Volume two starts off as Volume One ended, our hero ‘Harry Clifton’ being arrested at the dockside in New York. No doubt thinking that it might have been a bad idea to swap identities with a fellow sailor.

The first Chapter takes us through Harry’s story from 1939 till 1941, at times not quite as logical to understand as one would have hoped. (methinks some of Mr Archers prison memories were brought into play here). But none the less it made interesting reading.

From there we have Emma Barrington’s story through the same time frame. Followed quickly by that of Giles Barrington, Harry’s best friend. So on the story goes, mixing up the characters but, always following the same time line.

As we progress we learn how all the people involved are experiencing the beginnings of WW2, how they cope, how they try to come to terms with the situation they find themselves in. The Big question that is always in the mind of the characters is, are Harry and Emma actually half brother and half sister ? What of Emma and Harry’s baby son ? The author takes is on a trip that has one wondering, changing ones mind and then thinking again. Brilliant story telling.

At least I was spared the task of criticising the author regarding our hero joining the Royal Navy from the quayside. He goes in a totally different direction. I will admit that there is one part of the story which becomes a bit incredulous. The capture of a German Armoured Corps, including hoodwinking a Field Marshall, by two men in a jeep, is to say the least, stretching the credibility a bit too far. ( I trust that this is just an imaginative bit of writing, and not actually based on a true story !)

I had hoped for more action by Harry during the war, which he eventually took part in. Maybe Volume Three will, in retrospect, correct this. There are lots of twists and turns, as one can expect from Jeffrey Archer, plenty of death and destruction, dirty deeds and scandal. All in a good days work.

I was kept interested all the way through to the inevitable cliff hanger of an ending. Now I must wait for Volume three to find out the outcome of the plots. I look forward to reading it. As a fast paced tale this book is a page turner.

I give the book 3 mushroom heads

A review by ‘Granny’.


THE SINS OF THE FATHER. Volume two of the CLIFTON CHRONICLES. By JEFFREY ARCHER. Published by MacMillan

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