Author of LitRPG, Gamelit, Sci-Fi, Progression Fantasy & Historical Fiction Books.
Author of LitRPG, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Sci-Fi, Murder Mystery & Historical Fiction Books.
The Clockmaker's Daughter
7/10
Kate Morton
Romance, Time Trave, Historical, Victorian
The Story
Prepare to lose yourself in the enchanting new novel from Kate Morton.
'My father called me Birdie; he said I was his little bird. Others knew me as his child, the clockmaker’s daughter. Edward called me his muse, his destiny. I am remembered as a thief, an imposter, a girl who rose above her station, who was not chaste. 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 in rural Oxfordshire. 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 150 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 it 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.
My Review
"The Clockmaker's Daughter" by Kate Morton is the first book by this author that I've read—or more accurately, listened to. It deviates from my usual genres of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and LitRPG. Additionally, it's narrated by a woman, which isn't typical for the genres I frequent. The recommendation came from my girlfriend, who suggested I might enjoy the way Morton shifts between the past and present in her stories. Given my interest in historical fiction, I thought it was worth a try.
The book begins with Elodie, an archivist living in London. She discovers a leather satchel containing a photograph and a sketchbook. Through her investigations, she learns that the sketchbook belonged to the famous artist Edward Radcliffe. What stands out is a drawing in the sketchbook of a twin-gabled house by a river, which Elodie recognizes from her childhood stories.
Elodie’s journey to uncover the history of this house and the identity of the woman in the photograph leads her into a deep dive into the past, back to the 1860s. During this era, a group of artists known as the Magenta Brotherhood, including Edward Radcliffe, gathered at Birchwood Manor, which is the same house depicted in the sketch.
Without giving away too much, I can say that the story involves Edward Radcliffe, who was engaged to a woman named Fanny but had an affair with his model, Lily Millington. On one fateful day in the 1800s, Fanny was shot dead, Lily disappeared along with a priceless family heirloom, and Edward's life changed forever.
One of the unique aspects of this book is the shifting perspectives and timeline. The transitions can be complex and occasionally disorienting, but each chapter starts with a time reference, which helps. However, there were moments when I found myself questioning what was happening, as there were many characters with their own backstories and motives.
Kate Morton's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, though the number of characters can be overwhelming at times. The pace of the story is generally well-balanced, but some parts, especially in the middle, seemed to drag.
A surprising element is the presence of a ghost as one of the narrators. I wasn't expecting anything supernatural, but I quickly caught on. Given my preference for fantasy and sci-fi, this twist didn't bother me; in fact, it added an intriguing layer to the narrative.
Despite its length, I enjoyed the audiobook version of The Clockmaker's Daughter. Although some sections felt unnecessary, I generally prefer longer books because they offer more content for the same price. After finishing the book, I read some reviews that highlighted similar issues, suggesting I'm not alone in my critique.
Overall, I would read another Kate Morton book, but I might check the blurbs first to ensure the plot aligns with my interests. Being from England, I appreciated the detailed descriptions of London and the surrounding areas, as well as the historical context. Morton's research into historical London is evident, and I look forward to exploring more of her mysteries in the future.