Like Clockwork: A Clare Hart Mystery

Clare Hart #1

by Margie Orford

When a beautiful young woman is found murdered on Cape Town's Sea Point promenade, journalist and part-time police profiler Dr. Clare Hart is drawn into the web of a brutal serial killer. As more bodies are discovered, Clare is forced to revisit the brutal rape of her twin sister and the gang ties that bind Cape Town's dark crime rings. Is her investigation into human trafficking linked to the murders, or is the killer just playing a sick game with her?

Like Clockwork is a dark and compelling crime story that will thrill fans of Deon Meyer and Tess Gerritsen.

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, South Africa, Fiction, Ebooks

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Margie Orford is a journalist, film director and author of children’s fiction, non-fiction and school text books.

She was born in London and grew up in Namibia and South Africa, studying at UCT where she wrote her final exams in prison while detained during the State of Emergency. After travelling widely, she did an honours degree at UCT, then worked in publishing in the newly-independent Namibia, where she became involved in training through the African Publishers Network.

In 1999 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and while in New York, worked on an archival retrieval project, Women Writing in Africa: The Southern Volume. She made her crime debut with Like Clockwork, which became a bestseller and was followed by a sequel, Blood Rose. Both crime novels will be published in Germany. A recent non-fiction project is Fabulously 40 and Beyond : Women coming into their own; her latest is Fifteen Men.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Clockwork by Margie Orford – A Clare Hart Mystery is a 2014 Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

As Clare continues work on her documentary on human trafficking, a girl is found murdered right outside her own apartment building in Cape Town. Detective Reidwaan Faizal can think of no one better than Dr. Clare Hart to work up a profile on whoever is killing these girls. It soon becomes apparent there is a serial killer on the loose and that Cape Town has it's own dark underbelly -a human trafficking network, and Clare recognizes the pattern right away. But, can she and the detective discover the killer's identity before more girls are killed? Can they connect the murders to the trafficking ring?

This is a dark, creepy, atmospheric crime thriller with unique characters who each have their own set of person demons which, instead of hindering them, gives them an edge when dealing with crimes this heinous. Clare and Reidwaan have a relationship that goes beyond being partners in crime solving. This too is a complicated and I was never sure what was going on with those two.

The book starts off at a fast pace, but sometimes veared off course a bit, especially when dealing with some issues in Clare's personal life. Now, since this is a series and I have not followed along from the beginning, these passages were confusing to me. To those who have been reading in order, this may make sense to you.

The subject matter is gritty and there are interesting forensic details that kept me guessing and trying to work out who all was involved and in what way.
Human trafficking is a topic I feel does not get enough attention from the press or law enforcement. It is a chilling topic and I fear these crimes run rampant and what crimes are uncovered barely staunch the bleeding. So, I am always impressed when an author has the courage to broach such unpleasant subject matter.
So, this book may not be for folks who are uncomfortable with dark thrillers, graphic forensics, and chilling, lurid crimes because this one does not hold anything back.

Now that I have been introduced to the enigmatic Clare and detective Reidwaan I think I will make an effort to look up other books written by this author. - 4 stars

[Yigal Zur · Rating 4 out of 5]

very very good thriller. i do not know anything about the writer but if this is her first one than we have a promising thriller writer coming from South Africa.

[Rianonne]

Abbruch nach 94 Seiten weil mir der Schreibstil überhaupt nicht zusagt.

[Mr Pink Ink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Now this, was surprisingly good. I was a little if-y at the start but the writing pulls you in quickly and the story hooks you hard.

Set in and around the beautiful Cape Town, Orford decides to take the reader on a tour of the "seedier" part of the Mother City instead, the criminal underbelly...

Clare Hart is an investigative journalist currently working on an in-depth expose on human trafficking when the body of a young girl, staged in a certain way, is found on the Sea Point promenade, practically on her doorstep. Having worked with the police before, she soon gets a call and has to reconnect with Riedewaan Faizal; currently an embarrassment to his division, they have worked together in the past and share a history.

The writing is phenomenal and the author is highly descriptive - lol, there was a time when I was annoyed by all the descriptions because I thought it was just wasting my time in getting to the killer, but that was probably just me being hasty.

I found the characters to be well-written and fleshed-out; the dynamic between the different characters was so en-pointe and the creep factor for the "villains" was excellent.

Although everything does get tied up nicely, I feel that there are still some loose ends; like the history between Riedewaan and Clare still isn't clear and some of the symbolism - why the colour blue, for example - also hasn't been explained.

Overall, though, Like Clockwork is thoroughly thrill-worthy and is an excellent start to what is looking to be an excellent series; I highly recommend it.

Thankfully, JBP also sent me the next three books in the series so I'm going to get on that ;)

[Emma♔☯ (Bookishfix) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first novel written by Margie Orford, although the basic plot is based around sex trafficking and a serial killer in a notorious part of Cape Town,South Africa's red light district the novel didn't really draw me in like a lot of other murder mystery / serial killer novels i've read. In saying that, taking a look into sex trafficking was quite interesting, and i think Margie Orford did a good job in capturing how brutal and traumatic it must be for the victims of such crimes throughout her book. This novel is read from different perspectives, sometimes Clare's, sometimes the victims/or other important characters and sometime its Riedwaan.

Our female protagonist, Dr Clare Hart is working on a documentary about sex trafficking in Cape Town when she is called into profile a might-be serial killer, who leaves his victims in public spaces, dressed "tarty", throat slit, eyes gouged out with a silver key tied to their hand.
Called in by none other as her ex-lover of sorts,Riedwaan Faizal, the tension is felt between the two characters, eventually revealing what went wrong between them.
As the days pass and no leads or evidence is leading to a culprit , more bodies are piling up and the pressure is felt to bring the case to a close.
Learning that Clare has a twin, Constance who survived a gang rape on her birthday years back, and is still recovering day to day with the scars left physically and mentally, Clare struggles when her sex trafficking undercover work leads her to a girl, badly abused and whose family is unwilling to help her, she faces a question that stumps her: what if the body can recover, but not the spirit?
Taking us on a journey through Cape Towns red light district and an unbelievable story about a sadistic serial killer killing for pleasure and money.

I enjoyed this book, although it wasn't really a gripping page turner for me. It was interesting to take a look into the work of sex trafficking and my heart goes out to the women out there in those situations, or experience abuse of any sorts.
The book also gets into the pornography scene alittle, mainly about sadistic bondage and snuff films which was gross, but it exists, so congrats on capturing that and making me feel grossed out, Margie Orford that's the whole point of a writer isn't it?
To make us think, feel, question or be transported to another world.
I didn't however feel a bond with Clare, which i think is important for a main character and the reader to connect on some level. Although she was smart and strong, she was also a loner and didn't really have friendships, i dont know..i needed more from a female lead profiler than i got from this novel. This book has limited romance, as most of the book is based on the case developing and victims turning up, although there is a touch which then makes it a little confusing for the reader, because it feels like her job was so overwhelming she needed sexual release , or protection from a strong man. Ehhh, not for me.
Love needs passion.

And i'm sorry but 'Riedwaan Faizal', what a odd unsexy name for a male detective!
I mean come on, of all the names you could come up with for a lead male..


Recommended for anyone liking books based on: Thrillers, Serial Killers, Sex Trafficking, Sexual References ( Pornography and Abuse)

[Jayne Bauling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young girls are being horrifically murdered and mutilated in Cape Town. Who is responsible?

This books races along, full of incident. Clever plotting, real characters who are absolutely believable, whether flawed and vulnerable or unspeakably evil. A pulsating climax as profiler Clare Hart races against time to try and save the next potential victim.

Crime fiction at its best.

[Donald Schopflocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complex characters, gruesome details, lots of loose ends and gaps. However the characters just seemed to be dragged along for the ride, admittedly somewhat compelling. I was disappointed that there was not a stronger sense of place; contemporary Capetown could have been a more prominent presence as could recent SA history.

[Eveline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vlot lezend, spannend boek.

[SunshineQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this novel when I was in High School, circa 2010/2011. This novel left such an impression and has wafted in and out of my memory over the last 14/5years.

It was my first time reading a fiction novel that tells of places I’m very familiar with in my home country. At this time in my life I was particularly in LOVE with Agatha Christie (not that I’m any less of a Christie simp at my big age 🥹), so having a mystery unfold in a world that is my home was… idk, it was really gripping and significant for me… that maybe Africans can telling gripping tales that rival or even exceed international stories.

I’d love to reread it now that I’m older and discover more of Margie’s works.

[Carli Pienaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, this was a stunning writing book! I couldn't have asked for a better well written and executed novel.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margie Orford lists, among many other activities, that she does Advocacy work for a Rape Crisis group in South Africa, so it's not very surprising LIKE CLOCKWORK looks very closely at the horrific consequences of rape and extreme violence against women. Because of that there's nothing particularly easy about reading this book, but it definitely fulfils one of my major preferences in crime fiction - which is to inform the reader. No matter how uncomfortable that information can sometimes be.

Dr Clare Hart is a police profiler who lives on Cape Town's Seapoint promenade, so the discovery of a young girl's body at that location has a very close, discomforting feel for her. There's something very brutal about the way that this girl died, and something oddly ritualistic about the way that the body was disposed of. The discovery of more young girls - all very similar in appearance - make for the sobering realisation that there is a serial sex killer in Cape Town. A city that's not unused to violence and, in particular sexual violence, as Clare and her twin sister are all too aware.

One of LIKE CLOCKWORK's strengths is the glimpse that the reader is given of the living victim - in this case Clare's sister and a young victim of gang rape and violence that Clare steps in to save. The other strength is the strong characters. Clare Hart is an interesting woman - dour, somewhat humourless, more than a little obsessive, she's working on a documentary set in Africa, but she also freelances as a police profiler (although there's not a lot of detail as to how she got that job or what her background is). The main police character - Riedwaan Faizal has enough twists on the standard scruffy, lone wolf policeman to make him just that little bit unexpected. He's a Muslim, alcoholic, dissolute, and a loner. Clare and Riedwaan share a good working relationship (which seems to be about the only one that they each have), as well as a somewhat uninspiring sexual relationship. As unappealing as they both would seem, they were both great characters - real, imperfect and quite human. There is, however, some sort of backstory between these two which was hinted at, but not really fleshed out in this book. But it is Clare and Riedwaan who carry the interest in the book, supported well by a cast of supporting characters including the state pathologist; the nasty brother of one of the victim's and the refugee chef's assistant in a sushi restaurant. As does the glimpses of Cape Town. A beautiful place, with seafront views and a comfortable lifestyle, where a dangerous killer is disposing of his victims. A modern city entertainment area, full of trendy bars and partying people, side by side with sexual exploitation and sleaze.

The weaker side of the book is the plot, which is a little disjointed. Perhaps the author has understandably tried to build in as many examples of the violence and exploitation experienced by women in particular. There's absolutely no doubt that these women's stories (including that of Clare's sister) are told gently and respectfully - there's no voyeuristic or sensationalist descriptions of appalling violence here, but, whilst that is happening the focus (and tension) of a serial killer stalking young women dissipates. Which leads to a final flurry of activity to expose him and save a young girl before it's too late.

Despite those plot inconsistencies, LIKE CLOCKWORK really gives the reader a feeling for Clare and Riedwaan's Cape Town - from it's physical beauty through to the gang violence that plagues the society. It also gives the reader glimpses into the diverse society that exists in South Africa. It certainly tempted me enough to order other books by this author.

[Literati Literature Lovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Robbie's Review~ 4.5
In Margie Orford's latest offering Like Clockwork, the bodies are turning up at regular intervals just like clockwork. The female protagonist is Dr. Clare Hart, a journalist currently working on a documentary, but when the mutilated corpse of a young girl is discovered right outside her apartment, she gets pulled into the case by Inspector Riedwaan Faizal who trusts her ability as a profiler.
She was brilliant and obsessive but difficult to work with. She didn't like teams, she didn't trust anybody. Her relationship with the law was flexible, although right and wrong for Clare were absolutes.

Riedwaan and Clare also have an on-again off-again personal relationship best described by the social media status "it's complicated".
The subject of Clare's documentary is human trafficking, an unspeakable crime fueled by the unrest in the nations north of South Africa.
"I don't think people can tell the difference between a documentary and reality television anymore," said Clare. "What makes me ashamed is how intense the pleasure to be had from power is. And when you have a camera you have power, pure and simple."

And it is no secret in the beautiful city of Cape Town...the victims of human trafficking are being used to stock the brothels and gentlemen's clubs. For both Clare and Riedwaan, the increasing number of crimes against women is not just a statistic. As the body count increases, it becomes apparent that a serial killer is at work and because the investigation has become personal, Clare and Riedwaan are sucked into a vortex with only one destination: a sinister underworld where rape, murder, and pornography are a way of life. At the center of the case is a man named Kelvin Landman who is the face of pure, undiluted evil in this book. His cavalier attitude toward his "business" is chilling.
Willing buyer, willing seller. Why do you think I would know anything about those girls? From a business perspective it would be stupid to waste stock like that, even if it had been mine in the first place. You've been to my clubs, you've spoken to my girls. You know it's a fair deal. They're safer with me than they are on the street. Why would I risk my investment by killing girls who will then attract a big investigation? Why would I kill them, anyway? Dead girls make me no money. Live ones do. Even you should understand that.

Don't even try to figure out the ending of this one! Around every corner there is a twist that you won't see coming right up to the "What the...???" epilogue. Margie Orford is a gifted story teller. Her characters are complex, frequently dark and very, very human. . . except, of course, for Fritz the cat (who may be somewhat human). Readers will soon realize that some of the character development takes place in the earlier books in the series, but I don't think that detracts from the story line. I found the author's lyrical use of imagery to be a delight to read. My favorite line — "The city lights were stitched together by the threads of the evening traffic - white headlights, red tail lights." One of the most striking aspects of the narrative is the language she uses to communicate the attraction between Clare and Riedwaan...I could easily feel that frisson of desire that can only exist between two people who are truly connected. Like Clockwork is not the sort of story that lends itself to a HEA, but without a doubt, I think the ending of this book can be described as satisfying and just.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book directly from the author. I was not paid to read or review this book. All opinions are my own, and I was never influenced by anything or anyone.

[Malandune · Rating 3 out of 5]

sadly, my copy from Oshun publishers was badly edited and that definitely took away from the reading experience

[Victoria Colotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Clare Hart mystery series is one to remember. Dr Clare Hart is brought in when a serial killer is brutally targeting young women. Set in Cape Town, Claire comes across a few unsavory characters that truly made my skin crawl. They are perverts, womanizers, and abusers. One of which turns out to be the killer that Dr. Hart is hunting for.

Like Clockwork

Because of what happened to her twin sister, she has a personal link to this type of brutality and is compelled to delve further in order to find out who the killer is. By trusting her instincts and looking at the whole picture, she will lead the police to their man. Who is it? Now what fun would that be if I told you!

While reading the book, I made careful note on how the author weaves together a story that exemplifies what a good mystery/detective story can be. She pushes just enough into the brutality of a killer’s actions while still maintaining other aspects of a story to keep the balance. The author addresses the victims and their families with respect, but also showing the impact the killer's actions had on the lives involved. In addition, by creating relationships with the officers, her family, and with Whitney (a young girl who escaped being dragged into a sex ring), the author gives Clare’s character more than one dimension. The character becomes more than just a profiler doing her job.

I will make one caveat. This book is not for those who stay away from stories with sex trafficking or violence to women. There is a darkness in the killer and those surround this world.

[S.A. Partridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margie Orford's Like Clockwork is a gritty crime novel set in the Cape Town most tourists don't get to see: the underground.

A serial killer is murdering young girls and arranging their bodies publicly in grotesque poses meant to shock. The police call on the expertise of part-time profiler and journalist Dr Clare Hart, but she's already way ahead of them, and is about to crack the lid on a human trafficking ring that could be the answer to the whole mystery.

The book is structured like a cat and mouse chase, with Clare and her on-again-off-again squeeze Captain Riedwaan Faizal racing after a killer before he murders someone else. There's a also a juicy back story between the pair that's hinted at throughout the novel, as well as Clare's own mysterious past that is inextricably linked to the case. Ms Orford is a terrible tease. These tasty titbits are designed to make the reader reach for the next in the series to find out more.

The book delivers a glimpse into the inner workings of the local sex trade which is nothing like the glitzy billboards you see on national roads. Even the V&A Waterfront is shown to have a shady side, and whether its fact or fiction is anyone’s guess. It also offers a unique insight on the challenges faced by the South African police force on a daily basis which I’m sure will challenge many preconceptions.

Any fan of crime novels will know that serial killers do some nasty things to their female victims. Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is testament to this fact. Orford's murders are just as violent, but they're not as grisly as the more established crime novels out there, which read like they’re extensions of the movie Saw.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an easy book to read. There are a lot of disturbing passages describing violence upon women. It's not that Ms. Orford is subjecting you to extremely graphic descriptions, it is more that the characters so easily slough off the events as though they are commonplace, everyday occurrences. This is what is so disturbing. The matter-of-fact way that violence to women is portrayed tended to upset me and then I had to put the book down for a bit. The whole gritty portrayal of South Africa was hard to take. It felt quite real, but not a reality that I wanted to have to live in.

I realize that South Africa is not the United States, and that there is a whole different cultural attitude towards the role of women in many areas of Africa, Ms. Orford exposes those abuses. She shows the casual attitude that some criminal elements have towards human trafficking and kidnapping. This book punches you in the face, and says "Wake Up". There are a lot of abuses that need to be exposed, and changes that need to happen.

This was a well written book. Sometimes the South African words, or style of writing, or something mentioned confused me, but I usually was able to get the idea of what was meant. I would like to read more in this series, just not right away. I give Like Clockwork 4 Stars out of 5 and a Thumbs Up. This is a dark story and may be disturbing, but it is worth reading.

I received this Digital Review Copy for free from edelweiss.com.

[Tammy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by author Margie Orford and I was not sure exactly what to expect. I was a little clueless as to the the fact that this book was part of an on going series. I discovered this when I realized that the two main characters Dr. Clare Hart and Detective Reidwaan Faizal have an on going relationship of sorts. I did however find the mystery to be very exciting and captivating. Make no mistake this book is not for the faint of heart mystery readers it is very dark and takes you to places I would not want to be found. Like Clockwork does touch on some very real issues that do take place in countries such as South Africa and even here in the U.S. such as young women being abducted and sold into sex slavery or porn. The violence that takes place is very realistic and totally follows through with the story being told. It's up to Dr. Hart and Detective Faizal to catch the sick perverse murderer before he/she strikes again. I liked the story and felt it was very realistic with just enough fiction to be entertaining. I do love a good mystery novel and am glad I stumbled upon The Clare Hart Mystery Series. I will have to do some searching to find out where and how the history with Hart and Faizal started but I'm up to the challenge. I would highly recommend this book and the author Margie Orford. Like Clockwork is a very well written thought out mystery that will have you guessing at every turn of the dark sinister pages.

[Candi J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was based in Cape Town and I’m from Cape Town so this novel was a little too real for me. It was difficult to read because it was home and this is unfortunately the life we are living.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. As mentioned above it’s real, raw and scary. This author knew what she was talking about.

Throughout the book I wondered about the relationship between Clare and Riedwaan, but as you continue reading you find your answer.

This book brings to light murder, human trafficking, sex trafficking and men who believe they are above the law.

I was enraged by what was going on. The audacity of Kelvin Landsman thinking he is so great, yet he is the biggest scum. Brian King I would’ve loved to see get treated the same way he treated the women in his life. And Otis Tohar, hell is too good for him.

Clare, though terrified of these men stood up to them and called them out on their way of life. She was brilliant with her questioning and investigating.

Riedwaan was a bit of a nag to me. I got frustrated with him every time he opened his mouth.

This was a real eye opener for me. It was my first novel by this author and I would love to read the rest of this series.

Thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for a copy of this for review. My new year reading started off great.

Clare Hart gets 4 🌟

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grim reading & uninvolving. I thought the Cape Town setting would be more interesting - mostly because of its unfamiliarity to me but this could have been set anywhere with a harbour. Lots of violence against women & girls; & not just by those perpetrating the murders being investigated - it might be an accurate reflection of the city but it just makes for a very unpleasant read.
1.5 stars rounded up to 2 - mostly in hopes that the second 1 I've already checked out of the library is an improvement!

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Like Clockwork wasn't a horrible read, I didn't find anything that made this book stand out above its competitors. The story was able to draw me in and was well written, but it had that dime a dozen feel to it. I didn't find it being one of those reads that I'd go out of my way to continue the series nor would it be on the top of my list for authors/series I recommend.

Reviewed for Edelweiss.

[Rowena Daniells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Margie speak at the SheKilda crime writers conference and was inspired by her passion to reveal the injustices of her South African home. So I bought this book and Blood Rose. I've read both the books in a matter of days.

The writing is smooth and vivid. The plotting is tight and the location (for me) is exotic and different. Well done, Margie!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story about a female profiler from South Africa who is investigating serial killings of women who are being held in human trafficking. It was a new author for me and it was a pretty good storyline. The book was also $2.99. It was parr of impulse witness series which I have been reading a lot of lately.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started it, then gave up, as I thought the main investigator will be a journalist and i didn't like that. But after I read some of the reviews of other readers and found out about the author, I couldn't put it down. Ready for the next one.

[Mel Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

South Africa makes for an excellent backdrop for this story of abducted and murdered girls. This is a dark story, but Dr. Clare, who has experienced violence all too close to home, is a smart and hopeful companion as we explore the gritty underside of an already violent Cape Town.

[Mikedt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting main character Detective Clare Hart. Liked the setting in Cape Town and the author's knowledge of its nooks and crannies.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read - will definitely try and find the rest

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orford is not painting a pretty picture of Cape Town. Everything is dark and dirty, and the crimes commited are the worst there is; abuse and murder.

I liked it, it was entertaining.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, now I have to read all Clare Hart books!

[Bernard Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great alternative to Deon Meyer. Loved her first novel.