When Nell and Arthur Spelman’s house was bombed in the Blitz in London, it was fortunate that they and their baby, Alice were in a nearby shelter. But it also highlighted the immense danger so, reluctantly, Nell left her husband of not much more than a year, taking Alice to the country and her parent’s place, while Arthur stayed in London, doing his important job of keeping Big Ben operational 24 hours a day. When Nell received a panicked call from Arthur a few days before Christmas, she made a rushed visit to London to find out what was happening.

It was New York 2021 when Ellie was visiting her mother in the nursing home, after she’d had a fall and broken her hip. Alice was in her eighties, and her memory was slowly failing her, but she remembered a lot of her past. She just didn’t want to talk about it. But when Ellie discovered a beautiful watch which had belonged to her grandmother, Ellie decided to go to London to search for the answers to a past she had no idea about. She also had an aunt she’d never met, Gillian, Alice’s half-sister, and wanted to meet her, hoping she could tell her more about Nell Spelman…

The Clockmaker’s Wife is a breathtaking historical tale by Daisy Wood which I loved. The period set in 1939/1940 was heartbreaking and intense, with some incredibly brave people operating during the Blitz. The love and devotion; the heart-rending choices that were made in a split second; the gutsy courage of everyone affected – The Clockmaker’s Wife was exceptional. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Ellie Pilcher, Avon UK via NetGalley for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The Clockmaker's Wife by Daisy Wood had me hooked from the beginning.

Initially, I struggled to engage with Nell's character as she appeared to be nothing more than a vapid stereotype of a war era wife, apologising for not having made herself presentable before her husband got home. Thankfully, as the story progressed so too did Nell's character.

My interest in war novels has previously been limited to books set in Germany or experiences in various concentration camps so I found the glimpses of London during the Blitz a welcome change.

When Nell and Arthur's home is destroyed by a bomb Nell knows it is time she and her daughter Alice went back to her parents for a little while. She can't bear to leave Arthur but he has to stay in London to continue his job working on the clocks for the Palace of Westminster.

Nell returns to her parents home and finds her mother preoccupied with a house full of evacuees and her father is as surly as ever. Soon she settles into the rhythm of life back home but then she receives a mysterious phonecall from Arthur shortly before he goes missing. Nell returns to London to discover what has happened to her beloved husband and puts herself at risk in doing so.

Ellie, Nell's grandaughter, was much more relatable and the story in her timeline was equally interesting for me. Her mother Alice is in a care home and her memory is rapidly failing, Ellie wants to discover more about her mother's family and tell her about it before it is too late.

The Clockmaker's Wife is a beautifully descriptive piece of writing.

"They gaze out over London, quiet in the deep blue haze of evening. The dolphin streetlamps along the Embankment are shining like strings of pearls as the sinking sun outlines fluffy clouds in pink and gold; the light of barges heading towards the docks gleam like fireflies on the water."

The Clockmaker's Wife is well paced, original and a surprisingly refreshing take on Blitz time London.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for allowing me to read an advance readers copy of The Clockmaker's Wife by Daisy Wood. The opinions that follow are all mine.

I am a huge fan of books set in WW2 so I was quite excited to be able to read this novel set in England - mostly in London, during the second World War. It is completely fictional, but the author has done an excellent job of giving a real feel to the time and place. I've found that sometimes it has been a bit of a struggle to concentrate on reading throughout the pandemic but this book captured my interest immediately and kept me reading in every spare minute that I could find. It was inspired with by the iconic Big Ben clock at the palace of Westminster and the authors imaginings of just what might have happened if someone had targeted this clock that contributed so much to the morale of British Citizens as it's peal was heard over daily radio broadcasts. As long as the bell rang, it symbolized that at least one country was resisting the oppression of the Nazi's.

The clockmaker in question was a young man named Arthur and as the story begins in 1939, he is giving Nell, the young woman he loves, a tour of the tower where he works. I learned a lot about the behind the scenes locale from this chapter and that knowledge was important as the story progressed. Nell and Arthur marry and in due time their beloved daughter Alice is born. By November 1940, the blitz is underway and nights are often spent attempting to sleep in a neighbour's shelter while bombs are falling all around. As I read, I felt as if I was sitting in the shelter with them imagining every blast. Nell has a good imagination and uses it to great advantage to center herself as the bombs are falling. Sadly - when morning comes it brings the discovery that their home has fallen victim to the Blitz and they have lost all their possessions. This meant that Nell would be forced to rely on her parents to open their home to her and Alice even though there was little space and it wasn't overly convenient. Again, I could feel the anguish that I know was so real for many families of the time. Maintaining contact with Arthur was a challenge and when Nell hears that he has been arrested she is determined to return to London to do all that she can do to see that he is set free.

Now Nell really is the heroine of the story and the rest of the book is filled with her experiences as she investigates why her husband has been arrested, what is the risk to Big Ben, goes undercover, becomes a spy and does so many other amazing things. The book is filled with action and with mystery and again details that help the reader to understand what life and work was like in those desperate days. It did not end as I expected it to and it surprised me by finishing in 2024. Nell was an amazing character and I really enjoyed learning her story and how everything came together.

The book also includes a modern day element as Ellie, Alice's daughter seeks to find out what she can about Alice's childhood and life before dementia robs Alice of any capacity for understanding. Clearly there had been disfunction in the past and Ellie heads to London to try and learn what she can, meeting family members she was unaware of in the process and learning more not just about Nell and Alice but also about herself and what was important to her. Both parts of the story flowed well but it was Nell's story that really grabbed me.

Wow! I am very impressed with this author 1st historical novel. Well done Daisy. The story has two timelines, the present with Ellie. She is trying to discover her family’s history, but her mother Alice really doesn’t know much or seems at times could care less. Alice was a World War II baby, who’s mother died during the war in London. She never really knew how and gives her daughter a few clues to help discover who and what happened to Ellie’s grandmother..
The second timeline in 1940 London. Eleanor Spelman, Nell is a determined women who leaves her 9 month old baby, Alice with her parents in the countryside where it is safer. She returns to London after her husband frantic phone call that he has been arrested. What could a clockmaker possibly do that he was now held in jail. Nell trying to find answers to have her husband released, falls into espionage plot.
This was a page turner, couldn’t put down read. I must admit I did several times put it down for a tissue or to collect myself. Definitely a must read!

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood is a Split Time historical thriller novel set in 1940 England and America Present Day. It started a little slow but Eleanor’s story builds quickly and was very exciting. Eleanor‘s granddaughter researches the past and what really happened in 1940‘s London to her grandmother. There are Nazis, plots, spys, suspense, loyalty, family and above all love. I especially enjoyed the historical details of 1940‘s England and the clocks. Intricate plots with well developed characters that had important parts to play in Eleanor’s life story. Daisy Wood is a new author to me but I look forward to reading more of her books. Don’t miss this thrilling book of World War II from a different perspective.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I love historical fiction and I love books with a strong sense of setting, and the Clockmaker's Wife does both well! I felt transported to London (I've even stayed on the same exact same street mentioned in the modern day portion of the book) in both 1940 and 2021. The story got off to a bit of a slow start, but once Nell's husband was arrested I felt like the story really picked up and kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happened next. A good mixture of historical fiction, espionage, and a modern-day story.

What a wonderful book!
The Clockmaker's Wife is an exquisitely crafted, well researched immersive look at historical events surrounding World War II and the Blitz in London, England. It brings to life events of the age in a way that mere facts and figures can never accomplish, with spellbinding descriptions and heartbreaking consequences.
Daisy Wood uses intricate storytelling to span the stories of two different generations, the misconceptions some suffer from, and the healing that learning the truth can bring. She features complex and intriguing characters that pull you into the story and never let go.

"The Clockmaker's Wife" is an enjoyable WW2 thriller plus the discovery of what happened by the title character's granddaughter. Initially Nell seems like an innocuous wife and mother but she rapidly gets herself out of her depth as she investigates the arrest of her husband Arthur. The historical background of the story, set in London during the Blitz, is accurate although the sabotage plot is invented. Well written and with plenty of wartime detail.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I would like to thank Daisy Wood, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of the novel “The Clockmaker’s Wife”.

What a wonderful historical fiction read! I felt like I was right there on Nell’s shoulders in London during the Blitz in WWII. And the author did a beautiful job of weaving the dual time-line stories together seamlessly! Historical fiction, WWII, London, romance, and suspense…what more could you ask for? Kudos to Daisy Wood on the very enjoyable read!

The Clockmaker's Wife is simply just a very good read.

Starting on page 1 to the end, The Clockmaker's Wife not only captured my full attention but I also learned from this book.

The story is told in dual timelines ( I love that) , 1940 when Nell is married to Arthur and in 2021 as Nell's granddaughter sets out to find out what happened to her mum's family.

The pages fly by, I was holding my breath at the end cheering Nelle on.

No spoilers here but don't miss The Clockmaker's Wife and make sure to put it to the top of your TBR pile.

Daisy Wood has a new number one fan in myself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for a fascinating read.

Fans of the dual time line WWII novel will enjoy this one for the interesting details about Big Ben as well as, of course, the plot. Ellie's mother Alice has never really talked about her parents but now Ellie's found a watch made by her grandfather Arthur and she's off to London. The WWII portion of the novel involves a complex issue for Arthur and his wife Nell after Arthur is arrested. Life in the Uk during the Blitz was frightening and dangerous - no spoilers from me. The characters are well done, the mystery of Arthur complex, and it is evocative of the period. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

The story starts in 1940 London with a young couple, Arthur and Nell, with their baby daughter Alice coping with the Blitz. Their house is bombed out and Nell finally agrees to take Alice and go to her mother's in the country where she should be safer. Arthur remains behind looking after his beloved clocks in Westminster. We jump to 2021 New York with Alice, now in her eighties and currently in residential care following a hip fracture, with her daughter Ellie wondering what's the best to do about her mother. Ellie finds an old watch belonging to Nell and this opens a can of family history worms. She seeks out old relatives in England and gradually discovers more and more about Nell and her, albeit short, role in WW2. The story is well plotted and researched - from the effects of the Blitz to the Moseley Fascist movement and traitorous deeds. The transitions between the two time lines work well. There's plenty of action and family involvement and there's a very satisfying ending. It's all about Big Ben and the famous clock really. Thoroughly enjoyed it after a slightly slow start. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

London, 1940: Britain is gripped by the terror of the Blitz, forcing Nell Spelman to flee the capital with her young daughter - leaving behind her husband, Arthur, the clockmaker who keeps Big Ben chiming. When Arthur disappears, But her search will lead her into far darker places than she ever imagined.

New York, Present Day: When Ellie discovers a beautiful watch that had once belonged to a grandmother she never knew, she becomes determined to find out what had happened to her. But as she pieces together the fragments of her grandmother's life, she begins to wonder if the past is better left forgotten.

Arthur was of German/Jewish descent and he sends his wife Nell and their daughter Alice to live with his parents in Oxford to escape the Blitz. He remains working in Big Ben's Clock Tower but he is arrested and thrown into jail. In the present day, Ellie finds her grandmother's watch and she's determined to find out more about her.

The dual timelines were seamlessly woven together. I did prefer the 1940's timeline better than the present day but they were both good stories. The characters were well developed and believable. The story is descriptively written and true to the era. This is an intriguing insight into how peoples daily struggles during the war.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for a copy of "The Clockmaker's Wife" in exchange for my honest review.

The story begins in London in April of 1939. Arthur Spellman - a clockmaker at the Palace of Westminster is showing Nell around. We then jump forward to November 1940 - Arthur and Nell are married and have a daughter Alice. They spend their nights in and Anderson Air Raid Shelter during the nightly bombings of the city of London.

There is a dual timeline - 1940 London and 2021 West Chester County - the story ends in London, 2021 July. The concept is very interesting but their is a very slow start. Arthur is a very monotone character and he talks very slowly and in great detail. Most of the story had parts that were dragging on.

It was interesting to see the past and present tied together but the story should have had a quicker pace. The parts where the details of Nell's life are described are very exciting but other parts are not so much.

A historical read which links the present day with the 1940s. Ellie wants to find out more about her grandmother and travels to London in search of information, but all is not what she expects, as links to espionage emerge. For me I found it a bit slow in parts which got better the more I read. It didn’t have me on the edge of my seat but was a nice gentle read.

This was my first book by this author and I loved this story! I love stories with dual time line and this was perfect. Love how it went back and forth, highly highly recomend for those who love historical fiction.

I’ve just started to get back into historical fiction after a long time of taking a break from it. Not intentionally, just veered more towards thrillers.

I’m glad I received an email asking if I’d like to take a look at this one because although it’s based around 1940’s and the Spelman family live in London, hectic bombings going on from the Germans, this really featured on the fact that Author (Nells husband) has gone missing.

Before that though, Arthur needs for Nell to be safe.
Arthur looks after the clocks in Westminster Palace so he cannot go. He’s needed there.

When Nell receives a frantic call from Arthur saying he’s been arrested, Nell becomes so desperate, what is happening, why has he been arrested.

Returning to London Nell finds herself uncovering dark things.

This is a two timeline story that is easy to follow.

I learnt some things about the clocks in various areas that are known landmarks.

The past to present day elements in this was so good.

I listened to this on audio and found it so easy to follow. The voice of the narrator had great power, pitch and pace. The characters voices so well done.

This is exactly the sort of historical fiction novel that I am typically drawn to….dual timelines, World War 2, & a granddaughter interested in exploring her family’s past.

The story opens in London in 1939. Nell and Arthur, a clockmaker who works on the famous Big Ben, are newly married with a baby. Although she doesn’t want to be separated from her husband, Nell takes her daughter Alice to stay with her parents in Oxfordshire when things start getting dangerous in London. She leaves her baby in the countryside to return to the city when she receives a mysterious phone call from Arthur.

In New York in 2021 Ellie is helping her mother Alice move into a care facility after hip surgery. After discovering how little she knows of her family’s past, Ellie decides to take a trip to London. We then go back and forth in time, learning what really happened to Nell during the Blitz.

I liked a lot about this book, especially the strong female characters and how our lives are connected to our family’s past, the sweet love story, and learning about the history and inner workings of Big Ben. I was fully engaged in the story and so interested in learning what had really happened to Nell. Parts felt a bit unrealistic to me at times but overall I really enjoyed it.

This book is out soon on July 8th in the UK and July 27th in the US. Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Clockmaker's Wife by Daisy Wood

A heartening book of 2 parts . Arthur and Nell live in London during ww2 and there home is bombed out. Arthur is a bookmaker who has to stay in London as he keeps Big Ben up and running , which is very important for the morale of the rest of London.

In present time, Ellie, Alice's daughter, travels from the States to find out more about her grandmother.
I found the story , and the link between the two timelines fascinating . Using Big Ben as the link between the two was also a clever way of bringing the story alive for me.
I enjoyed the book and will look out for other titles by this author.

I thought that this audio was excellent!
The story was a dual time line which was effortlessly switched between the two, even on an audio book, you could tell the era if you happened to miss the date given.

I found some parts of the story incredibly moving and well described that it was incredibly easy to envision.
It is hard to believe that this is the authors first venture into writing books aimed at an adult audience, a fantastic debut book.

If you enjoy WW2 historical fiction that are powerful and keep you enthralled then this is a great book and it deserves to do well.