The Clockmakers Wife

Title: The Clockmakers Wife

Author: Daisy Wood

Genre: Historical

Publisher: Avon

Published Date: 2021

Book Length: 400

Format Read: Paperback

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: The world is at war. And time is running out…

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, Nell is desperate to find him. 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 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…

My Thoughts: The Clockmaker’s Wife is a dual-timeline historical fiction novel and the debut release from Daisy Wood. Set in both the 1940s and the early 2020s, the story gently meanders between past and present, revealing a family mystery layer by layer. The pacing is steady, and Wood takes her time delving into every nook and cranny of the narrative, gradually drawing the reader into the heart of the story.

The historical sections are evocative, bringing wartime London to life with its tension, resilience, and quiet heroism. Meanwhile, the modern timeline provides a contrast that adds emotional weight and curiosity, as a granddaughter uncovers the secrets of a grandmother she never truly knew.

What stood out to me was the book’s charm—there’s a warmth in Wood’s writing, along with flashes of gentle wit that made me smile more than once. At its core, this is a story about family, legacy, and the power of untold stories. The mystery unfolds in a satisfying way, rewarding patient readers with poignant discoveries.

If you enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a personal twist, The Clockmaker’s Wife is a gentle yet engaging read that explores how the past echoes into the present. A lovely debut that hints at great things to come from Daisy Wood.