Book Review: Cometh The Hour

Book : Cometh The Hour

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Pages: 420

Rs: 599

Jeffrey Archer's penultimate novel in the Clifton Chronicles starts by revealing the climax of the defamation lawsuit that embroiled Emma Clifton and Lady Virginia Fenwick in book five, Mightier Than The Sword. When curiosity over the cliffhanger has abated, Archer skillfully weaves in the story around remaining characters in the novel.

In Cometh the Hour, Archer not only ties up loose ends, but also lays the groundwork for the grand finale, This Was A Man, to be released in November 2016. Book six, spanning eight years, is filled with love, intrigue, politics and, of course, good old fashioned jealousy. With his usual aplomb, Archer not only dives head first into plots but also spares no time in introducing new ones.

Here, the Cliftons and the Barringtons skillfully navigate through the 70s. Emma Clifton starts focusing on a career beyond the Barrington Shipping line as she steps into politics and healthcare, whereas Harry champions for the release of imprisoned Russian writer Anatoly Babakov. Giles is reunited with lady love Karin, but the question remains – is she a Stasi spy? And will that come in the way of their relationship? Sebastian Clifton once again tries to outwit archenemies Adrian Sloane and Desmond Mellor as they try to bring down Hakim Bishara – the chairman of Farthings. Lady Virginia Fenwick's wiliness knows no bounds as she goes to any extent to fend off bankruptcy. Her immorality reaches a new high as she pulls elaborate plots to weasel out money from anyone unsuspecting of her.

Amid the evolution of the old characters, we are introduced to new characters and bid farewell to a much loved one. Priya Ghuman, Sebastian's Indian love interest takes us on a journey to Bombay, India. Archer briefly introduces us to a slice of life in Bombay and the dynamics of Indian culture that go with it. However, he falls short by a few chapters to fully cultivate what could have been a thrilling sub-plot.

The readers are also introduced to Cyrus T Grant III, a millionaire from Baton Rouge, US, who is duped by Lady Fenwick. As with Ghuman, Grant's character could have been fleshed out more, making this sub-plot more engaging.

Archer gives a comeuppance to the deserving and at the same time, leaves the plot open ended – a hint that there is more to come in the finale. Though Archer's sixth book in the Clifton series is a fast read, and at times unputdownable, it's perhaps time to give this plot the closure it deserves.

Having followed Archer's books over the years – from Kane and Abel to The Fourth Estate and A Matter of Honour – the Clifton Chronicles gives me the feeling that these could be short stories threaded together by a common theme as opposed to the complex plots and characters of his earlier novels.