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The Clock in My Mother's House and other stories
***IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist 2025***
***Shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award 2023***
They say life can change in the blink of an eye, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
An explosion at a hotel results in staff and guests relying on each other, while a woman retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences. One man leaves heartache in his wake; another brings forth adventure.
Within this captivating collection, Annalisa Crawford introduces characters who will enchant, fascinate, and intrigue you.
Annalisa's stories have appeared in Fairlight Shorts, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction; and received long- and shortlist recognition in prestigious competitions such as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, the Bath Short Story Award, and the Colm Tobin Short Story Award.
***Shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award 2023***
They say life can change in the blink of an eye, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
An explosion at a hotel results in staff and guests relying on each other, while a woman retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences. One man leaves heartache in his wake; another brings forth adventure.
Within this captivating collection, Annalisa Crawford introduces characters who will enchant, fascinate, and intrigue you.
Annalisa's stories have appeared in Fairlight Shorts, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction; and received long- and shortlist recognition in prestigious competitions such as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, the Bath Short Story Award, and the Colm Tobin Short Story Award.
- GenresShort Stories
112 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2024
7 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Annalisa Crawford
13 books105 followersAnnalisa Crawford lives in south east Cornwall and shares her home with her husband, and canine writing companion, Artoo. She writes dark contemporary fiction with a hint of paranormal.
Her first book, Cat & The Dreamer, was published in 2012 and became the catalyst for longer works and eventually novels: Grace & Serenity (2020), Small Forgotten Moments (2021), and One Tuesday, Early (2024). Her short stories have appeared in Writers’ Forum, The New Writers, Flash Fiction Magazine, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction, and many others.
Small Forgotten Moments won Silver Medal in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and her short story collection, The Clock in My Mother’s House, was shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award.
Her first book, Cat & The Dreamer, was published in 2012 and became the catalyst for longer works and eventually novels: Grace & Serenity (2020), Small Forgotten Moments (2021), and One Tuesday, Early (2024). Her short stories have appeared in Writers’ Forum, The New Writers, Flash Fiction Magazine, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction, and many others.
Small Forgotten Moments won Silver Medal in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and her short story collection, The Clock in My Mother’s House, was shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 1, 2023
Actual Rating 4.5
This work is a collection of ten short stories that are all written by Annalisa Crawford. Some feature supernatural/magical realism elements and horror, while others feature all-too-real disasters, everyday events, and struggles with mental health.
- The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards – 5 stars – There’s power in handmade, sentimental objects.
- The Woman in the Van – 5 stars – A mysterious woman can change lives, if only people will listen to her.
- Vera Says.. – 3 stars – Not all technology knows best.
- All The Magpies Come Out to Play – 4 stars – Sometimes disasters bring out the best in people.
- A Thousand Pieces of You – 5 stars – For some people, the past is more real than the present.
- Click – 3.5 stars – Grieving takes many shapes and forms, even among those closest to you.
- One Minute Silence – 4 stars – A surprising and devastating event changes strangers’ lives forever.
- Black Dog – 2.5 stars – Dogs can be needy, and this dog may be a metaphor.
- The Fear of Ghosts – 5 stars – What happens to a family curse if there’s no more family?
- Adventures in My Own Back Garden – 5 stars – Sometimes the most meaningful friendships are the ones that fall right into your lap.
I’m rarely blown away by short story collections, but this one was amazing. I’m in awe of how this author created fully developed, engaging, and relatable characters for each story in such a short number of pages. The writing in each story was beautiful and evocative, and I wanted most stories to be much longer than they were. My favorite story was the last one – it was lovely, emotional, and heartbreakingly positive in a way that hurt. I’m looking forward to rereading this collection again in the future, and highly recommend this to all readers.
Shoutout to my GR friends Rosh and Srivalli for bringing this wonderful book to my attention and writing such compelling reviews. Many thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read this beautiful work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This work is a collection of ten short stories that are all written by Annalisa Crawford. Some feature supernatural/magical realism elements and horror, while others feature all-too-real disasters, everyday events, and struggles with mental health.
- The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards – 5 stars – There’s power in handmade, sentimental objects.
- The Woman in the Van – 5 stars – A mysterious woman can change lives, if only people will listen to her.
- Vera Says.. – 3 stars – Not all technology knows best.
- All The Magpies Come Out to Play – 4 stars – Sometimes disasters bring out the best in people.
- A Thousand Pieces of You – 5 stars – For some people, the past is more real than the present.
- Click – 3.5 stars – Grieving takes many shapes and forms, even among those closest to you.
- One Minute Silence – 4 stars – A surprising and devastating event changes strangers’ lives forever.
- Black Dog – 2.5 stars – Dogs can be needy, and this dog may be a metaphor.
- The Fear of Ghosts – 5 stars – What happens to a family curse if there’s no more family?
- Adventures in My Own Back Garden – 5 stars – Sometimes the most meaningful friendships are the ones that fall right into your lap.
I’m rarely blown away by short story collections, but this one was amazing. I’m in awe of how this author created fully developed, engaging, and relatable characters for each story in such a short number of pages. The writing in each story was beautiful and evocative, and I wanted most stories to be much longer than they were. My favorite story was the last one – it was lovely, emotional, and heartbreakingly positive in a way that hurt. I’m looking forward to rereading this collection again in the future, and highly recommend this to all readers.
Shoutout to my GR friends Rosh and Srivalli for bringing this wonderful book to my attention and writing such compelling reviews. Many thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read this beautiful work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 20, 2023
In a Nutshell: Wow! I can't believe it's just the first half of February and I already have one more strong contender for ‘Best Anthology of the Year 2023’! An amazing collection without a doubt.
The ten stories in this indie anthology have no theme in common. The genres too are somewhat distinct: speculative fiction, paranormal, mental health, general fiction,… What can be pointed out as common to each tale is the presence of a strong narrator. Every story has a protagonist that will grab your attention.
Many of the stories herein have been finalists or winners of varied short story awards. After reading this book, I can clearly see why.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the ten stories, a whopping six stories were at 4.5 or 5 stars. The rest were between 3 to 4 stars. So not a single bad story; you get either good or outstanding. Most of the ones that I rated on the lower side also were attention-grabbing to me; they only fell short in terms of their endings. The sole exception (and the only story that got a three-star from me) was a tale called ‘Black Dog.’ I liked the writing, but I think I was too obtuse to understand it. 😄
These were my top favourites with 5 stars each:
Honorary mentions with 4.5 stars:
A must-read entertainer. Definitely recommended to short story lovers. (And if you don’t like short stories, you ought to try at least the ones I mentioned above.)
4.2 stars, based on the average of my rating for each story.
This rating should make me click on the 4 star mark. But I will make an exception to my own mathematical rule and hit the five star mark this once, because I relished the writing in almost every story, I LOVED the imagination of the author, and this is an indie work so it deserves every bit of support. I wish I could change its cover to a more attention-grabbing one!
My thanks to author Annalisa Crawford and BookSirens for the DRC of “The Clock in My Mother's House”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
The ten stories in this indie anthology have no theme in common. The genres too are somewhat distinct: speculative fiction, paranormal, mental health, general fiction,… What can be pointed out as common to each tale is the presence of a strong narrator. Every story has a protagonist that will grab your attention.
Many of the stories herein have been finalists or winners of varied short story awards. After reading this book, I can clearly see why.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the ten stories, a whopping six stories were at 4.5 or 5 stars. The rest were between 3 to 4 stars. So not a single bad story; you get either good or outstanding. Most of the ones that I rated on the lower side also were attention-grabbing to me; they only fell short in terms of their endings. The sole exception (and the only story that got a three-star from me) was a tale called ‘Black Dog.’ I liked the writing, but I think I was too obtuse to understand it. 😄
These were my top favourites with 5 stars each:
🌹 The Clock in My Mother's House Runs Backwards: Reminded me of the Benjamin Button short story, but this is even darker.
🌹 One Minute Silence: Astounding writing. I was speechless at the end.
🌹 Adventures in My Own Back Garden: Began a bit slowly and I was wondering where it was going. Until the layers started coming off one by one. I was left with a big happy teary grin at the end.
Honorary mentions with 4.5 stars:
🌷 The Woman in the Van: I liked how it didn’t give any explanations. Something was going to happen, someone already knew it and came to help. That’s it. No hows or whys.
🌷 A Thousand Pieces of You: A portrayal of mental health struggles with the narrative device of a mirror. Excellently written in second person.
🌷 The Fear of Ghosts: Knew where it was going, but still was captivated by it. The protagonist being blind was an interesting touch as it heightened the spooks.
A must-read entertainer. Definitely recommended to short story lovers. (And if you don’t like short stories, you ought to try at least the ones I mentioned above.)
4.2 stars, based on the average of my rating for each story.
This rating should make me click on the 4 star mark. But I will make an exception to my own mathematical rule and hit the five star mark this once, because I relished the writing in almost every story, I LOVED the imagination of the author, and this is an indie work so it deserves every bit of support. I wish I could change its cover to a more attention-grabbing one!
My thanks to author Annalisa Crawford and BookSirens for the DRC of “The Clock in My Mother's House”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
November 28, 2023
THE CLOCK IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE AND OTHER STORIES
BY: ANNALISA CRAWFORD
Shortlisted for the Rubery Award of 2023!
That I spent two hours writing a comprehensive review only for this Good Reads website to wipe out my entire review when I clicked on the submit button is beyond maddening. I think as a reviewer the worst part of this process is to lose my entire work that I have composed, is so frustrating that there aren't words to adequately describe my despair. I already know that I won't be able to duplicate what I gave my whole heart to the first time so this second attempt will be done with a positive mindset, regardless.
I first discovered the erudite and talented Annalisa Crawford when I read her revised edition of "Our Beautiful Children," first published in 2014. This excellent collection is renamed with a new title called, "THE BOATMAN," and it is my favorite short story collection that I have read in the past few years. My second favorite was written by Lily King which was a couple of years ago.
I loved "The Boatman," so much that I was thrilled to read another collection of ten short stories by Annalisa Crawford called, "THE CLOCK IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE AND OTHER STORIES." This anthology is different in that there didn't appear to be a common theme but they were all fantastic with one getting rated Five Plus Plus Sparkling stars which was my top favorite. I was validated to discover at the end of the collection that this one won first place. One other I rated five stars which you will see as I will again enumerate the titles and which publication or contest they each appeared in. Most of the others were rated 4.5 stars. The lowest rating was 4 stars.
The first short story was called, "The Clock in My Mother's House Runs Backward," which appeared on the Fairlight Books website in 2020. This is a paranormal story with two characters in which a clock seems to possess the power to reverse something that is the one thing in our lives that we all wish for. This is something that is finite to each person and is the subject of dreams that we all would like if we only could have more of it. Five Stars!
The Second short story was called, "The Women in the Van," which was longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2018. This features a clairvoyant or medium who befriends a young boy named Leon. Leon and his father are both wracked with grief over a family member. This was a display of warmth between a chance meeting of Leon and the medium that will prove to be a valuable exchange for reasons he cannot yet fathom. 4.5 Stars!
The Third Short Story was called, "Vera Says...," which appeared on the Flash Fiction Magazine website in 2018. This was about a GPS that is a character navigating a trip. 4 Stars!
The Fourth Short Story was called, "All the Magpies Come Out to Play," which appeared on the Fairlight Books website in 2021. This story is reminiscent of the Covid 19 Pandemic when the kindness of neighbors to look after one another clearly resonated with me. 4.5 Stars!
The Fifth Short Story was called, "A Thousand Pieces of You," was shortlisted in the Elbow Room short story competition in 2016 and longlisted in the CAS Short Story Competition in 2022. Highlighting mental health and the support of family or a loved one who empathizes and supports the character in distress. This like the first story only had two characters. 4.5 Stars!
The Sixth Short Story was called, "Click," longlisted in both Bath Short Story Award and Colm Tobin Short Story Award in 2018, and appeared on the Fictive Dream website in 2019. The camera was a gift to the character who captures his mother's grief and transformation towards acceptance when her spouse leaves. Five Stars!
The Seventh Short Story was called, "One Minute Silence," which was a finalist in the Globe Soup Short Story Competition in 2021, and a notable contender in the Bristol Short Story Prize in 2020. This is my second favorite which is a powerful depiction of the pandemonium that ensues when an explosion takes place at a beloved Seaside Hotel. Five Plus Stars!
The eighth short Story was called, "Black Dog," which was longlisted in the Reflex Fiction competition and appeared in their anthology of winners in 2019 and 2020. This was a compact and the shortest story out of this entire collection. It was just a page and one half of text, but it is clearly a winner. 4.5 Stars!
The Ninth Short Story was my top favorite in this entire collection called, "The Fear of Ghosts," which my love of this one was validated when I finished this entire collection and noticed that it won first place in the Dark Tales Story Competition and it appeared in their anthology of winners in both 2017 and 2019. A character returns home too late, but is still haunted by an object that scared this same character ever since childhood. Perhaps this story resonated with me so much is for one reason I like well written haunted stories that evoke ghosts. The other is that although I don't share quite the same thoughts I've often wondered if antiques that I've purchased brings bad luck when I experience it and wonder about the energy of the antiques that were not passed down to me from family carrying dark energy. Five Plus, Plus, Sparkling Stars!
The Tenth Short Story was called, "Adventures in My Own Back Garden," which appeared in the When Words Fail, Music Speaks anthology in 2017. A young man moved back home with his loving mother. Their lives are enriched when a character and his partner take an interest in spending time with them giving a much needed respite to both son and mother. A sense of community and why it's important is evident here. Five Stars!
This was a razor sharp well written collection of ten very well crafted short stories that are contained in this anthology. The writing is both crisp and original. As talented and as masterful a writer Annalisa Crawford is she is both gracious and humble. I look forward to reading anything she writes in the future as well as her prior works of fiction. I highly recommend this wonderful collection to everyone.
BY: ANNALISA CRAWFORD
Shortlisted for the Rubery Award of 2023!
That I spent two hours writing a comprehensive review only for this Good Reads website to wipe out my entire review when I clicked on the submit button is beyond maddening. I think as a reviewer the worst part of this process is to lose my entire work that I have composed, is so frustrating that there aren't words to adequately describe my despair. I already know that I won't be able to duplicate what I gave my whole heart to the first time so this second attempt will be done with a positive mindset, regardless.
I first discovered the erudite and talented Annalisa Crawford when I read her revised edition of "Our Beautiful Children," first published in 2014. This excellent collection is renamed with a new title called, "THE BOATMAN," and it is my favorite short story collection that I have read in the past few years. My second favorite was written by Lily King which was a couple of years ago.
I loved "The Boatman," so much that I was thrilled to read another collection of ten short stories by Annalisa Crawford called, "THE CLOCK IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE AND OTHER STORIES." This anthology is different in that there didn't appear to be a common theme but they were all fantastic with one getting rated Five Plus Plus Sparkling stars which was my top favorite. I was validated to discover at the end of the collection that this one won first place. One other I rated five stars which you will see as I will again enumerate the titles and which publication or contest they each appeared in. Most of the others were rated 4.5 stars. The lowest rating was 4 stars.
The first short story was called, "The Clock in My Mother's House Runs Backward," which appeared on the Fairlight Books website in 2020. This is a paranormal story with two characters in which a clock seems to possess the power to reverse something that is the one thing in our lives that we all wish for. This is something that is finite to each person and is the subject of dreams that we all would like if we only could have more of it. Five Stars!
The Second short story was called, "The Women in the Van," which was longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2018. This features a clairvoyant or medium who befriends a young boy named Leon. Leon and his father are both wracked with grief over a family member. This was a display of warmth between a chance meeting of Leon and the medium that will prove to be a valuable exchange for reasons he cannot yet fathom. 4.5 Stars!
The Third Short Story was called, "Vera Says...," which appeared on the Flash Fiction Magazine website in 2018. This was about a GPS that is a character navigating a trip. 4 Stars!
The Fourth Short Story was called, "All the Magpies Come Out to Play," which appeared on the Fairlight Books website in 2021. This story is reminiscent of the Covid 19 Pandemic when the kindness of neighbors to look after one another clearly resonated with me. 4.5 Stars!
The Fifth Short Story was called, "A Thousand Pieces of You," was shortlisted in the Elbow Room short story competition in 2016 and longlisted in the CAS Short Story Competition in 2022. Highlighting mental health and the support of family or a loved one who empathizes and supports the character in distress. This like the first story only had two characters. 4.5 Stars!
The Sixth Short Story was called, "Click," longlisted in both Bath Short Story Award and Colm Tobin Short Story Award in 2018, and appeared on the Fictive Dream website in 2019. The camera was a gift to the character who captures his mother's grief and transformation towards acceptance when her spouse leaves. Five Stars!
The Seventh Short Story was called, "One Minute Silence," which was a finalist in the Globe Soup Short Story Competition in 2021, and a notable contender in the Bristol Short Story Prize in 2020. This is my second favorite which is a powerful depiction of the pandemonium that ensues when an explosion takes place at a beloved Seaside Hotel. Five Plus Stars!
The eighth short Story was called, "Black Dog," which was longlisted in the Reflex Fiction competition and appeared in their anthology of winners in 2019 and 2020. This was a compact and the shortest story out of this entire collection. It was just a page and one half of text, but it is clearly a winner. 4.5 Stars!
The Ninth Short Story was my top favorite in this entire collection called, "The Fear of Ghosts," which my love of this one was validated when I finished this entire collection and noticed that it won first place in the Dark Tales Story Competition and it appeared in their anthology of winners in both 2017 and 2019. A character returns home too late, but is still haunted by an object that scared this same character ever since childhood. Perhaps this story resonated with me so much is for one reason I like well written haunted stories that evoke ghosts. The other is that although I don't share quite the same thoughts I've often wondered if antiques that I've purchased brings bad luck when I experience it and wonder about the energy of the antiques that were not passed down to me from family carrying dark energy. Five Plus, Plus, Sparkling Stars!
The Tenth Short Story was called, "Adventures in My Own Back Garden," which appeared in the When Words Fail, Music Speaks anthology in 2017. A young man moved back home with his loving mother. Their lives are enriched when a character and his partner take an interest in spending time with them giving a much needed respite to both son and mother. A sense of community and why it's important is evident here. Five Stars!
This was a razor sharp well written collection of ten very well crafted short stories that are contained in this anthology. The writing is both crisp and original. As talented and as masterful a writer Annalisa Crawford is she is both gracious and humble. I look forward to reading anything she writes in the future as well as her prior works of fiction. I highly recommend this wonderful collection to everyone.
January 20, 2023
This author has a way of turning everyday ordinary things into magical things. things that intrigue you & make you want more. No specific favourites within this book. I found all to be very interesting to read,
really quickly got through this book. I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
really quickly got through this book. I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2023
My full review can be found here: https://thereadingwife.com/the-clock-...
February 1, 2023
“The Clock in My Mother’s House” is a great assortment of short stories. Each piece pulled me in, and the characters were engaging. It was hard to pick, but here are a few of my favorites. “A Woman in the Van” was about an older woman living in her van, and it was clear she wasn’t wanted in the small town where she was parked. A teen had recently lost his mother and wasn’t getting along with his father. The two connect, even with his poor attitude. She has a gift and the need to help others. The problem is that no one listens to her. This was a page-turner to see what would happen next. “The Fear of Ghosts” had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what about those ghosts. With a mother dying and the blind son coming home to see her, he runs into what haunted him as a child. It was one of those stories where I kept hoping he’d leave but wanted to know what he was up against, too. The thought of trying to get away from something you can’t see in a place you are no longer familiar with was chilling. “Adventures in My Own Backyard” touched me on many levels. A young man ends up paralyzed and unable to speak after an accident. His mother takes over his care, and we see the world through his eyes in his minimal world. It was very touching that a neighbor became a part of his life—this one left me thinking when I was done. A fantastic collection that I can easily recommend.
January 16, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a very light, easy read - in fact, I finished it in less than an hour - but I liked it a lot. Each of the stories was short and simple, but they all made an impression on me. Each story held my interest, and I felt the author wrote with a kind of relatability. In some of the stories, I found that the characters reminded me a little of myself, or someone I know.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light, entertaining read, especially if you like short stories.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
This was a very light, easy read - in fact, I finished it in less than an hour - but I liked it a lot. Each of the stories was short and simple, but they all made an impression on me. Each story held my interest, and I felt the author wrote with a kind of relatability. In some of the stories, I found that the characters reminded me a little of myself, or someone I know.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light, entertaining read, especially if you like short stories.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
January 16, 2023
Annalisa draws you in and then twists the heart. Each story is a gem. I've read several of her books, and she does not disappoint. Clever. Every word is chosen well with solid descriptions and vivid characters. This, her latest, is a winner.
December 22, 2022
The author sent me a copy of this collection of short stories. I have read several other books written by Annalisa Crawford.
Annalisa Crawford is a fantastic writer, and her short stories were no exception. Out of the eleven stories, there really isn't a bad one in the batch. My favorites include: The Clock in My Mother's House Runs Backwards, Vera Says, A Thousand Pieces of You, The Fear of Ghosts and Adventures in My Own Back Garden. She has the ability to really make the ordinary life seem fantastical and this is a collection you will not be disappointed by.
Annalisa Crawford is a fantastic writer, and her short stories were no exception. Out of the eleven stories, there really isn't a bad one in the batch. My favorites include: The Clock in My Mother's House Runs Backwards, Vera Says, A Thousand Pieces of You, The Fear of Ghosts and Adventures in My Own Back Garden. She has the ability to really make the ordinary life seem fantastical and this is a collection you will not be disappointed by.
December 11, 2022
A lovely eclectic collection of playful, poignant and haunting stories, hard to choose a favourite (although it might be The Fear of Ghosts), each one is a gem.
November 8, 2022
I've been fortunate to have been sent an advance copy of this entrancing collection of short stories.
Crawford is a skilful short story writer. In this collection, melding mundane life with the fantastical, she deftly explores the internal worlds of her characters, creating a haunting and frequently wistful collection of short stories that will possess the reader’s imagination long after the last page has been turned
Crawford is a skilful short story writer. In this collection, melding mundane life with the fantastical, she deftly explores the internal worlds of her characters, creating a haunting and frequently wistful collection of short stories that will possess the reader’s imagination long after the last page has been turned
April 5, 2026
4 stars=I enjoyed this!
I picked up this book by Annalisa Crawford after reading one of her stories in Fictive Dream. That story was so good that I wanted to read more! So what I found in this book was delightful.
The two piece I enjoyed most were Click, originally in Fictive Dream, and Adventures in My Own Back Garden, which was stunning and beautiful. I especially appreciated the craft that went into Adventures, the way every section started with "My back garden is" and varied, depending on the narrator's mood. And I related too well to the narrator of Click, who is keeping a camera between herself and the world, watching it through a lens and a screen, saying, "I don't want real. I want a moment of illusion. i want the pasted-on smiles of my childhood."
If you enjoy short stories, I think you'll enjoy this. Recommended.
I picked up this book by Annalisa Crawford after reading one of her stories in Fictive Dream. That story was so good that I wanted to read more! So what I found in this book was delightful.
The two piece I enjoyed most were Click, originally in Fictive Dream, and Adventures in My Own Back Garden, which was stunning and beautiful. I especially appreciated the craft that went into Adventures, the way every section started with "My back garden is" and varied, depending on the narrator's mood. And I related too well to the narrator of Click, who is keeping a camera between herself and the world, watching it through a lens and a screen, saying, "I don't want real. I want a moment of illusion. i want the pasted-on smiles of my childhood."
If you enjoy short stories, I think you'll enjoy this. Recommended.
April 27, 2023
Another spectacular collection from Annalisa Crawford. I've never read anyone else who can weave words in such a beautiful way.
October 8, 2025
The Clock in My Mother’s House is a collection of otherworldly and enticing tales. Some are darkly spine-chilling. Each is distinct, so choosing a favorite isn’t something I can do, but I did enjoy the first one (The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards). It was sufficiently horrifying to keep me reading the rest. All are highly imaginative and make for a great read.
January 21, 2023
This collection of short stories is up to Annalisa's usual standard of writing, keeping you gripped from start to finish. Highly recommended. Each short story is different with the usual dipping in of dark and paranormal. Well worth the purchase.
February 23, 2023
I enjoyed these short stories - some were better than others. I particularly enjoyed the ones that had a Black Mirror edge to them. They are great to read with a coffee or before going to sleep as they are not too time consuming and have an ending - unlike novels where I spend my time thinking ‘just one more page’ and then realise it’s midnight. I don’t usually go for shorts stories but I might have just been converted.
This is my Honest Review.
This is my Honest Review.
January 10, 2023
This is a collection of different stories, they are dark and a little paranormal but really great short stories that will keep you entertained. I enjoyed reading all of the stories and I like how short the stories are, the stories are all different and you never know what is going to happen in them. Annalisa the author is really good at bringing her characters to life and some of the stories I felt a chill run through me. A great read.
April 13, 2023
A collection of 11 stories.
Wow! These short stories were inspiring, beautiful & haunting all at once.
I feel refreshed but heart broken. I want more and I’ve only just finished it!
This book was a little different to my usual reads and I was excited to try something new! Annalisa has a wonderful way with words, the writing was excellent! Descriptive but easy to follow. The stories are all different lengths, which I loved as it kept things interesting! The mixture of fictional and real life scenarios worked so well together. The author hits on some hard topics such as Covid and depression (without actually mentioning those words) which I thought was really impressive.
I will be recommending this collection of short stories to all my fellow reading friends. This is definitely a book everyone should read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! These short stories were inspiring, beautiful & haunting all at once.
I feel refreshed but heart broken. I want more and I’ve only just finished it!
This book was a little different to my usual reads and I was excited to try something new! Annalisa has a wonderful way with words, the writing was excellent! Descriptive but easy to follow. The stories are all different lengths, which I loved as it kept things interesting! The mixture of fictional and real life scenarios worked so well together. The author hits on some hard topics such as Covid and depression (without actually mentioning those words) which I thought was really impressive.
I will be recommending this collection of short stories to all my fellow reading friends. This is definitely a book everyone should read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 19, 2023
Exceptionally well-written shorts.
This was the first time I’ve read anything by this author and was amazed by her storytelling and writing abilities. She takes topics not frequently touched on and delves deep into the psyche of the characters. Several made me realize just how lucky I am to be alive and in decent health. For instance, Adventures in my Own Backyard: A story told from the perspective of a paraplegic who can’t speak.
Many of the tales are paranormal and take a dip in the dark side. Her well-crafted use of words creates fully developed characters and worlds a reader can easily step into. The stories flow seamlessly. All in all, a great read that I highly recommend.
This was the first time I’ve read anything by this author and was amazed by her storytelling and writing abilities. She takes topics not frequently touched on and delves deep into the psyche of the characters. Several made me realize just how lucky I am to be alive and in decent health. For instance, Adventures in my Own Backyard: A story told from the perspective of a paraplegic who can’t speak.
Many of the tales are paranormal and take a dip in the dark side. Her well-crafted use of words creates fully developed characters and worlds a reader can easily step into. The stories flow seamlessly. All in all, a great read that I highly recommend.
March 7, 2023
This was a fun and light read. I found the stories’ plot and twists a bit unoriginal, but the author’s writing made them interesting. The first three stories were wonderfully written; I absolutely loved feeling the tension in “The Woman in the Van” and “Vera Says”. The final stories were less exciting and I found myself less interested in reading them. Overall, I really like the author’s writing and recommend this quick read to readers who like short stories.
[ARC provided by BookSirens in exchange for an honest voluntary review]
[ARC provided by BookSirens in exchange for an honest voluntary review]
July 20, 2023
This would be an excellent starting point for readers new to Annalisa Crawford's work: a bit less scary, a bit less sad but very much in her style and her type of content. I especially loved the rhythm in the prose of "Adventures in my own back garden".
February 19, 2023
4 Stars
One Liner: A wonderful collection of short stories (no theme)
This book is a collection of short stories selected as finalists/ winners for various awards. Hence there is no common theme or underlying thread that connects them. The writing styles are also different. The best part is that no short story drags or feels boring. Each piece is concise and poignant in its own way.
As with most anthologies, I loved some stories, enjoyed a few, and wasn’t that impressed by a couple of them. Here’s a list of the stories in the collection:
The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards: You can guess the storyline from the title. But is it what it is? How does it affect the characters? It is beautiful and sad.
The Woman in the Van: Why did the old mysterious woman stop at this small town? What’s with the teen grieving his dead mother? This is an emotional tale that ends exactly where it should. Bittersweet and hopeful.
Vera Says: Does the GPS voice have a mind of its own? If so, what are its intentions? This is a short piece that seems almost causal but ends with an abrupt twist. The contrast highlights how things can change in an instant and spiral out of control.
All the Magpies Come Out to Play: This story is set during the Covid lockdown. It has a slight dystopian feel to it with a reined-in emotional display. An interesting take on the topic.
A Thousand Pieces of You: Written in the second-person POV, the story is laced with melancholy, confusion, frustration, helplessness, and pain. It is sad but with a subtly hopeful ending.
Click: How does the young narrator deal with the sudden, unexplained change in her life? Do the pictures she clicks comfort her? This is a story of family, relationships, adjustments, coping, and resilience. The almost detached narration keeps the emotions from overwhelming the reader.
One Minute Silence: It takes just one moment to change several lives forever. The story is presented in snippets that increase tension and accelerate the plot. It’s powerful and makes a lasting impression. Easily one of my favorites in the collection.
Black Dog: This is a little too short and vague for me. The black dog seems to be a metaphor for anxiety or depression, maybe grief.
The Fear of Ghosts: An interesting version of a haunted house plot but with a blind protag. This is my kind of horror story. I love it. That ending… perfectly sinister.
Adventures in My Own Back Garden: What does the narrator’s garden mean to them? Why is it so important in their life? This is such a heartwarming story! A rollercoaster ride of emotions that ends on a hopeful note. A beautiful way to end the collection.
To summarize, The Clock in My Mother's House is one of the best anthologies by a single author I’ve read in recent times. That’s because even the simplest of stories have a deeper meaning once you take the time to think about the character and their actions.
Thank you, Book Sirens and author Annalisa Crawford, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***
P.S.: Thank you, Rosh, for your strong recommendation. I’m happy to have read this one.
One Liner: A wonderful collection of short stories (no theme)
This book is a collection of short stories selected as finalists/ winners for various awards. Hence there is no common theme or underlying thread that connects them. The writing styles are also different. The best part is that no short story drags or feels boring. Each piece is concise and poignant in its own way.
As with most anthologies, I loved some stories, enjoyed a few, and wasn’t that impressed by a couple of them. Here’s a list of the stories in the collection:
The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards: You can guess the storyline from the title. But is it what it is? How does it affect the characters? It is beautiful and sad.
The Woman in the Van: Why did the old mysterious woman stop at this small town? What’s with the teen grieving his dead mother? This is an emotional tale that ends exactly where it should. Bittersweet and hopeful.
Vera Says: Does the GPS voice have a mind of its own? If so, what are its intentions? This is a short piece that seems almost causal but ends with an abrupt twist. The contrast highlights how things can change in an instant and spiral out of control.
All the Magpies Come Out to Play: This story is set during the Covid lockdown. It has a slight dystopian feel to it with a reined-in emotional display. An interesting take on the topic.
A Thousand Pieces of You: Written in the second-person POV, the story is laced with melancholy, confusion, frustration, helplessness, and pain. It is sad but with a subtly hopeful ending.
Click: How does the young narrator deal with the sudden, unexplained change in her life? Do the pictures she clicks comfort her? This is a story of family, relationships, adjustments, coping, and resilience. The almost detached narration keeps the emotions from overwhelming the reader.
One Minute Silence: It takes just one moment to change several lives forever. The story is presented in snippets that increase tension and accelerate the plot. It’s powerful and makes a lasting impression. Easily one of my favorites in the collection.
Black Dog: This is a little too short and vague for me. The black dog seems to be a metaphor for anxiety or depression, maybe grief.
The Fear of Ghosts: An interesting version of a haunted house plot but with a blind protag. This is my kind of horror story. I love it. That ending… perfectly sinister.
Adventures in My Own Back Garden: What does the narrator’s garden mean to them? Why is it so important in their life? This is such a heartwarming story! A rollercoaster ride of emotions that ends on a hopeful note. A beautiful way to end the collection.
To summarize, The Clock in My Mother's House is one of the best anthologies by a single author I’ve read in recent times. That’s because even the simplest of stories have a deeper meaning once you take the time to think about the character and their actions.
Thank you, Book Sirens and author Annalisa Crawford, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***
P.S.: Thank you, Rosh, for your strong recommendation. I’m happy to have read this one.
March 28, 2023
The Clock In My Mother’s House is a wonderfully written anthology, with ten stories in total and each varying in length. Imaginative and intriguing, sometimes with a touch of the paranormal, sometimes covering pertinent issues.
The title story is disturbing and ominous when a clock that’s never worked, made by the daughter of the house when she was a young schoolgirl, is found in the attic years later by her mother.
'Only after I brought it home did we realise the mechanism was going backwards. Dad attempted to fix it, spreading the cogs out on the dining room table and running his fingers through his beard. I took it back to my DT teacher who tinkered with it one lunch time. Neither of them could resolve the problem, and I thought we’d thrown it away.'
‘The Woman in the Van’ features Hester. She had a premonition something was about to happen. Hester came especially to help but she wasn’t wanted or taken seriously. She did make a connection with a troubled teen, despite his attitude.
‘Vera says’…. Many of us might relate to this when trying to reach an unknown destination. But not, I hope, to the ending. Another story we could all relate to is ‘All the Magpies Come Out to play’ – a snapshot of life during lockdown from one person’s point of view.
‘One Minute Silence’ is a harrowing story told cleverly with a countdown detailing lives in brief extracts, increasing the suspense of what those snippets might be leading to, all the while creating a strong impression.
Descriptive writing fleshes out characters and situations, sometimes with minimal words and phrases, so an image is formed almost immediately. Each story is unique in that there’s no connections between them so each one stands on its own merits, from the dark and sinister to the poignant and hopeful. The Clock In My Mother’s House is an engaging and compelling anthology.
The title story is disturbing and ominous when a clock that’s never worked, made by the daughter of the house when she was a young schoolgirl, is found in the attic years later by her mother.
'Only after I brought it home did we realise the mechanism was going backwards. Dad attempted to fix it, spreading the cogs out on the dining room table and running his fingers through his beard. I took it back to my DT teacher who tinkered with it one lunch time. Neither of them could resolve the problem, and I thought we’d thrown it away.'
‘The Woman in the Van’ features Hester. She had a premonition something was about to happen. Hester came especially to help but she wasn’t wanted or taken seriously. She did make a connection with a troubled teen, despite his attitude.
‘Vera says’…. Many of us might relate to this when trying to reach an unknown destination. But not, I hope, to the ending. Another story we could all relate to is ‘All the Magpies Come Out to play’ – a snapshot of life during lockdown from one person’s point of view.
‘One Minute Silence’ is a harrowing story told cleverly with a countdown detailing lives in brief extracts, increasing the suspense of what those snippets might be leading to, all the while creating a strong impression.
Descriptive writing fleshes out characters and situations, sometimes with minimal words and phrases, so an image is formed almost immediately. Each story is unique in that there’s no connections between them so each one stands on its own merits, from the dark and sinister to the poignant and hopeful. The Clock In My Mother’s House is an engaging and compelling anthology.
April 2, 2023
A collection of short stories by English writer Annalisa Crawford, some of which are award-winning. I am a huge fan of short story collections - haven’t read anything by Crawford though. I am happy to have been able to discover in this way the work of a writer whose work I definitely want to read more of in the future. Only ‘downside’ I found that it was finished before I realised, most anthologies I read are considerably thicker. I wish it would have contained a few more stories. (only 98 pages in this collection).
Most of these stories are rather emotional and heart-breaking, and seem to deal with themes of mourning, loss and grief.
The first story is about a mother who first becomes younger only to age at an accelerated rate. 'Turning back the clock' with an alternate twist, in which it seems as if a daughter is mourning the loss of a parent and her childhood.
Loss of a mother also plays a role in the second story. Personally, I found the story of the ‘Woman in the Van’ one of the best in this collection - the story reminded me somewhat of the film 'the lady in the van' with Maggie Smith.
“A thousand pieces of you” is an intense and shocking account about PTSD/trauma, with intense themes such as dissociation and self-harm.
I rather liked 'the Fear of Ghosts'
I would definitely like to read more from this writer. Recommended read, and 4 stars.
i received a review copy via BookSirens, I leave this review voluntarily.
Most of these stories are rather emotional and heart-breaking, and seem to deal with themes of mourning, loss and grief.
The first story is about a mother who first becomes younger only to age at an accelerated rate. 'Turning back the clock' with an alternate twist, in which it seems as if a daughter is mourning the loss of a parent and her childhood.
Loss of a mother also plays a role in the second story. Personally, I found the story of the ‘Woman in the Van’ one of the best in this collection - the story reminded me somewhat of the film 'the lady in the van' with Maggie Smith.
“A thousand pieces of you” is an intense and shocking account about PTSD/trauma, with intense themes such as dissociation and self-harm.
I rather liked 'the Fear of Ghosts'
I would definitely like to read more from this writer. Recommended read, and 4 stars.
i received a review copy via BookSirens, I leave this review voluntarily.
April 28, 2023
This is a terrific short story anthology by a writer at the top of her craft. All of the stories have been previously published and many were placed or shortlisted in prestigious competitions. I thank book blogger Cathy Ryan of Between the Lines Book Blog for a tweet and review which led me to this book. It was a treat. The stories comprise:
The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards – a beautifully descriptive story about what happens when an antique clock reverses time
The Woman in the Van – two well-drawn characters meet in a suspenseful story with a hint of the psychic
Vera Says – a good, short tale of the unexpected
All the Magpies Come Out to Play – a great evocation of a street in lockdown during the pandemic
A Thousand Pieces of You – an accomplished study of a woman in the early stages of dementia, reviewing the little memories and milestones of her life through the fragments of a shattered mirror. This story made the shortlist in one competition and the long list in another. It is surely worth a first prize somewhere.
Click – the emotional end of a relationship viewed through a camera lens
One Minute Silence – a shocking event vividly described in its big drama and its little stories
Black Dog – is this canine real or figurative?
The Fear of Ghosts – every anthology needs a ghost story and this one chillingly fits the bill
Adventures in my Back Garden – a moving story to conclude the collection
The Clock in My Mother’s House Runs Backwards – a beautifully descriptive story about what happens when an antique clock reverses time
The Woman in the Van – two well-drawn characters meet in a suspenseful story with a hint of the psychic
Vera Says – a good, short tale of the unexpected
All the Magpies Come Out to Play – a great evocation of a street in lockdown during the pandemic
A Thousand Pieces of You – an accomplished study of a woman in the early stages of dementia, reviewing the little memories and milestones of her life through the fragments of a shattered mirror. This story made the shortlist in one competition and the long list in another. It is surely worth a first prize somewhere.
Click – the emotional end of a relationship viewed through a camera lens
One Minute Silence – a shocking event vividly described in its big drama and its little stories
Black Dog – is this canine real or figurative?
The Fear of Ghosts – every anthology needs a ghost story and this one chillingly fits the bill
Adventures in my Back Garden – a moving story to conclude the collection
March 29, 2024
Annalisa Crawford, in her latest work "The Clock in my Mother's House," skillfully transports readers into a world where time bends, age defies conventional boundaries, and characters fight inner demons. “Your future isn’t fixed. It’s like an ocean, flowing in all directions, nothing’s settled until you’re much older.”
Her narratives blur the lines between reality and fantasy, inviting readers to ponder either on mystical realms beyond comprehension or contemplate how the human mind works. Each tale is meticulously crafted, showcasing Crawford's mastery in weaving together elements both mystical and real. For instance, in “All the Magpies Come Out to Play” she brings out the fear and hope of a time when a pandemic raged around us. Both “A Thousand Pieces of You” and “Click” explore intense emotions and the power of resilience.
Crawford's writing style captivates audiences, drawing them into a mesmerizing journey filled with intrigue and wonder. Each tale is imbued with possibility, inviting readers to indulge in the multi-layered narration and wonder where the writer is going with a story. Even in the brief space of a story, the characters invoke the reader's interest and compassion. Whether it's a stormy night or a tranquil weekend, "The Clock in My Mother's House" promises an immersive reading experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
Her narratives blur the lines between reality and fantasy, inviting readers to ponder either on mystical realms beyond comprehension or contemplate how the human mind works. Each tale is meticulously crafted, showcasing Crawford's mastery in weaving together elements both mystical and real. For instance, in “All the Magpies Come Out to Play” she brings out the fear and hope of a time when a pandemic raged around us. Both “A Thousand Pieces of You” and “Click” explore intense emotions and the power of resilience.
Crawford's writing style captivates audiences, drawing them into a mesmerizing journey filled with intrigue and wonder. Each tale is imbued with possibility, inviting readers to indulge in the multi-layered narration and wonder where the writer is going with a story. Even in the brief space of a story, the characters invoke the reader's interest and compassion. Whether it's a stormy night or a tranquil weekend, "The Clock in My Mother's House" promises an immersive reading experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
July 16, 2023
This collection of stories was wonderfully imaginative and a treat to read.
The title story starts us off on a dark note when the ticking of a clock signifies more than the regular passage of time. This was very creative.
The woman in the van created a sense of foreboding that was maintained nicely.
All the magpies come out to play reflected the happenings of the last two years in a very real way.
One minute silence was my favourite because I thought it was brilliantly penned.
Click was poignant and the use of the camera to tell the tale was inventive.
The fear of ghosts was properly creepy!
Adventures in my own back garden was beautifully written. Each of the vignettes representing the meaning of the back garden to the protagonist was excellent.
These are stories that have been nominated for awards and been finalists and they totally deserve all the accolades.
Thanks to Book Sirens for the ARC. My review is voluntary and completely honest.
The title story starts us off on a dark note when the ticking of a clock signifies more than the regular passage of time. This was very creative.
The woman in the van created a sense of foreboding that was maintained nicely.
All the magpies come out to play reflected the happenings of the last two years in a very real way.
One minute silence was my favourite because I thought it was brilliantly penned.
Click was poignant and the use of the camera to tell the tale was inventive.
The fear of ghosts was properly creepy!
Adventures in my own back garden was beautifully written. Each of the vignettes representing the meaning of the back garden to the protagonist was excellent.
These are stories that have been nominated for awards and been finalists and they totally deserve all the accolades.
Thanks to Book Sirens for the ARC. My review is voluntary and completely honest.
January 2, 2024
“The Clock in My Mother’s House and other stories” by Annalisa Crawford is a collection of 11 short stories that are both haunting and captivating. The book was published on January 6, 20232.
The stories revolve around life-changing events and the characters’ reactions to them. For instance, one story involves a hotel explosion that leaves staff and guests in peril, while another story follows a woman who retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences. The characters in these stories are charming and intriguing, and they will captivate the reader’s attention.
Crawford’s writing style is described as dark and contemporary, with a hint of the paranormal.
In conclusion, “The Clock in My Mother’s House and other stories” is a compelling collection of short stories that explores the complexities of life and the human condition. Crawford’s unique storytelling and character development make this book a must-read for fans of literary fiction.
The stories revolve around life-changing events and the characters’ reactions to them. For instance, one story involves a hotel explosion that leaves staff and guests in peril, while another story follows a woman who retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences. The characters in these stories are charming and intriguing, and they will captivate the reader’s attention.
Crawford’s writing style is described as dark and contemporary, with a hint of the paranormal.
In conclusion, “The Clock in My Mother’s House and other stories” is a compelling collection of short stories that explores the complexities of life and the human condition. Crawford’s unique storytelling and character development make this book a must-read for fans of literary fiction.
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April 13, 2023A collection of 11 stories.
Wow! These short stories were inspiring, beautiful & haunting all at once.
I feel refreshed but heart broken. I want more and I’ve only just finished it!
This book was a little different to my usual reads and I was excited to try something new! Annalisa has a wonderful way with words, the writing was excellent! Descriptive but easy to follow. The stories are all different lengths, which I loved as it kept things interesting! The mixture of fictional and real life scenarios worked so well together. The author hits on some hard topics such as Covid and depression (without actually mentioning those words) which I thought was really impressive.
I will be recommending this collection of short stories to all my fellow reading friends. This is definitely a book everyone should read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! These short stories were inspiring, beautiful & haunting all at once.
I feel refreshed but heart broken. I want more and I’ve only just finished it!
This book was a little different to my usual reads and I was excited to try something new! Annalisa has a wonderful way with words, the writing was excellent! Descriptive but easy to follow. The stories are all different lengths, which I loved as it kept things interesting! The mixture of fictional and real life scenarios worked so well together. The author hits on some hard topics such as Covid and depression (without actually mentioning those words) which I thought was really impressive.
I will be recommending this collection of short stories to all my fellow reading friends. This is definitely a book everyone should read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 1, 2024
I’m not a big fan of short stories but this was very good. It did reignite my interest.
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