The Clockmaker’s Wife

Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for this wonderful book. This genre has become a favorite for me and the author tells this story beautifully. I will be looking for more by author!

What an enjoyable historical fiction book! Loved the strong character lead. Very engaging.
Also its during the war which I like reading make about!
This book has some awesome twist and turns added in the mix which made for an even better read!

The story alternates between two time periods- the 1940s and the current time that is 2021. Set in London during the time of the blitz when it was under constant threat of German bombing. In 2021, the story begins in New York and later moves to London.

The story in 2021 follows Ellie who lives in New York with her 80-year-old mother, Alice. Ellie is seeking her roots and history of maternal grandparents much against the wishes of her mother. In the 1940s London, Nell lives modestly with her husband Arthur and daughter Alice. Arthur is a clockmaker and works at the Palace of Westminster, maintaining the clocks and also the Great Clock(Big Ben). When he gets arrested, Nell falls headlong into the mystery behind his arrest. Nell finding the answers about Arthur and Ellie uncovering the truth about her grandmother forms the crux of the story.

Both the timelines are very well interwoven and transitions between them are smooth. It's a perfect blend of historical fiction and espionage. It started slow but picked up momentum after Arthur's arrest. The description of historical London and in particular of Big Ben is very detailed and evocative. The way its inner workings has been described brings it alive in front of you. Ellie is a headstrong and independent woman. But I admired Nell as a woman. She is vulnerable yet spirited and determined. She does not cower after Arthur's arrest but instead was resolute in proving him innocent. The part I felt could have been given less attention was about all the evacuees in Nell's parent's home. All in all an engaging read.


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THE CLOCKMAKER'S WIFE by DAISY WOOD is a heart wrenching WW11 novel with so much intrigue that it will really keep you guessing, and some incredibly brave characters that you will not forget in a hurry.
Arthur and Nell Spelman's London home is destroyed by a bomb in 1940, and Ellie and her baby Alice move to the country to stay with her parents. Arthur is a clockmaker who keeps Big Ben going. In fact Big Ben plays a big part in the story.
In present time, Ellie, Alice's daughter, travels from the States to find out more about her grandmother, Eleanor Spelman, who died in the blitz on New Year's Eve, from her step aunt Gillian.
The story is exciting and well told. I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Avon Books U K. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Daisy Wood’s The Clockmaker’s Wife merges the story of Arthur Spelman and Eleanor “Nell” Roberts during 1940 in London and present day New York with their granddaughter Ellie searching for answers. Alice, their daughter, has told Ellie almost nothing about her family until Ellie finds her grandmother’s watch and photographs of her grandmother. After arriving in London to find out what she can, Ellie pieces her grandparents’ story together. While there, Ellie discovers the answers to her questions, and she finally finds what she has been seeking in life – a family. A beautifully written novel, I highly recommend this treasure!

A novel about war and secrets in war time but with a lovely and unique premise involving timepieces such as Big Ben and a pocket watch that becomes a clue to the past. Unique and nicely done and I was quickly invested in the story from the start.

The Clockmaker's Wife by Daisy Wood is a great dual timeline WWII-era historical fiction that kept me entertained with mystery, suspense, and twists/turns from beginning to end.

Dual timelines can be tricky and there is always a fine line when trying to pull them off. I have seen it go both ways. Ms. Wood did a great job interweaving the two story lines so as to add them both to the overall narrative, yet was able to use them to slowly unwind the mystery, plot, and surprises that were interspersed within the novel. I really enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed the unique inclusions of Big Ben and timepieces into the mystery and espionage plots. It definitely added a new spin within the WWII era historical fiction genre. I enjoyed the character cast and I also really enjoyed the ending. I really enjoyed Nell and found myself on the edge of my seat several times during the story, which is most certainly a compliment.

This is a great book for anyone that likes a gripping, engaging, and addictive historical fiction novel. I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this great arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/8/21.

Daisy Wood handles the dual time line in The Clockmaker's Wife seamlessly. I enjoyed this book a great deal and was especially drawn in by a new twist and a surprising storyline.

A fictional story that interestingly switches from WWII to the present. A great storyline that has a bit of melancholy . It keeps the reader riveted from the beginning to the very end. I received this free ARC from NetGalley for a honest review. 4 Stars !!

The book is told over two timelines. The first being set in London in 1940, where Britain is gripped by the terror of the Blitz. Nell, a young mother and wife, is forced to leave London and her beloved husband Arthur, to head to the relative safety of the country to keep both her and her baby daughter safe. Arthur is a clockmaker and is tasked with keeping Big Ben chiming, a job he takes very seriously, and so he must remain behind in London. When Nell receives word that Arthur is in trouble she knows there must have been some sort of mistake. She returns to London, leaving their baby in the countryside with her mother, and finds herself in a very dangerous position. Secrets, lies and betrayals lurk behind every corner, but Nell knows she must do everything she can to find her husband. 

Meanwhile, in the present day, Ellie discovers a watch that once belonged to her grandmother. She knows very little about the life of her grandmother and is determined to know what happened to her. She makes the trip over from the USA to London to try and piece together the fragments of her grandmother’s life.

Ellie was a relatable character but she was very much a secondary character within the novel. Her role is to find out what happened to Nell, and her grandmother's story was much more interesting than her own. The transitions from past to present where done smoothly and I felt the story flowed nicely. I enjoyed piecing together the clues as Ellie found out more about her family history.

Nell was bold and courageous and driven by love. I can only imagine the internal struggle of wanting to keep your daughter safe whilst still wanting to remain close to your husband. 

I loved the descriptions of London during the war. The beauty and the neighbourhood spirit were starkly juxtaposed with the backdrop of bombs and destruction. I could completely understand Nell's reluctance to leave the city when her whole life had been based there. 

I would definitely recommend.

This book completely caught me off guard. I did not expect the spy aspect at all, and I loved it. What a touching story. I don't know how much of this is factual, but I hope a lot. What a wonderful story, and what a great pace to get to the twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The family dynamics felt realistic. As did the history.

The Clockmaker's Wife started slow but midway through, I couldn't put it down. It is a dual timeline tale (my favorite kind of historical fiction) which tells the story of Nell and her husband Arthur, a clockmaker. This first part of the tale takes place during WWII (1940); the second timeline is that of Nell's granddaughter, Ellie, and also Nell's elderly daughter Alice. No spoilers - but it's a great tale of intrigue and reconnecting with family and finding love. I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for furnishing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Daisy Wood, Avon Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC of THE CLOCKMAKER'S WIFE.
Wonderful. A time-slip story with wonderful characters and a heart-breaking realisation for one of the favourites. My heart dropped. Historical fiction is my absolute favourite and this is very well done. Bravo!

1940s. Arthur and Eleanor must separate for Nell and Alice to have a stable life. While London is in pieces and there’s only fire everywhere, when nights are intervened by moments of peace before the sirens start ringing again, and the bombs start coming to get you as if a present sent from the sky, Nell must get a grip and flee. But a chance phone call one night sends her running past her inhibitions and thoughts of security into the night.
 
Spanning for about 84 years, the novel traces the journey of three generations of the Spelman family. Eleanor Spelman, or Nell, had been a beautiful woman but that’s all there’s to know about her. Or is it? When her eponymous granddaughter, Ellie, witnesses her mother, Alice’s memory fast receding, she wants to go to the roots of her lineage before she loses her mother, altogether. Setting off on a journey to London, she starts unravelling the past that sets her down a path she had never expected to be on.
 
A clock chain and a St. Christopher’s medal – that’s all that remained of Nell. But there’s something more Ellie is afraid to acknowledge. A Fascist symbol and a leaflet proclaiming the greatness of Hitler. Was Nell then a Fascist sympathizer? Or is there something lurking beyond the shadows that will upturn everything the Spelmans had known about her?
 
I’ve read several historical fictions centred around the World Wars but this book particularly stood out to me because it was neither about the soldiers nor only about the effect the war had on the common people. It is about common people rising to the occasion, about bravery in the face of danger that stems not from hatred for others but only a well of love that can never be emptied but will be passed on through generations to come. It’s about hope and death, life and war. It’s about the Big Ben thundering through the night, counting the minutes that make up a life and about lives that gave themselves up in splinters to protect it from stopping to chime.

Ellie's mother, Alice, doesn't talk much about her past. Alice moved from England when she fell in love with Ellie's dad. Alice's mother died in the blitz. Alice didn't get along with her step-mom and hasn't kept in touch with her half-sister.. Alice is now in a muring home recovering from a fall, and Ellie is having sort of a mid-life crisis. Her friend encourages her to take a trip to London to see if she can find out more about Alice and her grandmother, Eleanor Spelman (Nell).

In The Clockmaker's Wife, by Daisy Wood, there is a dual timeline that tells the story of Nell and Ellie's search for the truth of her family and her reconciliation with the other part of her family. It's a story of courage, love, and intrigue. This is a good read. I was allowed to read it on #NetGalley.

This was a lovely historical fiction! Told through a dual timeline, I found that I enjoyed both the present day and the historical story. This does center around WWII, but has new view with the story of Big Ben! I really enjoyed the mystery and how everything falls together!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Avon Publishing for a copy of "The Clockmakers Wife" by Daisy Wood, in return for an honest review

Arthur Spelman, his wife Nell live in London during WW2 with their baby daughter Alice. Every night the Luftwaffe reign bombs down on their city. After their home is destroyed in one of these raids, Arthur sends Nell and baby Alice to live in Oxford with her parents to escape The Bltz.
Arthur is of German/Jewish descent and works as a clockmaker in Clock Tower maintaining the clock that keeps Big Ben chiming. He stays behind in London.
When he is suddenly arrested and thrown into jail, Nell is determined to find out what happened to her husband and returns to London.

The story moves to 2021, I am assuming the pandemic never happened as Ellie, Nell's grandaughter flies to London to find out more about her Grandmother's life during WW2, without having to enter mandatory quarantine.

This book had a slow start but quickly picked up pace once Ellie got to London. I read it in two days as the 1940's as Nell's story drew me in. The characters were well written, especially Nell. I didn't engage with Ellie and found myself racing through those chapters to get back to Nell's story
I really enjoyed this book. It is well thought out and well written with an interesting premise. It is hard to say more about the characters and their activities without giving the plot away. It's not a edge of your seat book but definately a more gentle page turner and I would recommend.

A lovely book with a great story and characters that bring it to life for the reader,i love a book that has you feeling as if you are there as then you know it's an excellent book 5*

With thanks to netgalley and Daisy Wood for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
First time reading this author, and quite a revelation.
The story of Arthur spelman and his wife Eleanor or Nell as she was know this outstandingly beautiful and poignant story is told with twin timelines and is quite seamlessly done absolutely nothing about this story is straightforward the twisting and turning keep all on the edge of there seat.
Set in ww2 in England and today between America and England I totally loved this outstandingly amazing book and can highly recommend a definite 5⭐

The Clockmaker's Wife is an interesting tale of a woman (Ellie) who is determined to find out what happened to her maternal grandmother and grandfather. World War II wrecked havoc on London and the city suffered a great deal of damage. It is within these times (1940) that the tale is set.

Daisy Wood skillfully navigates between two timelines. One set in war-ravaged London (1940) and the other in 2021. Her descriptions of the war are really masterful. While the book has a slow start, it quickly picks up pace and keeps you engaged till the end.

This is the first WW2 book set in England that I've ever red and I quite enjoyed it! I especially loved the story of Nell and her heroism during the war. I personally didn't connect as well to the characters in the modern timeline and might have preferred to see Nell's story more fleshed out rather than have a dual timeline. However, I did enjoy the cliff hanger chapters between switching back and forth from the 1940's to 2020 time lines. The first half was a bit slow but I really got invested and flew through the second half of the story! I love historical fiction set in WW2 and this one had a different quality to other books I've read about this same period and I would recommend to others who enjoy reading about this period of history.

A great dual timeline historical fiction centred around WWII and Big Ben. The main characters are Arthur and Nell Speldman. Arthur is a clockmaker, working at the Palace of Westminster, maintaining the clocks including Big Ben. The bombing of London is occurring each night and Nell returns home to her parents at ‘Orchard House’ in the country with her daughter Alice to be safe from the bombings.
In 2020 Alice now lives in New York with her daughter Ellie. Ellie is keen to find out more about her family before Alice dies and travels to London to meet her Aunty and discover the story of her ancestors.
I found the first half of the book a little slow and struggled a bit but so glad I persevered as I flew through the second half desperate to find out what happened to Nell and Arthur.
There is mystery, intrigue and suspense.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the role of women in London during the war.
With thanks to the publisher Avon, through NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

The Clockmaker’s Wife begins in 1940 during the Blitz. The story begins with the story of Arthur and Nell as he gives her the inside tour of Big Ben and clock tower at the Palace of Westminster. The love story quickly changes as they are in the middle of London during the Blitz and Nell is forced to leave Arthur in order to keep their daughter safe. Nell hears from Arthur as he is being arrested for unknown reasons. She is desperate to find him and leaves Alice with her family and goes back to London to search for him.
The story moves back to present day where Nell’s granddaughter has found a box with Nell’s hat, watch and a fascist material. Ellie leaves for London to find out who her grandmother was.
The story starts off strong. It switches from 1940 to the present with great description of historical events. The middle of the book seemed to randomly go back and forth between time periods. At times, I struggled because I felt that it would take too long to go back to the other story then I would have to readjust to the new time period. About the time I was connecting to Nell, it would change to Ellie and it gave a feeling of disconnect.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. Daisy Wood’s descriptions brought the story to life. The details of the clock tower made me feel I was walking with them. The historic content was intriguing and led me to look into the Blitz, the refugee children and fascism during the war. I highly recommend “The Clockmakers Wife.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Avon Publishing for a copy of "The Clockmakers Wife" by Daisy Wood, in return for an honest review

This is an excellent historical story, told in dual timelines of 1941, during WW2 and the London Blitz, and 2021 in New York and London. The narrative transitions smoothly between the two timelines.
Ellie lives in New York, and realises that she is slowly losing her mother Alice to dementia. She has many questions about her family that her mother is unable to answer. When she finds a beautiful gold watch which had belonged to her English grandmother Eleanor, it causes Ellie to travel to London to find out what she can about her grandparents.
The story of Nell (Eleanor) and her sweetheart/ husband clockmaker Arthur is captivating. Part of Arthur’s job is maintaining the clock that is part of Big Ben, which is a hugely important icon to everyone in Britain, and particularly Londoners during the war years.
With baby Alice, Nell is forced to flee London, leaving Arthur behind, to live in safety with her parents in the country, after their London home is destroyed by an air strike. Their life in the country, whilst safe, is shared by a number of disparate evacuee children, billeted with Nell’s parents. Nell helps to care for them, until she hears that Arthur is in trouble. She immediately sets off for London, leaving baby Alice safe with her grandmother Rose.
Nell’s time alone in war-torn London is a remarkable part of the story, and could have been a novel in its own right. She is unswerving and single minded in her resolve to find out what has happened to Arthur, and to help him. The story of Nell’s bravery and courage are breathtaking and heartbreaking in equal measure.
In 2021, with the help of Alice’s half sister Gillian in London, Ellie is able to unravel the details of her grandmother’s incredible past, and bring it all home to Alice in NY whilst she is still able to understand it.
This is a moving and beautifully written book, and I fully recommend it to lovers of good storytelling.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

This was a beautiful story which centered around WWII in London, England. I personally havent read many WWII historical fictions centered in England during this time period so it was refreshing to read about the vivid description of London during that time.

This was a dual timeline story that took place in 1940’s and in 2020. I loved Nell because She was a strong woman and how she does everything she can to protect her child Alice.

This story is filled with so much excitemnt and well told. I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.

Thank you to avon books uk and to netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

My thoughts and opinions are my own

An intriguing story that flits from 1940 to the 2020. Ellie's mum Alice has dementia and lives in a home. Ellie wants to know her mum's history but Alice won't tell her so Ellie decides to research it for herself.
Ellie flies to England from the States to see what she could find out. She soon discovers her grandmother was called Nell.
As the story reverts back to Nell we read about her life and her family during WW2.
Ellie discovers that her own family background is built on love, bravery, determination and selflessness.
A great storyline.

This is a dual timeline story with Nell and her daughter Alice as our main characters in 1940 and a now elderly Alice and her daughter Ellie as the main characters in the present day. Nell and Ellie are our narrators and it’s interesting to see how alike they are.

Ellie is trying to find out some family history which takes her from the USA to England, and ends up with her discovering long hidden family secrets.

It’s a nicely written book and it is just well paced enough. I quite liked our two main characters though I could have lived without the ‘romance’ in the present day. I didn’t warm to Dan at all!

I read the whole book in one sitting and was pleased it wrapped up nicely. It’s a nice example of historical fiction and I’m sure it will do well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

Ellie’s Mother, Alice has moved into a care home and she realizes she knows nothing about her family and even Alice is a stranger to her in some ways. Alice doesn’t remember much about her own Mother since she died when she was a baby. Embarking on a trip to England to learn about her family history, Ellie’s learns more than she bargained for. The story is beautifully told from the points of view of Ellie and her Grandmother, Nell in a dual timeline with lots of intrigue.

This first published book for adults is well written, well researched and well thought out. The story is very atmospheric and I felt myself walking the streets of London as I read. The story has something for everyone. Part historical fiction, part mystery, part thriller, part romance. I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I had just finished a book about World War II. It was a heavy somewhat depressing book. This book was next on my Kindle and when I first started reading it, I thought I was going to cry. I often get very involved in the books I read and it had taken me several days to not dream about the atrocities the other book had detailed. The further I read into this book, the more I became interested in the characters and the story. Yes, it is set in war-torn Europe but the author did not find it necessary to go into the gory details of the War- it was more or less the backdrop of the story. I enjoyed reading this book. It was told between the generation that lived during the War and then skipped a generation to the “modern day “ granddaughter Ellie. The grandmother,, Nell, was married to a clock maker that worked for the business that kept Big Ben going. It was interesting reading about the grandfather, Arthur. Nell’s Mother is Alice who is suffering from the onset of dementia. Alice doesn’t know a lot about her ancestors in England and is estranged from her half sister. Because the author has taken the time to tell you about this family, their everyday lives and some of the people they know, I found this book much more interesting and readable. I’m not depressed and heavy feeling from the story but I am a little sad the book is over. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review. I will recommend.

An emotional view of life in London during WWII. Heroism comes in many forms and this story highlights the courage, danger and sacrifice of those who fought a war in their own way, as individuals attempting to do the right thing without apparent concern for their own safety. I enjoyed this story very much and thank you NetGalley for my copy.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Publishers for this advanced ebook copy to read, review and comment on.

This read reveals the hidden elements of those who, after trauma of any description and in particular war and violence remake themselves. Like Ellie in 2021 it seems the next or second generation are more apt to look into the past, a longing to know their history.

Nell in 1940 initially emerges as a clingy, bit of a wet blanket of a young woman clearly unable to accept the violence and destruction that England is heading for. However, when she receives a disjointed phone call from her husband her change in personality is remarkable with bravery, determination and guts she tackles the problem head on.

Nell (Eleanor) Spelman has only one wish in her life, to be with her husband, Arthur and new baby Alice but the war,1940 and the constant blitzing of England by the Nazis has brought this undone. With it becoming too dangerous to live in London and their home bombed, Arthur insists that Nell with Alice return to her childhood home for safety. Here, the small family has been further extended with children from other war affected areas of England. One child in particular, Brenda, will come to play a part in Nell's life and one, as an old lady will help to answer many questions for present day Ellie in her pursuit of the history of Nell, a grandmother she never knew.

Forward to December 2021, Alice now in her eighties is in care after a fall, Ellie is concerned about her ever increasing memory loss and she remembers very little about her mother to relate to Ellie. Alice's mother Nell was killed in the blitz and even after years of letters from her half sister in London, Gillian, there has been very little light shed about Nell. Arthur, Ellie's grandfather, remarried and Mavis, according to Alice, was always jealous of Arthur's love for his first wife.

After a Thanksgiving lunch with her best friend Beth and family, driving Ellie to her mother's home, Beth and her go in search of the hat box referred to by Alice earlier in the day. Along with an additional hidden box the treasures revealed are enough for Ellie to decide to go to England to look for her lost family.

It's a rocky start with Aunt Gillian but Ellie along with Beth's brother Dan joining her in London makes headway with her Aunt where she reveals some of her own mother's terrible secrets to her. After more sleuthing, Ellie now sadly believes that her grandmother had been a fascist. Dan and her head off to the countryside where the family home had been hoping to better clarify things. Finally they end up at the home of Brenda, now aged but still very alert. Here, Brenda who has done her own investigations into the death of Nell puts Ellie on the right track with finally the truth of Nell's heroic death being revealed.

A really enjoyable dual timeline slice of historical fiction which alternates between Blitz ravaged World War Two London and the present day.

The story centres around a mystery concerning the sacrifice of the eponymous Clockmaker’s Wife who is the mother of dementia sufferer, Alice in present day America. Alice’s memories of her mother are sketchy and aspects of her childhood seem disjointed so her daughter, Ellie embarks on a journey to London to piece together her mother’s family history. In doing so Ellie discovers a story brimming with love, derring-do and injustice which enables her to forge new relationships and recast existing ones in the light of everything she unearths. This is an really pleasant, undemanding yet engaging read. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance review copy.

What a wonderful book!
My thanks to Avon Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC of THE CLOCKMAKER'S WIFE.
Spellbinding! A time-slip story with such wonderful and realistic characters.. Historical fiction is becoming a fast favourite and this book is very well done. This is a moving and beautifully written book, and I fully recommend it to all lovers of good storytelling. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ From me.

I throughly enjoyed this book. The story line was intriguing and kept me in suspense till the end,as I had to find out what happened. I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher for offering me an advance copy on Netgalley to review.

This is historical fiction with a dual timeline going between two generations. Nell in wartime Britain, and Nell’s daughter Alice, and granddaughter Ellie.

Nell is killed during the Blitz and her granddaughter travels to modern day London to try to uncover the mystery of her death.

What unfolds is a clever plot believably set in the London Blitz. I have read many novels set in this time but this one really brought it alive and at times I was terrified for Nell and Alice.

I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

This book brings to life a time when emotions were high and hidden during WWII with the common folks. Many that survived were unable to talk about it afterwards to avoid reliving these treacherous times.

An elderly mother said to her daughter, "When I was growing up, nobody expected to be happy -- you just had to get on with things and make the best of them. After the war, we were grateful to be alive."

Prayer kept people going in the book. It gave them hope. Every evening in London at 9:00, Big Ben alerted people that it was time to pray for peace. It was the Great Clock at the Palace of Westminster. It was what they relied upon to keep going one more day.

But this isn't just a book about the war. It is two love stories with two timelines.

Ellie is in her late 30s in the present time and while she's had a successful career with good friends, she never has been able to make a love relationship work. She is the daughter of Alice who is in a nursing home with memory relapses and health issues. Her mother reveals to her the location of a hidden box with keepsakes in her home. Of course, it peaks Elli's curiosity when she discovers the treasures which sends her on a trip to London to search for more clues about her ancestors.

Alice's parents are Nell and Arthur. It was her father that maintained Big Ben in the 1940s with two other clockmakers. Nell disappointed her father by falling for Arthur - a German and he was half Jewish. Yet, her love was incredibly strong putting her in challenging positions.

This historical fiction gives the reader a glimpse of ordinary people during the war struggling each day. Women for the first time stepped out of their traditional roles to help out giving them a greater sense of freedom. The images and characters were well developed in my mind and I enjoyed learning more about this time period.

My thanks to Daisy Wood, Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy to be released on July 8, 2021.

The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood is a World War II era story told with dual time lines. One is 1940s England and the other is 2021.

Arthur Spellman (the clockmaker) works at the Palaces of Westminster maintaining the clocks, including Big Ben. When their home is destroyed by a bomb, Arthur send his wife and infant daughter to the country to live with her parents while he stays in London. Eventually Arthur is arrested on unknown charges, and his wife returns to London to try to clear his name. This is her story.

There are two Eleanors in this book. There is Eleanor Spellman (Nell) (the clockmakers wife) who is the central focus of the story, and there is her granddaughter Ellie, who travels to London in search of the truth about her grandmother‘s past.

History and espionage combine to make this a very good read. Neil‘s story is fascinating and well told. The supporting characters are well written and add depth to the story. Although a little slow in the middle, it kept my attention and was hard to put down. Definitely recommend it!

The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood will be published July 8, 2021 by Avon Books UK. I received an advance reader copy from the publisher and Net Gallery in exchange for my opinion.

This was such an interesting and enjoyable read full of facts I didn’t know and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Told in two different timelines it was written in such an excellent way as we learn the story of Nell in the past as the present day Ellie her granddaughter investigates the mysterious happenings of Nell's life. This book really grew on me and I found myself eager to find out why such mystery surrounded what had happened to Nell in the past and I loved finding out a lot more about Big Ben it really captured my interest. There is a lot going on in this read and if you love historical fiction I certainly hits the mark.
I thought the characters in this book were all well crafted and believable, the historical facts and story also made for a brilliant read and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Courage, bravery and heroism come in many forms, but Daisy Wood has focussed on those Britons who heeded the battle cry for bravery at home. This dual timeline historical fiction novel masterfully captures the essence of London at war.

Arthur Spelman works at the Palace of Westminster winding, adjusting and maintaining the hundreds of clocks that mark the hours as Parliament goes about its business. As the Blitz of London continues, you’ll see the heroes rise as they find the inner strength to help others survive the loss and devastation. Arthur’s wife, Eleanor, puts aside her fears and does whatever it takes – even risking her life to save Big Ben.

Educating readers on the Blitz, Anderson shelters, the evacuation of children to the countryside, food shortages and rationing, fascism, and King George VI speeches, Wood’s story accurately depicts London during wartime. She showcases the impossible choices ordinary people had to make and the defining moments that changed lives forever.

This novel has something for everyone: history, espionage, romance, and mystery.

I was fascinated learning about the origins of ‘The Big Ben Silent Minute'.

There's a great image in the May 30th edition of Daily Mail featuring restoration work. Google “Big Ben won’t bong until 2022”

To be published July 8, 2021, this novel will undoubtedly shed light on the restoration of the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben.

I was gifted this advance copy by Daisy Wood, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

In London, during WW2, Nell is happily married with a new baby girl. Even the Blitz isn't enough to ruin her time with her husband, Arthur, one of the clockmaker's who works on Big Ben. Arthur insists she take the baby to the country for safety while he remains in London as a clockmaker. However, when Arthur goes missing, she risks everything to find out what has happened to him. In the second timeline, Elle is living in New York, and discovers a watch from her grandmother, who she knows nothing about. Taking a chance on everything, she heads to London to find out what family secrets are out there.

I loved getting a chance to check out a talented debut author! The story was definitely intriguing, bringing in different aspects of WW2 and what was happening in Britain during that time. While British forces are often focused on in WW2 stories, the idea of what was happening in London during that same time isn't typically mentioned. Wood does a great job on her research for the book and I'm looking forward to what else she writes in the future!

The Clockmaker's Wife was a great WWII novel. It added a new element for me - incorporating The Big Ben in London. The dual plot lines weaved well together. For obvious reasons, the 1940 storyline was more interesting and I felt myself wanting more of Nell's story. This novel was a bit of a slow start, but began to pick up about halfway through. Nell was faced with difficult choices throughout the entire novel. She was heroic and courageous in seeking the truth regarding her husband. Loyal to him at every turn, it seemed to fuel her to uncover the truth. This novel provides you with everything - a bit of mystery/thriller, WWII historical fiction, and above all, strong female characters amongst their own love stories.

Unpacking the history of what victims endured throughout WWII is always intriguing to me. I love this, especially in historical fiction. So many stories heard is that a parent/grandparent will pass away, without having shared much of their history throughout the war. And the family is left to try and figure out the heart-wrenching history. To that end, I love the dual storyline that the present-day character seeks to uncover what happened. The second storyline was Ellie doing just so. I enjoyed learning of the pieces of her family history, and that she was able to gain some long lost family members along her journey.

Highly recommend if you love historical fiction - especially WWII - alongside a unique storyline.

Thank you to the author Daisy Wood, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Newlyweds Arthur and Nell Spelman live in London and during the Blitz. Arthur comes from a long line of clock makers, his parents are from Germany and he was born in England. He wants Nell and baby Alice to go stay with her parents in the country and she’s rather stubborn and won’t leave her husband. They spend their nights with Mrs. and Mr. Blackwell in their Anderson shelter in the backyard and their days extremely tired. One night in 1940 the German bombers are relentless, the next morning the Blackwell’s house is still standing and the Spelman’s has taken a direct hit. Her parents live in Oxfordshire, in an old rambling house and have five evacuees staying with them. Nell has no choice, she catches the first train to the country and leaves Arthur behind in London. He assures her he will be fine, he can find somewhere safe to sleep and he’s needed at work. Arthur works at the Palace of Westminster, he helps maintain the clocks and keeps Big Ben chiming.

One night Nell receives an odd call from Arthur, something is wrong and he’s been arrested? Desperate to find out what has happened to her law abiding husband, she travels to London, Nell uncovers a sinister plot and it involves a major attack on a London landmark.

The Clockmaker’s Wife has a dual timeline, it seamless goes between WW II and the present day. The story is really interesting, it has many twists and turns, and uncovers eighty year old secrets.

Alice is staying in a nursing home in Westchester County, she fell, broke her hip and she's starting the lose her memory. Ellie’s mother has always been very vague about her life in England as a child, she didn’t get on with her father's second wife, when she met American Jeff they married, moved to the states and she didn't stay in contact with her English relatives. Ellie discovers a beautiful watch that belonged to her grandmother Nell, she died during WW II and she wants to find out what happened to her? Arriving in England she meets her Aunt Gillian, she’s her mother Alice's younger half-sister and she doesn’t know what happened to Nell.

Ellie begins to delve into the past and what she discovers is absolutely intriguing, The Clockmaker’s Wife is a very unique historical fiction story, it’s different and in an exceptional way. I really enjoyed reading about the clocks, Nell moving to Oxfordshire, her relationship with the Pott’s children and how determined she was to help Arthur and what she did for her country in its time of need.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, absolutely brilliant and five big stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
The book takes place in 1940's and the present day. Ellie wants to find out about her grandmother and will go to great lengths to see what she can learn. She travels to London and meets with people who knew her grandmother and learns maybe more than she bargains for, affecting her life and others. Great book and characters.

The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood is a beautiful story about the power of love. We travel with Nell through the trials and tribulations of saving her husband and her country. We learn that often a “heroic deed” is simply what must be done. While trying to prove her husband’s innocence, Nell is called upon to face danger and enemies intent on doing great harm to her country. We also travel with Nell’s granddaughter, Ellie, as she sets out to learn about her past and to eventually prove that Nell was indeed a hero. She also learns that often friendship is the best basis for love. Through their adventures, both ladies discover that love is enduring and can often be surprising.

I love family mystery stories. Ellie goes sleuthing about her maternal grandmother in London. She meets up with extended relatives as she delves into WWII history and family lore. The narrative bounces between WWII and modern day. I thought the dual time approach worked well. I enjoyed the family history aspect as well as the WWII history. I loved the Big Ben angle the most. It's a satisfying read.

A Big Ben story

This novel skillfully navigates across two timelines: 1940 &2021. Set mostly in London when Britain was gripped by the terror of the Blitz. The story chronicles the fight of one woman (Nell) to save Big Ben from destruction after her husband (Arthur) a clock master responsible for Big Ben was taken prisoner. The present day comes in alternate chapters and explores granddaughter’s (Ellie) search for answers that no one in her family could provide, hoping everything will come clear once she meets relatives in the UK.

The timelines worked well in this novel. It is easy to situate who is talking and where we are. Although I admit to have taken a little bit of time not mixing Nell and Ellie, the two main characters. Although pretty consistent, the tempo is rather slow all through and what is particularly well done is how Ms. Wood vividly paints the scenes so they can be clearly printed in our mind. Not surprising that I preferred Nell’s story to Ellie’s, it is by far more interesting after all WW11 stories have captivated me for many years.

The secret war story behind Arthur and Nell is really what this novel is all about and what kept me turning the page. It is a poignant one that injects in drops some twists to keep us intrigued. Since the German of the time did not have the technology to hit key building this is a highly imaginative story but it is well said and presented.

I was given the opportunity to read this ARC from Avon Books UK via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this historical fiction book set during world war 2 and present day. I enjoyed the granddaughter going to London to try to figure out the mystery of her grandmother’s death and to meet her English relatives. I enjoyed that this was a different type of world war 2 novel and I think you may too if you enjoy historical fiction!

Bringing the human touch into a WW2 story has away for grabbing me and not letting go. Is this a true story. I don't know. What I do know it that there is truth imbedded in the story.

The author's brilliance in using the granddaughter of Arthur and Nell to tell a story created a believable tale. Like me, Ellie hasn't been told much of those times. The reader follows along with Ellie as she searches out the truth of Nell's death in the story of The Clockmaker's Wife that takes place early in the war.

After a bomb destroys their home, Nell had returned to the country. Arthur remained in London, continuing his job as one the men responsible for the inner workings of Westminster Clock, better known as Big Ben. When he discovers a plot he knows he must intercede. A strange call to Nell, brings her to London, leaving her daughter with her parents in the country, following in his footsteps. A plot needs to be uncovered.

Daisy Wood did a great job of describing events. I felt the heat. I smelt the dust. I felt the earth rumble. Fear grew as I read page after page of Nell's experience in London as she ran through the darkened streets with only a torch lighting her way.

If you want to learn about the war in Britain grab this book. By pass the boring textbook that forgot that real people, normal people were an important part of the country's success.

This novel is et in 2 countries and times.
First is in 1940 Britain and other present time in New York
It is based on a young girl going to London to try to figure out the mystery of her grandmother’s death and to meet her English relatives.
History and espionage combine to make this a very good read.
Highly recommend if you love historical fiction
Thanks to #NetGalley and Daisy Wood for the advance copy in return for an honest review

Told in two timelines, 1940 Britain and present-day New York, this wonderful story is a fiction story drawn on factual information as inspiration. The author, Daisy Wood, also injects bits of historical events at the time such as Nazism sweeping various countries. She also describes the inner workings of Big Ben and the Silent Minute. That the minute hand alone is fourteen feet long is amazing. The character, Arthur, maintains the clock which is far more complex than I had imagined. What a fascinating perspective!

Nell falls in love with and marries Arthur. They have a darling daughter, Alice, who is the joy of their lives. However, staying in an Anderson shelter during the London Blitz is less than ideal. When the unthinkable happens, life changes forever and the young family is forced to make difficult choices. The effects of war are shown realistically such as queueing in line with ration coupons, destruction of buildings and hatred of Jews. Characters find themselves doing things they wouldn't have thought possible. During the Blitz small things of just days ago are suddenly incredibly important as people cling to hope.

In present day New York Ellie discovers something which really makes her ponder her ancestry. Her subsequent research takes her on a different road than she'd dreamed and her findings start connecting dots, dots she did not even know existed. She finds that her family was extremely courageous, heroes and heroines, though ordinary people. Which makes them extraordinary in my view.

Historical Fiction readers, especially those who enjoy well-written dual timelines ought to seeks this out.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this enthralling book. I especially enjoyed the unique perspectives.

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.

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.

THE CLOCKMAKER'S WIFE By Daisy Wood
Historical fiction
400 pages

In this book we have Nell Spielman, a young wife and mother. Her husband Arthur is one of the men in charge of the clock Big Ben in London, England.  They are deliriously happy but the world is at war and they get separated.  Nell goes to her mother's house a few cities away to escape the bombings and keep her daughter safe. Arthur stays to do his job. Nell finds out that Arthur has disappeared and goes back to London to find him. Fast forward 80 yrs ago to Nell's granddaughter Ellie. Ellie's mother's Alice is getting memory loss and Ellie knows nothing about her family history and wants to find out what happened to her grandmother before its too late. What she finds out is amazing, terrifying, and wonderful at the same time.

This is my first Daisy Wood book and now I've got to read more by her!!!!!!!  I loved this book!!!!!!!!  The courage of her characters amazed me. Her style of writing is awesome and a delight to read. I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction fans.

Great Read 👀

Told over two different times periods, from Nell during 1939/40 and Ellie in present day. Ellie's Mother is in declining health, and starts looking into what happened to her grandmother to endeavor to find unanswered questions for her Mum, but early searches makes her question whether she's doing the right thing.... only time will tell.

Historical fiction is not a genre I'd often choose, as I'm quite particular with this type of story, this is blend between past and present and will keep you gripped from the beginning to the end. Nell from the start shows a great strength of character, with a love for her family endeavor to put them first no matter the risks. A definite should read.

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.

I don’t normally enjoy books as much when they jump between time zones, however I persevered with this book and I’m glad I did.

The first time zone change revealed the destiny for the main character from the opening section. This intriqued me, how did she end up with this outcome - I certainly didn’t expect that! On one hand I was happy that I haven’t invested too much emotion on this person but knew there must be a saga ahead as I was so early on in the book! I now placed my emotional attachment with the current day character who luckily got the answers that she wanted and the conclusion.

The writing style and pace of the book suited my reading habits well and I enjoyed reading a book that I would not normally chosen. I will certainly look out for books by this author in future.

"War's coming, isn't it? You want me to see the city before everything changes."

Beginning in London in 1939, and set primarily in 1940 and the present day, The Clockmaker's Wife is a captivating tale of love, war and heroism - but ultimately of strong, brave women.

As the blitz rages through London, Nell Spelman and her infant daughter Alice must flee the capital, whilst her husband, Arthur, remains behind as the clockmaker is needed to keep Big Ben chiming.

But when Arthur makes a frantic call to Nell, she rushes back to London to find her husband, leading her to much darker events than she could have anticipated.

Meanwhile, in present day New York, Ellie begins a search for her family history, leading her to London as she tries to discover the mystery of the grandmother that she never knew.

The Clockmaker's Wife is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of historic fiction. It captures the beauty of London, the devastation of war, the spirit of those who lived through the Blitz, wrapped up in a story of mystery and bravery.

The character's are well written, particularly the females. Nell, Ellie, Alice, Hetta, Gillian, Brenda; each showed bravery in their own way, as well as their strength, and some scenes did bring a tear to my eye. That being said, Arthur and Dan were also likeable characters, and I couldn't help but want the best for them.

The Clockmaker's Wife is Daisy Wood's debut novel. And it's a truly impressive debut; I look forward to seeing what else she will bring us in the future. A highly recommended read - five stars!

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this fascinating book, a dual time-line which I,love. I raced through this book as I wanted to find out what happened in the end. It did not disappoint it was a great ending. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.