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

Excellent

Another really good story, very well read. On to the next story in book 4

horrible cliffhanger......

I am so glad I get to binge through to the next book. If I had to wait for the next one, I would have been incensed.

Plot and character development falls short

Like the previous writer. The plot lacks the depth of why the characters can fall I. Love with such a terrible person. And the child has talent but seems to get in to trouble without teally what is the best kept secret ?

Another Drop Off Ending

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

Sort of. I am hooked on the Clifton Chronicles, so I had to listen. Overall, it was worth a listen, but I was disappointed.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The last book left us at a cliff hanger and now this one does. In my opinion, a good series includes books that can stand alone and have merit, not require you to read the next to get the rest of the story. I would definitely change the ending. I also would have picked fewer characters and really did them justice rather than get so scattered.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Rodin sculpture is opened up.

Was Best Kept Secret worth the listening time?

This question is redundant with the first.... If you are a Clifton Chronicles fan, you get more of the story. It just wasn't as good as the first, and if you were frustrated with how Book 2 ended, you will be super frustrated with the end of this one.

Any additional comments?

I hope we don't have to wait as long for Book 4, but I also hope Mr. Archer doesn't get sloppy with this series.

Predictable

Enjoyable due to interesting characters. Will not be a book I will ever want to revisit, but fun while it lasted.

I'm Pi***d

I agree with other reviews, the deterioration of Jeffrey Archers integrity and writing is apparent. It started feeling more like a lame abridgment of an inferior effort.. The first book really hooked me and I enjoyed it. He is not a great writer but the story was good enough to carry the experience. And now I am a sucker for wanting to know what happens. I think it is a cheap shot to end it on a cliff hanger, so one has to use another credit to complete the installment. the quality of the writing and story may not be worth the credit. Adrian Mckinty's new book comes out tomorrow and that will trump this "soap opera".

Sit back and enjoy

It's always a treat watching the characters grow up. Even though they are pretty static, what they say and do is always entertaining. Of course, I'm such a fan of Archer and his ability to carry a story over decades.

Very disappointed.

Just not like his first two in this series. Lost interest in these characters. Will not read the rest.

Archer continues to amaze me !!

Jeffrey Archer continues to amaze me through his talent and the Intrigue in this chronicle!!. A must-read!!

Below Expectations

Each of Mr Archer’s books after Kane and Abel never seem meet the high standard he set for himself or my expectation.