Title: The Clockmaker’s Daughter

Author: Kate Morton

Publisher: Atria 2018

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 485

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Women Authors; Dancing with SciFi and Fantasy - Ghosts

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 feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?

I’ve enjoyed a few of Morton’s previous works, so I had to have this one when it came up for Book of the Month last October. I finally picked it up to dive in last week and immediately fell into another world. I love how Morton creates an entire atmosphere surrounding her setting. The house is just fantastic and beautiful and mysterious and enchanting. I love how Morton connects all the different characters and ad time periods to create one epic story. The murder mystery was actually one fo the least interesting aspects. I really wanted to hear more about many of the other characters like Ada and Leonard. In fact, I think Ada was my favorite character. Overall, I took my time with this book and loved every page of it.

Next up on the TBR pile: