Heads You Win

Jeffrey Archer

Nov 2018 · Pan Macmillan

About this ebook

Heads You Win is the incredible and thrilling novel by the master storyteller and bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles and Kane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer.

Leningrad, Russia, 1968.
From an early age it is clear that Alexander Karpenko is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, Alexander and his mother will have to escape Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they have an irreversible choice: board a container ship bound for America or one bound for Great Britain. Alexander leaves the choice to a toss of a coin . . .

In a single moment, a double twist decides Alexander’s future. During an epic tale, spanning two continents and thirty years, we follow Alexander through triumph and defeat as he sets out on parallel lives, as Alex in New York and Sasha in London. As this unique story unfolds, both come to realize that to find their destiny they must face the past they left behind as Alexander in Russia.

With a final twist that will shock even his most ardent fans, this is international number one bestseller Jeffrey Archer’s most ambitious and creative work since Kane and Abel.

Ratings and reviews

I have admired Jeffrey Archer's writing for a long time, ever since burying my nose in Kane and Abel; he delivers every time and this is reminiscent of his previous works - and yet so very different . .. Put simply, this is the tale of a young Russian boy who learns only too soon what it's like to live in a totalitarian state - but this is no simple story. When necessity demands that he leave the country of his birth, Alexander has a brief window in which to decide to head to which united country; that of Britain of the states of America. Which should it be? This is a cleverly woven and engrossing read which, very cleverly, makes a few oblique references to the author's previous works (blink and you'll miss them) which all adds to the authenticity as I find all his novels completely believable. Such a fascinating read but it pays never to get too comfortable as there is always a surprise lurking in the wings - and none more so that the ending. Never saw THAT coming!! A truly delightful and encompassing novel which makes the brain work overtime and left me with the feeling of a good book well read! My thanks to publisher Pan Macmillan for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased 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

The book is certainly not for seasoned readers, it has its twists but what Jeffery Archer created in the Clifton Chronicles is hardly replicable. I suggest you abstain from reading this novel and start with the Clifton.

About the author

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O’ Nine Tales, has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies.

He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).

A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.