Jeffery Archer the ultimate story teller does it again and does not disappoint.
An epic tale on a par with Kane and Able it tells the story of Alexander Karpenko who as a child escapes communist Russia following the murder of his father by the KGB.
Their means of escape are in a crate aboard a cargoship which could take them either to the USA or England and the choice that they take will decide the outcome of his life.
A fast pace story that has you on the edge of your seat right until the end.
Brilliant
Five stars all the way

Mr Archer is a master storyteller. I was so looking forward to reading this. The first few chapters were classic Archer. They set the scene and pulled you in. Then it got confusing. Once i had worked out who Sasha was it quickly became a standard rag to riches tale seen before in his books. The ending was not as good as I expected and I was left with a feeling of disappointment. Far from his best with this one.

Thank you for my copy in exchange for a fair review.

This book is classic Jeffrey Archer. It is like some of his other books but is still an enjoyable read. Jeffrey Archer is renowned for writing epic stories and this one lived up to my expectations. His ability to immerse the reader in the lives of his characters is still there.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Well, what can be said? This book is fantastic, just as Jeffrey's other novels are. I sat down and began to read and I was immediately transported into Russia and the goings on there. I found the way he wrote this one different, but once I settled in it was great stuff! I recommend this book to anyone.

Heads You Win is one of critically-acclaimed, bestselling author Jeffrey Archer's most imaginative novel to date and takes advantage of the sliding doors theme whereby the outcomes of two separate paths that a character could take are shown. Here, it manifests itself as a life-changing moment in which young Alexander Karpenko and his mother flip a coin on the docks to decide whether they board a boat and emigrate to Great Britain or the United States after his father was murdered by the KGB. There are also plenty of ruminations on the social and political climate in Russia, America and The United Kingdom in 1968.

This is a novel that is full of shocks and unexpected surprises that, at times, had my jaw on the floor! At a wonderfully frenetic pace, we galloped along through this intriguing tale. The characterisation was superb, as it always is in Archer's work, three dimensional and complex, you get none of those flat characters that are flooding the publishing market. The different settings are vivid and exquisitely described, this novel has so much going for it besides the parallel stories working side by side. The ending was also very enjoyable and a fitting way to conclude, I certainly did not expect to be that gobsmacked!

Many thanks to Macmillan for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Became confused early in this rehash of Cain and Abel ,Alex was clear Sasha not but I persevered hopefully waiting for clarity....it did not arrive! Even the ending is unsatisfactory,sorry clever use of historical figures no longer cuts the mustard Mr. Archer!

i love a Jeffrey Archer book so was excited to be asked to review his new offering.

i have to say whilst i enjoyed it it does have a familiar theme from his previous books. and you do get a feeling of same old same old. however for a first time archer reader it is brilliant.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Leningrad, Russia, 1968.
Alexander Karpenko is no ordinary child, and from an early age, it is clear he is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, he and his mother will have to escape from Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they are confronted with an irreversible choice: should they board a container ship bound for America, or Great Britain? Alexander leaves that choice to the toss of a coin. In a single moment, a double twist decides Alexander’s future.
Another engrossing read from the author. I’ve read all of the author’s books & he’s definitely one of my must read authors. There are twists & turns along the way in this novel that spans three decades, this isn’t my favourite book & for me it stalled a little in the middle but still well worth the read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I have read a lot of Jeffrey Archer's books, and this was unique compared to his others. It didn't grab me as much as his fantastic Chronicles series. Initially, I thought it had a similar type of theme to "Kane and Abel", but the sliding doors format was a surprise. Admittedly, it confused me at first, but when I clicked, it became more interesting. There was a lot of inconsequential detail and dialogue in the middle, which lost my interest. It's so historically well-researched, the hallmark of Jeffery Archer's success and I detected the author's subtly mocking narrative which always amuses me. In Leningrad, Alexander has a lofty ambition of wanting to be the first democratically elected president of Russia. His friend, Vladimir is anxious to join the KGB. Alex's father Konstantin is brutally murdered by the KGB when they discover he's secretly trying to form a union. Alexander and his mother Elena finding themselves in danger have the choice of taking a ship to the USA or Britain. This part is where the story divides into the sliding door format. I learnt a lot from reading this book. I wasn't ready for the shocking twist at the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan.

3.5 stars
Heads You Win is a classic Jefrey Archer novel, which held my interest throughout. However, as I am familiar with the period of Russian history described, I found it unrealistic and not particularly well researched. Two parallel plotlines worked for most of the story but didn't quite come together at the end. For me personally, ‘the jaw dropping’ finale was obvious quite early on in the book.
Overall, an engaging and entertaining read but you have to suspend belief to enjoy it.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Pan Books for the ARC.

The master storyteller is back. A brilliant read spanning decades and continents with two parallel stories. Think a grown up sliding doors. What would have happened had you taken the other road at the fork? Jeffery Archer’s compellingly writing keeps you hooked and a couple of nice nods to the Clifton Chronicles makes it even more enjoyable for this fan. Real life events and characters mingle with the fiction and the ending while making the reader (me) think “how did you miss that!” also leaves a hope of a follow up - or is that just wishful thinking on my part
#headsyouwin#netgalley

My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been quite a few years since I have read one of Jeffrey Archer’s novels and always felt that he was a good storyteller. With ‘Heads You Win’ he proves that he still has those skills and informs his writing with his experience of the worlds of business and politics.

It’s a period piece mainly focused on the latter part of the 20th Century and many historical figures make cameo appearances.

As requested by the publishers I am strictly avoiding spoilers. I will say that the format is very interesting and delivers intriguing twists. I also liked the inclusion of references to art.

Even though I only rarely read this kind of family saga that includes lots of business deals and political issues, I found it an engaging and enjoyable read. I would certainly suggest reading it ‘cold’ and not be tempted by spoilers. It’s worth it.

This is Jeffrey Archer at his very best! A thrilling, fast-paced story of rags to riches and much more. Young Alexander Karpenko and his mother are forced to leave Leningrad in secrecy following the murder of his father, a dockyard worker who spoke out for democracy. Aided by his Uncle Kolya, also a docker, they are faced with the choice of getting into one of two crates - one bound for the UK and the other for the USA. There follows a brilliant saga covering both options in turn, Finally, Sasha or Alex, after many years decides he must return to his native land in the hope of helping his fellow Russians, but drama continues with a shocking ending. This is a novel that any reader will find extremely hard to put down - I certainly burned the midnight oil in my anxiety to discover what happened in the end.

Well this was definitely a book of 2 halves. It started so well and I thoroughly enjoyed the story of both Alexanders up to the part where the storylines tried to merge.
I felt the chapters focussing in each character were of a really good length & gave enough time to really be absorbed in each character, but oh did the ending let it down.
It was quite a long book but ended far far too abruptly. It was so badly finished that I tried twice to turn to the next page on the kindle. I was left really frustrated and annoyed. If it had been a real book it would have gone in the dustbin. I find it so disappointing when you have invested so much time in a book that the ending is so poor. To be honest it felt like the author had been told to put his pen down as the exam time had finished it was so poor. I am sure it was supposed to be a twist but it did not work for me.
I also found it really odd how the author tried to merge the 2 Alexanders stories.
I am sure it will be compared with his really best work of Kane & Abel but really in this case newer is not always better. Very disappointed but was grateful to get a free review copy. I was truly raving about this book to family & friends until about two thirds of the way through. Now I won’t be recommending it at all.

This was just OK for me, interesting storyline and some good character development and at times I felt it was slow but I do enjoy this author so it is something I would recommend.

The main characters make a binary choice early on . The book tells parallel tales as to what happens next if they voyaged to either Britain or America. Two books in one! A novelty, but one that impeded the plot progression and was irritating at times. A unchallenging page turner this is a lighweight easy read with a compelling plot.

Another great story from Archer,although at times a little confusing!!
Rich characters ,well drawn.
Choices,heads or tails,win or lose?

A twist on the sliding doors idea, as we get to see what happens if both options (escaping to England or America) are followed. An interesting meander through Soviet, American and British social and political history and a twist in the last sentence of the novel means that this will stay with me for a while. Jeffrey Archer still has the knack for telling an engaging story that I first discovered with Kane and Abel.

A decision made by the toss of a coin. What would have have happened if the coin had landed the other side?

Alexander made his decision when he left Russia after his father was assassinated and ended up, with his mother, in America. This story twists and turns over thirty years and spans two continents .but will Alexander forget his past or will he be pulled back to his roots. There is a final, unexpected twist at the end.
Loved this book. Jeffrey Archer at his best!!

My first Jeffrey Archer for yonks when I enjoyed "Not a Penny More" and "Kane & Abel."

Good luck to the man, he has a winning formula and he keeps to it. The plot was well thought through and clever and the parallel lives idea was well executed.

The book was overlong and a bit clunky but it was certainly a well planned popular novel that definitely delivered.