The Clifton Chronicles

Only Time Will Tell was written by Jeffrey Archer in 2011.  It is the first of seven novels of the Clifton Chronicles.  I must be crazy to have gotten involved in reading the first one, but I did at the recommendation of a friend. (I still haven't finished the last book of the Outlander series!).  My intention was to only read this first of the chronicles and then return to my to-be-read piles.  However, after the surprise ending of the book, I ordered the second one right away...and that is how the whole seven series went!  I ended up reading all of them.  Thankfully, while they appear to be quite large books, they are very easy and quick to read.  I hadn't read anything by Jeffrey Archer for over 30 years.  I think I may have been missing out.  The characters are very well developed and the writing is compelling. 

As I said the Chronicles begins with Only Time Will Tell.  It is the story of Harry Clifton, born to a widow, who worked as a waitress to make ends meet in England.  The book begins with a Prelude told by Harry's mother, Maisie, dated 1919.  The first chapter of the book begins with:

"I was told that my father was killed in the war." 

Harry had been told that his father was killed in the war and so he and his mother lived with his grandparents and his Uncle Stan.  Harry attended a private boarding school after he had earned a choral scholarship.  There he met Giles Barrington and they became best friends.  As Harry got older, he learned how his father had really died and realized that he may be the son of Giles' father.
By the end of the first book it was 1940.  Harry had been studying at Oxford and decided he would join the navy and return to Oxford after the war ended.

The Chronicles go on to tell the stories of various characters, all surrounding Harry, his family and friends.  Each section of the books is narrated by one of the characters.  The story goes on until 1992.

I was surprised at how well the author threaded in all the history of the times into the books.  So, readers, be warned, each book of the Chronicles ends with a cliff-hangar, that leaves you wanting more!