The Clock Struck Murder by Betty Webb is an expertly crafted mystery that delivers on suspense, intrigue, and clever twists. Webb's sharp writing and attention to detail pull you in from the very first page. The protagonist, with her wit and determination, is incredibly engaging, making it easy to root for her as she untangles the complex mystery.

The pacing is just right, with enough surprises to keep you guessing without feeling rushed. Each clue is expertly placed, leading to a satisfying and well-thought-out conclusion. The characters, both main and supporting, are vividly drawn, adding depth to the narrative. For fans of classic whodunits with a modern twist, The Clock Struck Murder is a must-read—a thoroughly enjoyable mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Back to the beach with books in tote

Your early summer 2024 reading list

By Tom Mayer

You’ll need a bigger bag — that’s the first thing to know about our early summer 2024 reading list. Not only are there waves and waves of new titles coming at us during the next few months, but the sheer volume of some of these 500-1,000 page tsunamis are sure to strain all but the most reinforced beach tote (“Southern Man” by Greg Iles comes to us in late May at more than a pound and 976 pages, by example). That is, if you’re reading in print, which, as always, I highly recommend. Not that I don’t have my trusty e-reader (trust is beholden in the eye of the charger) with me at all times, but have you noticed … print publishers have really upped their game.
Many of today’s print books are not only beautifully designed and produced for a complete reading sensation, they’re bound for the long haul … as in decades from now your progeny will be able to still marvel at the breadth of your literary acumen. Unlike a second-generation reader I own that no longer supports updates, making it a useful bequeath to exactly no one save for those who find a wicked joy in commenting on my age.
But back to the beach. The hand-curated titles here range from the fantastic to the fantastical, and for a bonus I’ve added a brief list of additional titles similarly recommended — just in case you’re lucky enough to find a space on an uninhabited island with nothing but sunshine and time. Bon voyage.

“I am Rome” (Ballantine Books) by Santiago Posteguillo
While Santiago Posteguillo is a best-selling author of crime and historical fiction in Spain, “I am Rome: A Novel of Julius Caesar” comes to us as his English-language debut — and one filled with action and oratory in translation by Frances Riddle. Using flashbacks to document Caesar’s early life — his announced arranged marriage which comes at age 12; his expansive education from his uncle, Marius; his political aspirations and early successes — the year is now 77 BCE, and a 23-year-old Gaius Julius Caesar wins a plumb assignment over mentors and others with decades more experience: the prosecution of Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella, the governor of Macedonia who faces corruption charges. When prosecutorial witnesses begin to die, and a spy within Caesar’s own camp leaks testimonial secret to the opposition, the stage is set for a compelling narrative outlining the Roman general cum statesman’s rise to power.

“After Annie” (Random House) by Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen has made a career trading on secrets, but also on friendship, marriage, family and deep, deep loss. “After Annie” is a culmination of all of this in an achingly beautifully written story about how the lives of Bill Brown and his four young children are to continue after the death of Annie, his best friend, wife and mother of their children. For daughter Ali, it’s a coming-of-age story, though her father and younger brothers grow and learn about themselves and each other as they all navigate channels of adversity to come out stronger on the other side.

“Lilith” (Blackstone) by Eric Rickstad
You may not know that according not Jewish mythology, Lilith is the name of Adam’s supposed first wife — the woman before Eve who fled Eden after refusing to submit to male dominance — but you’ll know why Elisabeth Roth assumes the name in Eric Rickstad’s new novel. A challenging and rewarding work, “Lilith,” the person and the novel, seeks to answer two poignant questions: do the ends justify the means; and, do two wrongs make a right? For most of us, those questions seem elementary, but elementary is what kindergarten and single mom Elisabeth is … until her son, Lydan, suffers traumatic injuries in the wake of school violence. Posting video under her assumed name of a crime that she commits in answer to men in authority who she sees as too cowardly to stand up for her son and other victims, Elisabeth finds herself both vilified and venerated by millions. Working to elude capture, though, forces desperate measures, and those could ultimately result in the loss of her son. Rickstad earned a New York Times “Thriller of the Year” honor for “I Am Not Who You Think I Am,” and the form serves him well here.

“City in Ruins” (William Morrow) by Don Winslow
What an ending … and not only for the conclusion to a masterful trilogy about two New England organized crime families, but for the author himself, who has reported that “City in Ruins” will be the last novel of his career. The Danny Ryan trio of books takes us from Providence, R.I., and on a journey of redemption as this would be/wouldn’t be mob leader tries to leave his criminal life in the past. That past continuously catches up with him, reaching a crescendo with old enemies, the FBI, the IRS and even friends gunning for him. Written in Winslow’s signature style, you’ll enjoy the prose as much as a story that could be read as a standalone, but one you’ll appreciate more if you start at the beginning. Watch for an interview with Winslow late spring/early summer at cullmantimes.com.

“The House on Biscayne Bay” (Berkley) by Chanel Cleeton
Styled as a gothic mystery — a descriptor the novel wears well — Chanel Cleeton’s “The House on Biscayne Bay” is a haunting and atmospheric novel that brings past and present together as the lives of two women intersect under the roof of a dark and secret-infested mansion in Miami. The estate is gilded and golden, but there’s something rotten beneath its facade. Unless that sickness can be ferreted out, the result is likely to be a deadly history repeating itself.

“A Killing On the Hill” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni
In the past two and a half decades, the prolific Robert Dugoni has gifted us dozens of stories, including his popular Tracy Crosswhite, Charles Jenkins and David Sloane series, in addition a handful of standalone novels.
So, what’s a popular and gifted storyteller to do in 2024? In Dugoni’s case, tell a different kind of story. Forging a new path, Dugoni’s “A Killing On the Hill” is the author’s first historical novel — and one that sits solidly in his canon.
Inspired by a real-life shooting that took place in a nightclub in Seattle during Prohibition, the novel centers on deception and misdirection as the mobster George Miller claims he shot former prizefighter Frankie Ray only in self-defense.
Told through the young and inexperienced eyes of a almost-cub reporter working the crime beat for the Seattle Daily Star, the story takes us deep into a criminal trial that transfixes a reading public as two competing newspapers each strive to out-scoop the other. Dugoni takes us back to the very roots of storytelling with this master work.

“The Clock Struck Murder” (Poisoned Pen Press) by Betty Webb
Betty Webb’s “The Clock Struck Murder” isn’t the first novel to feature American expat Zoe Barlow — that was “Lost in Paris.” In that earlier tale, missing Hemingway writings lead Zoe into the investigations of two murders. Here, the plot device works just as well as Zoe, living in 1924 Paris, searches for a replacement for a broken but favorite porcelain clock. Finding a new one that suits her sensibilities, Zoe is surprised to find, upon returning home, that her purchase has been wrapped in a painting by Marc Chagall. Certain that her purchase had been sealed in error, she returns to the market to find that the vendor has been bludgeoned to death in a storage shed — and near a stack of other Chagalls. With the Olympics set to stage soon in Paris, local authorities have little interest or resources for an investigation, so Zoe decides to go it herself, ultimately uncovering more than one murder.

“The Book That Broke the World” (Ace) by Mark Lawrence
The second book in Mark Lawrence’s planned Library Trilogy, “The Book That Broke the World” follows 2023’s “The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.” A love letter to the place where books live and are loved, Lawrence’s trio is a love story of its own, telling the tale of a both a vast library and the small spaces that are filled with our own stories, including those that must be reclaimed — as is the case with Livira. Though her place is beside Evar, the two are far separated as Evar is forced to flee the library and journey into a vast world with which he’s utterly unfamiliar. The library, working to reassemble the threads of Livira’s history, brings their past to a new landscape as discovery, adventure and romance flavor this enthralling, enchanting series.

And because even our teens, tweens and their younger siblings find time to read in the summer:

“The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” (Holiday House) by Anna Rose Johnson
Selena Lucy Landry is a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan — her sailor father died at sea — who is sent to foster with the Martin family at that awkward age when she can’t seem to get anything right. Flavoring this is that the Martins are a mysterious group of lighthouse-keepers who just might hold the key to the whereabouts of a legendary necklace her father spent his life looking for. A sweet story that crosses multiple boundaries — age, race, creed — Anna Rose Johnson’s “The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” is promoted for those in grades 3-7, but really, the whole family will enjoy the tale.

“Hello, Alabama,” (Arcadia) by Martha Day Zschock
A fun board book that tags nearly every important Alabama bag, Martha Day Zschock’s “Hello, Alabama” is a colorful, fun and beautifully illustrated journey through the state. From the gulf shore to the USS Alabama, Magic City to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, you and your little ones are “off and away” on a fun educational trek across Alabama — and a trek that might just have mom and dad learning a thing or two, also.

(Sidebar or boxed content below)

(Hede) More for the beach bag
And so, you’ve exhausted our summer list and there’s still a bit sunshine left. Consider:

“Matterhorn” (Thomas & Mercer) by Christopher Reich
Mac Dekker’s been living under a false name and trying to stay off the grid … until he learns about the death of his son who, unknown to him, had followed his dad into the world of espionage.

“Bare Knuckle” (Blackstone Publishing) by Stayton Bonner
Former Rolling Stone editor Stayton Bonner traveled the world of bare-knuckle boxing with world champion Bobby Gunn (73-0) for years to produce this Rocky-esque tale of triumph, loss and a father’s love for his family. Highly inspirational, highly recommended.

“You Like It Darker” by Stephen King (Scribner)
It’s Stephen King. It’s a book of his short stories. It’s summer and now you have the time enjoy a collection of new fiction from the master of horror. Enough said.

“Camino Ghosts” (Doubleday) by John Grisham
We typically have to wait until October for a new John Grisham novel, but this third installment in the Florida Camino Island story is right on time for a breezy, summer read.

“Southern Man” (William Morrow) by Greg Iles
We’ll be visiting with Greg Iles in early summer for an interview about his newest lawyer Penn Cage book, but this one has been long in coming and it’s worth mentioning here. Well, that and that you’ll want to start the book in late May, as soon as it comes out, if you plan on finishing before Labor Day. Iles’s new novel is much anticipated, and it delivers an intricately crafted plot that’ll keep you engrossed through its nearly 1,000 pages. It’s 15 years after the events of the Natchez Burning trilogy, and Penn Cage, carrying a mortal secret that keeps him isolated, is alone. A true masterpiece with historical depth that could only come from Iles’ pen. Check back for the interview in an upcoming issue of Meridian Life magazine (meridianstar.com/magazines/) and several Southern newspapers, including The Cullman Times (cullmantimes.com).

The Clock Struck Murder is the second Lost in Paris historical mystery by Betty Webb featuring amateur sleuth and American expat artist Zoe Barlow set in 1920s Paris. Released 9th April 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

Set against the backdrop of the 1924 Olympic games in Paris, expat Zoe is resourceful, intelligent, and plucky. She's surviving as best she can, but life as an artist is fraught and rarely affluent in the long term. She's again drawn into investigating a murder, this time a stallholder at a local outdoor street market.

MC Zoe is somewhat morally ambiguous (she's sleeping with a married man whose disabled wife she knows and reads to). The author herself is knowledgeable about the Paris of the 20's and much of the background research makes it into the book which makes it occasionally feel a bit cluttered and chaotic.

Overall however, it's well rendered and engaging, with complex characters and a mystery interwoven with real life historical events.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Zoe is an expat living in Paris as an artist in 1924. Her favorite clock is broken in a poker game. Zoe goes to the flea market to find a new one and walks away with a Chagall painting used as wrapping paper. Zoe is amazed at the find and goes back to speak with the sales girl. She finds more paintings and a dead body. The police are busy with the summer Olympics. Zoe decides to help investigate.

I really enjoyed this mystery set after WW1 in Paris. I liked the dual timeline and getting to know Zoe more. I read this as a standalone. The writing captivated me and I read it one sitting.

THE CLOCK STRUCK MURDER, the second book in Webb's Zoe Barlow series, is a slow-burn mystery set during the 1924 Paris Olympics -- which seems very relevant given the games will be held there again in 2024. Zoe's an American expat who stumbles upon a dead body at the local flea market she visits to buy a new clock. She quickly finds herself caught up in this murder mystery which features lots of folks from the art, music, and sports world of Paris in the 20s.

I loved being pulled in through post WWII Paris with Zoe, as she investigates a flea market murder. The cast of characters were vibrant and engaging, and while I didn’t connect with all of them, I did enjoy following Zoe’s interactions with them. I particularly enjoyed the subplots with Henri’s wife and Zoe’s back story, and hope more will be revealed in the next book. The social upheaval of the war was well captured in the story, and interesting to explore.

I met Zoe Barlow in this author’s first in the series, Lost in Paris. In both that book and this, the Paris of the 1920s comes to life. It was the time of the ex-pats with many, including the fictional Zoe, finding their way in a post war world.

This novel is set around the time of the 1924 Olympics. What will happen because a clock was damaged in a poker game? Suffice it to say, a lot and that includes murder! Even Chagall’s art figures into the story as Zoe detects.

In addition to the evocation of Paris, the murder and Chagall, readers of the first book will want to know how Zoe is doing. She is still searching for her daughter as the story begins; will there be an update?

Those who enjoy historical mysteries will enjoy this one. It is possible to read this without having read the first book although with that one’s story involving Hemingway (among others), there is a lot going for it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

"The Clock Struck Murder" by Betty Webb, narrated by Hope Newhouse, serves as a captivating sequel to "Lost in Paris," immersing readers in the vibrant world of expat Zoe Barlow amidst the Lost Generation in 1920s Paris. When a seemingly innocuous incident leads Zoe to stumble upon a murder mystery involving stolen Chagall paintings and a brutal killing, she embarks on a thrilling investigation that unravels dark secrets lurking beneath the city's artistic facade. As Zoe delves deeper into the case, her complex character shines through, offering readers a deeper insight into her motivations and resilience. With the backdrop of the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris adding to the urgency of the investigation, Zoe's quest for justice takes center stage, setting the stage for a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense.

The intricate plot of "The Clock Struck Murder" weaves together elements of art theft, murder, and betrayal, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Zoe navigates the treacherous waters of Parisian society. Zoe's evolution as a character is a highlight of the novel, allowing readers to delve deeper into her psyche and motivations. Her dynamic interactions with Inspector Henri Jules add an intriguing layer of tension and chemistry to the story, leaving readers eager to see how their relationship unfolds in future installments. The supporting cast of characters, including the enigmatic Laurette and the renowned artist Marc Chagall, adds depth and complexity to the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of personalities that enhance the overall reading experience.

Hope Newhouse's narration brings "The Clock Struck Murder" to life with her engaging and expressive delivery. Her ability to capture the essence of each character through distinct voices and tones enhances the audiobook experience, immersing listeners in the atmospheric setting of 1920s Paris. Newhouse's skillful portrayal of Zoe's emotions and the unfolding mystery adds an extra layer of depth to the storytelling, making for a compelling listening experience that keeps audiences captivated from start to finish.

"The Clock Struck Murder" is a masterfully crafted mystery that combines elements of historical fiction, art, and suspense to create a gripping narrative that will appeal to fans of the genre. Betty Webb's intricate plotting, coupled with Hope Newhouse's stellar narration, makes for a winning combination that keeps readers and listeners engaged throughout. As Zoe Barlow's journey continues to unfold, readers can look forward to further adventures, twists, and revelations that promise to keep them hooked until the very last page.

Betty Webb brings back ex-pat Zoe Barlow for a second delightful adventure in 1920s Paris. This shows all signs of being a strong, and long, series, with sharp characterizations, a perfect setting, and plenty of suspense and wild twists.

The ClockStruck zMurder by Betty Webb was a very enjoyable who done it. The main character, Zoe, is a person I felt a kindhip with and went with her when she decides to do s murder investigation herself. The story begins with Zoe, an expat, who has settled into her petite trinket of a home with an art studio and has become a very good artist. Her friends are artists and authors. It is post war 1924 the year of the Paris Olympics and the city is filled with tourists, pick-pockets and the likes, keeping the police with their hands full constantly. We learn that Zoe is involved in a relationship with Henri, a married Detective with a stroke victim for a wife. It begins poker night at Zoe’s, the usual crowd. Game night is ending and a drunk, Archie backs his chair into a table holding Zoe’s prized porcelain clock. Archie immediately says he will pay for a new one. Next morning, Zoe is off to the flea market to find the girl who sold her the first clock. However, she isn’t so lucky this time. She finds one that will suffice, but they don’t agree on a price immediately,, the girl throws in earrings to sweeten the deal but Zoe still doesn’t have enough. the girl, Laurette sweetens the deal once again and lowers the price to get whatever$ she can and wraps the purchase in rags; once she gets home and the housekeeper is unwrapping the purchases. She yells, this wrapping is a Chagall painting! Zoe goes back to the market is now closed but she finds out where Laurette lives to obtain more rags. She isn’t able to rouse Laurette or her sister. She does see more nailed to the roof of a rabbit hutch it knocks the hutch over. She frees the rabbits to go live in a park. She takes the rags. Turns to discover Laurette laying on the ground with her face bashed in. From there, Zoe attempts to find the killer. The book meanders around a bit but it is well worth the time. The book does appear to be well researched for the time of events. Yes I would definitely recommend this book. I would look forward to reading more following these characters would be fascinating. At the very least, I am looking forward Special thanks to Betty Webb’s next book.
#NetGalley
#PoisonedPenPress
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Publication Date: April 9, 2024

The Clock Struck Murder by Betty Webb is the second in the Lost in Paris series. American ex-pat Zoe is living in Paris, in love with Henri, a married detective, and gets caught up in an art mystery and murder.

Zoe finds a clock to replace another at a flea market. But it's not the clock which shocks her but the bit of cloth it's wrapped in. It happens to be a painting by Chagall, known for his childlike art. While searching for the clock vendor, beautiful Laurette, she finds other paintings used carelessly here and there. After discovering Laurette's lifeless body in an unsavory area, she teams up with Henri to investigate. But there is more going on behind the scenes. Henri's wife, severely disabled by a stroke, narrates some of the chapters which adds a layer of interest.

Though set in 1920s Paris, it didn't feel particularly like that era. I didn't feel an affinity for Zoe or her relationship with Henri. However, I did like the art connection and premise. My hope was to be enchanted with the story but I wasn't swept away.

My sincere thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

Oh I so wanted to love this. I love the time period and the independent American artist main character and the mystery itself sounded interesting. Unfortunately, by about 30% or so I found I just didn't care and the rest of the book was a bit of a slog.

This book is a fairly character forward mystery and we follow Zoe throughout her day to day life and part of that life involves searching for Chagall paintings and trying to figure out just who killed Laurette. The problem was I just didn't like Zoe and really didn't care what she wore or what she had for breakfast. As well, the flashbacks from her life in Alabama just seemed over the top and the reading to her lover's paralyzed wife seemed just unnecessary.

The mystery was good and the author did a great job of setting the scene but in the end I just didn't enjoy it and what's worse is that I didn't care.

Given that the market has been glutted with WWII fiction, including mystery novels, I've been keeping and eye out for titles set in WWI and its immediate aftermath. The Clock Struck Murder, however, didn't deliver what I was hoping for. The bottom line is that it's just too "cozy" for my tastes. The central character makes the kinds of mistakes that central characters do in cozy mysteries—the kind of mistakes that never let me forget that what I'm reading is 100% fiction. If you are a cozy fan, you should definitely check this title out. It's a good fit with the genre. If you're ambivalent about cozies the way I am, you'll want to keep looking for something else.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

The Clock Struck Murder is the second in a series, but it works as a standalone. Author Betty Webb is best known for her Gunn Zoo cozy mysteries — none of which I have read. So I was coming to this novel completely cold.

Zoe Barlow, an American artist with a bohemian flare, has been living in Paris for six years, ever since she was sent into exile from Alabama. It’s now 1924, and Paris is teeming with lots of famous expatriates, many of whom appear here, to greater or lesser extent: Marc Chagall and his family, poet Blaise Cendrars, Ernest and Hadley Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Pablo Picasso and his first wife, ballerina Olga Khokhlova. Zoe discovers the body of a flea market dealer in clocks, Laurette Belcoeur, but not before she discovers that the dead woman was using stolen Chagall paintings to wrap purchases — clearly unaware of their value. How did Laurette come to possess those canvases? Were the Chagall paintings why Laurette was killed?

Zoe, generous, inquisitive, clever and with — dare I say it? — a joie de vivre, made for a most enjoyable sleuth and protagonist. I’m sure to pick up the first in the series, Lost in Paris, and cannot wait for No. 3 in this charming series.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.

An expat artist in 1920s Paris, Zoe discovers a lost Chagall painting. She tracks down the vendor, only to find her dead. As the 1924 Summer Olympics bring chaos to the city, Zoe investigates the murder, racing against time to catch the killer before it’s too late.

This atmospheric mystery immerses the reader in the art world of 1920s Paris. The story is more complex and character-driven than most mysteries. The audiobook narration was entertaining.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A timely (Paris Olympics!) historical mystery featuring Zoe, an American expat in Paris. It's the second in the series and readable as a standalone. It's not deep but it sent me off to find mind information on the artists whose work figures in the story. Thanks to Negalley for the ARC.

Paris: summer 1924. Zoe Barlow is distressed when one of the guests at her weekly poker game accidently breaks her favorite clock. Luckily the shop where she bought it still had one in stock. Laurette, the grumpy seller, wraps the clock in what appears to be a colorful rag, but when she gets home, Zoe recognizes it as one of Marc Chagall’s lost paintings. She retraces her steps to look for more of his work, but finds instead Laurette’s body.
Despite warning from her lover, police detective Henri, she sets out to find the girl’s killer, tracing the families of ancient aristocracy, uncovering secrets from the war years, and traipsing through pig farms
As in the first book in the Lost in Paris series, this volume makes the Paris of the 1920’s come alive in all its color, from the grittiest alleyways to the salons of the high and mighty. Among Zoe’s friends are stars in the art and writing world, including Chagall, Hemingway, Man Ray, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. The Olympics are taking place in Paris, and star athletes such as Johnny Weissmuller make cameo appearances. Thoroughly enjoyable.

If you love books set in Paris, this is an excellent option. Set after WW1, an American woman called Zoe is trying to make a life for herself after leaving some sort of unpleasantness behind in Alabama. Unfortunately for her, she is one of those characters who seems to attract dead bodies, this time in connection with an antique clock seller at a flea market. And somehow, some of the paintings an artist friend Marc Chagall lost to the War are tied up with the murder. Hopefully this is early days in a longer series, because this should be a fun series to follow.

Thank you for the ARC. I was so excited to read this based on title and cover, but I could not get into this book. The premise is exactly the kind of book I want to read but I DNF at about 30%. I kept waiting for something to happen and hook me but sadly that moment never came.