I really enjoy reading a good historical fiction novel, especially if there’s an element of mystery afoot. If you’re anything like me, you’ll thoroughly enjoy A.M. Howell’s new title which was inspired by a notable clock collection housed in Bury St. Edmund’s Moyse’s Hall museumS. What would it be like to live in a house full of clocks?

Helena’s father is a very fine clock-maker but wants a premises of his own. When he’s offered very well-paid position as clock-winder and conservator for one of the wealthiest men in England, he leaps at the chance, moving himself, his daughter, and her parrot to the prestigious city of Cambridge.

However, they are greeted with a less than warm reception and a contract with one very mysterious and threatening clause – the clocks must never stop. If they do, there will be dire consequences. This clause, paired with the ghostly figure of a child, strange drawings appearing pinned to the walls and attempts to sabotage the clocks add to a mystery which Helena just knows she has to solve before time runs out.

I was gripped by this book and as keen to find out what the mysterious contract clause as Helena was herself. I gasped and clutched along with the characters as their secrets were finally revealed and and raged at the antics of some!

As well as being a gripping mystery, this story was also a touching exploration of Edwardian attitudes towards loss and mental health. As the story unfolded, I couldn’t help but be thankful that attitudes today have made significant changes.

An excellent read for fans of writes like Emma Carroll or Lucy Strange. 9+

Library Girl.

*Thank you to Usborne Books for sending me this title to review*