The House of One Hundred Clocks
A.M. Howell
Subjects
- History Time - blasts from the past
- Action Adventures - chills, thrills and plenty of spills
- Facts & Information - lists, stats and plenty of facts
- Facts & Information - lists, stats and plenty of facts
- Facts & Information - lists, stats and plenty of facts
From the bestselling author of The Garden of Lost Secrets comes a thrilling new mystery filled with ticking secrets and gripping adventure, set against an Edwardian backdrop of invention and change. JUNE, 1905. Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are swept off to Cambridge when her father is appointed clock-winder to one of the wealthiest men in England. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop. Soon Helena discovers the house of one hundred clocks holds many mysteries; a ghostly figure, strange notes and stolen winding keys... Can she work out the house's secrets before time runs out? ""Howell is a hypnotically readable writer, who keeps the pulse racing, while allowing every character slowly to unravel."" The Telegraph ""Fans of Emma Carroll will adore this historical tale of derring-do and righted wrongs."" The Times on The Garden of Lost Secrets
Reviews
We had AM Howell coming to our small school so read this off the TBR pile! (she was going to talk about her Mysteries at Sea series which I've already read). Helena's father has a new job as a conservator of clocks in Cambridge so they are moving from London, with her parrot Orbit. The house they move to has 100 clocks and her father is not allowed to allow them to stop - his contract says they will take all their belongings including Orbit if they do. Mr Westcott is very strange and he doesn't seem to like parrots. There is also a child - who dresses like a boy during the day and a girl when her aunt and father are around. She tells Helena her name is boy. When Helena finds a warning in a pocket watch she goes to investigate. Why did the clocks stop for the previous conservator and will they do it again? Inspired by Moyses Hall Clock Museum in Bury St Edmunds where AM Howell is lucky enough to live (it's my home town too!)
TL9346
A story for those who enjoy a bit of a mystery. Helena moves to Cambridge with her father who is a clockmaker. The house has clocks lots of them and the house owner insists they never stop ticking. Helena sets about solving the mystery of who the mystery child is and why the clocks must keep ticking. I enjoyed the friendship that Helena made with Boy and how she deals with losing her mum.
gillianakers
Set in 1905 Cambridge the story follows 2 grieving families both of whom have lost a wife and mother; one father is lost in his own, almost crippling superstitions whilst the other in his work, with both daughters left to muddle through as best they can. As the story unfolds so does the mystery of the one hundred clocks. The relationships unfold into a thing of beauty especially between the two girls as their relationship grows and they support one another in their grief. I loved the story from the very first page, the mystery and tension continue all the way through to the last. I loved the relationship between the main character Helena and her dependence upon what was her mothers, very vocal Blue-fronted Amazon parrot, Orbit. I also enjoyed how the inequality of men and women of the time was portrayed, yet how many others had higher hopes for future generations of women including in areas such as science and engineering.
SarahC39
Star Reviewer
Slow to start but a great idea and really picked up. Need to perceiver.
Hkteacher
An unusual book with an unusual plot about the necessity of winding clocks correctly. The heroine is adventurous and curious and the novel unfolds as she finds out more about the family whose house she is a guest in. Some difficult themes are explored in a very original way. I would definitely recommend this one.
ReadingChallenge2021
I loved the air of mystery created by the author at times it has a slightly sinister or supernatural atmosphere and I really liked that. I enjoy reading books with old houses which have a story to tell so this tale about a house filled with clocks (which must never stop) where there was once laughter and love was definitely up my street. The story has a strong female lead and has themes of friendship, social difference, equal opportunities, loss and love.
liane76
Have introduced this as a reader for year 7
Lynspads
This was a book that had me wondering all the way through. I could not understand how the main character, Helena, was going to get out of the situation she was in. It is a story full of mystery and tension with some very strong characters in it. My favourite character was Florence as she was so interesting.
Reblind