This was a great book not unexpected from a wonderful author. I have read all of Jeffrey Archers books and this one does not disappoint.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested in the book and an easy read. Highly recommended.

I sailed through the latest book from Jeffrey Archer. I love the author's easy to read style. The plot, based around the art world, was intriguing and the characters engaging. A brilliant page turner that had me enthralled from start to finish.

Jeffrey Archer the consummate novelist once again enthrals the reader from the very first page. Following the life of William Warwick a character we first met in the Clifton Chronicles this is the first in his new series of books,
Although this book is about the criminals and the crimes they committed it is first and foremost the story of William the police man and his principles and values in life.
The book is very satisfying because it is a stand alone story but the end which does not end on a cliffhanger does open the door for the next book In the series and I just can’t wait
Just brilliant

Jeffrey Archer returns with a new series following on from the Clifton Chronicles. William Warwick wants to break the mould and instead of falling into the family law business takes a different slant and joins the police force. In his debut as briefly a constable then a detective Constable he puts his skills and art knowledge to full test in recovering art treasures.
I enjoyed this novel. Archer continues to write a good story. I think the very end however is predictable. It will be interesting to see how the character of William Warwick progresses in his career which seems to be taking stellar leaps already

This is my first Jeffrey Archer novel. I must say it was fast moving and had a really good and interesting characters. There was a lot to take in which I think will make for a great series. Art, courtroom, and investigation makes it a book with something for everyone. I loved it and didn't want it to end. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I must have read and enjoyed most of Jeffrey Archer’s books by now. This is quintessentially Jeffrey Archer with its humour, wit and veiled satire. His stamp is registered by references to cricket, keen knowledge of art, The Times crossword and the upper-class lifestyle of the privileged. I can almost hear Jeffery Archer talking in the narrative and dialogue. Willian Warwick, the main character, has been privately educated and possesses the inbred confidence and ebullience of a privileged family. However, there are no airs and graces about William or signs of arrogance, and he’s a good sport when he’s nicknamed ‘Choirboy.’ He can mingle and feel comfortable with anyone. His rise as a detective is swift, and he’s drafted into Arts & Antiques at Scotland Yard where he investigates sophisticated art thefts. I found that interesting as I’m an Art lover. There’s a smidgeon of romance too with an unexpected twist. A killer, ironical ending. It made me gasp and shake my head incredulously. Pure genius. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan.

I read the blog about this book and thought that it sounded unexciting, perhaps a little dull - a story about a guy becoming a detective. However the blurb, although accurate, did not truly express the great story told. I won't give anything away here except to say that this is a much better story involving crooks and fraud and good old police investigation which along with the great writing style of Mr Archer makes a fantastic read. And it will make a great TV series if that were possible? I look forward to the next in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Clifton Chronicles were fantastic and coming across this spin off was so unexpected I just had to read this! And it did not disappoint! I loved it. Jefferey Archer is a guilty pleasure of mine, that I'm no longer ashamed to admit to. Not high-brow (that's why it can't be 5-stars) but thoroughly entertaining - full of duff-duff moments. Page turning with lot's of twist and turns but nothing really bad happens. Lovely perfectly imperfect characters that your can't help but becoming invested in. I highly recommend it and I can't wait to go on more adventures with Detective William Warwick.

This another brilliant page turner from Jeffrey Archer. This is not a continuation of The Clifton Chronicles but a spin off in that tells the story of William Warwick, the detective that Harry Clifton creates in his career as a crime writer. Has the usual Archer twists and turns and is a highly recommended read

This is not a detective story, this is a story about a detective
William Warwick has always wanted to be a detective, and decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a barrister like his father, Sir Julian Warwick QC, and his sister Grace, he will join London’s Metropolitan Police Force. After graduating from university, William begins a career that will define his life: from his early months on the beat under the watchful eye of his first mentor, Constable Fred Yates, to his first high-stakes case as a fledgling detective in Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques squad. Investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery who he falls hopelessly in love with, even as Beth guards a secret of her own that she’s terrified will come to light.
I always look forward to a new series by the author & we actually first met William as a fictional character in The Clifton Chronicles. As ever this is a page turning, entertaining read. The characters are very well portrayed & have plenty of depth. The pace flows effortlessly & I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I was drawn in from page one & read it in under a day.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

4.5 stars rounded up.
This is another well established but new author to me and another back catalogue to add to my ever growing TBR. In this series opener, we are introduced to William Warwick. Son of a prodigious QC he shuns the chance of following in his footsteps as, since an early age, he has a hankering to join the Metropolitan Police Force. We see the bargain he strikes with his family when he decides to follow this path, through University, studying Art History, and as he takes his first steps as a bobby on the beat. Through his early days with the force as he is mentored by Constable Fred Yates and then as he gets his first glimpse of glory as a newbie Detective in the Arts and Antiquities Squad. Intelligent as he is, his precociousness shines through as he rubs others up the wrong way as he both finds his feet and proves himself as a Detective worth listening to, despite his greenness. We see him fall in love and how he struggles to juggle work and home life, especially when certain secrets come to light. And, the crux of the matter, how he goes up against an Art Collector and his pet QC in the case of a priceless missing painting.
There's an awful lot going on in this book but it lays down some very solid foundations to a series which I think will have a great run. He's smart and (mostly) sensible but still a little wet between the ears in some things. But he proves himself a worthy adversary to someone who I can see him having some great battles with in the future. That and the fact that he finds himself pitting his wits against not only the criminal element but also against his own family of defense lawyers gives this book a bit of an edge compared with others in the genre.
There's also quite a bit of humour interspersed throughout which adds colour to the mysteries being investigated and the romance is mostly implied rather than spelled out which suits me. All delivered in a style that really fits with me as a reader and containing little if no padding which meant that the stories being told got on with themselves very well.
All in all a solid foundation to a character whose ongoing stories and cases I really can't wait to continue. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

William Warwick has wanted to be a detective since childhood and solving the case of the missing Mars bar. Much to the dismay of his father, Sir Julian Warwick QC.

After graduating from university and two years on the beat under the tutelage of seasoned copper Fred Yates, William finds himself as part of the Art and Antiquities division at Scotland Yard. Quickly embroiled in a high-stakes case William must find his feet as a fledgling detective whilst trying to save one of the worlds most priceless works of art.

On his journey William meets a young research assistant of the Fitzmolean Museum, Beth Rainsford, and falls madly in love, but Beth has a secret she fears will jeopardise this new found relationship.

Can William navigate his way through cases and dealing with forgers, art collectors and lawyers that are willing to bend the law to breaking point, or will they always be one step ahead of him?

I was extremely happy to be approved for this ARC. Jeffrey Archer is high on my list of favourite storytellers. I found this series to be an interesting concept having been the works of a former character, Harry Clifton. Unfortunately, I am yet to pick up the Clifton Chronicle series as a family member let some spoilers slip, but they are on my TBR list for when I have forgotten the details!

I can already tell the Warwick family are going to become one of my fictional favourites, they are full of love yet easily mock each other without true judgement. The conversations that take place around the dinner table are so typical of this author, making the reader want to take a seat and join in. William makes for a wonderful protagonist, he is easily likeable and shows great passion for his chosen field. He sometimes shows a little naivety, but I found this to be endearing rather than annoyingly obvious. The other characters, and Williams relationships with them, enhance the story and also develop possible plot lines for the future.

As usual Archer had me laughing within the first pages and then only a few chapters later I was wiping away tears. I simply cannot wait to follow William through his career and see where life, and Archer, take him.

A typical Jeffrey Archer book enjoyable and easy to read. Well constructed story line which moves at a good pace with questions left unanswered leaving you wanting the next book with the main character. Would recommend this book to anybody wanting a nice gentle relaxing read

It is a while since I last read a novel by Jeffery Archer. I was drawn to this book as it is described as the first in a series. It features a young man, William Warwick who joins the Metropolitan Police, much to the chagrin of his father who is an eminent QC.

It is often difficult for an author to create a strong storyline, whilst introducing the recurring characters of a series. Archer manages this with aplomb in this fast moving story.

He has created a superb range of interesting characters. As usual he narrates the story in an at-times amusing style.

As a reader, I was quickly drawn in. There are enough red herrings and twists in the story to keep it interesting right up to the last page.

I look forward to the next book.

I give my thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for a copy in exchange for this review.

Having read Jeffrey Archers The Chronicles series I didn't think he would start us readers on another path of books, but he has and thank goodness
Nothing ventured is the first in his new series and I for one am bleary eyed having been unable to put it down. It follows the story of William Warwick who appeared in The Chronicles and we follow him through the first stages of him becoming a policeman , not approved of by his father who is a top barrister
But Warwick's love of art soon sees him promoted to the police department that deals with all things art related being stolen, and due to his eye foe detail he spots a famous art piece is actually a very good copy and so he sets of in a chase that takes him to Italy and France to retrieve these stolen artworks

Jeffrey Archer gets some bad press, but boy oh boy, he can spin a tale that keeps you hooked. So what if most of the characters are a little 2D, so what if it won't please the literati? This is a fast paced page turner with everything you need from a book if you are travelling or on a sun lounger. A great romp of a book.

An enjoyable read albeit somewhat predictable. William Warwick, the young detective is a bit too good to be true; a renamed Endeavour Morse. I wonder if Archer has written this in the hope it is turned into a TV series similar to Morse or Midsommer Murders. This is not as good as previous books.

Jeffrey Archer is an incredible storyteller, one of the greatest storytellers of our time. His books flow so effortlessly. I really enjoyed this book and how to wove Williams fledgling career into his , at times difficult, private life. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride because this story twists, ebbs, flows and fairly gallops along to its conclusion. I loved it and recommend it everyone. Jeffrey Archer is a master of his craft and this book demonstrates that mastery. Fabulous!

It is many years since I have read a book by Jeffrey Archer. I remember that he was an excellent storyteller. This book has proved that my memory was not wrong. I great story with believable characters that flowed effortlessly to its conclusion. I understand that this is the first book in a series and I will certainly read the next installment.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Jeffrey Archer can be relied upon to tell a good tale; maybe not to Booker standard but certainly entertaining, flowing, with great characters and immensely readable.
William Warwick is a character from the Clifton Chronicles – another interesting saga – and this proposed series of books will follow his career. This first in the series sees Warwick join the police force and to solve several cases. However his personal life is as interesting as his work life and we are allowed access to his successful family.
Yes some aspects are implausible – but just sit back and enjoy the story!


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