With over 40 years of writing experience, and a wealth of life experiences to boot, Jeffrey Archers has to be one of the most prolific published authors out there today.
It’s a tale as old as time. In fact, it’s close to probably being one of the oldest out there! Two souls intertwined, brought together and apart by the strings of fate.
William Lowell Kane is the son and inheritor of a great banking dynasty, while Abel Rosnovski is the son of poor Polish Immigrants. Both were born on the same day in 1906 and two worlds apart.
However, fate has decided that these two souls will be inseparable when they cross paths. But not necessarily for the better…
Pros
A phenomenally detailed story about bonds, upbringing, betrayed trust, and so much more!
Going into the second book in this saga, we find the children of the previous two protagonists, Florentyna Rosnovski and Richard Kane, in a blossoming relationship.
He wants to carve a path away from his father’s legacy, and she wants to be the first Female President.
But will an earth-shattering reveal destroy both of their dreams, when they are so close to achieving them?
Pros
A great tale showing parent-child relationships, and the nature of rivalries that span generations.
Cons
Many of the tedious aspects of political procedures are also in this book, and kind of make the core plot drag.
Florentyna Kane has finally done it. After years of sacrifice, she has finally become the first female President of the United States.
However, forces seek to dethrone her, even on her inauguration day.
The FBI discovers a conspiracy that threatens to kill the precedent in less than 7 days, and it’s up to Mark Andrews to figure it out. Before it is too late…
Pros
A tense conclusion to a gripping series!
Cons
This book is only somewhat connected to the previous two in the series.
Clifton Chronicle Series
Aside from the Kane and Abel series, Archer is also well-known for his Clifton Chronicles Series, a series of 7 books that bring to life the historical people and events of the early and mid-20th century, through the eyes of one family.
The best-selling starting book to the series, Only Time Will Tell, tells us the story of Harry Clifton as he grows up between World War 1 and 2.
Although a stroke of luck gives Harry a bright career ahead of him, the prospect of war on the horizon makes hopes for a better future, and answers about his father make all that seem all too far away.
Pros
A thorough exploration of the wrecked world left behind by the 1st World war, as well as one young boy’s attempts to navigate it.
Cons
The ending might feel a little awkward and out of place for some readers.
Threats to the Barrington Shipping Company, and the wedding of Harry and Emma’s adopted daughter turning sour, all conspire to rip the Clifton family apart in this intriguing sequel.
Pros
A cliffhanger ending that will leave you on the edge of your seat guessing!
Cons
The main plots, while interesting, do feel like they drag out a little too much.
With the HMS Buckingham being bombed at the hands of the IRA, Emma Clifton faces calls to resign, as her enemies close in around her to ruin her reputation.
Meanwhile, Harry Clifton is out to save a fellow author who has been imprisoned in the frozen wastes of Siberia. Even at the risk of his safety and life.
Pros
A two-part drama: One part political/corporate espionage against Emma Clifton, and one part Cold War prison break for Harry Clifton.
Cons
The fact that one family has stayed within the public eye in British life (outside the Royal family) might make this grounded tale a little difficult to believe!
Political intrigue and underhanded corporate tactics threaten to destroy the Clifton family and their friends, as Harry continues his determined quest to save his friend in Siberia.
Pros
Forbidden love and threats both within Britain and behind the Iron Curtain keep many elements fresh and fascinating.
Cons
The book does occasionally feel like a stop-gap between the previous book and the next, final book in the series.
As the Clifton Chronicles draw to a close, Harry reflects on his life as he writes his final noble, and the enemies of his family try one last time to destroy the Cliftons and Barringtons.
Pros
The contemplative mood of this book sets it apart from the dramatics and over-the-top action and intrigue from the previous books.
Cons
Some character arcs do not get satisfying endings.
Detective Warwick Series
With a writer whose talents and interests are as eclectic as Archer’s, is it any surprise that his detective genre work would also be exceptional?
William Warwick has always wanted to be a detective.
And one of his first cases on the Metropolitan Police force, discovering what happened to the Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean museum, is just the right case to get started with!
Pros
A great opening story to this recent series by Jeffrey Archer!
Cons
Some people might struggle to get behind William as a protagonist in this story.
With quite a few cases under his belt now, William Warwick has been promoted to Detective Sergeant.
However, he and his squad being reassigned to the drug squad means tangling with a few old faces that William would probably prefer staying in the past…
Pros
All the twists and turns that you could want from a great detective story.
Cons
Those twists, while great, do come at a pretty slow pace. It might be difficult to stay engaged for some readers.
Now a Detective Inspector, William Warwick is tasked with leading investigations of a very different nature: Corruption within the heart of the Met police force!
Pros
The introspective examination of both the characters and their roles makes for an interesting read.
Cons
This might not be the most gripping detective book for everyone.
Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick must contend with three cases that seem impossible to solve and yet are somehow intertwined with both each other and William’s past.
Pros
Watching the characters plan against their criminal targets is satisfying to see unfold.
Cons
A lot of time is spent reestablishing characters that long-time readers (the majority of this series’ audience) will already be familiar with.
Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick has his hands full, making sure that the Royal Protection Command squad is up to the task of defending the newly anointed Princess Diana.
Pros
This is an exciting book that keeps you reading at a breakneck pace!
Cons
The number of arcs unfolding in this book (i.e. a lot!) might leave some readers confused.
While not yet released, Traitors Gate looks to be yet another exciting addition to the series
Pros
The continuation of William and his family’s story as they creep closer and closer to the 21st century
Cons
It’s yet to be released!
Standalone Works
While Archer’s series are all great reads and commitments for long-time fans, some of his most outstanding work comes in the form of his many standalone novels.
4 men, from all walks of life, and all kinds of sacrifices, are pitted against each other as they all race for the same prize: The keys to Number 10 Downing Street.
Pros
Archer makes you understand the perspectives and motivations of each character, and why they all want to become Prime Minister.
Cons
The political intricacies that each character must go through might not be to everyone’s tastes.
What starts as Alan Scott opening a simple letter from his disgraced colonel father turns into a domino effect of consequences that have implications for not just him, but the entire free world as well!
Pros
This is a fantastic take on Cold War espionage that will keep the reader guessing at every twist!
Cons
While some of the twists are fascinating, there are many plot beats that fans of this genre will be able to recognize coming from a mile away.
In this 90s-era political thriller, 2 CIA agents must work against the clock to stop Saddam Hussein from stealing and destroying one of the greatest national treasures in American history.
Pros
The main characters are all written excellently and are all sympathetic in their way.
Cons
The then-current and modern political talking points and topics might need a little extra context for new readers picking this book up today.
CIA agent Connor Fitzgerald is just months from retirement when he finds that Helen Dexter, director of the CIA, is prepared to throw him under the bus if it secures her stranglehold on the agency.
All while a new hard-line Russian President threatens to reopen a conflict that was thought buried in the Cold War
Pros
A political thriller with tons of intriguing characterization, that hits just as hard today as it did back then.
Cons
For a writer with such a grasp on the grounded nature of his stories usually, some of the leaps in logic seem pretty far-fetched.
The courtroom drama, based on the legendary British Old Bailey, has to answer one simple question: Did Dr. Sherwood murder his wife?
This central question, and plenty more, will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Pros
The ending will leave you reeling and trying to process it, in the best way possible!
Cons
The question of where the fictional characters end, and the author (who was on trial for perverting the course of justice at this time) might raise some uncomfortable questions.
What happens when twin boys, born in the mid-1940s in Connecticut, are split and raised, worlds apart from one another?
As Archer shows us in Sons of Fortune, we see two tales that seem on completely different paths to each other, that can’t help but echo each other.
Pros
The two very different upbringings help demonstrate both the differences and similarities between each of them, as well as the whole nature vs. nurture philosophical argument.
A chance, and seemingly innocent encounter between Danny Cartwright, an East End Cockney, and Spencer Craig, an up-and-coming Barrister, and eventual lawyer, sees Danny put behind bars for 24 years for murder, thanks to an airtight testimony against him from Spencer.
Now, with only time and his thoughts with him, Danny spends his years behind bars plotting revenge.
Pros
Who doesn’t love a good revenge story?
Cons
A simple revenge story, drawn out to a full-length novel? It might be a little slow for readers at parts.
From ancient family heirlooms to modern Romance tales, Jeffrey Archer takes you through the whole breadth of human experience in A Quiver Full Of Arrows.
Pros
A set of globetrotting, history-spanning adventures, and stories, all compiled into a single collection!
Cons
There are a surprising amount of typos in this officially published work.
In what might seem like a collection of short stories about political intrigue and tense thrillers, Archer expertly spins a story of misdirection and intrigue.
Especially with the red herrings he lays out for the reader!
Pros
These small, anecdote-sized stories are perfect for easy reading!
Full of Archer’s classic misdirection and intrigue!
Cons
None of the stories have the room they need to breathe and fully explore their ideas, you know?
In this story that has yet to be republished on its own, Archer shows us a fascinating deep dive into the relationships between seemingly random strangers, all unified by their location, Critchley Bank.
Pros
Less than 20 pages long, this is an easy read for anyone to get through.
All the nuance and complexity that you would expect from Archer’s work.
Cons
This story is currently out of print. You’re going to struggle to find a new copy of this book.
British freeway slang aside, Archer gives us a gripping tale of a single mother trying to evade a dangerous van that’s eerily following her on the freeway!
Pros
The mundane nature of the danger in this book is what makes it so compelling!
Cons
The story was featured in older collections. If you already have it, there’s no need to buy it again.
A detective investigates an Italian Hillside town, a bubbly College student gets more than she bargained for in a hitchhike, And a pretentious schoolboy discovers the dark origins of his father’s wealth in this collection!
Pros
There is a thriller story here for pretty much every kind of taste!
Cons
Some of the endings to be short stories are predictable. If you’ve been reading Jeffrey Archer for long enough, you’ll know them when you see them.
Children’s Books
Jeffrey Archer doesn’t just write works for grown-ups. He has written quite a few children’s stories too!
What does this pen master’s style look like when made for kids?
The king and queen of Littleland host an amazing grand tournament in their Kingdom in this children’s tale!
Pros
Kings, Queens, and race cars. What more could a child ask for?
Cons
King Benefactor seems like a strange name for a beloved children’s character. Children’s satire isn’t our first thought when it comes to books for kids!
The short story that first appeared in Jeffrey Archer’s A Quiver Full of Arrows collection of short fiction returns as a fully illustrated children’s book!
Pros
Craigie Aitchison’s illustrations bring this charming story to life!
Cons
This is certifiably a kid’s book. This isn’t for adult fans of the original short story.
This first memoir of Archer’s sentence covers his first month in jail, during which he both shared his cell with a drug baron and a murderer, and his mother passed away.
Pros
A gripping tale of Archer’s early time in prison, and his retrospective thoughts on it.
Cons
While definitely fascinating and insightful, the hard truth of Archer’s words might be hard to discern from the embellishments and literary flourishes.
With the initial part of a sentence carried out, Archer was then moved into a medium-security facility.
This is an account of those 67 days he spent in HMP Wayland.
Pros
Archer’s account of this security prison, stretched thin by a broken system, and the accounts of his cellmates and fellow prisoners, are genuinely touching.
Cons
Given his previous position both as a politician and a celebrity, you are left wondering if Archer ever received preferential treatment during his time.
Judas Iscariot has practically become synonymous with the word ‘betrayal’ in Christian countries.
In his so far only non-fiction work, Jeffrey Archer doesn’t ask the ‘what’ or ‘how’, but the ‘why’ behind Christendom’s most famous backstabber.
Pros
This 100-page book is easy to read in maybe one or two settings at most.
Cons
Archer’s work, while drawing on biblical and scholarly knowledge, comes to a believable, but boring conclusion.
Closing Notes
As you can see, Jeffrey Archer’s career has been as full of incredible books as it has been startling controversies.
So, which of these books will you pick up first?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Works Has Jeffrey Archer Written?
While Jeffrey Archer has written 42 separate works officially, if we are counting every work that has been published, collections included, the total comes out at 55 throughout his entire career.
When Did Jeffrey Archer Go To Prison?
Jeffrey Archer was sentenced to 4 years in jail on August 9th, 2001. He was eventually released on license in July 2003
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
