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Meet Me Under the Clock
As the pressures of rationing, bombing raids and sleepless nights grow, two sisters must decide what they really want from life – and if they're brave enough to fight for it. Meet Me Under the Clock is a beautiful wartime story from Annie Murray.Growing up in Birmingham, Sylvia and Audrey Whitehouse have always been like chalk and cheese. When the Second World War breaks out, Sylvia is still dreaming of her forthcoming marriage to fiancé Ian – while Audrey jumps at the career opportunities the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) throws her way.Audrey joins the ranks at RAF Cardington but soon finds that her new freedom also brings temptation. When she goes too far, the consequences ripple through the Whitehouse family. Meanwhile, Sylvia is doing her bit as a railway porter, much to her fiancé’s dismay. He thinks the job is unfeminine - unlike Sylvia's new friend Kitty, who is as sweet and pretty as can be. But Kitty's innocent nature hides a dark secret . . .A heartbreaking yet inspiring wartime set novel, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn.
523 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2014
48 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Annie Murray
51 books167 followersAnnie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 3, 2020
"MEET ME UNDER THE CLOCK" has, as its main focus, the lives of 2 neighboring families -- the Whitehouse family and the Gould family -- in wartime Birmingham, England.
Within the Whitehouse family are 2 sisters - Audrey and Sylvia - who have long had a somewhat prickly relationship. (There is also a brother - Jack - who is several years younger than both sisters.) Audrey has always been the self-assured, fun-loving, attractive, and highly intelligent of the two who breezed through her studies. Whereas Sylvia struggled with dyslexia all through school and didn't feel quite so sure of herself. She was also a very tenderhearted and trusting person. The Gould family had 3 sons, the oldest of which -- Raymond --was reported killed in action while serving with the Royal Navy. Both families received the news of his death in November 1940. Birmingham, like London to the south, was then being subjected to nighttime bombing raids from the Luftwaffe.
The Second World War occupies center stage in this novel. The reader is made witness to the various changes the war makes on both families. Audrey joins the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) while Sylvia - who was then engaged to a man slightly older than herself who was working in a 'reserved' occupation - worked as an usher in a local cinema. But she would leave that job early in 1941 and go on to serve as a railway porter, a position that, prewar, had been closed to women. Sylvia wanted to feel that -- now that Audrey was serving with the forces -- she was making her contribution to the war effort.
I must hasten to add that there is lots of heartbreak and tragedies, as well as glimmers of hope and happiness in "Meet Me Under the Clock." Frankly, the more I became engrossed in the novel, the more the characters became so tangibly real to me. Sometimes, hours after I set the novel aside, I would think about both families and some of the challenging situations in which they found themselves. Any novel that can put a hold on me like that is a winner. That's why I highly recommend "MEET ME UNDER THE CLOCK." I could easily go on and on. But I don't want to unwittingly leave any spoilers here.
For anyone who reads this review in search of a novel to read this summer, look no further. Pick up "MEET ME UNDER THE CLOCK" and immerse yourself in it. You'll be glad that you did.
Within the Whitehouse family are 2 sisters - Audrey and Sylvia - who have long had a somewhat prickly relationship. (There is also a brother - Jack - who is several years younger than both sisters.) Audrey has always been the self-assured, fun-loving, attractive, and highly intelligent of the two who breezed through her studies. Whereas Sylvia struggled with dyslexia all through school and didn't feel quite so sure of herself. She was also a very tenderhearted and trusting person. The Gould family had 3 sons, the oldest of which -- Raymond --was reported killed in action while serving with the Royal Navy. Both families received the news of his death in November 1940. Birmingham, like London to the south, was then being subjected to nighttime bombing raids from the Luftwaffe.
The Second World War occupies center stage in this novel. The reader is made witness to the various changes the war makes on both families. Audrey joins the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) while Sylvia - who was then engaged to a man slightly older than herself who was working in a 'reserved' occupation - worked as an usher in a local cinema. But she would leave that job early in 1941 and go on to serve as a railway porter, a position that, prewar, had been closed to women. Sylvia wanted to feel that -- now that Audrey was serving with the forces -- she was making her contribution to the war effort.
I must hasten to add that there is lots of heartbreak and tragedies, as well as glimmers of hope and happiness in "Meet Me Under the Clock." Frankly, the more I became engrossed in the novel, the more the characters became so tangibly real to me. Sometimes, hours after I set the novel aside, I would think about both families and some of the challenging situations in which they found themselves. Any novel that can put a hold on me like that is a winner. That's why I highly recommend "MEET ME UNDER THE CLOCK." I could easily go on and on. But I don't want to unwittingly leave any spoilers here.
For anyone who reads this review in search of a novel to read this summer, look no further. Pick up "MEET ME UNDER THE CLOCK" and immerse yourself in it. You'll be glad that you did.
December 30, 2017
Really enjoyed reading this book. Storytelling at it's best.
April 5, 2017
I loved this book. It's the first Annie Murray novel I have read and although it took a little while to get into it, I soon found myself caring about all the main characters and rooting for them. I have read lots of novels set in WW2, but this is the first one I have read that is set in Birmingham and the first set around the railways. Can't wait to read more of her novels.
July 23, 2017
Book started off ok but by the time I finished I lost patience with the feeble heroine. Must admit that I found Kitty to be the most interesting character in the book. She certainly put some life into the story. Fot Kitty I give the book an extra star otherwise I would have allocated just one.
August 26, 2018
Meet Me Under The Clock by Annie Murray is a marvelous epic World War II novel about the life of two sisters on the home front. Set in Birmingham, I was in for a real treat as I recognized many of the locations, making the book feel familiar to me.
The two sisters were chalk and cheese but had a close bond that nothing could sever. One entered the WAAF and the other worked as a porter on the railway. They both did their bit for the war effort.
The reader is entertained by the eclectic mix of characters. People pull together but there are always those who will take advantage. Close bonds were formed with neighbors. Strangers became friends. People shared what little they had with those who had even less. Death was all around. Fear from air raids and the dreaded telegram from the war office loomed large in lives. The reader witnesses the bravery of the ordinary men and women who carried on their lives no matter what happened.
There are themes of trust and betrayal, love and loss, life and death. Prejudice existed even in wartime as illegitimate babies were called names and homosexual love had to be kept hidden.
The family was important. The family in the novel supported each other and their neighbors. They were a delight to behold.
I absolutely loved Meet Me Under The Clock. I loved the characters - ordinary men and women who were extraordinarily brave. Big hearts and big personalities who lodged in my heart.
I am loving Annie Murray's books. It's off to hunt down more for me now.
The two sisters were chalk and cheese but had a close bond that nothing could sever. One entered the WAAF and the other worked as a porter on the railway. They both did their bit for the war effort.
The reader is entertained by the eclectic mix of characters. People pull together but there are always those who will take advantage. Close bonds were formed with neighbors. Strangers became friends. People shared what little they had with those who had even less. Death was all around. Fear from air raids and the dreaded telegram from the war office loomed large in lives. The reader witnesses the bravery of the ordinary men and women who carried on their lives no matter what happened.
There are themes of trust and betrayal, love and loss, life and death. Prejudice existed even in wartime as illegitimate babies were called names and homosexual love had to be kept hidden.
The family was important. The family in the novel supported each other and their neighbors. They were a delight to behold.
I absolutely loved Meet Me Under The Clock. I loved the characters - ordinary men and women who were extraordinarily brave. Big hearts and big personalities who lodged in my heart.
I am loving Annie Murray's books. It's off to hunt down more for me now.
July 7, 2024
A romance book set in WW2 with a bomber boy?? Sign me the fuck up! It took a while to get into the story, but when it gets going, it gets going! A great view of the life of ‘ordinary’ citizens in the UK during WW2, who had to deal with bombings, rations, and the fear of losing loved ones in the war.
Also liked the inclusion of a queer storyline.
I feel like if this book had a ‘contemporary’ cover, it would fly off the shelves!
Also liked the inclusion of a queer storyline.
I feel like if this book had a ‘contemporary’ cover, it would fly off the shelves!
February 9, 2019
I don't normally give up on WW2 fiction books. But I kept re reading parts of this over and over again. just gave up with it now.
June 19, 2017
Would rate as 3.5.
June 12, 2016
For someone who reads a lot of contemporary fiction, especially thrillers, Annie Murray's books make a pleasant change of pace: no drugs, no unlicensed guns, no car chases. But the book, set primarily against the back-drop of WWII contains plenty of bad times for the ordinary people of Birmingham as they struggle to live their lives in war-torn times. Bombing raids wreak havoc on the city and snatch friends and family away. Young men proudly go off to 'do their bit' and come back damaged, if at all. And unscrupulous people take advantage of the kindness of others. A less than gentle time, but written about in Murray's usual gentle style; we see Audrey and Sylvia grow from children to challenged, but accomplished, young women. And for this post-war Brummie, it was great to see a view of her home city in years gone by. I loved it.
September 23, 2022
Though sisters, Sylvia and Audrey are completely different. Audrey doesn’t want to be tied down by men and babies while Sylvia can’t think of a better life than to be married to her fiancé Ian. When the war comes, Audrey jumps at the opportunity to join the WAAF. Sylvia, also wanting to do her part, gets a job with the railway, something Ian is strongly against.
This was a good book! I have a huge soft spot for WWII books about neighbouring families and potential romances so this was a huge hit.
There were, of course, a couple characters I want to smack, but Laurie was absolutely lovely as was the girls’ dad.
It deals with a topic that I haven’t come across yet in my WWII books but, not wanting to spoil anything, I can’t say what. It was interesting to see how it played out and I’m glad the characters had their happy ending though it seemed a *little* unrealistic given the time period.
This was a good book! I have a huge soft spot for WWII books about neighbouring families and potential romances so this was a huge hit.
There were, of course, a couple characters I want to smack, but Laurie was absolutely lovely as was the girls’ dad.
It deals with a topic that I haven’t come across yet in my WWII books but, not wanting to spoil anything, I can’t say what. It was interesting to see how it played out and I’m glad the characters had their happy ending though it seemed a *little* unrealistic given the time period.
January 25, 2020
Ugghhhh where do I start? This book had so much promise! It had world war two, it focused on the women at home, a scheming homewrecker and lgbt themes. By and large this should have been an amazing book.
But sadly it missed the mark in more ways than I can count. Audrey and Dorrie's relationship is swept away and only brought back at the end to wrap things up nicely. Audrey's indiscretions that apparently affect the family in multiple ways, no everyone else in the family is fine and Audrey herself only suffers a few comments. And Sylvia, well there wasn't much inspiring about her apart from when she told Ian to get stuffed.
I think my favourite character was Laurie, and I'd have loved to see his story properly rather than it being glossed over quickly in one chapter.
This one was too far off the mark for me I'm afraid.
But sadly it missed the mark in more ways than I can count. Audrey and Dorrie's relationship is swept away and only brought back at the end to wrap things up nicely. Audrey's indiscretions that apparently affect the family in multiple ways, no everyone else in the family is fine and Audrey herself only suffers a few comments. And Sylvia, well there wasn't much inspiring about her apart from when she told Ian to get stuffed.
I think my favourite character was Laurie, and I'd have loved to see his story properly rather than it being glossed over quickly in one chapter.
This one was too far off the mark for me I'm afraid.
September 24, 2018
I think this is one of Annie Murray’s best Books so far. The characters Audrey and Sylvia are very interesting. I think readers will be very intrigued to find out what happens with Audrey considering the era the story is set in. I think Sylvia develops the most throughout the book.
July 4, 2018
Not my most favorite book, but there were parts I did like.
September 5, 2021
This is an easy book to read. Lovely story with all the ups and downs that went with that era.
March 26, 2022
A good lightweight holiday read
August 13, 2022
Meet me under the clock
Another great read by Annie Murray, mixing war time sadness fear and pain with romance and wilfulness to survive. A good read well worth it xx
Another great read by Annie Murray, mixing war time sadness fear and pain with romance and wilfulness to survive. A good read well worth it xx
October 22, 2022
Brilliant read.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the twists and turns and how the characters evolved. I shall definitely read another by this author.Jill
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the twists and turns and how the characters evolved. I shall definitely read another by this author.Jill
August 21, 2024
i set a page from this book as my lockscreen
December 15, 2024
A lovely well written story of war-time Britain and the effects of it on relationships and family. Thoroughly enjoyed.
February 20, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this book.
Read
April 30, 2025Fantastic
June 17, 2025
loved this heart warming story
March 10, 2020
One of my all time favourite books!! Shows how love triumphs through the evils of war. Also shows how families were so different back then than they are today
August 24, 2015
I have read a few of Annie Murray's books in the past and I have really enjoyed them. I was however disappointed with this book. I found it dragged in places, things were unnecessarily repeated and some of the characters annoying, to begin with. I know I have said a few books lately have dragged and I do like big books (I cannot lie). Not all big books drag, when I say a book drags I mean that the author was either lacking something to keep the momentum going and were adding unnecessary words just for the sake of it, or they are repeating things over and over again. I do not need events of the previous chapter repeated in the next chapter, I have read this far I already know.
Anyway on a positive not the concept of the story is good. Annie Murray as always has done an extensive amount of research in creating the book, which is evident in her descriptions. It also touches on some issues which other authors who set their stories in the period of time may shy away from.
The story follows the lives of two sisters, Audrey and Sylvia Whitehouse, who have always been chalk and cheese. Sylvia the youngest of the two just desires to get married and settle down. While Audrey who has always been more confident out the two doesn't see herself being tied down. When World War 2 breaks out Audrey seeks the chance to escape Birmingham and joins the WAAF,while Sylvia remains at home dreaming of her forth coming marriage to her fiance Ian.
Sylvia however is keen to do her bit for the war effort and much to Ian's dismay signs up to become a porter, which she loves. While Audrey's new found freedom in the WAAF brings unexpected consequences to the family home.
Both sisters face enormous challenges and disappointments which they have to overcome. In places the book is very sad which you expect from a war time story but it just makes the good times better. If you are a fan of Annie Murray's books I think you will like this story a lot.
Anyway on a positive not the concept of the story is good. Annie Murray as always has done an extensive amount of research in creating the book, which is evident in her descriptions. It also touches on some issues which other authors who set their stories in the period of time may shy away from.
The story follows the lives of two sisters, Audrey and Sylvia Whitehouse, who have always been chalk and cheese. Sylvia the youngest of the two just desires to get married and settle down. While Audrey who has always been more confident out the two doesn't see herself being tied down. When World War 2 breaks out Audrey seeks the chance to escape Birmingham and joins the WAAF,while Sylvia remains at home dreaming of her forth coming marriage to her fiance Ian.
Sylvia however is keen to do her bit for the war effort and much to Ian's dismay signs up to become a porter, which she loves. While Audrey's new found freedom in the WAAF brings unexpected consequences to the family home.
Both sisters face enormous challenges and disappointments which they have to overcome. In places the book is very sad which you expect from a war time story but it just makes the good times better. If you are a fan of Annie Murray's books I think you will like this story a lot.
September 9, 2018
Wow!
At first I struggled with this book, it didn't seem to hold my interest and I had to push myself to keep going. But suddenly I was gripped and found myself not only getting involved with the characters in this story but also feeling very emotional, even tearful as I read on. I always think that a book that effects you emotionally has to be an incredibly good story and the author incredibly talented. l have read several books by Annie Murray and have always enjoyed her writing style, although I found this one disappointing to start with, I am so glad I didn't give up, this is a story I'll remember for quite a while.
At first I struggled with this book, it didn't seem to hold my interest and I had to push myself to keep going. But suddenly I was gripped and found myself not only getting involved with the characters in this story but also feeling very emotional, even tearful as I read on. I always think that a book that effects you emotionally has to be an incredibly good story and the author incredibly talented. l have read several books by Annie Murray and have always enjoyed her writing style, although I found this one disappointing to start with, I am so glad I didn't give up, this is a story I'll remember for quite a while.
April 6, 2024
Sylvia is engaged to be maried, but when she starts a job in the railways during the war she meets and befriends a girl called Kitty but is Kitty all she seems? Her engagement ends when Kitty runs away with Kitts fiance. After her heartbreak will she find happiness?
Audrey her sister has never been happy in any relationship, she has a fling with a female friend while out for a day with a "friend" at the WAAF, and they fall in love, but she thinks to be normal she has to have a man and she ends up pregnant and she is sent home in disgrace as she is found to be pregnant and has a son, will she ever find happiness?
Find out to read this fantastic book, I couldn't put it down
Audrey her sister has never been happy in any relationship, she has a fling with a female friend while out for a day with a "friend" at the WAAF, and they fall in love, but she thinks to be normal she has to have a man and she ends up pregnant and she is sent home in disgrace as she is found to be pregnant and has a son, will she ever find happiness?
Find out to read this fantastic book, I couldn't put it down
July 29, 2015
A heart-warming story of two sister and the paths they choose to take in WWII. Audrey jumps at the chance to join the WAAF while Sylvia is looking forward to her wedding to Ian. But both sisters must face up to events that threaten to tear their lives apart, Sylvia when she is betrayed by someone she thought of as a friend and Audrey by having to face up to a love whose name she cannot speak. This novel accurately captures to spirit of close family life and treasured friends.
January 20, 2015
This book worked brilliantly for audio - it was beautifully narrated and the story is so easy to follow.
Set in WWII, it focuses on a family in Birmingham, England - more specifically the young girls in the family Sylvia and Audrey.
It is about them finding their way through difficult times and surviving.
Very easy, enjoyable read about good times, bad times and a snippet of life during a war.
Set in WWII, it focuses on a family in Birmingham, England - more specifically the young girls in the family Sylvia and Audrey.
It is about them finding their way through difficult times and surviving.
Very easy, enjoyable read about good times, bad times and a snippet of life during a war.
April 9, 2014
This was a lovely,fat, old fashioned ww2 saga. I loved all the details of life during wartime and the characters were great. It reminded me of Elizabeth Elgin and early Judith Saxton. I have read many other books by Murray and this one is her best. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
July 2, 2014
Pretty good. Not the best story I have read about WWII, but interesting nonetheless and Annie Murray tackles some taboos of the time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews