Book Review by Camille: Be Careful What You Wish For (Clifton Chronicles) by Jeffrey Archer
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Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
PLOT OVERVIEW
Be Careful What You Wish For, the fourth book in Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles series delivers a thrilling continuation of the Clifton and Barrington saga.
Set against the backdrop of mid-20th century England, this family drama is steeped in intrigue, rivalry, and power struggles as Archer expertly weaves together the lives of two intertwined families.
The story picks up right after the cliffhanger from Best Kept Secret, with Harry Clifton and Emma Barrington-Clifton once again thrust into the complexities of family loyalties and corporate warfare.
The novel covers the period between 1957 and 1964, as the Barrington Shipping Company faces a hostile takeover bid from the ruthless Alex Fisher and Lady Virginia Fenwick, one of the most conniving characters in the series.
STRENGTHS
Emma, now chairwoman of the company, fights not only to protect Barrington Shipping but also to secure a prosperous future for her son, Sebastian, who is gradually stepping into the business world.
Meanwhile, Harry continues his successful writing career while serving as president of English PEN, advocating for a Russian writer's release from a Siberian prison.
Sebastian's storyline, however, steals much of the limelight in this instalment. From his near-death experience in a car accident to his romantic entanglements, Sebastian’s growth from a reckless young man to a shrewd businessman is one of the most compelling arcs in the series.
His relationships with his family and his enemies evolve as he navigates the pressures of inheriting his parents' legacy, both in business and personal affairs.
The political intrigue, corporate betrayals, and courtroom battles are once again at the forefront of the story.
Just when you think the Cliftons and Barringtons have emerged victorious, Archer throws in a shocking twist that leaves you hanging, ready for the next installment.
CHARACTERS
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its character development. By book four, the key players have grown so much, but there is still plenty of room for further evolution.
Emma Clifton continues to be a force of nature, navigating her roles as a mother, business leader, and wife with grace and resilience. Harry Clifton, though somewhat sidelined in this book, remains the moral compass of the series.
Sebastian Clifton's journey from a rebellious young man into a responsible figure in the family business is brilliantly handled. His maturity, coupled with his ability to play corporate chess with the best of them, makes him a formidable presence moving forward in the series.
Lady Virginia Fenwick is as despicable as ever, and Archer's ability to create such a deliciously evil character is one of the highlights of the series. Her underhanded dealings and relentless pursuit of wealth at the expense of others make her a worthy adversary.
WRITING STYLE
Archer’s signature storytelling—fast-paced, filled with twists, and ever-engaging—shines through in Be Careful What You Wish For. The way he juggles multiple plotlines and characters without losing the reader is masterful. His knack for ending chapters with cliffhangers keeps you glued to the page, eager to see how the next plot twist unfolds. The historical context adds an extra layer of depth, as Archer brings the politics and social issues of the time into the narrative without overshadowing the personal and familial conflicts that drive the story.
THEMES
The novel touches on themes of ambition, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of one's choices. As the title suggests, Archer reminds readers that the pursuit of power and wealth often comes at a cost, and sometimes, what we desire most can lead to our downfall.
Family ties, both those of blood and chosen bonds, are explored in complex ways, with the Cliftons and Barringtons constantly forced to question where their true loyalties lie.
Be Careful What You Wish For is a gripping continuation of the Clifton Chronicles, filled with rich character development, unexpected twists, and high-stakes drama. Archer keeps readers on their toes, and the ending will leave you eager for the next book in the series.
If you’ve followed the Clifton family this far, this instalment will not disappoint. And if you’re new to the series, it’s worth starting from the beginning to fully appreciate the intricate tapestry of characters and storylines that Archer has crafted. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, family sagas, and multi-generational tales of ambition and legacy.
Bestselling author Jeffrey Archer's Be Careful What You Wish For opens with Harry Clifton and his wife Emma rushing to hospital to learn the fate of their son Sebastian, who has been involved in a fatal car accident. But who died, Sebastian or his best friend Bruno?
When Ross Buchanan is forced to resign as chairman of the Barrington Shipping Company, Emma Clifton wants to replace him. But Don Pedro Martinez intends to install his puppet, the egregious Major Alex Fisher, in order to destroy the Barrington family firm just as the company plans to build its new luxury liner, the MV Buckingham.
Back in London, Harry and Emma's adopted daughter wins a scholarship to the Slade Academy of Art where she falls in love with a fellow student, Clive Bingham, who asks her to marry him. Both families are delighted until Priscilla Bingham, Jessica's future mother-in-law, has a visit from an old friend, Lady Virginia Fenwick, who drops her particular brand of poison into the wedding chalice.
Then, without warning, Cedric Hardcastle, a bluff Yorkshireman who no one has come across before, takes his place on the board of Barringtons. This causes an upheaval that none of them could have anticipated, and will change the lives of every member of the Clifton and Barrington families. Hardcastle's first decision is who to support to become the next chairman of the board: Emma Clifton or Major Alex Fisher? And with that decision, the story takes yet another twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Be Careful What You Wish For showcases the master storyteller's talent as never before – when the Clifton and Barrington families march forward into the sixties, in this epic tale of love, revenge, ambition and betrayal.
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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