English author Jeffrey Archer has sold more than 275 million copies of his books worldwide. Here, we’ve compiled some of the best Jeffrey Archer books.
While fans of Jeffrey Archer’s) books are most familiar with his fiction works, he’s also known for writing non-fiction and collecting short stories. Archer also has a storied political career. The former Mayor of London and Member of Parliament turned to writing in 1974 when he released his first book, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.
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Jeffrey Archer Best Books
To date, Archer has become one of the bestselling authors in the world. He’s published in 97 countries, and his work has been translated into over 33 languages. Archer is the only author to become a bestseller in non-fiction, fiction, and short stories.
1. Kane and Abel
In this 1979 thriller novel, Archer brings two unlikely foes together: William Lowell Kane, a Boston-born man set to inherit a fortune from his millionaire father, and Abel Rosnovski, a poor Polish-American immigrant. The two men share a birthday, but not much else.
[Kane and Abel](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1529060095? tag=work089-20)tell how Kane and Rosnovski have been brought together over 60 years, fighting against one another in an unlikely story of triumph and success. This book is the first in theKane and Abeltrilogy. Archer fans love seeing how Kane and Rosnovski will square up against each other every time they face.
2. Only Time Will Tell
This 2011 novel tells the story of Harry Clifton, a Bristol dock worker born in 1920. Fatherless, Clifton spends much of his time with his uncle on the docks but receives a surprising gift that provides him with the means to attend a private boys’ school. As a child, Clifton was told that his father died at war, but as he moves through life, issues arise that make him wonder if he’s been told the truth about his heritage.
The novel takes readers on a journey from Bristol to New York City. Archer’s attention to historical detail makes readers feel like they’re next to Clifton, along with the ride of discovering his family secrets.
3. The Sins of the Father
A follow-up novel to Only Time Will Tell, 2012’sThe Sins of the FathercontinuesThe Clifton Chroniclesas Clifton discovers where he truly comes from. This part of the series picks up just before World War II. Clifton joins the Navy in the midst of dealing with a broken heart.
A battle at sea provides Clifton with the chance to assume the identity of an American sailor, and he leaps at the chance. The Sins of the Fatherdetails Clifton’s attempt to fit into American society—despite lacking a way to prove his newly assumed identity.
4. Best Kept Secret
The third book in The Clifton Chronicles, 2013’s [Best Kept Secret](https://www.amazon.com/dp/125000098X? tag=work089-20), details the marriage of Harry Clifton and the longtime object of his affection, Elizabeth Barrington. Clifton is working as a writer while working with Barrington to raise their children while dealing with the intricacies of family relationships.
The story invokes the tales of Clifton’s past when he’s faced with bullies from his childhood and a fellow soldier who took credit for his brother-in-law’s heroic efforts during World War II. Readers love the novel’s 1960s setting and feel transported into times past.
5. Be Careful What You Wish For
This 2014 installment of The Clifton Chroniclesdelves into the story of Clifton’s in-laws and his children. The Barrington family’s shipping business is threatened, and Harry and Emma’s daughter falls in love while away at art school.
She gets engaged to Clive Bingham, and Clive’s mother imparts some difficult twists and turns into the Cliftons’ tight family unit. The family isn’t sure whether inviting a newcomer into their crew is smart. A new member of the board for Barrington’s firm wreaks havoc on the family.
6. Cometh the Hour
Cometh the Hour, released in 2016,provides all of the thrilling drama that Archer fans love—Clifton and crew find themselves dealing with potential espionage, bankruptcy, and a Siberian gulag (a mid-century labor camp).Cometh the Houris the second-to-last book inThe Clifton Chronicles**, and the novel sets readers up for a satisfying end to the Clifton family drama.
7. This Was a Man
The seventh and final novel in The Clifton Chronicles, 2016’s*This Was a Man, *opens with gunshots and keeps the energy and suspense high from beginning to end. Successful author Clifton is working on his masterpiece, while his wife gets a sudden, unexpected job offer from Margaret Thatcher. The family deals with their child’s expulsion from school, a chance to get rid of debt, and a complex medical diagnosis that rocks the family to its core.
Fans ofThe Clifton Chronicleswill love seeing where each family member finally lands.
8. Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less
Archer’s 1976 novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, describes the lives of four remarkably different Europeans who have all been tricked by the same criminal—Harvey Metcalfe. The furious quartet works together to get their money back—and nothing more, hence the book’s title. This revenge tale gives readers a detailed account of how an unlikely group of sudden friends can unite to work toward a common goal.
9. A Prisoner of Birth
In this 2008 novel, London residents Spencer Craig and Danny Cartwright unexpectedly cross paths. Cartwright, a mechanic, is blamed for a murder—and Craig, an attorney, is the primary witness. Cartwright is innocent, and while he spends years in prison, he plots his revenge.
Readers get to see the twists and turns of Cartwright’s plans, all while identifying the universal themes of frustration, deception, and hatred. If you want to discover the best authors in literary realism, You can also use our search bar to search for other best book authors in any genre you are interested in!
10. Shall We Tell the President
The final installment of the Kane and Abeltrilogy, 1977’sShall We Tell the Presidentis a politically-charged thriller that explores the twists and turns of American democracy. The book follows the story of Florentyna Kane, who has risen to power and become the first female president of the United States.
On the day Kane is to be sworn into office, her security team learns of an assassination threat. The informant and nearly everyone involved in the case are murdered within the hour. The one surviving member of the investigation team—Special Agent Mark Andrews—must work alone to save himself and the newly-appointed Madam President.
11. Sons of Fortune
Set in the mid-1900s in Connecticut, this 2002 Archer novel follows the lives of a set of twins who were purposefully separated at birth. Nat and his brother Fletcher live vastly different lives, with Nat living the standard American existence. At the same time, Fletcher enjoys his days as a member of high society, ready to inherit millions one day.
The brothers follow vastly different paths throughout life but eventually find themselves running against one another in a fight to run for governor. Archer uses his trademark twists and turns to keep readers engaged from page one until the tale’s end.
There’s no doubt about it—from A Matter of Honour toTwelve Red Herringsto*A Prisoner of Birth**, Archer creates political, high-society stories that constantly have an unexpected twist just around the bend. The author’s 150,000 five-star reviews on Amazon speak for themselves—Archer knows how to draw his readers in and keep them wanting more.
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