I looked forward to reading this book each evening. At times I did find the story complicated, but I eventually got into the rhythm and was rewarded for persevering. It did take me a while to read, a slow builder rather than a page turner, but the rewards were worth it. (Book Tour Reviewer Eileen Tilley)
Such a well written book with a brilliant premise! It starts off with little quaint details that often reminded me of my own family, when they’d talk about similar experiences, such as trips or journeys they’d taken. Despite the dark elements, I still felt an overall tone of optimism and the vivid characters made it really come alive. I loved the sense of community displayed and how people worked together to overcome the malevolent interloper in their midst. (Book Tour Reviewer Rachel Stoddart)
This atmospheric and evocative book really gets under the skin. The slow build and tension created, make for an engaging and at times chilling story. The descriptions were particularly well done, I could picture the setting very clearly and both the writers have a natural command of the language. I found myself interested in which author wrote which part and found their writing styles seemed to blend seamlessly. I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to cosy up and escape on a cold Autumn or Winter evening. Though probably not one for fans of graphic horror, it definitely has its thrills and chills along the way. (Book Tour Reviewer Michelle Marshall)
The book has a very strong premise: a young family comes to live in Lochnagar after the destruction of London in the war. We follow Annette, a grieving mother, and her young son Duncan. They settle into this new village and start making a life for themselves. Life seems to go on quietly, but evil stirs in the town; an evil we are introduced to as early as the first chapter, in the form of the Clockmaker, a man out of time, with interesting powers. His motives are clear from the get-go, and he works tirelessly through the book to make things happen. The scenes with his creations and what they can do are some of the most visceral in the novel. All the characters have diverse backstories and some are more fleshed out than others. I would have liked to see more chapters from the Clockmaker, and the village people he targets; to truly feel the emotions when certain events happen. Duncan is a sweet boy, but I never quite connected with him; seeing him filtered through the lens of everyone else. However, Annette and even Major Evelyn are some strong, well-detailed characters. The dialogue is for the most part striking, and we know who is talking. The scenes are well-written and the style is almost poetic. It is an atmospheric read. Sometimes though, the transitions between scenes are abrupt, or the timeline jumps in the middle of ponderings or certain events. The book sets the stakes early on, but the pacing seems to pick up and then drop off a bit irregularly throughout. The ending especially felt too rushed considering the slow buildup. However, this was an enjoyable read, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing what happens next. (Book Tour Reviewer Sophie Jupillat Posey)
The Clockmaker is of the sort of suspense and dread that takes time and careful reading to piece together as a mystery. The horror for me here is more ethereal than visceral, though the glimpses through the veil are unsettlingly intriguing. (Book Tour Reviewer Tim Marshall)
This supernatural horror set in post-blitz Scotland sees Annette and young son Duncan move from London to an old inherited house in a small Scottish village. En route to their new lives, they by chance meet the Clockmaker, where he decides Duncan fulfils the perfect final role for his plans. The unfolding of the Clockmaker’s preparations and creations build up to a series of horrific murders. A chilling supernatural novel with characters you’ll come to care for This is absolutely not a book genre that I would choose to read, however the characters have been well written and the setting well researched. The original and imaginative plot here holds the readers’ attention throughout, with a satisfactory pace and credible dialogue (even including the Scottish brogue!) (Book Tour Reviewer Yvonne Marrs)
The Clockmaker sees a recently widowed wife and her son relocate far to the north, escaping the terror of the 2nd World War. However, the arrival of a stranger, a seemingly innocent old man, sees their lives once more thrown into turmoil. The story starts with a slow burn and the author capturing the grief of Annette, the mother, and the innocence of her son as they arrive near the Cairngorms in Northeast Scotland to take over a hotel and start their lives anew. The Clockmaker arrives not long after and has a plan that has been presented to him by demonic forces. The story builds around several key characters and secondary characters. Each is well crafted, and the reader will either like or loathe. The scenes build and really draw the reader in to what is a great climax. The author’s sense of time and place are exceptional and this pulls the reader even further into the story. The story is not an ”all guns blazing” affair but this works to really build the suspense. Fans of steampunk and suspenseful horror will love this (Book Tour Reviewer Niall McKay)
We award 4.5 stars.
