Publication Date: 6 February 2020
The Blurb
June, 1905.
Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are off to Cambridge when her father is appointed clock-winder to one of the wealthiest men in England. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop.
But Helena discovers the house of one hundred clocks holds many mysteries; a ghostly figure, strange notes and disappearing winding keys… Can she work out its secrets before time runs out?
The Review
With each passing inspection, the suspense builds as mysteries mount and the tension within the House Of One Hundred Clocks seeps beneath your skin.
As Helena strikes up an uneasy friendship with Boy, it’s clear that both children, and their fathers, are coming to terms with traumatic events. The death of Helena’s mother sees her father lose himself in his work, while she clings to the memory of her mother. What compels Mr. Westcott’s obsession with his clocks, and Boy’s strange behaviour isn’t revealed to begin with, but Mrs. Westcott’s absence is felt keenly.
The empathy Helena and Boy show towards each other helps build their friendship and gives them the courage to face their fears and try to rebuild their familues.
Edwardian life and attitudes towards women, servants and the poor are all cleverly interwoven, creating an atmospheric setting in Cambridge at the turn of the century.
Great for fans of:
- Gaslight by Eloise Williams
- Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll
- The Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine
You can have a sneak peak of the first chapter over on the Usbourne website.
Huge thanks to Fritha and Usbourne for sending me a gloriously wrapped review copy – I do love a book with a map!