In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe's life is in ruins.
Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist's sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.
Why does Birchwood Manor feelso familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Willshe ever give up her secrets?
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[We came to Birchwood Manor because Edward said thatit was haunted](Mantle,20 September 2018, ebook, 596 pages, copy from the publisher via NetGalley andvoluntarily reviewed)
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I'm a huge fan of Morton and had high hopes forthis book. Needless to say, The Clockmaker's Daughter exceeded myexpectations. Like her other novels, this one uses multiple timelines. Thistime the story focuses on Birchwood Manor and its inhabitants from 1862 to thepresent time. I love books with a non-linear structure and this is one of manythings the author does so well. I was engrossed in the story from the start andloved every word. The Clockmaker's Daughter explores a wide range ofsubjects from secrets to murder and one person knows all of the secrets of themanor and everyone who had lived and breathed inside the walls. Anotherstrength of the author is being able to use multiple narrative viewpoints andthis book deftly moved back and forth between different characters. I lovedthis book and can't wait for her next.
