Jeffrey Archer (2013)
Genre
Fiction
Reading Time
12 Minutes
Key Themes
See below
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A tied vote in the House of Lords starts a series of life-changing events for the Clifton family, from political battles and transatlantic journeys to young Sebastian's involvement in a dangerous international art fraud.
The novel opens with the verdict in the House of Lords regarding the Barrington family fortune. The vote between Lady Virginia Fenwick and Giles Barrington ends in a tie, forcing the Lord Chancellor to cast the deciding vote. To Emma and Giles's dismay, the Lord Chancellor rules for Lady Virginia, swayed by her husband's connections and a manipulation of the legal system. This decision crushes Giles's hopes of inheriting the estate and his family home, leaving him and Emma to face their financial limits and Lady Virginia's ongoing schemes. The verdict sets a somber tone, showing the influence of class and power.
After the inheritance verdict, Harry Clifton goes on a promotional tour for his novel, 'The Best Kept Secret,' in America, leaving Emma to deal with the aftermath. While Harry is away, Emma focuses on a personal mission: finding the little girl found abandoned in her father, Hugo Barrington's, office the night he was murdered. She feels a deep responsibility to uncover the truth about her father's death. Her investigation leads her down unexpected paths, hinting at a larger conspiracy and further entangling the Clifton and Barrington families in secrets and past traumas. Her determination shows her resilience and moral compass.
A General Election is called, and Giles Barrington, now a Labour MP, prepares to defend his seat. His political career, though hard, gives him purpose after losing the family fortune. However, he is horrified to learn that the Conservative party has chosen Lady Virginia Fenwick, his sister-in-law and the inheritance beneficiary, to run against him. This sets up a bitter and deeply personal political fight, where family animosities enter the public arena. Giles must campaign on policy and also deal with Virginia's ruthless tactics and the public's view of their family feud, making his re-election a difficult prospect.
Sebastian Clifton, Harry and Emma's son, is a main character, showing intelligence and a sharp mind from a young age. He excels in his studies, aiming for a scholarship to Cambridge University. Sebastian's ambition and intellect are like his parents', but he also wants to make his own mark. His early successes hint at his future and his eventual involvement in complex situations. His development marks a generational shift in the saga, bringing new perspectives and challenges for the Clifton family.
During the heated General Election campaign between Giles and Lady Virginia, Sebastian Clifton, still a young boy, plays a key role without knowing it. Through his curiosity and observations, Sebastian finds a piece of information that could impact the election's outcome. This discovery, though accidental, allows Giles to expose some of Lady Virginia's unethical campaign tactics, changing public opinion. Sebastian's actions, though innocent, show his early intelligence and his ability to influence his family members' lives. His contribution proves decisive in the close political battle.
By 1957, Sebastian Clifton's hard work and intellect earn him a scholarship to Cambridge University. This achievement makes his parents, Harry and Emma, very proud and is a major point in his life. Cambridge means academic excellence and entry into a world of intellectual pursuits and new opportunities. This success sets him on a promising future, different from his family's political and literary paths. His acceptance into Cambridge marks the start of a new chapter, promising intellectual growth and a chance at a distinguished career.
Sebastian's time at Cambridge ends suddenly when he is unfairly expelled, a setback that could ruin his future. The reasons for his expulsion are unclear, suggesting foul play or a misunderstanding. After this devastating event, Sebastian becomes involved in an international art fraud scheme. This plot involves a valuable Rodin statue, auctioned for much less than its true worth, suggesting a deliberate manipulation of the market. Sebastian finds himself caught between dishonest characters, navigating a dangerous world of deceit and high stakes. His expulsion and involvement in the fraud test his character and resourcefulness.
As Sebastian learns more about the art fraud, he discovers that the Rodin statue is worth much more than its auction price. This difference points to a scheme to undervalue the artwork for illegal gains, likely involving tax evasion or money laundering. Sebastian's investigation uncovers the statue's true history and market value, revealing the fraud's extent. His sharp mind and growing understanding of the art world help him piece together the deception's details, putting him in a dangerous position as he unearths the secrets of powerful and dangerous people in the criminal enterprise.
Sebastian's pursuit of the truth about the Rodin statue and the art fraud scheme puts his life in danger. As he finds more evidence and identifies the leaders of the operation, he becomes a threat to those who want to keep their illegal activities hidden. Dangerous individuals target him, willing to go to extremes to protect their secrets and profits. This period changes Sebastian, turning him from an academic into a young man fighting for his survival, forced to use his wits to outsmart his enemies and escape the dangerous situation he has found himself in.
Despite the threats to his life, Sebastian Clifton is determined to expose the international art fraud and clear his name, which has been damaged by his connection to the scandal and his expulsion from Cambridge. He gathers evidence carefully, using his intelligence and resourcefulness to build a case against the perpetrators. This involves navigating international connections, legal loopholes, and criminal elements. Sebastian must outwit powerful and ruthless individuals, showing courage and resilience. His efforts to reveal the truth become a defining moment, shaping his future and showing his commitment to justice, even at great personal risk.
The Protagonist
Harry continues to grow as an internationally recognized writer while offering unwavering support to his family, particularly Emma and Sebastian, as they navigate their own challenges.
The Protagonist
Emma's resolve is tested by family setbacks, but she remains a pillar of strength, actively pursuing justice and protecting her son, Sebastian.
The Supporting
Giles endures significant personal and political defeats but maintains his integrity and commitment to public service, with the help of his family.
The Antagonist
Virginia achieves her goal of inheriting the Barrington fortune and continues her manipulative schemes, particularly against Giles in the political arena, solidifying her role as a formidable antagonist.
The Protagonist
Sebastian transitions from a promising academic to a young man embroiled in a dangerous art fraud, forcing him to develop resourcefulness and courage under extreme pressure.
The Supporting
The Lord Chancellor's single, pivotal decision irrevocably alters the fortunes and trajectories of the Barrington and Clifton families, setting in motion many of the novel's conflicts.
This theme is central to the narrative, shown by Lady Virginia Fenwick's pursuit of the Barrington fortune and her use of wealth and influence to further her political ambitions. The manipulation of the House of Lords' vote by powerful connections, and the international art fraud scheme, show how wealth can be obtained and used unethically. The novel explores how the desire for power and money can lead individuals to betray family, compromise integrity, and engage in illegal activities, creating an atmosphere of moral ambiguity and injustice that affects many characters.
“Money may not buy happiness, but it certainly buys influence, and influence can be far more potent than any legal argument.”
The loyalty within the Clifton family (Harry, Emma, Sebastian) and between Emma and Giles contrasts with the betrayals in the Barrington family, especially Lady Virginia's actions against her own family. Emma's support for Giles and her protection of Sebastian show the strength of family bonds. Conversely, Virginia's pursuit of the inheritance and her political schemes against Giles represent a deep betrayal, showing how family ties can be broken by greed and ambition. The theme explores the complexities and emotional toll of these conflicting forces.
“Blood may be thicker than water, but in some families, ambition is thicker than blood.”
The struggle for justice is a recurring idea, particularly through Emma's search for the abandoned child and the truth behind her father's death, and Sebastian's later efforts to expose the art fraud. The initial injustice of the Barrington inheritance verdict, influenced by power rather than merit, sets a tone of unfairness. The characters often fight against a system that seems rigged, showing how hard it is to achieve true justice when powerful figures are involved. The theme questions whether justice can ultimately win against corruption and manipulation.
“The law, like a net, catches only the small fish, while the big ones tear through.”
Past events, especially Hugo Barrington's murder and its ongoing secrets, affect the present. Emma's search for the abandoned child is linked to past traumas, and the animosity between the Barringtons and Cliftons often comes from historical grievances and hidden truths. The novel suggests that unresolved issues from previous generations continue to influence the characters' lives and decisions, shaping their destinies and continuing conflicts. The past is not just background but an active force in the characters' present struggles.
“Some secrets refuse to stay buried, returning to haunt the living with relentless persistence.”
A single vote determines the fate of a vast fortune.
The Lord Chancellor's tie-breaking vote in the House of Lords is a pivotal plot device. It acts as a major turning point, immediately establishing the central conflict surrounding the Barrington inheritance and directly impacting Giles and Emma's financial and social standing. This single decision sets in motion a cascade of events, fueling Lady Virginia's power and intensifying the rivalry between the families. It highlights the influence of political maneuvering over merit and justice, creating a sense of immediate injustice that propels much of the subsequent narrative and character motivations.
A mysterious orphan linked to a past murder drives Emma's investigation.
The discovery of an abandoned little girl in Hugo Barrington's office on the night of his murder serves as a significant plot device, providing Emma with a compelling personal quest. This mystery ignites her detective instincts and propels a subplot focused on uncovering past secrets and the truth surrounding her father's death. The child's identity and connection to the Barrington family history are crucial, adding layers of intrigue and potentially revealing further injustices or hidden relationships that could alter the family's understanding of their past and present circumstances.
A family feud plays out in a high-stakes General Election.
The General Election, specifically the direct political contest between Giles Barrington and Lady Virginia Fenwick, functions as a powerful plot device. It transforms a personal family feud into a public spectacle, raising the stakes considerably. This device allows for the exploration of political maneuvering, public perception, and the lengths to which individuals will go for power. It also provides a platform for Sebastian Clifton to inadvertently influence the outcome, demonstrating how seemingly minor actions can have major consequences in a highly charged environment, adding tension and drama to the narrative.
A valuable artwork becomes the center of an international art fraud.
The Rodin statue acts as a crucial plot device, serving as the MacGuffin around which Sebastian Clifton's storyline revolves. Its undervalued auction price and true worth are central to the international art fraud scheme. This device pulls Sebastian into a dangerous world, forcing him to use his intellect to uncover a complex criminal enterprise. The statue symbolizes hidden value, deception, and the allure of illicit wealth, providing a tangible object that drives the suspense and danger in Sebastian's narrative arc, leading to his perilous encounters with the art world's underbelly.
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Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare is an English novelist, life peer, convicted criminal, and former politician. Before becoming an author, Archer was a Member of Parliament (1969–1974), but did not seek re-election after a financial scandal that left him almost bankrupt.
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