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Only Time Will Tell cover art

Only Time Will Tell

By: Jeffrey Archer
Narrated by: Roger Allam, Emilia Fox
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Publisher's Summary

Ambitious and addictive, Only Time Will Tell is the first novel in Jeffrey Archer’s The Clifton Chronicles, beginning the epic tale of Harry Clifton, a working-class boy from the docks of Bristol. Read by Emilia Fox, known for her role in Silent Witness, and Roger Allam.

It is 1920, and against the backdrop of a world ravaged by conflict, Harry’s story begins with the words ‘I was told that my father was killed in the war’. Harry’s existence is defined by the death of his father and he seems destined to a life on the docks until a remarkable gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys school and entry into a world he could never have envisaged.

Over the course of twenty years, as the Second World War and the fight against Hitler draws nearer, Harry will learn the awful truth about his father’s death and of his own connections to a powerful shipping family, the Barringtons. And in doing so, he will change his destiny forever . . .

Richly imagined and populated with remarkable characters, The Clifton Chronicles will take you on a powerful journey, bringing to life one hundred years of family history in a story neither you, nor Harry, could ever have dreamt of.

Continue the bestselling series with The Sins of the Father and Best Kept Secret.

©2011 Jeffrey Archer (P)2011 Macmillan Publishers

What listeners say about Only Time Will Tell

Average Customer Ratings
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Want a great story that really hooks you?

If you could sum up Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, all the characters, the storyline, the narrator just a great read had me listening 100% - happily enjoying the story and all of a sudden it finishes at a gripping part - have to quickly download part 2!!

What did you like best about this story?

How you get to know the characters & start to have real empathy for them

Have you listened to any of Roger Allam and Emilia Fox ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I havent' but certainly excellent work

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Quite a few

Any additional comments?

Must read

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Second Half of the Story goes Downhill Fast

The fist half of the book is really good. The story flows and it's well written and interesting. The second half bombs, it's as though someone else wrote it. The book went downhill after the tea shop burnt down. The story turns into rubbish and is very boring, predictable and a lot of the time necessary events happen. The storyline is repeated over from different characters perspectives and soon gets repetative. It is predictable in most parts then veers off to a random and very unnecessary event right at the end. The opportunity to evolve the characters and storyline fails miserably. For example the way Harry's father died is silly and boring and very disappointing. I literally fell asleep. Disappointing considering the good start to this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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must read

the narration is awesome, great storyline. interesting twists and different characters speaking in the story.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Kim
  • 30-08-2016

Really enjoyed the story

Loved it. So much in the book, like the characters. Looking forward to volume 2

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    5 out of 5 stars
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want to keep listening

great story telling and interesting to see the view point of the various characters. have to get the next book withou delay.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Must to Read

Could not put it down. Great story line right from the start & beautifully narrated by Roger Allam & Emilia Fox. Would recommend this book .

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    5 out of 5 stars
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READ THIS BOOK SERIES!!!

I started reading this book series as from a recommendation, from my Dad... Hey I thought at least we will have something to talk about... I was so engrossed by this novel that I bought all the currently available books in the series and listened to them back to back... AMAZING!!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listening

loved it and very engaging can't wait to start next book in the series

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

I loved this book. the story was so griping. I first found it a few years ago as a free book. After losing my password I couldn't get on for a long time, but this book has always been on my mind and I'm so happy I'll be able to continue along with the story.

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Excellent.....but

I loved this book so much....but...the last few chapters were very tiresome. I could see no sense at all for the storyline...and just kept saying to myself "really? really?" and it was sadly just too familiar to the storyline in JA's "A Prisoner of Birth". I am going to purchase Book 2 but I really hope it picks up.

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