The demise of a great, fun author

I used to LOVE Jeffrey Archer's books. Sure, not literature, but FUN, FUN, FUN. Surprising twists that MADE SENSE. Interesting characters. Could not wait for his next novel...

That author is simply gone. Replaced by one who must be writing as fast as he can to make a quick million bucks. (I think I am done contributing to this particular fund.)

The previous one in this series was mediocre. This one is even worse. Absolutely meaningless plot twists (not just hard-to-believe...MEANINGLESS. The story doesn't go anywhere.) The reviewer who said, "Where is this series going?" is totally right.

There is also an annoying "love fest" with the upper class (save a handful of stereotypical Cruella Deville female characters that even the "upper class" knows to disdain). The narrator MIGHT be contributing to make their conversations DEADLY boring with his nasal inflections, but I don't think so--I think it is just ghaaastly writing.

Avoid.

23 people found this helpful

Boring!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better story line and writing.

What was most disappointing about Jeffrey Archer’s story?

This book was not of the same quality of the first three Clifton Chronicles. It almost reads as if it were written by someone else. This story needs an ending.

4 people found this helpful

Once it got going...

It was an interesting story, with plenty of subplots and intrigue. However, the abrupt ending very much leaves one hanging. Obviously the author wants to lead us to the next book in the series, but abandoning the audience at sea was downright rude!

3 people found this helpful

Horrible Ending. Everybody dies.

im so sorry I wasted my time and money on this series. Don't purchase.

3 people found this helpful

The ending was a disapointment!.

Would you consider the audio edition of Be Careful What You Wish For to be better than the print version?

I always enjoy Jeffery archer's books and liked this series very much but not the ending of
The third book shocking!

What about Alex Jennings’s performance did you like?

I thought he did a very good job I would like to hear him again

3 people found this helpful

Wont be purchasing anymore of Mr. Archer's junk!!

Would you try another book from Jeffrey Archer and/or Alex Jennings?

NO!!

What was most disappointing about Jeffrey Archer’s story?

His inability to finish a story without making it a dreadful serial.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Alex Jennings?

Yes narration was good.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

somewhat interesting

Any additional comments?

Unfortunate that Mr. Archer has fallen into what appears to be a common trait with writers these days of putting monetary values over literary ones. A cheap trick to lure others to continue paying for his horrid work.

2 people found this helpful

A blockbuster! Waiting for the next book!!!

Where does Be Careful What You Wish For rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the Clifton Chronicles, I would say this was one of the best so far. I really enjoyed it and it kept me riveted.

What other book might you compare Be Careful What You Wish For to and why?

I have nothing to compare this to as the Clifton Chronicles are unique to themselves.

What about Alex Jennings’s performance did you like?

I love Alex Jennings and his performance was a welcome addition to my enjoyment of this book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself hating Pedro Martinez and what he stood for. There is a real "good guy bad guy" element to this story... There is the Emma Clifton and at the other end of the spectrum, you have an evil scumbag who has no scruples and no humanity.

Any additional comments?

The ending of this book was as sudden and unexpected as that of The Best Kept Secret and leaves no doubt that Mr. Archer is already working on Book 5 of the Clifton Chronicles. Bring it on!!!

2 people found this helpful

mediocre at best!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

very few...

Would you ever listen to anything by Jeffrey Archer again?

Yes, but it needs to be much better then this book was. What has happened to a very talented writer? This is more like a daytime soap, then an intelligently written book. This dribble seems to be a money grab by the author using his past successes to entice his readers to purchase more of his books.

What does Alex Jennings bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Jennings is a wonderful narrator. There should better material for him to narrate! He tries very hard to give life to these wooden character.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Be Careful What You Wish For?

I would not have cut, but instead added a recap of The Clifton Chronicles to refresh the reader. It's a year between each book. Does the author really believe one remembers who is who, details, character motivation or what transpired in the last books? I certainly did not. I think most readers do not. There should have been some refresher information included. For example, Mr. Archer never recounts why Martinez hates the Clifton family so vehemently. Thus, I never knew what motivated the villain in this book.

Any additional comments?

The ending is terrible.....one has to wait a year for the next installment, to find out what happens. I think I shall not bother!!!! It's just down hill dribble!!

4 people found this helpful

Jeffrey Archer's Shameless

The Clinton Chronicles are addictive and as formula driven as a PBS/BBC costume-drama epic. They sprawl over decades of the Clinton family’s astonishing ability to survive the wiles of bad… bad… bad… villains who are unspeakably evil.. evil… EVIL…

Each volume carefully (some might quibble and say.. “tediously”) creates a new peril sure to destroy this loving, plucky, and noble tribe only to end in… in… a cliff hanger that demands the next book in the series to reveal. &^&%#!!

Yep, Jeffery Archer’s shameless. His characters have the depth and complexity of a Marvel Comic Book, and his plots seem driven by Snidely Whiplash menacing poor Nell who he’s lashed to the tracks.

And yet, I’ve listened to five of them now… Only Time Will Tell, The Sins of the Fathers, Best Kept Secret, Be Careful What You Wish For, and Mightier than the Sword. Each of these were already available on Audible so they could be purchased and enjoyed as one long tale. I recall giggling smugly when I understood his cliff hanger stunts, realizing that I’d not have to wait a year until the next one arrived: Unlike the poor addicted fools who discovered them one at a time as they were originally published.

And then I cursed at the end of Mightier than the Sword to realize that now I was in the cue of addled Archer addicts waiting to see how the family’d escape this latest threat. I HATE IT!

My advice, don’t start this series until you are sure Archer’s written the end to it. BEWARE ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE! Archer will shamelessly diddle with you.

BTW, Alex Jennings creates the ensemble with a wily power that compliments Archer's.

6 people found this helpful

What a ride. Archer is Masterful

I have read all in the series so far. This one is also wonderful and the voice performance was sublime. The characters continue to grow and develop and the story although sad in parts does not get bogged down. Terrorists, evil Argentinians, Nazis, and the most modern passenger ship of the time. Book ends with real cliffhanger. Now on to next in the series.

1 person found this helpful