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Jennifer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great imagination
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
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I do like the plot although at times I find it all a little far fetched. Never the less the story certainly has held my concentration and Jeffrey Archer is certainly a master of the craft of story telling. Each book leaves you with a cliff hanger ending so that you are compelled to read the next installment in this story.
I have read a few of Jeffrey Archer's other books which of course include his master novel, Kane and Abel followed by The Prodigal Daughter. This series is similar in that it also takes place through a number of years, starting before the first world war and moving through the 2nd world war. It takes place in England and also New York. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good story.
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Melodie Bennett
4.0 out of 5 stars Sins of the Father
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2016
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This is the second of the Clifton Chronicles series. We catch up with Harry Clifton as he disembarks the Kansas Star in America,only to be promptly arrested for murder.He had assumed the identity of Tom Bradshaw, a Navy officer who perished in the U-Boat attack. And now he's in a mess.
Meanwhile Emma Barrington, Harry's love and mother to his son, has embarked on a quest to find out what happened to Harry. Her quest leads her to the States,where she finds she is truly out of her element as she wends her way through the brash new world that is New York City.
Confused? Well, you need to read the first book in the series, Only Time Will Tell. This is not a stand alone book. You need the background or you will be lost through most of the book.
Lord Archer's attention to detail is a double edged sword. While I appreciate the details that help me understand the ins and out of English society, the droning on and on about who was going to inherit the family title in the last pages made me do some serious skimming. I know he was setting up for the big finish/cliffhanger, but he almost lost me.
I did appreciate the humor in Emma's experiences in NYC.The colloquial and societal differences made for some much needed humor in a tense but drawn out situation, as she tries to find out what happened to Harry.
I look forward to continuing the series. Jeffrey Archer is a master at bringing history to life.
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linda galella
TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, just great!
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2019
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“The Sins of the Father” is book 2 in the Clifton Chronicles series by Jeffrey Archer. I’m not sure how I rated book 1 but this volume is definitely better as it expounds on the groundwork laid out in the opening. The characters have grown up and are well on their way to solidifying the foundation for this magnificent saga.

Archer moves the action to Manhattan for a good portion of the story and introduces a new branch of the family. Harry spends time in prison, learns a new craft that will become his new vocation and the pursuit to unravel the family secrets continues on both sides of the pond.

The writing and editing are simply genius. You’ll be drawn in and held captive from page 1 right up to the frustrating, out loud cliffhanger. Yup, there’s one at the end of each and every volume but you won’t care; really, you won’t. This stuff is so good, you’d be going on to the next book anyway, so shake off your usual refusals and just get on with reading this excellent adventure in family foibles 📚
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James Field
VINE VOICE
3.0 out of 5 stars Distracting ploy
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2020
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Number two in the Harry Clifton saga, and I'm not so happy as in the first. Mr Archer has the annoying habit of keeping the reader in the dark. All the characters in his story know what is happening with each twist in the plot, but the reader is left to guess. This might be a trick to keep the reader reading, but when used as a constant ploy I find it distracting. IMH opinion, it is the reader who should know what is happening and follow with bated breath to see how the characters react.
Apart from that, no grumbles.
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Amazmon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this Series
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
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I loved reading the Clifton Chronicles series of books. The story follows a family that includes a successful writer of fiction, an influential politician, and a leading lady of industry. I read through the series in a short time. The characters became very real to me. The villains were of both genders. The banking industry in England was throughly explored. The shipyards were a big part of the plots. The books flowed easily and I was so disappointed when they ended. I am an avid reader. This series is one of my favorites!
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Pushing 70
5.0 out of 5 stars No two ways about it...I'm hooked!
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2016
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As with the first book, this ended with a cliffhanger that unless you hated the plot, you're compelled to immediately download the next book. I was hesitant this time because of some negative reviews of book three. Nonetheless book two is great, with the main characters remaining fascinating and their lives continuing to move forward intertwined with each other in the backdrop of World War II. I doubt this is a stand alone book but that doesn't diminish the story. With the monster storm predicted for the East Coast this weekend I know for sure I've got a great saga to continue with while sitting in front of the fire!
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jane navarre
4.0 out of 5 stars The Sins of the Father (Clifton Chronicles Book 2)
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2017
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Mr. Archer ended this Book with another CLIFF HANGER! Throughout this book we followed the lives of Giles and Harry. As well as Maisie who is Harry's mother. And Emma who is Giles sister and Harry's true love also the Mother of Sebastian, Harry's Child. Confused you ? Oh yes it gets pretty tangled. Throw in several more characters and soon you need a pedigree chart to determine who is who. Like who really is Harry's father as both candidates are now deceased. The title Sins of the Father aptly describe the plot and substance of Book 2. But we are still left Not Knowing who or how this tangled web will play out. We have no choice but to read Book 3.......
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Top reviews from other countries

Vanessa
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of twists and turns
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2021
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'The Sins of the Father' is the second book in the Clifton Chronicles series. If you have not read the first book 'Only Time Will Tell', then I think you will not fully appreciate this novel as it focuses on what happens to a number of the central characters who featured in 'Only Time Will Tell'. Furthermore, the plot not only picks up with the cliff hanger that ended the first novel, it also ends with a cliff hanger that will leave you wanting to read the next book in the series (or extremely frustrated if this form of story ending annoys you). Normally I am very critical of ending novels on a cliff-hanger as I much prefer novels that are self-contained. However, in this case I make an exception as the plot (to date) really immerses you with the ramifications of events & decisions made by the central characters whose lives are so intertwined.
The Sins of the Father features what happens to Harry Clifton, Giles Barrington (Harry's boyhood chum), Emma Barrington (Giles' sister & Harry's lover), Hugo Barrington (Emma & Giles father) & Maisie Clifton (Harry's mother), during World War II. With each twist and turn in the plot, their lives become more complex and fraught with challenges. Jeffrey Archer's writing certainly keeps us turning the pages to find out what happens next to each of these characters.
So, provided you are not put off by such sagas, this is a really great story, but I am just a little apprehensive about whether the remaining five volumes will hold my interest as much as these first two have done ... only time will tell.
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J Bannion
5.0 out of 5 stars The saga continues
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2017
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This is the second book in the Clifton Chronicles, in every way just as good as the first one. Harry Clifton is imprisoned in New York for a murder he didn't commit, but refuses to reveal his real identity in a bid to allow Emma to forget him and find happiness with somebody else. But Emma is a beautiful, strong and determined woman who soon begins to suspect that the man she loves may still be alive. So begins the second part of the Clifton saga, from the skyscrapers of New York to the backstreets of Bristol and to the German front during World War II. Will the friendships, loves and loyalties survive the test of time and the horrors of war? Jeffrey Archer has written a solid follow up to Only Time Will Tell, I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
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P. Mcdonald
3.0 out of 5 stars Like her, he is a very good story teller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2018
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Jeffrey Archer writes books that are very much in the style of the late Catherine Cookson. Like her, he is a very good story teller, but this is not great literature. I feel this series is like a soap opera on TV . Most of the story lines are completely implausible, but you feel compelled to continue reading. I enjoyed reading this book until I got to the last paragraph. The books ends on a cliff hanger, requiring you to buy the next in the series. I think that is cheating the reader, and I personally will not be reading the rest of the series.
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Paul S
5.0 out of 5 stars World War II provides lots of twists & turns for the Cliftons & Barringtons in this on-going saga
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2019
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'The Sins of the Father' is the second book in the Clifton Chronicles series. If you have not read the first book 'Only Time Will Tell', then I think you will not fully appreciate this novel as it focuses on what happens to a number of the central characters who featured in 'Only Time Will Tell'. Furthermore, the plot not only picks up with the cliff hanger that ended the first novel, it also ends with a cliff hanger that will leave you wanting to read the next book in the series (or extremely frustrated if this form of story ending annoys you). Normally I am very critical of ending novels on a cliff-hanger as I much prefer novels that are self-contained. However, in this case I make an exception as the plot (to date) really immerses you with the ramifications of events & decisions made by the central characters whose lives are so intertwined.
The Sins of the Father features what happens to Harry Clifton, Giles Barrington (Harry's boyhood chum), Emma Barrington (Giles' sister & Harry's lover), Hugo Barrington (Emma & Giles father) & Maisie Clifton (Harry's mother), during World War II. With each twist and turn in the plot, their lives become more complex and fraught with challenges. Jeffrey Archer's writing certainly keeps us turning the pages to find out what happens next to each of these characters.
So, provided you are not put off by such sagas, this is a really great story, but I am just a little apprehensive about whether the remaining five volumes will hold my interest as much as these first two have done ... only time will tell.
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Scarygirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loving this family saga.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2018
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Absolutely loving this family saga. This book focuses on Harry and Emma and how, when you truly love someone, you will go to the ends of the earth to find them.
Harry, presumed dead after the sinking of the ship he was sailing to America on, assumes the identity of a dead US comrade, all to free Emma from her obligation to him (I won't tell you what, as it will spoil the story). Unbeknownst to him, the person he is now pretending to be, is wanted for murder and desertion, and poor Harry ends up in a US prison. Needless to say, no one believes he is Harry Clifton.
Emma, in true Barrington stubbornness, refuses to believe he is dead and seeks the help of her Aunt to find him. Sometimes, if I'm honest, it seems a little too convenient that she is able to gain access to all these high ranking people to enable her to find Harry, but it doesn't detract from a great story.
Whilst in prison, Harry starts to write diaries of his time leading up to and including his incarceration. These end up being published....sound familiar ;-).
I am now halfway through the next one, as well as reading a book for my book club. Needless to say, I don't want to read the book for my book club!!
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