Jeffrey Archer : The Sins Of Father

The Sins of the Father is the second part of the five in Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer. The book was published worldwide in 2012.

Plot

Harry Clifton has assumed the identity of Tom Bradshaw in order to solve some of his problems, never knowing that he could land up in jail to serve sentence for killing a person he doesn't even know. In the prison he meets Pat Quinn, from whom he quickly starts learning the trades of the prison. After trying really hard, he ends up being the librarian of the prison library and starts writing The Diary of a Convict. On the other side, Watson informs everyone about the death and later the burial of Harry at the sea.

Emma is the mother of Harry's child Sebastian and goes to meet Maisie. While the letter by Tom Bradshaw (Harry) is lying at the mantelpiece of Maisie, Emma recognises the handwriting and believes that Harry is still alive. Not allowed to open the letter, she sets out to find Harry. She works on Kansas Star, the ship in which Harry was saved, and from there, she gets to know about the people Tom Bradshaw was with in his end moments. On visiting their home, she realize that Harry himself is Tom and is now in Jail.

Harry meanwhile writes a diary about his time in jail. When one of his fellow inmates, Max Lloyd, is released, he requests Harry to keep sending him diaries as he enjoys them a lot. Max publishes them in his own name. Emma reads the 'Diary of a Convict' and recognises Harry's handiwork. She begins to try and meet him in prison. Harry and Pat are recruited by the army to cause mayhem behind enemy lines.

Giles joins the army and is captured by Germans. He manages to escape but a fellow soldier who was his close friend is killed. He is awarded the Military Cross.

Maisie marries Mr Holcombe who was Harry's teacher in Merrywood. Hugo fathers an illegitimate child and tries to attack Olga, who is the mother. Olga kills him in self-defence and later commits suicide.

Emma seeks the help of her Great-aunt Phyllis and her son Alistair who is a lawyer. She learns of Harry's recruitment in the army.

Harry is meanwhile severely injured and sent home. There he reunites with Emaa, Giles and the whole family. The case of Harry v. Giles as to who inherits the title as Hugo is dead is taken up by the press. The last scene in the book is of the court adjourning and the result to be presented the next morning.

Background

This is the sequel to the book Only Time Will Tell as a part of the Clifton chronicles. This is to be followed by three more volumes of which the next volume will be Best Kept Secretreleasing in March 2013.

Characters

1. Harry Clifton - The main protagonist of the book.
2. Maisie Clifton - Harry's Mother.
3. Emma Barrington - Giles' sister and Harry's love.
4. Giles Barrington - Harry's best friend and Hugo's son.
5. Pat Quinn - Harry's inmate in prison.
6. Hugo Barrington - Emma and Gile's father.
7. Phyllis Stuart - Emma's Great Aunt, Sister of Lord Harvey.
8. Alistair Stuart - Phyllis's son.