Book Summary:
And Thereby Hangs a Tale is a collection of 15 short stories, each filled with twists, clever plots, and unexpected endings—trademarks of Jeffrey Archer’s storytelling. Ten of the stories are inspired by real-life events and people, while five are entirely fictional.
The collection spans a range of settings and themes: from courtroom dramas and love stories to tales of revenge, deceit, and irony. Each story stands alone, often leading the reader to a clever or ironic punchline, reflecting Archer’s sharp sense of timing and storytelling.
One standout feature of the book is how Archer challenges the reader to guess which stories are true and which are made up—he only reveals the answers at the end.
About the Author:
Jeffrey Archer is a British author, former politician, and peer in the UK’s House of Lords. Known for his gripping novels and short stories, he has sold over 275 million copies worldwide.
His most famous works include:
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Kane and Abel
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Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less
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Clifton Chronicles series
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Multiple collections of short stories like Twelve Red Herrings and To Cut a Long Story Short
Archer's writing is known for its fast pace, plot twists, and engaging characters. Despite facing legal controversies and a prison sentence in the early 2000s, he continued writing and even drew inspiration from his time in prison for his memoir series A Prison Diary.