Clock and Dagger by Julianne Holmes is the second book in A Clock Shop Mystery series. Ruth Clagan is a horologist (clockmaker) and is getting ready to reopen Cog and Sprocket in Orchard, Massachusetts. Ruth made some changes to the store and apartment above after inheriting the shop from her Grandpa Thom (G.T. for short). Things have been made more difficult by Beckett Green. Beckett is opening a bookstore across the street called Been Here, Read That (which would be good for the town), but he has decided to add other services (to compete with local businesses). Beckett wishes to sell coffee and to sell clocks as well as offer repair services. He has been trying to hire Mark Pine away from Ruth. No one knows why Beckett is trying to antagonize his fellow shop owners. The opening party of Cog and Sprocket is going well. Ruth goes next door to Ben's Barbershop (where they were keeping the food) and finds Mark dead. This definitely puts kink in Ruth's plans. Ruth sets out to find the killer. But someone does not want her to solve this murder. Ruth has further complications with Kim Gray, the town manager, over the old town hall building (which the town leases from Ruth). The lease is set to expire on January 1. Ruth wishes to keep leasing to the town and repair the clock in the tower (which was a dream of her grandfather's). However, Kim's vision for the town does not line up with Ruth's or the other shop owners. Will they be able to reach an agreement in time? Join Ruth on her latest adventure in Clock and Dagger.
Clock and Dagger has a wonderfully complex mystery (there is more to it than meets the eye). I was able to solve it, but I do not think most people will see the final twist coming (it's a good one). I did not have the pleasure of reading Just Killing Time (first book in series) prior to reading Clock and Dagger. But that did not hinder my reading (or enjoyment) of this book. The author did a good job of updating the reader on what happened in the first novel. I found Ms. Holmes to be a very descriptive writer. I give Clock and Dagger 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I did find some information to be repeated a few times (which was unnecessary), but otherwise Clock and Dagger is a pleasurable novel to read. I will definitely be reading future books in this series, and I will go back and read Just Killing Time.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The opinions and comments expressed are strictly my own.
Clock and Dagger has a wonderfully complex mystery (there is more to it than meets the eye). I was able to solve it, but I do not think most people will see the final twist coming (it's a good one). I did not have the pleasure of reading Just Killing Time (first book in series) prior to reading Clock and Dagger. But that did not hinder my reading (or enjoyment) of this book. The author did a good job of updating the reader on what happened in the first novel. I found Ms. Holmes to be a very descriptive writer. I give Clock and Dagger 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I did find some information to be repeated a few times (which was unnecessary), but otherwise Clock and Dagger is a pleasurable novel to read. I will definitely be reading future books in this series, and I will go back and read Just Killing Time.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The opinions and comments expressed are strictly my own.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ruth has been busy updating both the Cog & Sprocket and her apartment above the shop. She is still trying to restore the local clock tour but keeps getting waylaid by the city manager. The owner of the new bookstore, Beckett Green, is giving all the Orchard merchants headaches as he plans to open a place selling much more than books, competing with almost every business on Orchard by selling the similar merchandise. He even tries to lure one of Ruth's employees away from her. Sadly the young man ends up dead, and Beckett Green is Ruth's prime suspect, but the police have another suspect in mind. Ruth works well with the local police chief, but the city manager keeps calling in the "staties", which doesn't sit well with either of them.
A lot takes place within these pages. The story ticks right along at the perfect pace. The book starts out with Ruth needing party supplies for several events including the grand reopening of the clock shop she inherited from her grandfather, her step grandmother's surprise birthday party, and an event featuring most of the shops on the street. Add in a murder, a bit a jealousy, and a stranger coming to town and you have one heck of a story.
I am impressed with all Ruth has taken on and happy to see she has surrounded herself with some great people. She does realize that she really needs to learn more about each of them because they are quickly becoming friends and not just mere acquaintances. The author is doing an excellent job at making the characters more three dimensional and engaging. I have grown to like most of them very much.
The small town of Orchard is a great setting. Of course, it has it share of troublemakers and small town politics. Ruth's grandfather used to be a favorite of all and a peacemaker when the need arose and his presence is greatly missed.
The mystery itself was puzzling. I wasn't sure who was our killer until a twist at the end that was absolutely perfect.
I found the bits of knowledge about clocks and watches captivating. I love the idea of making jewelry out of the cogs and sprockets.
Don't waste any time, this series should be on the top of your To-Be-Read stack!
Ruth has been busy updating both the Cog & Sprocket and her apartment above the shop. She is still trying to restore the local clock tour but keeps getting waylaid by the city manager. The owner of the new bookstore, Beckett Green, is giving all the Orchard merchants headaches as he plans to open a place selling much more than books, competing with almost every business on Orchard by selling the similar merchandise. He even tries to lure one of Ruth's employees away from her. Sadly the young man ends up dead, and Beckett Green is Ruth's prime suspect, but the police have another suspect in mind. Ruth works well with the local police chief, but the city manager keeps calling in the "staties", which doesn't sit well with either of them.
A lot takes place within these pages. The story ticks right along at the perfect pace. The book starts out with Ruth needing party supplies for several events including the grand reopening of the clock shop she inherited from her grandfather, her step grandmother's surprise birthday party, and an event featuring most of the shops on the street. Add in a murder, a bit a jealousy, and a stranger coming to town and you have one heck of a story.
I am impressed with all Ruth has taken on and happy to see she has surrounded herself with some great people. She does realize that she really needs to learn more about each of them because they are quickly becoming friends and not just mere acquaintances. The author is doing an excellent job at making the characters more three dimensional and engaging. I have grown to like most of them very much.
The small town of Orchard is a great setting. Of course, it has it share of troublemakers and small town politics. Ruth's grandfather used to be a favorite of all and a peacemaker when the need arose and his presence is greatly missed.
The mystery itself was puzzling. I wasn't sure who was our killer until a twist at the end that was absolutely perfect.
I found the bits of knowledge about clocks and watches captivating. I love the idea of making jewelry out of the cogs and sprockets.
Don't waste any time, this series should be on the top of your To-Be-Read stack!
