"Be careful what you wish for" by Jeffrey Archer (The Clifton Chronicles#4)

From the book cover - 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.

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Background - The Clifton chronicles begin in year 1920, introducing us to Harry Clifton , his family , Old Jack , his schools and the friends he make in his initial years. It also introduces us to two generations of Barringtons , who all like Harry with exception of one Hugo Barrington who might be Harry's real father. And with this one doubt , Harry's whole life takes and unexpected turn at the end of the book. Set in the times of world war , this book not only engages the reader in this epic tale of the two families but also gives a glimpse into the life in those years.

The second volume is all about Harry and Emma Barrington who goes in the search of Harry Clifton and how she brings the father of her son back to his loved ones. This book had a lot of surprises in store as Emma and Giles chart their destinies in way none had expected. Hugo's sins haunt not just Harry , Emma and Giles , but also another innocent life gets involved. 

The third book opens to the day , the fate of Gile's inheritance and Emma's wedding to Harry is decided. Soon after , Harry returns to America to promote his latest novel, while his beloved Emma goes in search of the little girl who was found abandoned in her father's office on the night he was killed. But this book belongs more to Harry's son Sebestian Clifton. He influences not just Gile's election results but by end of the book, we find him turning the wheel of time to a moment that will change life of every single person associated to him.



My views - Be careful what you wish for is the fourth part of Archer's ambitious project that will span the lifetime of Cliftons and Barringtons and all that is in the mentioned era and the people around them. There is nothing much I can tell about the book plot without spoiling it for people who have not read it, but this book got me hooked to the series back again. The third book left me wanting for more and something more juicy to chew on. This book was all that and more. Frankly , what I loved most about this book is the new characters introduced -  Cedric Hardcastle & Robert Bingham. I totally adore both these men equally , maybe a little more than Seb too ! 

It was heartening to see Emma becoming the chairman of Barrington shipping firm and to see her do justice to her role. Jessica's tale made me very sad but it was lovely to see her inspiring strangers to fight for her. Over all the story has very few lose ends and I liked the way Archer has shaped the story as a fast paced thriller sort in this part. Leaving some incidents aside , it is mostly a power game between Don Pedro and every one who stands against him for benefit of our beloved families. This one is worth every hour i have sacrificed my sleep to finish it. But like every previous part , this book too ends at a cliffhanger. Though I am not a patient person and I thought I could finally be done with the series , I find myself a little sad that the next book is still an year away. 

Rating : 4/5


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