This was a richly detailed book many different components - romance, historical fiction, and a touch of a Gothic atmosphere. I enjoyed the clever use of dual timelines. Even though I usually love books with more "flowery" language, it felt overdone here. For a book that was nearly 500 pages, I sometimes struggled to stay focused on the story when there was so much time spent on description.

Well… I’m pretty disappointed in this one. I normally love Kate Morton novels but this one just didn’t do it for me. It was almost 500 pages long and felt like it could’ve been 200. The characters were interesting but it didn’t really start coming together until well over half way through the book. I wanted to like it and I just kept chugging along but it honestly wasn’t worth the time.

I don't know why it took me so long to get around to reading Kate Morton's The Clockmaker's Daughter. After all, I always enjoy her writing and appreciate how finely layered her stories are. Plus, I particularly love the mix of Gothic and historical fiction she brings to each story.

The Clockmaker's Daughter is a slow burn of a story, one in which the pace exponentially speeds up the further into the story you go. Told between different time periods and differing points of view, the mystery at the heart of the story comes into focus piece by piece. As is often the case in a Kate Morton novel, you will probably be able to predict one plot mystery, but the other will confound you until the very end. Ms. Morton seems to excel at keeping all her cards close to her chest so that you have no choice but to go along for the full ride if you want to see the full answer to the mystery.

The Clockmaker's Daughter is another strong novel by someone who seems to do nothing but write good, atmospheric historical fiction mysteries. Ms. Morton's consistently strong characters, her attention to detail, her delicate balancing act between story-telling and story-showing, and the added Gothic touches always appeal to a wide audience, and this one is no different.

As always, Kate Morton brings the reader a book with history, romance, and so much more. This novel has more than one timeline, all around a core set of characters and a place.
One of the narrators is unnamed, and the reader gradually learns their story through the narration, and only understands who it is as the story ends. The other main character and narrator is the modern day archivist Elodie Winslow.
Elodie works as an archivist for a small collection in London focused on the historical figure of James Stratton. He was a philanthropist and we learn a little about him through the course of the novel as well. Elodie is cataloging a few items that were found in a small cloakroom during recent renovations, somehow missed previously. They are a find leather satchel, a sketchpad, and a framed picture. One of the sketches in the book is a scene that Elodie recognizes from a story her mother often told her. This connection touches Elodie and she does something she's never done before and removes them from the office.
Elodie is engaged to be married to a successful investment banker, and as her wedding nears, she has to make some final decisions around the ceremony and her dress. Her best friend Pippa has offered to design her wedding dress, and Elodie must meet with her soon to give some guidance to her friend. Elodie's mother, Lauren, had been a famous pianist who died in an accident when Elodie was young, and thus she and her father are very close. She is also close to her great uncle, Tip, a quiet man who has a bookstore. Elodie has been asked by her fiance's mother to choose a recording of her mother to play at the wedding and choosing one is another task that Elodie has to do.
But Elodie continues to be distracted by the image of the house from the sketchbook, and about the photograph of the young woman that she found in the same case.
As she begins to learn more, we also travel back in time, first to 1862 when the young artist Edward Radcliffe was just becoming famous and takes a party of artist friends and family members to a house he has recently bought that has special meaning to him. We travel to the same house in two other time periods as well as the present, with one time when it was being used as a boarding school, and another when a family took refuge there during World War II.
As we gradually discover the connections between the various characters in these other times and the present Elodie, we also discover the history of the woman in the photo, and of the house that connects all the characters.
There is a lot going on here, and romances in more than one time period, sometimes quite unexpected. Elodie also learns more about her own mother and how she feels about this parent she barely remembers. The house is almost a character in itself and there are many interesting personalities that have roles in the story.
As always with Morton, I thoroughly enjoyed the unfolding story and anticipating some connections while being surprised by others. A great read.

I absolutely adore Kate Morton and all her books! This was no different, as I was delightfully immersed in this dual time story. Heart-breaking, romantic, and exquisitely written, this should be a keeper on everyone's shelf.

Keep reading! While it starts off a bit slow and confusing, as you read on you will discover how it all intertwines together. It is full of twists, intrigue and mystery. The Clockmaker's Daughter is one you may want to read and then re-read to fully grasp the depth of the storyline.

I loved everything about this book! The Victorian London setting was so atmospheric and the writing drew me in from page one.

This was my first Kate Morton book and I was blown away! I particularly love the way Morton weaves together different characters' stories and differing times of the past. This is one of the best books I've ever read!

In true Morton fashion this story is weaved with a delicate hand to bring us through an emotional ride as we navigate a beautiful world she builds.

That being said, the pacing was off for me. I struggled through this one - and it took me ages to finish. I usually soar through her books so to say I was disappointed is an understatement. The idea was there but something didn't draw me in. I wanted so badly to love this one as I do her others. I dreaded even submitting this and perhaps it is way too late but I was ready to write it nonetheless.

Thank you for providing an early copy to review.

This cover is gorgeous and the story sounded super intriguing. This was my first taste of Kate Morton. This was an enjoyable story but not a favorite of mine. I feel like it started out pretty slow and didn't pick up that much. But, I still enjoyed the story. I know this is not her best work. So, I'm excited to read more by her and compare.

I have read several of Kate Morton's books. She is one of the most skilled writers of fiction today, in my opinion. Just like the others, The Clockmaker's Daughter journeys into the reader's heart with unforgettable characters, compelling drama, and complex relationships. Morton's writing style grabs the reader from the first page, and does not let her go until the last page has been turned. Her stories always stay with me, and I find myself thinking about the characters and what they may be doing, temporarily forgetting they are all fiction! Don't miss this latest tale of Kate Morton's....she will leave you satisfied and speechless.

As much as I've loved Kate Morton's other books, I could not finish this book. I tried reading it, I tried the audiobook, but no. I was disappointed. I will try her next book because the previous ones were so great, but this one just seemed too long and slightly confusing.

To think that I almost abandoned this book and ended up LOVING it. Once I got past the first couple chapters, the story flowed really well. Sometimes it was hard to keep everyone straight. But I loved this meandering story so much.

Unfortunately I didn't finish this Kate Morton tale. It didn't draw me in like her previous books have, but I'm eager to give it another go in the future! The writing was beautiful--I would expect nothing less--but the story itself seemed to lack some of the urgency of her previous work.

How was this the first Kate Morton book I've read?! I've repeatedly heard praises for her work but never picked up one of her books. The Clockmaker's Daughter was a great introduction into her works. It is the perfect blend of historical fiction and mystery. While it did get a little long for me (it comes in at around 500 pages for the Kindle) it is a filled with great descriptions and dialogue. Recommend for any historical fiction fan.

Another hit by Kate Morton, She knows how to weave a story with mystery and intrigue. Her characters are believable and you find yourself rooting for them all

Kate writes beautiful stories, and this one is no different. I'm usually iffy on dual timelines because I usually prefer one over the other and become bored while reading the lesser of the two. I was equally invested in both, though, and that's always surprising.

The history of a house and its inhabitants are tied together across the generations in unexpected ways. Told in part by the resident spirit will the inhabitants learn the truth?

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A young archivist, Elodie Winslow, finds a leather satchel with a woman's photograph and an artist's sketchbook inside. In the late 19th century, Lucy Radcliffe opens a school for girls. In the 20s, returning soldier Leonard Gilbert is writing his dissertation on Lucy's dead brother, Edward. In the 40s, war widow Juliet seeks a safe place for her and her three children, including a young Tip. Connecting them all across time is Birchwood Manor and Birdy Bell.
I have devoured all of Kate Morton's books and if work and the need to sleep hadn't held me up, I would have finished The Clockmaker's Daughter in one sitting. I love books that span multiple times and Morton has a magical ability to weave different people and times into one lovely, atmospheric, seamless story.

A gripping time-bending mystery, starting with a little girl left on the Victorian streets of London, leading to a murder in the 1860s in a manor house perched on the Upper Thames, and ending with secrets revealed a century later. An atmospheric literary puzzle to happily unravel on a rainy day. Named October 2018 LibraryReads and Indie Next selections. 5/5

Pub Date 09 Oct 2018.

Thanks to the author, Atria Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

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