First of all, the cover art for this book is amazing! I really enjoyed this novel, and it was my first by this author. I learned a lot about The Blitz and Big Ben and clock making. I also enjoyed the dual timeline. The author's writing style is refreshing, and I look forward to reading more by her. I recommend this for any WW2 historical fiction fan.

What can I say about this book so enjoyable and really like the dual aspect of the book.

Nell and Arthur are married with Alice living in London during the War. Arthur wants Nell to go and live with her parents in the country so that she and Alice are safe. Due to circumstances Nell and Alice go live with her parents.

Ellie is the granddaughter of Nell & Alice and we see her starting to investigate her Grandparents lives and what happened to her Grandmother. This was very interesting and certainly was a lot of intrigue.

It is a well written book and I read the book in a day.

London 1940, Neil and Author's house is bombed down forcing them to stay in a shelter. Realizing how dangerous it is for them especially with a baby, they make a hard decision. For Neil and the baby to go to the country area - her family home and stay there for a while. Once there, she gets anxious now that Author, who is a clockmaker is not with her. One morning, she gets a distressed call from him. She immediately realizes something is wrong. But what? She hastily makes a decision - go back to London to find out just what kind of trouble her husband is in.

New York, 2021. Ellie watches in despair as her mothers frail health takes a turn for the worst. In all the time she spent with her, Mom finds it hard to talk about her family, or even her childhood. At one of the visits to the hospital to see her dear mother, Ellie discovers a watch that had belonged to her grandmother. Ellie is now more than ever determined to find out who her family are. Her aunt whom she had never met, any cousins perhaps, her family history. Most especially who her grandmother Neil Spelman had been. No matter the consequences.

This is a unique story of love, family and betrayal. Daisy Wood has written this exceptional historical book in the most intriguing way. With only 2 POVs (Neil and Ellie) I was able to understand every aspect of it. The specific time period that this book was set in, was very heartbreaking and sad. I was very amazed by Neil's dedication and love, together with every character that portrayed courage to save others. The decisions they had to make at a short period of time only just so they could save the people and their country.

The Clockmaker's Wife is very dear to me and I highly recommend it to not only Historical Fiction lovers but everyone as well.

Much thanks to Netgalley, Avonbooks and Daisy Wood for this ARC copy.

For me, this book was hard to read and finish. I didn't connect with the characters and found the premise of the book and the storyline pretty average and it didn't pique my interest. I would be interested in reading other works by the author as this may have just been a one off.

I’ve always been fascinated by fictional world war stories. Making me wonder about all the things that might have happened.

Normally I don’t like two timeline stories but I didn’t mind it in this book. The story was easy to read and to follow.

The scenes are written really good and the land marks like the Big Ben are described in the best way possible setting the best scene/mood possible for the reader.

It was easy to read and engaging. I will definitely read it again.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite genre of books are WWII historical fiction. And when a dual timeline is involved, it’s a bonus. The background story about Big Ben was interesting and well researched. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the details provided about the London blitz and the atrocities of WWII. The travel between the past and present flows smoothly. This was a unique aspect of WWII and a good addition to WWII historical fiction books for my library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This book is set in the present day and in the 1940s. Ellie has found a watch at her Grandmothers house and wants to find out more. However, exploring the past can sometimes bring up discoveries that are best forgotten. Ellie travels to England to find out more and we are transported to 1940's London where Nell is desperate to help her clockmaker husband, whose job was to maintain Big Ben, help him escape prison, and find out what the circumstances were that bought him there. I really enjoy historical books and learn a lot from them and this was no exception. The characters were exceptionally written and it was hard to know who to trust, which reflected the nature of the time. This is a gripping read and will keep you up to all hours!

I really enjoyed The Clockmaker's Wife. Daisy Wood has earned herself a new fan. I am giving this book five plus stars.

I really enjoyed this historical novel. The story and the danger of WWII had me by the throat. What if there was a plot to destroy an icon (Big Ben) that infused courage in the British people?

Thank you to @avonbooksuk for letting me part of the #booktour for this title. I devoured this book, reading it in about 2 days! I absolutely love this kind of a read, flitting between past and present day, allowing the reader to immerse themselves into Ellie and Nell’s lives. I also love looking into my own ancestry so the concept of flying to a different country to research and find out about my past family members is so exciting! This book is emotional, light hearted, fast paced and full of beautiful description. I loved it.

The Clockmakers Wife had it all for me! Historical fiction, a love story (actually 2- but not mushy), mystery and intrigue.

A dual timeline merges the story of Arthur Spelman and his new wife Eleanor “Nell” Roberts enduring the devastating blitz of WW2 London, and their granddaughter Ellie, who is searching for the truth on behalf of her aging mother Alice, who was bought up by her father and step mother she couldn’t get close too.
Arthur is the clockmaker of the title and he works at the Houses of Westminster maintaining clocks, along with the clock of Big Ben.

The story slowly reveals itself, holding my interest with mystery, interesting characters and some surprises along the way. Spys, Fascist undertones and double crossings were gripping and I was keen to keep reading.
Although I have read many WW2 historical fiction books, this was a little different – so personal, and a vivid imagining of the horrors of being a fire watcher on the roof of buildings surrounded by explosions. Everyday people acting with such bravery – and paying the ultimate price…..when all that is left is a clock on a chain and a St Christophers medal. And the darkest secret of why there is a Fascist symbol brooch.

Highly recommended and I do hope Daisy Wood continues to write in this genre. Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy to review.

The Clockmaker’s Wife

Told in two timelines, the first with Nell and her husband Arthur and daughter Alice in 1939-1940 Britain: The second is Ellie’s story in the present day, seeking answers to questions left by her grandmother Nell so many years ago.

Newlyweds Arthur and Nell, and their young daughter Alice are living in London until the bombs fell, Moving Nell and Alice to his family in the country, Arthur stays behind as the clockmaker responsible for keeping Big Ben running, there’s little choice for Nell to stay and be in danger. Thinking theirs will only be a short separation, things turn sideways and a mysterious call from Arthur has Nell rushing to London to get answers.

In the present day, Ellie has discovered a watch that belonged to her grandmother, but her mother, now in her 80’s and in care after a fall is unwilling to discuss the past – even as her memory is failing, little clues are falling about. Ellie decides to head to London to find the answers – and thus we get more of the story.

There were hits and misses here – from the descriptions of London past and present to the inner workings of Big Ben and clockworks in general, the story is laden with information and interest. But there were some unanswered questions (still) about Nell, and some of her actions and choices seemed far-fetched, even as she was floundering about looking for answers. Ellie also had a romance of sorts with Dan that felt a bit ‘shoved’ into the story with moments of convenience, and that leg of the whole could have been left aside with no real impact (in my opinion).

There are secrets unveiled, and unfortunately, we don’t get all the answers about Arthur – while we do meet an unknown aunt for Ellie, find more questions about Nell and generally have a wonderful time reading through the moments. Contrasting the immediacy of the moments and choices during the war years with the lingering questions both past and present give a picture, if not wholly flushed out, of a family’s secrets and tale – and is a wonderful read. Characters here were intriguing if a bit immature and a few moments were more convenient than plausible: overall this was a solid and entertaining read with plenty of moments to enjoy.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Lots of scenes from world war 2 in the London Blitz wound together beautifully in a story about a clockmakers wife. Nell was so in love with her husband, Arthur, but then he got arrested and no one could give her any answers. Was he getting involved with the fascists? Was he really someone she didn't know? She leaves her family in the safe countryside and travels back to London to find out. Many years later her grand daughter travels back to England to find the missing part of her family history. Was it something to be proud of or ashamed of? Great plot and wonderful characters

The Clockmaker’s Wife, set in 1940 London and present day New York. During 1940, London is at war. Arthur, clockmaker, responsible for maintaining and chiming Big Ben, send his wife Nell and daughter Alice outside the city and plan to reunite after things settle down. When Arthur disappears, Nell is worried. She travels back to London to investigate what really happened and stumbles upon the dark and evil plans that put everybody in jeopardy.

Present day, New York. Ellie’s mom, Alice, is in a nursing home and starting to lose her memory. She discovers a watch that belongs to her grandmother, who died during WWII. She realizes that her mother never talks about it and she is curious to find out happened to her.

I really enjoyed this one - learning about clocks and the inner workings of Big Ben (which I really thought it’s the clock), revisting London streets and its famous landmarks, wishing I can go back again! I love the strong female characters of both Nell and Ellie. The description of London during the Blitz looks very real.

I don’t know but whenever I read dual time lines, the past comes out stronger than the present day. It is more interesting and has more stories to tell. Although, I did not like the direction of the story it went that leads to the death of Nell, I find that part can be improved. But overall, it’s a good read. If you are into historical fiction and would love to reminisce London streets and learn about Big Ben, you will also enjoyed this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the e-ARC in exchange of honest review.

This was an enjoyable historical mystery told in two timelines with strong female characters. The first timeline is set in 1939/40 London and is about Nell and her husband, Arthur who works at the Palace of Westminster maintaining the clocks including Big Ben. The second timeline is 2021/22 and the main character is Ellie, Arthur and Nell’s granddaughter. Their daughter, Alice moved to the US when she married and hasn’t returned. Now Alice is an aged care facility and declining in health. Nell died on New Years Eve 1940 in London and how she died is a mystery. Ellie decides to go to England and see what she can find out. So the story is approached from two directions and this works well, but the historical setting is of course the stronger.(it’s hard for the modern story to compete with wartime experiences). I did get involved in the story and found it hard to put down.

This is a dual timeline, historical fiction story set in London in the 1940's and the present day.

It is a superb debut book and a lot of research has gone into the workings of Big Ben and its importance during world war two. It held my attention from the first page until the end and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys WWII /London Blitz fiction.

Split between different eras of past and present we learn about the Spelman family in the 1940 whilst at war. Arthur Spelman of German descent is married to Nel and father to Alice. Arthur is a clockmaker and maintains Big Ben during WWII which is responsible for signals and communications. Following a horrific night of bombing in the Blitz, Nel and her daughter travel to their parents who live in the countryside. Whilst there, Nel learns that Arthur is arrested and gets in some difficulty so travels back to London despite Arthur’s protest in pursuit of finding him which leads to a unimaginable discovery! Decades later Alices’ daughter goes in search to London to discover the history of her mother and grandmother before it’s too late.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book, this was a great read full of history.

Told in two timelines, 1940 wartime London and 2021 this book moves seamlessly between the two and is a beautiful and heartbreaking story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

The Clockmaker’sv Wife by Daisy Wood

London - 1940 during the war. Germans bombing London. Nell Spelman is forced to leave the dirty with her baby daughter.

Great story about wartime in London and how many people had to endure it. Great and interesting characters. Writing was well-planned. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Beautifully written and loved the style. Alternating between the past and the present, this raw and emotional read was gripping and informative without being condescending, giving the reader enough description to understand the nuance and emotion in this story.