A Clock Strikes Murder

Spike and Merry #2

by Michelle Harrison

Can stopping time solve a murder? Journey to a house on a hill and discover the secret of a cursed painting. And Then There Were None meets My Family and Other Animals. ​

Our story begins with identical twins . . .

Spike and Merry are back on the case – and this time they're in Greece. The cursed Medusa painting is up for auction, but anyone who looks at it directly, will die. When one of the bidders is found dead and the painting's owner goes missing, the twins use their time bending powers to investigate. Is it really a curse, or is someone out for revenge . . . ? 

​

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2026

About the author

My first children's novel, THE 13 TREASURES, won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize. THE OTHER ALICE won the Calderdale Book of the Year Award. A PINCH OF MAGIC won a Dutch Bronze Pen Award. My books have been translated and sold in 25 territories worldwide.

Before becoming a full-time writer I worked in publishing as an editor, and before that, as a bookseller. Prior to that, I worked in bars, a bakery, and a second-hand record shop to make ends meet while trying to get my first book deal. I live in Essex and have a son, Jack, and two cats, Widdershins and Lucky.

My latest children's novel is A CLOCK STRIKES MURDER, a sequel to TWICE UPON A TIME. My debut novel for adults is TWO LITTLE LIARS, a thriller partially set in the 1990s. It publishes in June 2026.

I love hearing from readers. You are welcome to send me a message on here or via my website.

Reviews

[Cathy Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. I didn't enjoy this book as much as book 1. I can't really put my finger on why. Part of it was the setting and story -- it just wasn't as interesting to me. It also requires more than just a little suspension of disbelief to roll with the fact that everyone is totally cool with a couple of children being so heavily involved in investigating a murder. "You're just kids! This is inappropriate." "Oh it's completely fine; we helped with the last case too." "Ok well alrighty then!"

I'm giving it the stars because I think the target age group will probably enjoy the mystery. But as an adult reader who generally likes fun middle-grades mystery books, this one wasn't among my favorites.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for this second book, and Michelle Harrison has absolutely smashed it! It was brilliant to be back with the twins, Spike and Merry. This time they're off to Greece, tangled up in a deadly auction and a wonderfully spooky mystery surrounding a cursed Medusa painting. The way they use their time-bending powers to investigate is just so clever and fun.

It has a fantastic mix of creepy, locked-room tension and quirky charm – even as an adult, I was completely hooked by the twists and couldn't put it down. A brilliant, fast-paced read!

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable fast-paced read where we see the twins on their next adventure in a foreign country with a real murder and high stakes. I loved the little nuggets of the Greek language and the new cast introduced for this mystery.

While I loved the overall plot and pacing, I couldn't get past the idea that the adults would agree to listen to Merry's deductions and not supervise the children more when there has been an actual murder in their isolated vicinity.

Still, this was a great addition to the series, and can't wait to see where they go next!