Best Kept Secret

The Clifton Chronicles, Book 3

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Alex Jennings

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Archer, the Clifton Chronicles continues with Best Kept Secret.

1945, London. The vote in the House of Lords as to who should inherit the Barrington family fortune has ended in a tie. The Lord Chancellor's deciding vote will cast a long shadow on the lives of Harry Clifton and Giles Barrington. Harry returns to America to promote his latest novel, while his beloved Emma goes in search of the little girl who was found abandoned in her father's office on the night he was killed. When the general election is called, Giles Barrington has to defend his seat in the House of Commons and is horrified to discover who the Conservatives select to stand against him. But it is Sebastian Clifton, Harry and Emma's son, who ultimately influences his uncle's fate.

In 1957, Sebastian wins a scholarship to Cambridge, and a new generation of the Clifton family marches onto the page. But after Sebastian is expelled from school, he unwittingly becomes caught up in an international art fraud involving a Rodin statue that is worth far more than the sum it raises at auction. Does he become a millionaire? Does he go to Cambridge? Is his life in danger? Best Kept Secret, the third volume in Jeffrey Archer's bestselling series, will answer all these questions but, once again, pose so many more.

©2013 Jeffrey Archer (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Alex Jennings and Emilia Fox's dual narration captures a range of intriguing characters and a variety of English accents…the narrators' polished performance of the family's escapades keeps the listener engaged.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Archer's storytelling combines history, romance and intrigue, and the audiobook is outstandingly read by Alex Jennings and Emilia Fox.” —Inside Jersey

“[Archer's] well-drawn characters are outstandingly portrayed by readers Alex Jennings and Emilia Fox.” —The Star-Ledger

No way will I continue with the Clifton's

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes the ending. I WILL NOT PLAY THE GAME OF "Buy the next book and see if the train runs over Penelope"

Would you ever listen to anything by Jeffrey Archer again?

Love him as a writer, but will not read his series books. I should have read the reviews

Which character – as performed by Alex Jennings – was your favorite?

The son

Third book, not as good as #2.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you enjoyed the first two books, then - yes, read on...
However, I read the first book and did not like it. I was told by friends to read on, and try the second book. I did, and I loved it. I was hooked. I read the third and I feel let down again. However, as urged the first time to read on... I will try the fourth. Very soap opera like themed books.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jeffrey Archer? Why or why not?

I am going to read #4 in the series. I have been told by friends to read on... and since I liked the second in the series so much, I will try to read on and follow the book series. Its like a soap opera where some segments are good, and some are not, but you develop a fondness for the characters so you continue to watch, and find your self hooked. for good or bad, you hooked. I find this series to be very mush like that feeling.

Have you listened to any of Alex Jennings’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Always a great narrator.

Was Best Kept Secret worth the listening time?

If you like the first and second book, then yes it does fit in with the series nicely. the ending is cliff hanger.

Any additional comments?

The cliff hanger at the end is the only reason I will read the fourth in the series.

A real cliffhanger!

I'm going to HAVE to buy the next book. What an author! He has me constantly on the edge of my seat!

Compelling Yet Needed More Plot

I absolutely loved the first two books in The Clifton Chronicles. It was a fresh feel for Jeffrey Archer and the characters within the series were easy to connect with.

Now in the third book in the series, it’s starting to feel a bit long in the tooth. Archer is one of the finest authors out there and he makes a plot that is thin to begin with still interesting to read. However when you compare Best Kept Secret to the first two books it’s a sad step in the wrong direction.

Outside of the very last few chapters of the book there wasn't a ton of compelling reasons to keep on with the series. It’s unfortunate but I think this book may prove that Archer stretched out this series a little longer then it needed to be.

good series

As a huge Outlander fan, I have struggled finding other series that i enjoy, this series has been enjoyable and i am looking forward to book 4

What I say can be for the whole series !

The entire series was incredible. You should try to read them in order so you can follow the characters and “know where they’re coming from” everyone has a story and life. What this audio series has above the print version is the wonderful narration.

Enjoying this series!

I'm really enjoying this series. Great story telling and writing. I also enjoyed the performance, very easy for me to listen to and follow along. I'll be buying the next one in the series when I finish this review.

Slow starter but worth the wait

What did you love best about Best Kept Secret?

The central characters in the book mature and younger entirely plausible characters are introduced brilliantly.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely. Never quite sure where it was going to go next.

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

Seamless and engaging. Both very much reading to the Jeffrey Archer intent in the writing.

If you could take any character from Best Kept Secret out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The landlady of the guest house. Salt of the earth type who would sit and share a newspaper wrapped cod and chips.

Any additional comments?

Left hanging on the edge of a clifton. Can't wait for the next installment.

Not His Best, but Still a Good Read

OK, I just can’t help it … I thoroughly enjoy Jeffrey Archer. I have read all three books in this series, and they keep me entertained through each minute of series. Yes, some of the reviews indicated this book was a little slower than others, which is true, but with the job the narrators did, that didn’t make any difference to me. I can say that I was disappointed in the ending … just left you hanging and there were parts during the book that could have been better laid out. But all-in-all I think that Mr. Archer writes a book that keeps your attention, is always a good read and keeps you wanting more.

Couldn't listen some parts

Some parts were not possible to listen and about chapter 29 it didn't match exactly with the book. I used to read and listen the audio simultaneusly to practice my English. I'm Spanish speaker.