Like Leslie Parry’s Church of Marvels, The Clockmaker’s Daughter offers readers the opportunity to piece together the story in such a way that they will reel for days afterward, shocked at the conclusion but understanding exactly how everyone fits together like a perfectly designed jigsaw puzzle. The mysteries’ finales feel like deep, emotional breaths of relief, contrasted with the less-than-tidy ending, which still matches the context and mood of the overall novel. It is realistic, if not tied in a pretty bow. I found it very satisfying ... I rarely discover books worth quoting or memorizing. Such writing typically has strong visual and visceral pulls, and the world within the pages must be so tantalizing and tactile that it sits in a person’s bones for a long time. The Clockmaker’s Daughter is just such a book, unfolding each hidden veil in a delicious, well-choreographed dance ... yet another gift of lovely words and deep storylines. It is a worthwhile read...to figure out the mysteries locked within the pages.
Everyone likes a good ghost story, and at its best, Kate Morton’s The Clockmaker’s Daughter is exactly that ... Morton certainly weaves an elaborate tapestry — but that’s not necessarily a good thing as the story devolves into an increasingly tedious, convoluted affair ... If readers are willing to navigate its labyrinthine path, they may ultimately find The Clockmaker’s Daughter rewarding. Still, one couldn’t blame them for giving up on the ghost.
The Clockmaker’s Daughter is overstuffed with incident, but readers who enjoy a symphony of voices and multiple storylines will find much to like here ... It’s an imaginative tale for fans of historical fiction.
