Unfortunately this book was a DNF for me.
The writing style was incredibly drawn out and self indulgent. I just could not get into it.
I also found the characters not particularly interesting.

I came to this book knowing nothing about it other than the blurb on the NetGalley request invitation, and I’m not familiar with the author. I think now that even if I’d had high expectations, I would not have been disappointed.
It’s the second book I’ve read recently that is set in the past and the present, with a central character investigating a historical puzzle. There are echoes of A. S. Byatt’s Possession. I think I’d tire of that structure eventually but that hasn’t happened yet.
Just when I thought we’d met all the dramatis personae, another strand of story was introduced, and then another. The stories of each are intertwined, but it doesn’t feel forced to me, more of an inevitability.
I really enjoyed this book and found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading, wanting to find out what happened next. What a pity I’ve finished it.

Kate Morton’s latest lush read is a rich, novel narrated by multiple voices and set in multiple timeframes. The Clockmaker’s Daughter of the title is Birdie, telling her story from beyond the grave. Her involvement with an artistic movement of the 1860s and what happened at the house at the centre of that movement is the key to understanding all the other stories being told throughout the book.

In the present day, Elodie Winslow discovers a mysterious satchel and sketchbook and sets off on a journey to find out the story behind them. The links between her and the other characters in The Clockmaker’s Daughter begin to emerge, although there are some satisfying twists along the way.

Densely plotted and long enough to keep the fastest reader enthralled for days, this novel will immerse you in the world of Birchwood Manor and the Victorian artists who lived there in 1862.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan, Mantle Books & NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

I loved all of Kate Morton's previous books and I was so excited when I got approved for this book. 
This is a book that you definitely need to think about. It's not a quick, easy read. There are a lot of characters over many time periods between 1861 and 2016 and a lot of concentration is needed. However, because of this there is obviously a depth to the characters. The writing is good but the level to mystery wasn't high enough to keep the pages turning quickly. I enjoyed it, but it definitely isn't my favourite from Morton.

Firstly, what a beautiful cover!
The story, captivating, enchanting, confusing sometimes, but altogether a lovely tale. I felt as though I was for ever trying to catch wisps as they sailed past, running, turning pages to see where Elodie was. She and her work as an archivist came across so interestingly.
I was sad at the fate of Birdie, the Clockmaker's daughter.
Kate morton's books are always fascinating.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

I was so excited to see another book by the fabulous Kate Morton and this one didn't disappoint. It was like the River Thames which featured as part of the story, many twists and turns and little tributaries running in and out of it. I did get a little confused with the many story links at one point and found myself speed reading big chunks to move through the story quicker. However, overall it was a fabulous read - a ghost story, a murder mystery and a love story all in one. What more could you want?

On another note: I used to live exactly where this fictional house was based just outside Lechlade (I was in Buscot which I think is as close as I can get with the clues) so it added a huge amount of interest to me as I could easily visualise the countryside from the descriptions, even the house itself I've placed as the Rectory in Buscot....I could be wrong but it all fits quite nicely and added to the enjoyment.

In "The Clockmaker's Daughter" it is 1862 and a group of bohemian artists spend their time at Birchwood Manor. Its owner is the gifted artist, Edward Radcliffe. The relaxed visit is interrupted by a burglary and murder of Edward's fiancée and a disappearance of his muse, Birdie Bell. Edward's life is shattered to pieces.
It's 2017 and young London archivist, Elodie Winslow, comes across a satchel hiding a photograph of a Victorian woman and a sketchbook with the drawing of a home by the river that feels very familiar to Elodie. She starts to dig and soon she is to discover a story that it's also connected to her family, full of secrets and tragedy.

There are many different settings and the story jumps between times, however it is always underlined in which period we're finding ourselves in, so I didn't have any problems here and I didn't feel confusion. Where I was a little confused though was that under all those description and many colourful and eclectic characters lay a mystery that was a brilliant idea and was incredibly captivating, yet it was somehow forgotten because of all the many other things and events. The author's writing style is beautiful and elegant though, almost lyrical, and it wonderfully conveys the atmosphere of all the times she's writing about.

There are many characters introduced to us - probably too many, to be honest, and instead on action this book mostly focuses on telling us their stories over a century - and this is probably where the mystery has gone a little lost. All of the characters had their own, diverse and hooking stories and maybe this was too much for this story, as it sometimes felt too overfilled. One little example, I found Elodie's subplot starting very strong and interesting but then it lost its impact and focus, which is a shame as it was an interesting one. This tale is told through multiple narrators and with them we slowly and painstakingly learn the story and background of Birchwood Manor, its history and its residents - this especially through the eyes of the ghost, Birdie. She tells us a tale full of mysteries, murder, lies and secrets, theft, tragedy and drama that the house witnessed through generations. All the characters in this book are somehow connected to this house.

The end is beautifully and neatly wrapped up, it brings almost all the threads together, though I also had a feeling that there are still some questions open, especially about the characters from the present times. But it could be that I've missed something, I admit, because guys, and it pains me to tell this, to get through all the descriptions was incredibly hard and so I skipped some passages. What I didn't miss, though, was the name of the Clockmaker's Daughter - I was desperate to learn it.


"The Clockmaker's Daughter" was a very complex book and I can only imagine how much research went into it! It was a very captive story, very rich in descriptions that were so eloquent and vivid, effortlessly helping to bring the setting and characters to life. It was, however, not as wonderful as I was expecting. Kate Morton has many fans out there and one of my fellow bloggers that I value very, very much always rave about her book, and so I though I must finally read a Kate Morton novel! Sadly, I couldn't find this wow - factor and felt a little disappointed after reading it, but probably I should have started with another book of hers - I will for sure getting back to her whole previous catalogue.There were also incredible twists in this book and it brings everything you're looking for in good historical fiction - incredibly well research, mystery, murder, romances and a hidden treasure. Please, don't get me wrong - this book had its brilliant moments but I think it would be a real winner if it was shorter and the number of characters was reduced. I just have a feeling that the potentials of this gorgeous plot has not been made use of.
It was full of imagination and creative, a book different to any other books, filled with many interesting characters, beautiful descriptions, luminous writing, complex plot and beautifully written, and even though it was not this what I was expecting, it was still a wonderful read and a great escape into the fictional world.

Well, I really tried to like this book. I have enjoyed Kate Morton’s books before , The House at Riverton, The Secret Keeper and The Forgotten Garden all got great ratings from me. This one however, although it started off okay it rapidly became a bit confusing and not an enjoyable read with the swapping between different time periods. I did get almost halfway through before I gave up. I don’t like not finishing books though and maybe I will revisit it and try to finish at some time in the future. Thankyou to netgalley for my review copy in return for an honest review.

Found this book a little confusing and over wordy. It did take a while to understand the different events and by the time I had finished realised there were still unanswered questions. Disappointing as I had so enjoyed previous books by Kate Morton.

This is an enchanting ghost story told by multiple voices across time. It is a novel about mystery, love, loss and murder. It is a multi-layered read which I really enjoyed.

In the present day, Elodie Winslow, an archivist in London, discovers an old leather satchel which holds a photograph of a beautiful woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house which Elodie finds really familiar. She sets out to investigate the story behind the picture and the house.

Back in 1862 a group of young artists, led by Edward Radcliffe have gathered for the summer at Birchwood Manor. Edward is very talented and besotted by his new model who calls herself Lily Millington. By the end of the summer there has been a murder and the theft of a valuable jewel.

This is quite a long novel and you do have to concentrate on who is who and from which era they are from but it is richly rewarding.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

I am already a huge Kate Morton fan, having read all of our her previous books, so I was so excited to read her newest novel, The Clockmakers Daughter. As with her previous novels, it swings between the present day and a date in the past, this book goes through a number of years through the spirit narrator, which lends a whole new angle. Again, as with Morton’s last novels, the book evokes a wonderful feeling in me- nostalgia maybe, a lovely warm feeling, and I am drawn to finish her books in record time as I can’t wait to find out what happens and I always fall in love with her characters. If you like big old houses and wonder of the lives led there, then Morton’s books are for you. This latest doesn’t disappoint, as we follow Elodie in her work as an archivist, trying to piece together some items she comes across that tie in with a memory of a fairy story she was told by her late mother. A beautiful story.

When I first picked this up to read I initially read the first couple of chapters then abandoned it for another book. But when I came back to try again, I found myself captivated by the story.
There are lots of different time lines, plot lines, and characters to keep track of, and I'm sure some readers will find it very confusing, but I *loved* the multiplicity, and the intertwining of all the different time lines.
It is so, so well written. Just lovely, and the characters are distinct & different, and the plot is engaging & mysterious. As a new time line begins it feels almost like a whole new book, and so then the joy as they converge is brilliant. The characters were great, and each time I felt I had a favourite, another would come along!
It is long, but the length pays off. I really, really liked this book.

This book is like several books in 1. It has a central theme and linked stories that knit together well.

Setting described very well
characters keep you guessing.
Enjoyable book -sad in part too.
Very nice read

When I got sent an early review copy of the new Kate Morton book I knew that I was in for a treat. You can always rely on Morton for a classy and interesting read.

It is the summer of 1862 when a group of bohemian artists and their friends decamp to the beautiful Birchwood Manor in the heart of rural Berkshire. Led by Edward Radcliffe the group intend to spend the month working on their paintings for an autumn exhibition. The countryside idyll is interrupted when one woman is shot dead, another goes missing completely and a valuable heirloom known as the "Radcliffe Blue" vanishes into thin air. Edward's life is destroyed and he will never recover.

Elodie is an archivist in London working her way through some boxes that have come from the Stratton family. One of the boxes contains an expensive looking vintage leather satchel. Inside she finds a silver framed sepia photograph of a striking woman in unconventional Victorian clothing. Alongside the photograph is an artist's sketch book filled with drawings of a striking house located by the side of a river. Elodie feels drawn to both the photograph and to the pictures of the house but can't explain why. She is supposed to be planning her upcoming wedding but all of a sudden the mysterious items seem much more important.

Like Morton's other books this one weaves in and out of a number of different timelines. The story develops through a number of different people including the Clockmakers Daughter herself, muse of Edward and narrator for much of the tale and Lucy Radcliffe, Edwards's sister and later owner of Birchwood Manor.

This is a stunning celebration of art and love, of theft and loss and ultimately of murder and despair. It is such a beautiful story. Each timeline is so beautifully described that you soon get a feel for which period you are in by the style of the description and the narration. The passionate and emotional muse, the educated and scientific mind of the teacher, the modern world of the archivist who throws herself into solving the mystery.At just under 600 pages <em>The Clockmaker's Daughter</em> is a weighty tome but well worth the investment of your time and money.

Supplied by Net Galley and Mantle in exchange for an honest review.

#TheClockmaker'sDaughter #NetGalley

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When I saw that this book was almost 600 pages long, I have to admit I was worried as I normally prefer much shorter books. As soon as I began reading though, I was drawn in and caught up in the story. It held my attention all the way through and I was eager to keep reading to find out what would happen next and how all the different strands of the story would tie together.
The Clockmaker's Daughter tells of a group of artists who spend the summer of 1862 at Birchwood Manor. By the end of the summer one has been shot dead and another is missing, but the truth of what really happened remains a mystery. In 2017, a young archivist discovers a photograph and sketchbook which prompt her to investigate their origins and, in doing so, she is drawn into the mystery of Birchwood Manor.
The book jumps between these two stories as well as other sub-plots concerning others who visited or resided at Birchwood Manor in between. Each of the individual stories and characters are memorable in their own right, but the way the different strands gradually come together is outstanding!
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Kate Morton.

I was so looking forward to reading this ARC courtesy of Net Galley and the publishers as I have enjoyed Kate Morton's other books. This one started really well but by 40% I had lost any interest in the plot, the mystery, or what happened to any of the characters. It flits around time periods, spends a lot of time on children, and just seems to get bogged down. The thought of reading another 360 pages having already read 240 was enough to make me ditch the book. Not something I often do especially if I am reading for a review.

This story moves between the present and the summer of 1862. It is then that Edward Radcliffe buys Birchwood Manor and invites his friends for the summer. At the end of the summer one woman is dead, one is missing along with a family heirloom.
What happens next? What is the mystery of Birchwood Manor over the following centuries and why does the light shine in the top window?
Move forward to the present and a young archivist, Elodie, uncovers an artifact which could finally solve the mystery.
Throughout this story is told by a woman whose name and fate will eventually be revealed in a further twist.

This is an interesting novel, and one which I need to re-read sooner rather than later, in order to be able to read it straight through, rather than needing to refer back every now and then to check the flow of and links between different parts of the narrative. Characterisation is very good, in part due to a very effective use of different direct and indirect narrative voices and in part due to excellent, evocative descriptions of the landscape and, in particular, of Birchwood House, which are also significant characters in the plot.

"The Clockmaker's Daughter" is a mystery story set over about 150 years, involving several love stories and some folklore. However, for me, the heart of it is concerns how landscape connects to people over time and how some places, including the built environment, can have a stronger influence on us than others. It would make an excellent book club choice.

Many thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for this honest review.

In a beautifully written novel, with lovely, acutely observed descriptions, and with an attention to historical accuracy that brings each period in the story to life, Kate Morton has woven a tale around the lives of a group of artists who lived in 1862, in particular Edward Radcliffe and his muse, Lily Millington, and about those who lived at the same time or came after them.

On a whim, Edward bought a gabled Oxfordshire manor house situated at the bend of a river, Birchwood Manor, and moved in there with his artist friends. The house had seemed to call to him, as it was to call to others who lived after him, all of whom were in some way connected to Edward, Lily or the house. Using multiple voices, Kate Morton tells us their stories, using as a framework, the discovery in 2017 by archivist, Elodie Winslow, of a leather satchel containing a sketchbook and a photograph.

Intrigued by the inexplicable familiarity of both, Elodie embarks upon a search to explain their presence in the satchel, and their connection to the satchel’s owner. As the reader follows her efforts, the secrets encompassing Edward, Lily and Birchwood Manor, and the events of 1862, are unfolded.

I found it difficult to put the novel down and read for far longer each night than I’d intended. I was completely caught up in the story of each of the principle characters, and was always disappointed when it was time to leave that character and move to a different period and character. Within minutes, however, I’d adjusted to the 'new' period and was caught up in the ‘new’ character’s story. Kate Morton is, indeed, a gifted storyteller.

I read this novel on a kindle, and wished as I did so that it had been out in paperback as I would have bought the book and finished reading it in print. It’s a long novel, and at times I would have liked to have been able to look back and refresh my memory with greater ease than one can on a kindle, or to read again a particularly satisfying description. My advice, potential reader, is that if you have the choice of ebook or print, opt for the print edition – I think it worth paying a little extra to make it as easy as possible to read and enjoy a novel of this quality.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I am a fan of Kate Morton books. The Clockmaker's Daughter is no exception spanning 150 years from 1862. There are glorious characters from Birdie to Elodie that are woven throughout this engaging tale and through the years. If you are a fan of Kate Morton you will not be disappointed. It's too substantial to read in one sitting but is gripping enough to keep you awake instead of turning off the light to sleep. I loved it.