Nothing Ventured heralds the start of a brand new series in the style of Jeffrey Archer’s #1 New York Times bestselling Clifton Chronicles introducing Detective William Warwick. But this is not a detective story, this is a story about the making of a detective . . .William Warwick has always wanted to be a detective, and decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a lawyer like … decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a lawyer 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 arts and antiquities 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.
While William follows the trail of the missing masterpiece, he comes up against suave art collector Miles Faulkner and his brilliant lawyer, Booth Watson QC, who are willing to bend the law to breaking point to stay one step ahead of William. Meanwhile, Miles Faulkner’s wife, Christina, befriends William, but whose side is she really on?
This new series introduces William Warwick, a family man and a detective who will battle throughout his career against a powerful criminal nemesis. Through twists, triumph and tragedy, this series will show that William Warwick is destined to become one of Jeffrey Archer’s most enduring legacies.
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“Nothing Ventured” is another entertaining tale from a master storyteller. With finesse, Jeffrey Archer teases the intellect with a series of twists that will have the reader flipping pages in a race to find out what happens. I can’t wait for the next book.
“Nothing Ventured” by Jeffry Archer expands the background of William Warwick a reader favorite from Archer’s Clifton Chronicles. This is not a detective story; this is a story about a detective. Warwick is a detective with a rich history and a complicated career.
“Nothing Ventured” opens when Warwick leaves school and, much to his father’s dismay, decides he wants to join the Metropolitan Police rather than become a pupil in his father’s chambers. Readers follow Warwick’s life and the varied and interesting cast of characters who cross his path, some good, some not so good, as he becomes a detective and eventually transfers to New Scotland Yard.
Archer brings Warwick to life for readers through the detailed background of Warwick’s education, training, and early work on the police force. The narrative is filled with cordial, friendly, family conversations about the present, the future, and the state of the government. The style is sociable, flowing, easy to read, and compelling. Archer develops a lasting relationship between readers and Warwick.
Warwick knows he is fortunate to have a supportive family. At work, he is just ordinary guy doing ordinary things, having lunch, compromising with parents, conversing with friends watching his budget, and looking for bargains. He certainly does not share with colleagues that he attended one of England’s leading public schools, or that he has a degree in Art History from King’s College London, and he positively does not mention anything about his father’s occupation. He walks, takes the tube, and watches James Bond movies. He is both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. He worries about what to wear and what wine to drink, but can immediately spot a forged art masterpiece.
Readers follow him into the dark world of Art and Antiquities theft when he starts working at New Scotland Yard. This is a world where insurance companies ransom their stolen paintings, and forgers create everything from fake Rembrandts to counterfeit first edition books. Opportunities for criminals seem to be unlimited in an arena where people with too much time and money on their hands need an expensive hobby.
Archer creates a character-driven mystery that encompasses the world of art, the work of police, and the drama of court. It builds in intensity, and keeps readers turning the pages through twists and turns, triumphs and tragedies. I received a review copy of “Nothing Ventured” from Jeffry Archer and St Martin’s Press. Warwick is set to do battle against all manner of criminal elements, and is certain to become an enduring new character for Archer and eager readers.
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
I have always enjoyed Jeffrey Archer books; while his last series and even this one aren’t the same caliber as his original books like Cain and Abel, The Prodigal Daughter, As the Crow Flies they are still good reads.
Listened to the audio book. I have not yet started in on the Clifton Chronicles. I found this book to be interesting, as usual with any Jeffrey Archer book. Look forward to the next in the series.
Wow! This book deserves more than 5 stars. I have never been disappointed by a Jeffrey Archer book and this one is no exception.
He has a series of books called the Clifton Chronicles which is about the Clifton family. One of the members of the family is Harry Clifton, who is an author that writes mystery books. His mystery character is William Warwick. This book is Mr. Archer’s interpretation of what Harry Clifton’s book would have been.
William is a young detective working in the Arts & Antiquities section at Scotland Yard. He is brought into an investigation of a stolen Rembrandt painting. During this investigation, William meets Beth and they fall in love. Beth’s father is in prison for a murdering his best friend and co-worker. William’s father and sister are both lawyers and he convinces them to re-open the investigation into this matter.
This was such a joy to read! I loved every moment of it and can’t wait for the return of William Warwick in October.
Nothing Ventured introduces us to Detective William Warwick, who promises to be a likeable, but flawed, character. I look forward to the remaining books in this new series by Jeffrey Archer.
This was an interesting novel with several storylines. One was a murder trial, the other was for art theft. As usual, there was an ironic twist at the end of the book.
I enjoyed the story, but I was a bit confused through some of it, as the different heists regarding coins and art were explained. I could follow the murder trial quite easily, but the others were a bit muddled in my opinion. However, I did enjoy the novel overall.
#NothingVentured #JeffreyArcher
I won this from a Goodreads Giveaway.
I love Jeffery Archer. He is such a good story teller. He invites you in, within the first page, and doesn’t let you go until the end. Nothing Ventured is not a detective story, it is a story about a detective. And what a one it is.
Warwick has always wanted to be a cop. After graduating college, he becomes one. He walks the beat, before he gets on at Scotland Yard. Along the way, you will meet his beat partner, who gives him invaluable advice, his parents and sister. His dad is a known criminal attorney, with his sister helping. Archer will take you on a fabulous journey, that you won’t want to end. Alas, it does, but lucky enough for us, this is just the first in his new series. So, hopefully, very soon, there will be the next installment. Because, of course, Archer leaves us hanging at the end.
A new detective is on the scene.
Totally entertaining.
I enjoyed the Clifton chronicles but this book did not live up to the “Chronicles”. It was ok but IMO not one of Mr Archer’s best works. (Kind of boring) Still love Mr. Archer’s books.
I couldn’t wait until this book was released and I wasn’t disappointed! I could not put it down. Jeffrey Archer’s characters are so well created and his storyline was wonderful, as always. I can hardly wait for the second in this series to be released.
I enjoy all books by This author. This is just another great read. You will love it
As a fan of Jeffrey Archer’s Clifton Chronicles, I was excited to read Nothing Ventured. Archer has taken Harry Clifton’s Detective William Warwick to create a new series. This book is a quick easy read. It will be fun to see how William Warwick develops as a crime solver in his position as the new member of the Art and Antiques Squad. In this book, we see Warwick involved in an investigation of silver coins and also finding a missing Rembrandt. Along the way, he develops a love interest and new fiancée Beth whose father is in jail for killing his partner. I look forward to see how Archer develops Warwick’s Detective life and we get to know his family better. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.