A brilliant book set in present day and during WW2. A thought provoking book and well worth reading. Gives a great description as to how Big Ben works. Shows how people made sacrifices to fight for what they believe in and how others had to live with those memories and how it affected their whole lives. Brilliant read.

It's been a while since I enjoyed a book as much I've enjoyed The Clockmaker's Wife! It is a heartbreaking but wonderful story that kept my interest from the first page to the last. I learned so much from this novel with the historical details and the vivid, good writing style of the author. It makes a really good job of transporting you to London in the WW2. I will definitely read more books by Daisy Wood!

A book I really enjoyed the author write dual timelines seamlessly .I was drawn right in from Ww2 London to.present times The characters the location the atmosphere a book I will be recommending.#netgalley#avonbooks

This isn't my usual genre but I liked the sound of it and sometimes you just fancy a change!

Told in dual narrative across multiple timelines, I really enjoyed this. I particularly liked reading the section from 1940 I found it rich in description and imagery and could almost imagine I was there.

I did like present day story too as we travelled across London with Ellie as she learnt the story of her grandmother.

I felt the love story wasn't really necessary and didn't add anything to the overall tale

The Clockmaker's Wife was set in England during WWII. This is a different look of WWII then the other books I have read. The story is part romance, part mystery and part espionage. I was pulled in from start of reading this book until the end. It is a dual time line narrative but it flows easy back and forth. Thank you Netgalley and Daisy Wood for the chance to read such a great book.

The Clockmaker’s Wife is a beautiful and moving dual timeline story which I really enjoyed.

As I might have mentioned once or twice I’m a huge fan of dual timeline historical fiction so this book instantly appealed. I especially enjoy it when the book teaches me something new and this book was no exception as I loved learning more about Arthur’s job maintaining Big Ben. I was also fascinated to learn a bit more about the fascist groups and supporters of Hitler that were in the country at that time.

Nell was a fantastic main character and one I really enjoyed following throughout the book. She really shows what she’s made of when she discovers Arthur is missing and sets off back to London to find out what happened. Her story there is truly amazing and I was in total awe of her bravery as she searched. I found myself completely absorbed in what was happening and found it hard to put the book down as I had to find out what happens.

The story moves seamlessly between the two timelines and while I did prefer following Nell’s story I thought Ellie’s story was very interesting especially the strong themes of family and how important it is to maintain memories.

This is I believe the author’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. Huge thanks to Ellie from Avon for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via netgalley. If you love dual timeline stories you need to read this!

My mother-in-law, a war bride, was a transport driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force for four years during WW II. She didn’t all too much about the war but a few times spoke of the blackouts and waiting for the all-clear that the German planes had left. I enjoyed the first part of The Clockmaker’s Wife immensely. I loved the journey at the beginning in 1939 as Arthur Spelman, a caretaker of the clocks in Westminster, takes Nell to the top of Big Ben and asks her to marry him.. We jump forward to 1940 when there are nightly bombs being dropped in London during the Blitz. Arthur, Nell, and baby Alice go to a neighbor’s backyard shelter. Nell is knocked out and it takes her awhile after waking to understand that her house was destroyed. It is decided that Nell and Alice will go to Nell’s parents who live in the countryside in Oxfordshire. I thought this part of the book was so well-written and I felt the fear in the bomb shelter and the fear when everything is gone.

This period of time alternates with present day in New York where we find Alice, in her eighties, has recently been moved to a nursing home, Ellie, her daughter, asks questions about Alice’s past but her mother seems like she avoids the subject, Ellie found a watch in her mother’s things and she decides she is going to go to England to see what she can find out about her mother’s family.

I thought the author did a good job moving back and forth between the time periods. I read a lot of WWII fiction and I find out something new in each book. I often wish that my mother-in-law was still here so I could talk to her about the books I have read. My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This was such an enjoyable read. Absolutely full of twists and turns. I loved how the story started in the war and then suddenly leapt up to date, when obviously the story had moved on so much for the young people of the early 40’s. The characters were all so fascinating and the idea of The Palace of Westminster being targeted for destruction was a clever plot idea.
All through the story I was intrigued by Nell and the two different directions her part could have taken. She certainly had a major impression on the outcome of this story and I’ll say no more. Wouldn’t want to spoil it. Do treat yourself and read this book. It’s a definite 5 start read.

2.5/5 ⭐
Thanks to Netgalley & Publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Plot:
The story is about 2 Eleanors, one from 1940s (Nell) and the other her granddaughter from 2021 (Ellie). Ellie is a 38 year old woman without a love story trying to get by with an elderly mother (Alice) who needs care. She'd always felt like her mother never fit in anywhere and goes digging into their family history.
1940s Nell had been happily married to Arthur with a child (Alice) in London but war had split them and put them through great ordeals and she dies a mysterious death. Arthur remarries and Alice does not get along well with the new family. She finds love and moves to America losing all ties with her father.
Now, Ellie goes to London in search of Nell's story and finds some disturbing facts that sets her on a path to finding something huge. In between all this Ellie finds love.
Story:
Having read many WWII stories, I would say this was not heart-wrenching. The idea of a patriot's sacrifice being hidden and unknown even to family is not something new. But still the story could've given it's best.
Characters:
Nell had a good story to tell but didn't have much of a character depth.
Ellie is 38 who's mature about many things judges Nell easily without facts. She decides to go to London on an impulse but doesn't plan on what to do once reaching London. In a way I couldn't connect with either of them. Other characters like Alice, Alice's stepsister and her family, evacuees at Nell's mother's place were all interesting. Ellie's love interest did not bring much to the plot and their relationship escalated too quickly to my liking.
Arthur was the only person I liked most but he didn't contribute much.
Writing:
The book started heavily with bombings and loss but everything mellowed in a few chapters. The ending seemed to be rushed and not covered in both the timelines. Nell takes 5 chapters to get mixed in something and die and Ellie just wraps it up in 1 chapter which felt like everything ended abruptly. The chapters Ellie spent on her love interest could've been replaced with something productive.
Overall:
It was an okay read but not memorable. It's not something that'll come to my mind to recommend it to anybody.

I was surprised at the amount of action in this rather pacey read. I’ve always approached war fiction/sagas with the attitude that the narrative is meandering and gentle. However, Wood challenges that with this story that reads like a clock counting down – rather apt considering the topic!

Set in the Second World War, I was intrigued by the focus on a clockmaker. It had never occurred to me the importance of keeping Big Ben chiming and I think Wood successfully portrays this realism. A symbol of hope and togetherness, of course there would be experts in the background to ensure it would never fail. Yet, this story is not just about time-keeping, but moves to explore the hidden Fascist groups in London: supporters of Hitler’s regime who would happily support Nazi occupation. This is the key theme of the book.

Although Arthur is the clockmaker, the book is more about his wife, the heroic Nell. I warmed to her character very quickly, especially as her devotion to her husband is so apparent. Arthur’s disappearance is not as much of a major event in the story and I was surprised more attention was not paid to this part because this causes Nell’s character to really develop. Instead, I was a little disappointed that Wood glossed over this, condensing Arthur’s disappearance to a mere few pages. I think the narrative would have benefitted from extending this further as I really could not get a grasp of any threat that he may face.

In the early part of the story, Nell and Alice are forced to flee London after the bombings destroy the family home. When the story moves back to the City, I thought the pace completely intensified. I could get a sense of the fear that Nell felt and admired her brave, heroic actions. At the same time, however, I did miss the countryside and would have liked to have seen how the evacuees and Nell’s daughter, Alice, were faring. Yet, this would have lessened the impact of Nell’s movements and would not have created the sense of urgency that is so important to the overall story.

Let’s not forget that this book is not just set in the war, but also present day. I loved that we are connected with Nell’s grand-daughter and this keeps the historical connections alive. Ellie is determined to find out more about her grandparents and embarks on a journey to England to discover what happened to her grandmother. Connecting with a distant aunt and cousins in the process, Wood emphasises the importance of family and also, most significantly, treasuring family memories. Frequently, it felt, the writer references how memories can fade with age and life; the crucial need to preserve this information is often overlooked and Ellie embodies this desire. I think this added another element to the story, making it more about family and less about the politics of the war.

I enjoyed this novel and was surprised at the plot development. The female characters in this story are all very strong and I generally admired their actions. Wood explores part of the Blitz that I had not been aware of and I think the portrayal of a bombed London was very vivid.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book begins quietly, a young woman and the man she loves climbing the clock tower that houses the iconic clock and Big Ben bell in London in 1939. This gentle love story draws the couple into the London Blitz in 1940 and a secret that lasted over eighty years.

The historical parts of this story are well-researched with authentically crafted characters. The contemporary chapters are also well written, and the solving of the family mystery is immersive and intriguing.

This is an emotional story of courage and secrets that affect a family for a lifetime. The plot flows well, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged until the poignant and satisfying conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I have just finished reading this book this morning and I’m still trying to come down from the adrenaline high of the ending!

I love a dual timeline historical fiction, and fiction around the Second World War is something I haven’t read much of. I usually enjoy the historical part of dual time lines more than the present, but I found myself equally absorbed in both.


In the 1940 section, Nell is recently married to Arthur who is one of the three men responsible for the clocks at the Houses of Parliament, including Big Ben and it’s workings. When their home is bombed, Nell travels out of London with baby Alice to stay with her parents and the evacuee children they have taken in.
when she receives a frightening phone call from Arthur she returns to London alone to carry on an investigation Arthur has started which involves an attack on the very heart of London.
The author’s descriptions on London during the blitz were so atmospheric I could almost feel the heat of the fires and hear the bombs dropping.


In the present timeline, Ellie’s mother Alice has the beginnings of dementia. Ellie does not know much about her English family, as Alice moved to the US, or her grandmothers history. After finding a hat box full of her grandmothers memories tucked away under her mother’s bed she decides to travel back to London to find out about her grandmother, Nell.
She meets her father’s family from his second marriage, and with their help begins to uncover the story behind her mother’s life and early death.


What a page turner which I highly recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I am finding myself reading and enjoying more and more historical fiction, and The Clockmaker’s Wife is an engaging debut novel - combining historical fiction, mystery and even a bit of romance - that I thoroughly enjoyed. A dual timeline story, we meet Nell who is living in London during WWII and is married to Arthur, a clockmaker whose job it is to keep Big Ben working. Bombed out of their house, Alice and her daughter leave London to stay with her parents, but when Arthur is arrested, Nell returns to London to try and find out why and clear his name.

We also follow the story of Ellie, Nell’s granddaughter - living in New York in 2021 she finds a watch that belonged to her grandmother, but realises she knows little about her. With her own mother in poor health and with a failing memory unable to shed much light on Nell, Ellie decides to visit London to find out more. As she delves into the past the story it becomes clear that Nell’s story is a remarkable one.

The book gathers pace as the stories begin to come together and Nell’s story unfolds - I was drawn in as the intrigue grew and we learn more about an incredibly courageous woman, determined to help her husband and her country. The strength of the book lies in the depiction of the female characters, ordinary and yet courageous, and their relationships. I also enjoyed finding more about the workings of Big Ben and its significance in the war, and Wood’s descriptions of war-torn London were atmospheric. If you enjoy historical fiction and are interested in an easy read that will keep you engaged and takes a slightly different perspective from many similar books, then this is certainly a book I would recommend.

London. 1940. The Blitz. Big Ben. This beautiful dual timeline novel is a fabulous read that transports the reader back to WW2. It's wonderfully written, with both timelines being so immersive. It's a captivating story of mystery, love, and war. Great research too, such as reading about Big Ben and how the clock was maintained/kept ticking. Every night at 9pm, Bog Ben chimed to alert the nation to pray for peace. I imagined that would have brought strength and comfort to some, perhaps many, with prayer being the thread that united the nation during those dark days. Highly recommended.

Thank you for the ability to read and review this new historical fiction novel! As someone who frequently reads WWII HF, I always love when the main character is a strong woman.

Unfortunately, this book was a wee bit slow for me; the pacing just seemed off until closer to the end of the book. However, the ending definitely made up for it! Once things picked up, I was so so eager to see what was going to happen and who it was all going to piece together - I even audibly gasped when the climax was occurring.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book and think most HF readers will also.

A dual timeline novel, set in 1939/1940 during the blitz in London and the present day. Arthur and Nell along with baby Alice live in London and during the blitz their house is destroyed. Arthur persuades Nell to take baby Alice and leave London to live with her parents in the country. As Arthur is a clockmaker working at the Palace of Westminster and keeping Big Ben chiming, he won't be going with his family. However, when Arthur disappears Nell returns to London to search for him and find out what has happened. While looking for Arthur and trying to find out what is happening, Nell discovers a sinister plot involving a major attack on a London landmark.

Flash forward to current times, we find Alice is now in her eighties and in a nursing home in New York recovering from a broken hip. Alice's daughter Ellie is visiting her when she discovers a beautiful watch belonging to Alice. With many unanswered questions about the past, Ellie decides to go to London to seek out the answers.

While I understand the necessity of having a dual timeline as a stepping stone into the story, I enjoyed reading about the war. There is quite bit to learn as the story takes the reader on a journey into the past, how the British survived and in some cases such as this one, changed the lives of many. There are many twists and turns in this story as we discover the answers to secrets that are 80 years old. Thoroughly enjoyable.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two time lines both full of adventure. 1940 London. and present day New York.

Ellie has returned home to a sick mother. Her mother has always been different from other mums according to Ellie. She now sees
that there is a fair amount of family history that her mother is keeping silent about. Now in stage four of a cancer treatment
Ellie drags a reluctant mother to divulge even a few tidbits about her father, his second marriage, her grandmother and relations
she knows nothing about.

Going back to 1940 Ellie's grandmother Nell was happily married to Arthur who was working in a most unusual place. Handling Big Ben in
London and ensuring that everything went well. It was a complicated and a responsible job but with WWII hovering over the horizon Nell
had to leave her beloved Arthur and go live in the countryside.

When Arthur disappeared, the local Lord of the manor seemed to be somehow involved and Nell would not give up her search for her
husband whom she knew to be loyal and true to his country despite anything anyone said. It led her to a dangerous situation not just
for Arthur but for herself.

Fast forward to present day Ellie and her search for some kind of history of her family. She unearths the plot where Arthur and poor
Nell were involved. Their loyalty to the country and how it was rolled under the carpet and makes sure both of them are remembered
for their services to the nation. Ellie is able to slowly recover traces of the story of what actually happened and reconcile with
her London family on the way as well.

All ended well.

An interesting take on a family in WWII London then moving on to present day New York and then moving back to London again.
Like all WW stories this had so much history, so much sacrifice (unknown and unspoken of) and one begins to realise it is not the
published and the known heroes at a time like this, but the unsung and unspoken stories that always abound.

A duel timeline novel spanning present time of New York 2021 to 1940 during the London Blitz.
1) Historical fiction set primarily in London during WWII. A young couple, Arthur and Nell, struggle to survive the bombings going on around them. With their infant daughter, Alice, to worry about, the hard decision is made for Nell and baby to move back in with her parents in the country.
2) Present day is elderly Alice with her own daughter, Ellie. Ellie becomes interested in her family history, travels to England and discovers some interesting hidden family secrets.
I found the pace of the story to be a bit slow. There was enough interesting moments going on that made me keep reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Enjoyed it, although the story took a little bit of a turn that I wasn't expecting. I liked learning about Big Ben and how the clock was kept working. The whole spy aspect was just a bit much and the reasons behind Nell's death just seemed a little unbelievable. How did the clock that Nell wore around her neck survive? I really liked the book until Nell got the call from Arthur. Then it became a bit of a mystery and Nell had to solve what was happening to her husband. I enjoyed the Nell side of the story more than reading about Ellie. Dan and the whole romance wasn't needed. They haven't really been around each other much and then all of a sudden there's love. I knew it was going to happen. Gillian's reaction to Ellie was over the top.

Definitely recommend giving the book a try. The story was interesting and full of so many family secrets. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Love the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Read if you like: WW2 stories, historical mysteries.
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Nell's husband works with Big Ben during the war, and Nell and her family are struggling to survive the Blitz. In the present, Ellie discovers a watch that had once belonged to her grandmother and Ellie begins searching to find out what happened to her grandmother.
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This was a fun story that went back and forth between past and present and trying to figure out what happened! I really loved Nell and her heroism and willingness to do whatever it takes to save her husband!
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CW: war, violence, death.