Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.. I was so exited to receive this, being a huge Kate Morton fan from the very beginning. “The House at Riverton” was superb, followed by the even better “The Forgotten Garden”. Kate Morton, in my eyes could do no wrong. But oh dear ! I’m afraid that this review is going to echo many similar. I can’t believe I’m only giving three stars and that with an effort. Two and a half would have been more accurate. What has gone wrong this time?

A great idea for a story and the usual beautifully written prose. I was tempted to note a few memorable passages to include in this review but there were just so many, But that‘s it. Obviously a lot of research has gone into the work, e.g. literary references to the likes of T S Elliot and Dickens. But naming the group of artists “The Magenta Brotherhood“ was, I thought, a little cringe worthy, given that the real and world renowned Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood were in existence at the same time.

The book begins with a slow but imaginative opening chapter, but it failed to grip me from the word go. I was about 25% in before. I began to engage with anyone, then the story changed tack and time and we were asked to connect with different characters. First it was one person’s story and then another’s and in between all of them a ghost kept popping up. To begin with I wasn’t totally clear where she came into the story. There’s an old country house and estate of the type which frequently features very successfully in Kate Morton’s books, but this time even this failed to exert the usual charm and atmosphere. About 60 % through the book began to make sense and I was able to engage. Remember the title. “The Clockmaker’s Daughter” which with a Kindle edition one loses, and it will become clear. She and Birchwood Manor hold the various disparate stories together. The ghost can’t leave the house so inside the narration is in the first person and outside in the third, which just adds to the confusion..

Having conceived an excellent idea for a book, has the author perhaps got bogged down in it and lost the clear track of the story ? It’s rambling and ill disciplined with too many character and too much time invested in each of their stories. This reader couldn’t connect with anybody or anything.. Let’s just hope that the real Kate Morton will be back on form in the next novel.

Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and open review.

The Clockmaker's Daughter is the first book I requested from NetGalley where I knew the author and have read books by them before; I even have another book by Kate Morton that has been sitting on my shelf for over a year. So far I have had mixed reviews of her work, but I still had high hopes for this one. I'm glad to say that these hopes were met as a book as big as six hundred pages was still able to hold my attention like this one.

I thought this book was exceptionally well written as Morton guides us through the different time periods with success as I did not feel lost while reading the novel.

So far, this is my favourite novel of Morton and I can't wait to get around to the book sitting on my shelf.

I am a big fan of Kate Morton 's books, so I was thrilled for the opportunity to review this ARC! I was also a bit worried, as I know that the author likes to follow a certain writing style, with different timelines interwoven to create a multi voice narrative. I was not sure if I wouldn't find it too repetitive, too samey, too predictable. But somehow, although the multiple narrators are still there, Kate Morton managed to surprise me again.

"The Clockmaker's Daughter" is a mysterious, haunting story of a certain house and it's occupants. It starts with a discovery made by archivist in 2017 of a satchel, a photograph and a sketchbook with a drawing of the house. We then go back to 1862, when a group of artists led by talented Edward Radcliffe spent a blissful summer in Birchwood Manor, before the tragedy led to the demise of the house and its owner. But who is the mysterious narrator of the story and what other secrets are sleeping hidden in Birchwood Manor?

Although I was not very convinced by the contemporary heroine, Elodie, (I admit I was exasperated over her lack of spine and inability to make any decisions!), all the other characters were very engaging and I genuinely cared what happened to them. I must say that I absolutely loved the book and I have found the premise of it fascinating - it is not so much a story of the mystery being solved after hundreds of years, but also a history of the house in its pivotal moments, a tale of lost identity, unexplained disappearance, a theft, a tragic love story, With so many pieces to juggle with it could have finished badly, but somehow the story flows, the mood darkens, the summers swelter and only Birchwood Manor is a constant reminder that certain places and people haunt us forever.

I have always enjoyed Kate Morton's books and was definitely not disappointed with this new title. The story starts in the modern day with Elodie cataloguing a box of miscellaneous items, but she realises there is more to this box than she first thought. Over the course of the book we learn about the history of one particular property in an idyllic setting on a bend of the River Thames, Birchwood Manor. From the time when the house was first seen by the artist Edward Radcliffe right up to the modern day, we are taken on a journey of the inhabitants of the house and their experiences within the walls of this beautiful building. As always, the the characters are varied and we are treated to a magnificent variety of situations that befall them. I was hooked on this book from the first page and would recommend it to those who enjoy becoming fully engrossed in a time travelling tale of mystery and suspense. It is not until the end of the book that the final part of the puzzle is revealed and slots into place to reveal the full story.

Many thanks to both the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication in return for an honest review.

I have very much enjoyed all the Kate Morton books I have read, and this one is no exception.
It has a similar feel to her other books, but this one has several different narrative threads rather than the usual dual time line. We start with the story of Elodie, living in present day London. She finds a sketch pad belonging to a Pre-Raphaelite painter and a photo of his muse. There was a tragedy at a house party, when a valuable diamond was stolen and his Fiancee was shot, sending him into depression. The story then takes us through the history of the house, Birchwood Manor, on the banks of the Thames, and several different generations living there, from Ada Lockwood, who attended when it was a girls school to Juliet (Elodie's Great-Grandmother) who went there with her children to escape the Blitz.
These different threads to the story mean it can read as several different stories ,that all centre around the house but I liked each one, however it makes the story slightly less compelling than other books of hers. Of course it all comes together in the end.

**Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review**

Such a long rambling book. It felt like reading lots of different stories in one book. I began to think that what had seemed to be the main character in the beginning would never reappear. As the book meandered to a conclusion I was struck at how improbable the loss of life in it had been. A very unsatisfactory read.

Kate Morton never fails to disappoint. She is the master of historical fictions, interconnected narrations and character histories, family sagas and mystery .
The writing is always beautiful, vivid, and descriptive. Making you feel like you have transported in time.
This is my favourite Morton novel to date.

I am huge Kate Morton fan having read all her books and this didn't disappoint.
The story is a beautiful interleaving of several stories all based around Birchwood Manor and although a different means of story telling for the author the story pulls you in and I was gripped from the start and I loved the slightly open ending.
A beautiful story by a fabulous author

Kate Morton is on top form,
Great book with great character's that flow together well, the storyline is put together well and I felt really drawn in to the book.
The description on the house made me almost believe I could see it.
In one word.....fantastic!

With Kate Morton you know you are in for a good read. Mystery,history,ghost story this novel has it all with a great twist at the end. A novel that builds slowly and draws you in. A wonderful read.

I really enjoyed this book it was a 'then and now' story which I love and it was written by a ghost! The characters were believable and you could put yourself in their lives.
A great twist as well.
Thank you netgalley for giving me a chance to read and review this book.
If you have enjoyed Kate Morton's other books you will love this

A beautifully written book and the first I have read by Kate Morton. I found the book a little slow and difficult to 'get in to' at first, and there were a lot of characters which sometimes made it hard to keep up with, but the more I read, I more I enjoyed it. The book is rich in historical detail and shifts between Victorian and modern day London effortlessly. A very satisfying read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

What a brilliant book! With a time span of Victorian London to the present day the obvious constant feature is a house in the countryside. However, as the story unfolds, it gradually becomes clear that however improbable it may seem, there is a second constant thread through the years. The denouement when it comes late in the novel succeeds in making the unbelievable believable, thus creating an immensely satisfyingly read.

I’ve just finished this book, after galloping through it in about two days, and am marvelling at the complexity of the plotting. Layer upon layer of stories about people from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, all linked by a connection with a magical house, Birchwood Manor and a priceless jewel, the Radcliffe Stone. At the heart of the book is a heart-breaking tragedy which influences the lives of all the other characters. The reader is left guessing for a long while before that particular secret is revealed; I’m only sorry I did guess it. The many characters remain with you: all so different and all interesting and sympathetic. This is the perfect long read and I think it’s Kate Morton’s best yet.

Kate Morton writes a beautiful piece of epic interconnected historical fiction, with a strong fantastical element, through the ages, with the focus on the rambling Birchwood Manor by the Thames. In 1862, the owner of the Manor, the gifted artist, Edward Radcliffe, and a group of bohemian artists spend the summer there, hoping to be artistically inspired. However, it all ends in catastrophe as a woman is murdered, plus the orphaned artistic muse, Birdie Bell, the clockmaker's daughter, disappears suspected of the theft and Edward's life is shattered into pieces. What really happened? In the present, a young London archivist on the cusp of getting married, Elodie Winslow, is trawling through the archives of James Stratton, and in a leather satchel finds a photograph of a Victorian woman and a sketchbook with the drawing of a home by the river, which somehow feels familiar.

With multiple narrators, we learn of the history of Birchwood Manor, those who have resided there through the generations and their lives, intrigue and difficulties, throughout with the ghostly presence of Birdie Bell. All these disparate stories over time come to connect. Elodie delves into the mystery of the items in the satchel, unaware of her personal family connection and how her investigations will impact on her future and personal life. This is a story of Birchwood Manor, murder, mystery, theft, secrets, lies, art, love, loss and both world wars. The author gives us rich historical details in a narrative that goes back and forth in time in this atmospheric and complex tale. I found this novel entertaining and absorbing if a trifle over long. Many thanks to Panmacmillan for an ARC.

Another great read from Kate Morton. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for this advanced copy. I have enjoyed all her books and this one doesn’t fail to deliver. I’ve give it four stars only because I am Looking forward to her next book. I will. I will be recommending it to my book club.

This wonderful Book had me totally engrossed & captivated within a few short paragraphs. It's wonderful & intriguing characters especially Birdie had me captivated & enthralled in the story & all it's intricate links which worked like a Labyrinth drawing me deeper & deeper into it's depths. But it did leave me frustrated at times , I knew that Birdie was a Spirit or Ghost quite early on , but didn't realise how deeply I would be affected when I read how her death came to pass, I did in fact shed a tear at this point.
The Characters were all facinating & there were tiny hints & cracks within windows of their being that left you wanting to know so much more, for instance did Birdie & Edward marry before the unfortunate murder of Fanny? Did Elodie find the Radcliffe Blue where Tip had hidden it ? what happened after Elodie & Jack discovered the Coffin when the Japanese Acer was up rooted in the Storm & did they look inside? Did Tips mother realise the painting at Mrs Hammett's daughter in laws was Edwards missing painting or at least part of it of Birdie? what else happened in the relationship between Jack & Elodie? Who had Tips mother been writing to for over Twenty years ?
Question after Question do I have for the Author !
But in saying all of this I would highly recommend it for anyone to read.

Whenever I pick up a new Kate Morton novel it's always with a slight sense of apprehension, because I'm worried that it wont live up to my high expectations - I should know better. This, as with all her previous novels is a joy from start to finish, the plot moves along nicely as we switch from various time periods and perspectives to unravel the mystery of Birchwood Manor and its inhabitants. Although all of Morton's books use the device of links between past and current protagonists, they never feel forced or formulaic and this is a testament to her compelling writing style and creation of believable characters.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Morton and Pan MacMillian for my ARC of The Clockmaker's Daughter in exchange for an honest review.
Kate Morton is one of my absolute favourite authors and I've been waiting for a new book for what feels like ages, so I was really excited to get my hands on this one earlier than publication.

As is typical with her style, Kate weaves together storylines that span not only the decades but the centuries, to write a mystery story like none other I know.
Present day: Elodie is working at the archives of James Stratton when she stumbles across a satchel containing a sketchbook and a photo of an attractive woman. As she begins investigations into who the items could belong too, a mystery is uncovered relating to murder, a missing diamond and a love story like no other.

The writing was as always so beautiful and enjoyable, Kate Morton's gift is writing stories of immensely beautiful prose and interesting historical fiction with a twist and mystery which keeps the book in your hand until the last page, and The Clockmaker's Daughter was no different. I absolutely loved it.

Something happened at Birchwood Manor- what were the events that took place on that day? Intriguing read, covering a period of 150years, all centred around a house- Birchwood Manor- and the family who owned it. Great characters, mystery and intrigue keep you reading, as you try to guess exactly where the story is going and what happened. I enjoyed this book, although at times it did seem a little over long, I kept going as I was keen to find out what happened to the characters. The story covers different time periods, and different characters and their experience of their time in Birchwood Manor. A good read!