Book Review: Only Time Will Tell, Clifton Chronicles Book 1 by Jeffrey Archer

Only Time Will Tell is the first instalment in Jeffrey Archer’s sweeping Clifton Chronicles—a series that promises drama, intrigue, and heart in equal measure. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War II England, this novel introduces us to Harry Clifton, a boy from the docks of Bristol whose remarkable gift for storytelling propels him far beyond the boundaries of his working-class roots.

From the very first chapter, we’re drawn into Harry’s world—a world of hardship, hope, and quiet resilience. Raised by his devoted mother, Maisie, Harry’s future seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his late father, who died under suspicious circumstances. But fate—and a few generous benefactors—intervene, offering Harry an education and a glimpse into a life he never thought possible.

Maisie Clifton is, without doubt, one of the emotional anchors of the story. Her sacrifices and unwavering belief in Harry's potential are deeply moving. Then there’s Giles Barrington, Harry’s best friend and the heir to the prestigious Barrington Shipping Line. Their unlikely friendship bridges the stark class divide between them and becomes one of the most heartwarming aspects of the novel. In sharp contrast stands Giles’s father, Hugo Barrington—a man cloaked in power and secrecy. He’ll stop at nothing to keep Harry from uncovering the truth about his past, and it’s his manipulations that fuel much of the novel’s tension.

One of Archer’s storytelling strengths lies in his use of multiple perspectives. Each chapter is told through the eyes of a different character, offering us a panoramic view of the story’s unfolding drama. It’s a technique that works brilliantly here, allowing us to slip into the minds and hearts of not just Harry, but also Maisie, Hugo, Giles, and others, making the narrative richer and more emotionally layered.

The historical setting is brought to life with vivid detail—from the economic challenges of the 1920s and ’30s to the growing unrest in Europe. Archer captures the social mores and class struggles of the era with a keen eye, immersing readers in a time of great change and uncertainty.

That said, not everything hits the mark. While most characters are wonderfully fleshed out, a few of the secondary players feel a bit flat. Hugo Barrington, for instance, veers dangerously close to caricature at times—more of a pantomime villain than a fully realised adversary. And be warned: the novel ends on a rather dramatic cliffhanger. It's the sort of ending that will leave you both breathless and mildly exasperated, as so many questions are left hanging in the air.

Still, Only Time Will Tell is a compelling beginning to what promises to be a richly woven family saga. Archer’s trademark storytelling—full of twists, secrets, and emotional punch—makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read. If you love historical fiction with a strong emotional core, complex characters, and just a hint of scandal, you’ll likely find yourself eagerly reaching for book two.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the internationally bestselling author of Kane and Abel and A Prisoner of Birth comes Only Time Will Tell, the first in an ambitious new series that tells the story of one family across generations, across oceans, from heartbreak to triumph.

The epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life begins in 1920, with the words “I was told that my father was killed in the war.” A dock worker in Bristol, Harry never knew his father, but he learns about life on the docks from his uncle, who expects Harry to join him at the shipyard once he’s left school. But then an unexpected gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys’ school, and his life will never be the same again.

As he enters into adulthood, Harry finally learns how his father really died, but the awful truth only leads him to question, was he even his father? Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a stevedore who spent his whole life on the docks, or the firstborn son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns a shipping line?

This introductory novel in Archer’s ambitious series The Clifton Chronicles includes a cast of colorful characters and takes us from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War, when Harry must decide whether to take up a place at Oxford or join the navy and go to war with Hitler’s Germany. From the docks of working-class England to the bustling streets of 1940 New York City, Only Time Will Tell takes readers on a journey through to future volumes, which will bring to life one hundred years of recent history to reveal a family story that neither the reader nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR | WEBSITE

Jeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.

He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).

Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.

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