Only Time Will Tell

by Jeffrey Archer (Macmillan) ISBN: 978-0-230-74822-4

This latest offering by Jeffrey Archer will not disappoint fans. It has his trademark build up and then a twist (or two) at the end of the story. This master storyteller continues to weave his magic with Only Time Will Tell, the first book of the Clifton Chronicles.
The story builds the character of Harry Clifton, through the stories of other people who enter his life. The first influential person to enter Harry’s life is Old Jack Tar who lives in a caravan at the docks. He is one of those ‘invisible’ people and Archer pens this character to perfection.
Things happen at the dock and Old Jack Tar is the person who sees and hears things. He shows readers that looks can be deceptive. He harbours a secret that will have a profound effect on Harry’s life.
Archer gives glimpses of this secret throughout the book but does not allow the reader to get too close to the truth.
Harry’s mother, Maisie, comes from the wrong side of the docks. Her husband died in the war, or so Harry believes. There is a question mark around Harry’s paternity and Archer plays a cat-and-mouse game to taunt the reader until the very last page.
The book is a page-turner until the last gut punch twist at the end. A treat for Archer fans.
 
Ulrike Hill
5/5