marry Emma Barrington will never be fulfilled, has joined the Merchant Navy. But his ship is sunk in the Atlantic by a German Uboat, drowning almost the entire crew. An American cruise liner, the SS Kansas Star, rescues a handful of sailors, among them Harry and the third officer, an American named Tom Bradshaw. When Bradshaw dies in the night, Harry seizes on the chance to escape his tangled past and assumes his identity.

But on landing in America, he quickly learns the mistake he has made, when he discovers what is awaiting Bradshaw in New York. Without any way of proving his true identity, Harry Clifton is now chained to a past that could be far worse than the one he had hoped to escape.

©2012 Jeffrey Archer (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Can';t Wait for the Next One!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book..........in fact when this one came out I went back and reread the first one before starting the second..........and was glad I did. The first one was just as enjoyable the second time around.

Do not understand all of the negative reviews from people who object to being left hanging at the end. The author stated from the start that this work was a series that would be produced over a period of years so if you don't like that format then don't buy the first one!!!

The reader was excellent...........there were just a few voices that grated on me (Alistair!) but for the most part they were delightful.

Highly recommend these books to anyone who likes this genre.

Good but not Archer's best

After reading three novels in a row by Charles Dickens I turned to Jeffrey Archer's second installment of the Clifton Chronicles. Therefore, my review may not do this book justice; after all, Dickens is in a galaxy of his own. "Sins..." is a good story that carries the reader along quickly through the trials and tribulations of Harry Clifton and Emma Barrington. However the story does not have the depth of the first book in this series which spreads across Europe and Russia.
Here is how book 2 differs from book 1, at least for me. When I finished "Only Time will Tell" I could not wait for the second in the series. I bought it as soon as it was available through Audible. Now when the third installment arrives, I will read the reviews, check it out so to speak and be more critical.
2 other points: (a) this book does not have an ending; it simply stops. In fact, if you read the "Sins of the Father" and not "Only Time will Tell", the story is much more difficult to follow, I assume. The author continually refers back to people and events in the first installment. (b) Whereas I believe the narrators do a good job telling the story, Emilia Fox does not do male characters very well. I like her female renditions and Jennings is fine for both sexes.
Now it is back to "The Old Curiosity Shop".

love this series but disappointed in ending

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I love Jeffrey Archer and I loved the first Clifton novel. I was disappointed in the ending although I know there will be 3 more books. I feel that we've been treated like this is the end of a tv series for the season and they left you with a cliffhanger. I believe there could have been a more autonomous ending that would just make the reader look forward to the next book. Ken Follett wrote Fall Of Giants and had a satisfying ending although there will be 2 more books.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I believe this was a lazy ending

What about Alex Jennings and Emilia Fox ’s performance did you like?

The performances were great. I felt the characters.

Very engaging trillogy

What did you love best about The Sins of the Father?

Engaging characters with a story that has a lot of twists and turns that takes place in an important period of our history. I also love the fact that good seems to always prevail in the end.

What other book might you compare The Sins of the Father to and why?

Glass Castle was actually a memroir instead of fiction. However, like Glass Castle the main character struggles against overwhelming odds & difficulties. It has you rooting for them to rise up and persevere in the end, which they do.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Emma confronted Jelks and won! Emma was an admirably strong woman. In real life she probably wouldn't have been able to accomplish what she did in a fictitious life. But that's what's great about fiction, it can be anything you want it to be.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried, chuckled and couldn't turn it off when I got to work. I would sit out in the parking lot and listen until I HAD to go in.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the final installment of The Clifton Chronicles.

Made me shout out loud!

Another gripping installment of the Clifton chronicles. I never talk out loud to my audio books but found myself doing so with this one as the plot twisted and turned. Once again I will be immediately be buying the next book so I can find out what happens next to Harry Clifton et al!

another great story

loved it ! couldn't put it down, leads beautifully to the next book in the series. I can't wait.

Ok, so I am hooked

I have changed my tune, this particular collection of historical fiction drew me in more than I cared to admit when I wrote the review of the first book in the series. The combination of interesting character and strong plot, with interesting twists and turns, has brought me back to buy the next book. I find I want to listen to the next installment as soon as I finish one.

Excellent "next step" in the Story!!

If you could sum up The Sins of the Father in three words, what would they be?

intriguing, good pace, great characters!

What did you like best about this story?

When Hugo was killed off!

What about Alex Jennings and Emilia Fox ’s performance did you like?

both captured the essence of the characters and it was esy to distiguish cahracter "voices"

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes but since it was the full monty did not have the time

Any additional comments?

CANT' WAIT FOR BOOK 3!!!!

homerun

Drawn into the story even deeper. Kudos to Emma and Great aunt Phyllis. Brilliant twists and turns. More, more!

A wonderful start to a wonderful series

I could not wait to get to book 2, then book 3, and headed for book 4. What more can I say?