#BookReview : Cometh the Hour (The Clifton Chronicles #6) by Jeffrey Archer #ComethTheHour #HistoricalFiction #StMartinsPress

Cometh the Hour (The Clifton Chronicles #6) by Jeffrey Archer
Publication Date : February 16th 2016
Publisher : St. Martin’s Press
Genre : Historical Fiction
Pages : 404

Cometh the Hour opens with the reading of a suicide note, which has devastating consequences for Harry and Emma Clifton, Giles Barrington and Lady Virginia.

Giles must decide if he should withdraw from politics and try to rescue Karin, the woman he loves, from behind the Iron Curtain. But is Karin truly in love with him, or is she a spy?

Lady Virginia is facing bankruptcy, and can see no way out of her financial problems, until she is introduced to the hapless Cyrus T. Grant III from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who’s in England to see his horse run at Royal Ascot.

Sebastian Clifton is now the Chief Executive of Farthings Bank and a workaholic, whose personal life is thrown into disarray when he falls for Priya, a beautiful Indian girl. But her parents have already chosen the man she is going to marry. Meanwhile, Sebastian’s rivals Adrian Sloane and Desmond Mellor are still plotting to bring him and his chairman Hakim Bishara down, so they can take over Farthings.

Harry Clifton remains determined to get Anatoly Babakov released from a gulag in Siberia, following the international success of his acclaimed book, Uncle Joe. But then something unexpected happens that none of them could have anticipated.

Cometh the Hour is the penultimate book in the Clifton Chronicles and, like the five previous novels – which were all New York Times bestsellers – showcases Jeffrey Archer’s extraordinary storytelling with his trademark twists. 

Previous books I read in Series:

Book 1 Only Time Will Tell
Book 2 The Sins of the Father
Book 3 Best Kept Secret 
Book 4 Be Careful What You Wish For
Book 5 Mightier Than the Sword

Cometh the Hour, 6^th in The Clifton Chronicles series was interesting mix of historical fiction, politics and family drama that revolved around Cliftons and Barringtons’ life. Like all previous book this too was about good vs bad, morals and principles, good things happen to good people and enemies gets their comeuppance, family, love and drama.

First there was nothing wrong in the book but because of my mood or my itch to just finish the series asap made and other books taking priority over this and it took me way way long to finish this. That taught me to read last book when I’m ready to read it.

Writing was easy to read, addictive and flawless. It was told in third person narrative from Emma, Harry, Giles, Seb, Bishra, and Virginia’s perspective; started in 1970 from where the previous book ended with result of court case against Emma and ended in 1978. Being second last book of the series, lot of things were happening.

After long time we hear about Maisie in this book. She was old lady now and her days were coming close. I loved letter she wrote for Harry, Emma and Seb that gave them new inspiration.

Giles got break from politics for a while, rescued his love behind the Iron curtain and brought Karin to London but she really turned out spy for Russians. I was curious to see what Karin would do, if she would destroy Giles and British government or would fall in love with Giles. (pretty predictable but yet interesting to see the results) I have to admit he was hopeless romantic, and I liked how his career path diverted a little by being appointed as leader of lords and also supporting labour party. Things were okay with him in this book, in fact, smooth and he looked happy but I have feeling next book would be tough for him.

After the case Emma once again came back as chairman of Barrington shipping. Now, after Maisie’s death, she was not just chairman but had became governor of NHS hospital handling nursing department and had joined Tories backing Margret Thatcher as their manager. Phew, she was juggling many things at once and I liked how that didn’t affect her relationship with her family or with Giles. Author keep surprising me by making Emma’s character stronger with each book.

Virginia, after losing case, was facing bankruptcy. She needed to find a way to get money or say good-bye to posh extravagant life and clearly she didn’t intend to let go her life. Soon she saw opportunity when Cyrus T Grant, 28th richest man in America, visited London. Poor guy! This time Virginia was playing big and I was even surprised how far she went and how well planned every step was. I couldn’t believe she got away with all she did. But if you are familiar with author’s style, you must know in all books bad people get their comeuppance, so did Virginia.

Seb fell in love with Priya. He didn’t mind marrying a Hindu but it was different for Priya. She was sure her parents wouldn’t approve Seb being Christian, they were looking for a rightful Indian Hindu man whom she should marry. Her father was influential headstrong businessman who on knowing about her affair took her back to India. I liked the way author portrayed Hindu traditions, Indian ways and mentality during those times. Seb’s journey to India and his plan was impressive. The way it ended was shocking. I didn’t know what would happen next or if he would meet Sam and Jessica again. I enjoyed these chapters every chapters about him and part he played, be it as father, an executive director of bank, friend, son, and nephew.

Adrian Sloan and Desmond Muller had planned something big which would clear Bishra from their path that added tension in the book and soon Bishra got arrested.  It was interesting to read how Seb and Andrew would save him and image of bank, and stop Sloan and Desmond from ruining Bishra’s life. I liked Bishra’s attitude and nature during all these ordeals.

Harry published Anatoly Babakov’s book, Uncle Joe, with his publisher and friend Guinzberg that became international success and formed pressure on Russians to release Babakov. I doubted they would ever release him but that announcement of award heated things up.

I enjoyed conversations between characters. It felt natural and realistic. My favourite scene was court room session and testing of recordings with a little historical fact about Nixon president impeachment.

There were many twists and turns. Whenever I thought now nothing wrong would happen, something popped out of nowhere. Enemies were formidable but main characters were smart and fate backed them at right time.

Climax was shocking, tense and exciting all at same time. Harry’s speech was awesome, I even felt triumphant reading what happened to Virginia, Sloan, and Desmond, and Karin was in such complex situation. End was perfect and so was Epilogue.

Why 4 Stars-

Jessica never felt like 10 years old. She sounded like grown up 20 years old young lady. I even forgot she was just child until it was mentioned. It was a bit unrealistic. And that whole Virginia’s plan and Cyrus agreeing to deal was a little too much.

Overall,

Cometh The Hour was entertaining, dramatic and engaging historical fiction. Not best in series but I liked it.

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I hope you enjoyed this post and my review. Let me know in comments if you have read this book or any book by the same author. DO you ever feel impatient when you about to finish the long series and because of that you enjoyed last books in series a little less?

Happy Reading!

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