Kate Morton's books have always held a special place on my bookshelf, and her words a special place in my heart. She has the ability to weave such interesting stories, decades or centuries apart, and keep you hooked on as many timelines as she'll give you, as many characters as needed, as many chapters as necessary - a feat that eludes some authors. Dual timelines are certainly not for everyone, and even as much as I love the plot device, more often than not I find myself highly invested in one and only reading the other just to get back to the good stuff. That's never been the case for Morton, though, and I'm glad - because she brought out ALL the timelines for this one.

When I first read the synopsis, I got a vibe similar to Tana French's The Likeness, or Donna Tartt's Secret History (which, to be fair, I have not personally read BUT I have heard is similar to plot to The Likeness). A group of individuals runs away and creates their own home, their own family, their own retreat, just for a little bit - but inevitably it all goes wrong. However, after getting about 25% into the book, I realized that while the synopsis of the book wasn't wrong, and wasn't exactly deliberately misleading, this book only barely resembled The Likness / The Secret History. For that matter, it had a lot less resemblance to Morton's previous works, as well. I know that won't work for every Morton fan, but I ate it up - every POV, every timeline, every chapter that led me in another direction than I was expecting and away from where I wanted to go.

The thing that stayed with me long after closing this book, like all of Morton's other books, was the characters - and there is a hefty cast in this novel.

Birdie, the clockmaker's daughter.
Elodie. Lucy. Leonard. Tip. Juliet. Edward. Ada.

And, amazingly, Birchwood Manor. (It's not as though Morton has created the idea that a place, a home, an idea, can be a character - but she does it so beautifully here that it seems necessary to add "amazingly" as a descriptor.) In a way, that I can't explain so as not to give away secrets the book will divulge in it's own time, the manor house itself becomes the narrator of the character's stories. Watching the lives of the various characters weave in and out of the house's history over 150 years was such an enjoyable experience for me.

I read the first two of Morton's books (The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden) sometime in 2007 and immediately fell in love with her writing, with her stories, with her characters. The Distant Hours was just as good, if not better, than her first two, and then - and then. The Secret Keeper blew me away - it is still to date one of the books that I am able to successfully hand-sell the most at my bookstore. Following The Secret Keeper was a tough task, and honestly The Lake House let me down a little bit - it still had all the signature touches of a Morton but it was too neat, too easy, too ... something. Or not enough of something. I had a lot of anticipation riding on this most recent release and there's honestly nothing to say other than I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands!

This was my first time reading a Kate Morton novel even though I've been collecting her books for years and they are sitting gorgeously on my bookshelf as I write this. Numerous bookish friends have told me more times than I count to hurry and read one of her books since they know that I'm a) a historical fiction lover and b) an anglophile and therefore love almost any novel with a British setting. After reading Morton's newest epic novel, The Clockmaker’s Daughter, there's no doubt that my friends were right (as usual) and I've been missing out on gorgeous, immersive writing with lush, atmospheric settings, exquisite period detail, and engaging, emotive characters.

However, as much I enjoyed the novel, it took me a while before I could truly engage with the book, and I was almost afraid it was not going to be the right book for me. The novel spans a time period of over 150 years so there's quite a lot unfolding in the book, which is not usually a big deal. Yet there are also thirty main characters in the book, which made it hard for me to connect with the characters while the story was jumping from timeline to timeline. I felt as soon as I was immersed in one character's story, suddenly, the story would shift to a new period in history and a new character, so I was left wondering what was happening to the previous character and if we'd meet again...

I should never have feared though because I soon settled deeply into the book ignoring everyone and everything else around me for the day! You really can't read this book and try to read anything else, which is another mistake I was making--it needs your full attention so you can solve the puzzle of this breathtaking, multilayered story. Once I did that, the story came alive with its intricate, intersecting narratives, heartbreaking suspense, and an exceptional cast of characters.

Morton weaves a detailed tapestry as she brings to life the story of the clockmaker's daughter, Lily Millington (also known as Birdie Bell) with the lives of the other characters in the novel. Even with all the other characters, this story is really about discovering what happened to Lily one tragic summer night in 1862 when she vanishes from Birchwood Manor without a trace, along with the Radcliffe Blue diamond. There's a murder that night as well. Artist Edward Radcliffe is left forever anguished and devastated at the loss of the woman he loves.

Although there are many other protagonists, the title character is the main voice as she narrates her interactions with every person she comes into contact prior to her life at Birchwood Manor and now that she's a permanent resident there. She's watchful, observant, and remembers everything she's ever experienced. Birdie is by far my favorite character, along with Birchwood Manor that is, since I feel like the house is very much a character with the way it draws people in, provides refuge, shelter, and safety. It has its own secrets just like people do but it also gives them up if the characters only know where to look, which is part of the puzzle of the story.

The threads of the story all come together as Morton introduces Elodie Winslow in 2017, an archivist who finds a photograph of Birdie and a sketch of Birchwood Manor by Edward Radcliffe that remind her of a fairy tale her mother would tell her when she was a child, a story she finds out was made up by her great-uncle Tip who stayed at Birchwood Manor as a young boy during WWII with his mother, Juliet. Elodie sets out to discover more about the woman in the picture and Edward Radcliffe and finds herself at the manor where so many characters over the decades have gone for refuge and answers about the mystery involving that fateful night in 1862: who the murderer was, what happened to the diamond, and what really happened to Birdie.

The Clockmaker's Daughter is a story of love between parents and their children, love between siblings, lost children, adults who have lost their way, discovering oneself, passion, death, tragic endings, and finding happiness along the way. The ending was emotional and just perfect, and I'm completely won over by Morton's expressive, poetic writing and intelligent plot.

I know that I'll be curled up by my fireplace with one or more of Morton's other books this fall since I can already tell her books lend the perfect ambiance for a cool fall night, which is exactly what I highly suggest you do with The Clockmaker's Daughter! Grab a copy on October 9, 2018, and curl up with your coziest blanket, ignore the world around you, and get lost with Birdie in the world of Birchwood Manor...you won't regret it!

**Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

Wow - this is an amazing story! Through the first third, I was lost .I forged on, hoping to find my way...then I was fully lost in the story! I didn’t want it all to end. The effort was worth it. I now need to find prior works by Ms Morton. It’s such a treat to escape into a good book. And, the writing was a pleasure to read!
Thank you for the ARC Netgalley.

This was one first read by Kate Morton and I have to say it was an experience that I was pleasantly surprised with. I stepped out of my comfort zone.... and am so glad I did because I truly learned what defines me as a reader.

To say that Kate Morton had me with her words... is an understatement. She truly astonished me with her eloquence and ability to form words that fell off the pages with ease.

"The winds blew and the trees moaned, and thunder rolled down the river to take the house within it's clutches; while inside, talk turned to spirits and curses. There was a fire, crackling in the grate, and the candle flames quivered, and in the darkness, in that atmosphere of delicious fear and confession, something ill was conjured." Not a ghost, oh, no not that- the deed when done was entirely human."

This book is very complex.... and the plot is very hard to explain. The storyline has layer upon layer that leaves you very confused in the beginning. In all honestly, I was frustrated and felt that my reading experience was blurred due to putting in work trying to follow each and every time zone and character. Now, this may not be everyone's same experience while reading this.

Although, once the 30-40 percent mark hit... the storylines began to come alive for me. Kate's talent began to poor off the pages with the journey behind each character that aligned nicely at the end. It almost reminded me of a giant jigsaw puzzle.. where you have to put in some "work" to get your final product ;).

The chapters I felt were extremely unique numbered in Roman numerals/time concept which aligns again very well with the overall theme of this book.

I think what I learned through my reading experience with The Clockmaker's Daughter is that sometimes a book isn't about the "hype" or getting to that final twist.... it's igniting a flame in each and every reader that connects/processes the book differently.

I'm so glad I had my wonderful book besties along my side during this new journey of historical fiction.

Overall, 3.5 clock stars rounded down.

Huge thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Publication date: 10/9/18
Published to GR: 10/7/18

This continues Morton's style of combining past with present stories, this time including a ghost to follow changing faces over time in Birchwood Manor. There is a love story, betrayal, art, murder, poverty and heartbreak. It all "begins" when Elodie Winslow (in the present) discovers a leather satchel, a photograph and an artist's sketchbook and her investigation leads her to Birchwood Manor and its mysteries.
I have read several of Morton's books, and this is my favorite so far. For a long book it flows beautifully. In these kinds of stories, often past eclipses present, but here Elodie's story is just as strong and intriguing as the others, so the book never drags. As usual, the solution to mysteries evolve gradually so that characters are fully developed and emotions deeply felt. I highly recommend.

This was my first time reading a book by Kate Morton. My Lord is her writing good. Her vocabulary alone astonished me and the eloquence with which she strings thoughts together was impeccable.

One quick note before I review the content of the book. That cover! It's stunning and I have no doubt it will be an eye catcher. In fact, it's what struck my fancy when I was browsing through NetGalley looking for my next great read.

This book is hard to describe as it's so complex, with layers upon layers. But essentially it is the story of how people are interconnected in both place and time. The story spans over a century from 1862 to 2017, with multiple "mini-stories" that weave their way into one. There is a "mystery" element but I didn't feel that the mystery was what carried the book. Honestly, I would say the romantic elements were stronger and the mystery was a subplot.

I enjoyed each character's individual journey and felt that all the characters stood on their own with appropriate complexity and differentiation. There were times when the story bounced back and forth through time that I found myself forgetting who somebody was or how they were connected to the overall story, but after a quick refresher I was able to right myself. I will say that it was probably 100 pages too long and could have benefited from some significant editing. Because of it's length, it did take me a bit longer to read than normal which didn't help my memory and retention with regards to the story.

This book truly does transport you to another place and time entirely. I felt as if I was sitting in the garden outside Birchwood Manor enjoying a summer day with the river babbling and butterflies floating amidst the breeze. Kate Morton has a true talent


Lastly, I will say the chapter formatting was unique and clever. The story told by the Clockmaker's Daughter was numbered in Roman numerals I through XII, a nod to the overall theme of time engrained in this book, while the stories told from the other characters were simply numerical in nature. Chapter XII concluded the book like a clock striking midnight.

-This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Morton, and Atria Books for the opportunity to review.-

During the long span of its life, Birchwood Manor has been many things, including a school for young ladies, but when Birdie Bell begins the tale of her residency in the Tudor manor house and tells us, "It was long ago; it was yesterday," that one Dickensian line put me firmly in Kate Morton's spell-weaving hands.

By the time I'd finished The Clockmaker's Daughter, I'd added Birchwood Manor to my list of favorite literary houses. Yes, over the centuries it has been many things to many people, but above all, it has been a place of refuge, a place of safety. In the dead of night, a light has been known to shine from an attic dormer, signaling sanctuary to those who need it. I fell in love with Birchwood Manor, every stone, every timber, every flower in its gardens, all the way down to its jetty on the River Thames.

Morton's novel is a slow-moving story told in multiple voices. I'm not complaining about the pace because this is the type of story that must build gradually. Once or twice while reading I did wonder if quite so many voices were needed to advance the plot, but for the most part, I found each character enjoyable-- especially young schoolgirl Ada Lovegrove and Birdie Bell herself.

In many ways, reading The Clockmaker's Daughter is like putting together a large, complicated jigsaw puzzle. The final image is so compelling that you just can't stop reading. As each clue to the mystery is uncovered, it's as though you've found a lost puzzle piece under the box lid or spied one under the sofa cushion and you can't wait to fit it into its proper place.

I have to admit that I didn't really find any great surprises in the plot of this novel, but I didn't care. Being a master storyteller isn't always about coming up with something brand-new. Sometimes it's just about being able to tell a story that fires the reader's imagination so that the person turning the pages can see themselves in each scene of the book and feel the emotions each character feels. If this is the type of book you're in the mood for, there's only one thing to do: pick up a copy of Kate Morton's The Clockmaker's Daughter and meet the people of Birchwood Manor.

The beginning of The Clockmaker’s Daughter hinted at the potential of a fascinating story told from the perspective of the modern woman, Elodie Winslow and the ghost, Birdie Bell. I would have been happy to see how Elodie’s research and Birdie’s recollections unveiled the truth about the events of 1862 and the people involved.

But then more viewpoints were added. And then more.

Most of the characters were well worth getting to know, each with their own impression of the mystery. They helped me piece the facts together so that I could come up with my own suspicions of what really happened in 1862. Did I guess the the truth about what happened before the author revealed it? Not exactly, but I was close.

The ghost, Birdie, is by far the main character. While the book blurb leads you to believe that Elodie is equally important, she actually disappears from the pages of the book for long passages. I really wanted more of her. I wanted her to use her research skills to uncover the personal histories, clues, and artifacts that make up the story of Birchwood Manor.

The story jumped all over the timeline, expecting the reader to keep up with the many characters and their relationships not just to the timeline, but to other characters in the story. To be honest, I found it a bit exhausting. Not everyone will agree with me and might even call me linear-minded. That’s okay.

My rating is 3.5 stars and will round to 4 for the review sites. Overall, I think The Clockmaker’s Daughter will entertain – if you have patience for this temporally challenged mystery.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hugely disappointed. I like Kate Morton—hence excited for approval to read this book prepublication. BUT.

I like a book with dual timelines. This book, however, had multiple/too many timelines—often confusing, and none terribly compelling .The present timeline—2017, with Elodie Winslow, a London archivist engaged to be married—doesn’t figure in a large part of the book. In fact, I found myself wondering—when would I get back to her story? [which I knew would link ultimately to the driver of the plotlines] Thus, 1862—Edward Radcliffe, part of a group of young artists [Magenta Brotherhood] who head to Birchwood Manor on the Thames—a big character in this novel.

Again, too many often confusing timelines. But overwhelmingly, I just didn’t care. Plus, it’s a long book and I found myself slogging through it to finish and find out how would it all tie together. And, always a rating deduction for me—in several instances the plot line/deviation was just too clearly telegraphed—I like a surprise! So all this added up to just not caring.

Note: the writing was predominantly fine—in fact, in some places I marked humor or great descriptions. What/who did I like? Pale Joe. Lily [the latter one—you must read to find out].

I just can’t say it was good read.

I sooooo wanted to love this book. Kate Morton writes beautifully, and I loved the premise, but this one just wasn't for me. I felt like there was just too much going on, so it was hard for me to keep everything together. Perhaps it;'s because of all the different perspectives going on, but about halfway through, I realized I just didn't care about what was happening. Don't get me wrong- the intrigue is there and Morton's ability to create a hazy, interesting story is wonderful, but I just felt like this book should've had less voices in it.

3 out of 5 stars for The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Kate Morton is a master storyteller with the ability to draw out each character equally in exquisitely fine detail. Each person's heartaches, and soul searching moments were bound together within the walls of an enchanting house straight out of a fairy tale. The event that occurred at Birchwood Manor is an unsolved mystery with many fine strands expertly twined together at the end. She lays out extensive history of the inhabitants and visitors, as well as slowly revealing one narrator's own involvement at the center of it all. I was extremely impressed with the originality of this timeless woman's delivery of the sad tale through her all-seeing knowledge. I can honestly say I've never read a POV quite like hers before.

Over 150 years, speculation has swelled over the murder of one woman, and the disappearance of another. Interest in the whereabouts of Edward Radcliffe’s last rumored painting of his muse, Lily Millington, and the priceless Radcliffe Blue continued to linger. After all, who can resist a tragic love story that involves missing treasure? It seemed there were no clues besides some vague police theories, and the case had long gone ice cold. Until an archivist named Elodie Winslow discovered a leather satchel with a beautiful woman's photo, and Edward's sketchbook. Could this be the mysterious woman he became obsessed with before his life was shattered? How were they connected to James Stratton, the man who once owned the leather satchel?

Elodie is a woman who makes a career out of finding the forgotten story in antiques, and making diligent records of them. But there is something beyond her average interest in these items. An instant fascination and magnetic pull to a sketch found inside his book, and an almost desperate need to answer all of her questions about the events of 1862. Engaged to be married, it's quite possibly the worst time to turn her focus to this mystery. Truths are suddenly being unearthed about the passing about her own mother, and the circumstances surrounding the time of her death. She's feeling confused and more than a little lost as her emotions are getting stirred at uncomfortable levels. But she simply cannot let the matter rest, and what she discovers will have a surprising personal impact.

I really felt for Elodie as she navigated through her conflicted feelings about her family, and the blow of some uncomfortable secrets that eventually came to light. Initially, I actually thought that her POV would be the main focus in the book, but that wasn't the case. The many varied POVs were spaced out with equal attention, escorting you through time slowly at first. Until finally, the meander became a ragged sprint that leaves you breathless in the last chapters.

Edward and Lily's love story was what I was most looking forward to reading about. Even knowing they would ultimately suffer a cruel fate, I wanted that peek into their happy time when their world was full of light and promise. And boy, they did not disappoint. Their emotions for each other were beautifully written, and some of my absolute favorite parts of Kate Morton's crafting of this story. Edward's adoration of her bled through the pages, and made their stories that much more important to solve. At times, I was impatient to get to their parts, and the pace dragged from my impatience. There was a definite melancholy air to much of the book, and a feeling of impending doom. But in those brief moments when you see their love blossom, they are the sweetest bouquet waiting to bloom.

The mystery of the book held me enthralled throughout. There were some things that I caught onto, and others that took me completely by surprise as everything was finally revealed. My suspicions about Uncle Tip and his mother's story at Birchwood was partially confirmed, but there were several unpredictable details I loved that clicked each of the puzzle together seamlessly. I loved the ethereal quality to the manor, and how it was almost a character in and of itself. How its beauty brought comfort and peace to so many despite bringing devastation to the Radcliffes. I must admit, the ending felt pretty abrupt to me, and I attempted to turn the last page to see if there was more to be told. It was a little bit of a let down to not be shown Elodie and Jack's impending discovery even though it's obvious what was about to transpire. I wanted to be able to see it!

All in all, I fell in love with Kate Morton's eloquent writing. The Clockmaker's Daughter was a many layered, beautifully expressed, character driven story. I'm really looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

Her writing style is lyrical and her subject matter is always interesting and beautifully displayed. I adored The Lake House and I own all her other books but I usually wait to read them until the fall. There is something about reading her books in the fall that just makes them that much better it seems.

When I saw that this book was coming out in the fall, I knew I had to read it. The cover and title screamed ‘read me’.

In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins.

Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.

Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?

Told by multiple voices across time, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a story of murder, mystery, and thievery, of art, love and loss. And flowing through its pages like a river, is the voice of a woman who stands outside time, whose name has been forgotten by history, but who has watched it all unfold: Birdie Bell, the clockmaker’s daughter (summary from Goodreads).

This one is a tough one for me to review. I liked it, but that was just it. There seemed to be a little too much going on in this one. Normally in her books, there are a couple of different stories going on in the narrative that eventually link back together, but in this one there are numerous (like more than 4) stories going on in the narrative, not to mention a number of different time periods and that left me with a few too many characters to keep track of.

At times I almost felt like this story was running away with itself. Every time I got to a new chapter it seemed that a new character was adding their contribution to the larger narrative. I liked getting to know a lot of characters but sometimes I felt lost and I had a hard time trying to understand how everything related to the next.

But this book did have a lot of what you might expect from Morton. It had beautiful writing with a number of beautiful musings and quotes. Morton has a profound vocabulary that she isn’t afraid to use and I love how well that works in her novels. This book is well researched with a lot of little historical details but not so many that it overwhelms the reader. I loved reading about Birchwood Manor…I could almost feel like I was there. She has a wonderful way of tapping into the beauty of the English countryside and their estates and ushering the reader into the setting. I love that about her books.

While this book was fun to read, it wasn’t at the top of my list. I will still gladly read her books though because she writes with such beauty and style that I am entranced when I read her books. Again, this is only the second book that I’ve read by her so I can only compare it to The Lake House (which I liked better). Though I didn’t like this one as much as I expected, there is still a lot to enjoy and read in this book. It’s got some ghosts in it so it does make a lovely fall/Halloween read.

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Kindle Edition, 512 pages
Expected publication: October 9th 2018 by Atria Books (first published September 20th 2018)
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Recommendation: 3 out of 5
Genre: historical fiction, ghost story
Memorable lines/quotes:

Thank you to NetGalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. Kate Morton's writing style is so rich. The Clockmaker's Daughter is a beautiful story that is sure to delight readers.

I loved this book! I love tales that sweep through time and characters. Kate Morton does this so well! Another author could have made this story confusing with all the timelines and characters. This was a beautiful story.

Kate Morton's newest book releases October 9 - so request it from the library or put it in your amazon cart now! This is a classic Kate Morton book that brilliantly weaves together multiple storylines, multiple points of view and a touch of mystery all in one. I loved this book from start to finish! It's the perfect cozy fall read complete with a ghost story - which was one of my favorite parts about the book. If you've loved Kate Morton in the past... you will love her latest! Brew a cup of tea, get the fireplace going and curl up to read this book. If you haven't read any Kate Morton before I highly recommend The Distant Hours and The Forgotten Garden - although all here books are awesome! (please note I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion)

I had never read Kate Morton before, so I cannot compare it to her other novels. I can see why she has so many loyal fans, her writing is lovely, though this story felt quite long. This novel starts when Elodie, a modern archivist, stumbles upon a satchel with a notebook and old photograph inside. Elodie diligently researches their past, whisking us across time as the story develops. Chapters are told from multiple points-of-view, and it’s not always immediately clear at the outset whose we’re seeing or where we are in time and place. It’s a method that works well, getting us to the end without giving all the twists and turns away beforehand.

It’s not an action-filled, or plot-heavy novel. It’s much more about the moments in time we visit and the character development, which are beautifully described in Morton’s transporting prose. And while the story was engaging, I wish it’d been a little more to the point.

Initially intrigued with the premise of a long-ago tragedy reaching forward to impact the present, particularly as the tragedy was from the Victorian era, I dove into the book hoping for a story that transported while showing the interconnection and impact of the initial event over the years. And while individual points of view are both beautifully written and hold description and emotion that lead readers to want more – the book failed to captivate me, and I was left often wondering about characters who shared information and seemed to be ‘important’ who just went poof. When you add this lack of threads and a twisty-turny meandering path to any sort of answers, and then make the choice to not clearly define narrative points of view, the story gets lost in the ‘who was that and why are they speaking’ questions that arose. And many of those moments arose, as Morton chose to use multiple (I lost count) narrative voices – some sharing information, others simple impressions and others still whose point I have yet to discern.

I wanted a touch of a gothic feel, a bit of ‘oh so that’s why X did that” that would, if not instantly then eventually give me a sense of how a murder and a house could effect the lives (not necessarily for the better) some 250 years later. And sadly, I didn’t’ get that – and found myself hard-pressed to muddle through proclamations and moments from characters that were ill-defined and often felt randomly placed as I tried to work out the one thread and touchstone for the story. It never came. I’m sure that fans of Morton’s writing will love this – but as a first introduction to her work I found it didn’t hold my interest or my attention past an hour at a shot. While the writing is lovely – and her prose is exceptional – it was the plotting choices and characters that never quite developed into anything beyond nebulous that has me disinclined to read her books again.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-a3u/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I am so very excited that Kate Morton, an author whom I adore, has a new novel coming out in October. I had the opportunity to read it via Net Galley and I really enjoyed it!

The Clockmaker’s Daughter is wonderful historical fiction, and it follows the story of Birdie, a spirit who tells her own story within the story of a house and all the intertwining lives that play a role there over time. This story stretches from 1862 to present day, but eventually you come to see how all the lives are actually impacting each other through time and place, through love, murder, loss, and mystery. Though the story can sometimes be a bit confusing as the narrator changes, and the story does not move chronologically, I loved making the connections and guessing what would come next. It’s a bit of a sad story, but interesting, and with a cast of characters that is as memorable as it is unique.

Fans of Morton will love this treat, and new readers of her should not miss it!

Thank you for my review copy!

REVIEW
The Clockmaker's Daughter is a solid work by Kate Morton. It's a bit of a hefty tome that could benefit from a deft edit, but fans of Morton's work will be pleased overall. It's a story told across time periods and focuses on themes of mystery, love, and loss.

AUTHOR
Kate Morton is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours, The Secret Keeper, The Lake House, and The Clockmaker’s Daughter. Her books are published in 34 languages and have been #1 bestsellers worldwide. She is a native Australian, holds degrees in dramatic art and English literature. She lives with her family in London and Australia.

Sadly, even though I love historical fiction and dual timelines, this book just didn’t work for me at all. The pacing was so slow and there were way too many characters to keep track of and I didn’t feel a connection to any of them. I’m disappointed because this was my first time reading Kate Morton and I’ve always heard great things about her books.

I have heard others say this one is a bit different from what she usually writes though, so I’ll definitely give her another try because her writing itself is gorgeous even though I didn't click with this particular story. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacts my opinion.