A rich, spellbinding new novel from the author of The Lake House—the story of a love affair and a mysterious murder that cast their shadow across generations, set in England from the 1860's until the present day.
Synopsis
My real name, no one remembers.
The truth about that summer, no one else knows.
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.
PURCHASE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"I fell deeply in love with books as a child and believe that reading is freedom; that to read is to live a thousand lives in one; that fiction is a magical conversation between two people - you and me - in which our minds meet across time and space. I love books that conjure a world around me, bringing their characters and settings to life, so that the real world disappears and all that matters, from beginning to end, is turning one more page."
Kate Morton's five novels - The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours, The Secret Keeper and The Lake House - have all been New York Times bestsellers, Sunday Times bestsellers and international number 1 bestsellers; they are published in 34 languages, across 42 countries.
REVIEW
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate MortonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Title: The Clockmaker's Daughter
Series: Standalone
Author: Kate Morton
Release date: October 9, 2018
“Down the winding lane and across the meadow broad, to the river they went with their secrets and their sword . . .”
I am aware that the sun continues to rise and set and the moon to take its place, but I no longer feel its passage. Past, present, and future are meaningless; I am outside time. Here and there, and there and here, at once.
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.
There is a sureness— a pride even— to the set of her lips, that is breathtaking. She is breathtaking. Now that I have seen her, anyone else would be an imposter. She is truth; truth is beauty; and beauty is divine.”
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.
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