Book Review: Clock and Dagger by Julianne Holmes (Clock Shop Mysteries #2)

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Wonderful characters, great mystery

Cons: A little slow to start

The Bottom Line:

Party ends in death

Opens creative story

Time flies as you read

The Last Thing Ruth Has Time for is a Murder

Last year, I enjoyed the first book in the Clock Shop Mysteries by Julianne Holmes, so I was looking forward to revisiting the characters in Clock and Dagger, the second in the series.  My patience was rewarded since this book was just as much fun as the first.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is going to be very busy for Ruth Clagen this year.  Not only is she getting ready to reopen the clock shop she inherited from her grandfather, Cog & Sprocket, but the downtown merchants of Orchard, Massachusetts, are launching a discount program with a huge open house on the final Tuesday of December.  Since this program was Ruth’s idea, she is heavily involved in the party.

Despite some hiccups and run ins with her neighbor, bookstore owner Beckett Green, the open house goes off without a hitch.  That is until Ruth discovers a dead body as things are winding down.  A pocket watch next to the body catches Ruth’s interest.  Why was it there?  What could it mean?

The book opens as Ruth is preparing for the party.  This gives us a change to remeet the series regulars and set a few things in motion for the plot.  However, I did feel like this part was a little slow.  Once the murder happened, things definitely picked up, although one sub-plot continued to annoy me.

But these are minor complaints overall because I really did enjoy the book.

Let’s start with the fact that the murder victim wasn’t who I expected it to be at all.  You’ll notice I was very careful not to give that away.  That was just the first of many surprises in the plot that kept me turning the pages.  The climax was very suspenseful and perfectly logical.

One thing this series does well is capture life in a small town, complete with small town politics.  That adds a wonderful component to the book here I loved watching unfold.

It also showcases the great relationships that develop in a small town.  I love these characters and the friendships that they all have and it was wonderful to see them all again.  I especially love Ruth’s relationship with Caroline, her step-grandmother, which only grows here.  It adds a great touch to this series.  Naturally, we meet some new characters here, and they are strong as well.

So if you are looking for a creative and cozy series, it’s time to check this one out.  Clock and Dagger will please fans of the first and leave you counting the second until we can revisit these friends.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner next Thursday, August 18th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 8/18.  You will have until midnight on 8/23 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 8/24.