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Spike and Merry #2
A Clock Strikes Murder
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 . . . ?
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 . . . ?
- GenresMystery
Paperback
About the author
Michelle Harrison
28 books1,240 followersMy 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2026
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
A CLOCK STRIKES MURDER is another mystery with a sprinkle of the fantastic.
The mystery itself was a good balance of red herrings and sleuthing. There are a limited pool of detectives and the body doesn't appear until half way, letting the book set up the characters and their tensions first. Plus it means the new friend (a classic of MG mysteries - new children to help with the mystery in each book) has plenty of time to be set up too.
The girls' powers helps the book gain clues faster, allowing it to have the pacing and length of a middle grade. They find things out they wouldn't have otherwise, meaning there are more pieces of the puzzle to put together. Plus it helps in a few action scenes to pause time for a minute! It's a clever way of using - and limiting - their powers so it doesn't take over the story but still lets it feel unique.
I liked that this was a Greek-set tale without being a mythology retelling. While the subject of the painting - Medusa - is used to inform the curse, it's only a light touch on the mythology. Instead, it's more of a tale about art history, exploring creatorship and value. It was nice to see a different side of Greece than the mythology that dominates its image in media.
Only Merry narrates the tale, the one-sided nature of it feeding into their disagreement. There is an asymmetry in only hearing from one of them, which only intensifies the sense of something being off when they fight.
A CLOCK STRIKES MURDER is another mystery with a sprinkle of the fantastic.
The mystery itself was a good balance of red herrings and sleuthing. There are a limited pool of detectives and the body doesn't appear until half way, letting the book set up the characters and their tensions first. Plus it means the new friend (a classic of MG mysteries - new children to help with the mystery in each book) has plenty of time to be set up too.
The girls' powers helps the book gain clues faster, allowing it to have the pacing and length of a middle grade. They find things out they wouldn't have otherwise, meaning there are more pieces of the puzzle to put together. Plus it helps in a few action scenes to pause time for a minute! It's a clever way of using - and limiting - their powers so it doesn't take over the story but still lets it feel unique.
I liked that this was a Greek-set tale without being a mythology retelling. While the subject of the painting - Medusa - is used to inform the curse, it's only a light touch on the mythology. Instead, it's more of a tale about art history, exploring creatorship and value. It was nice to see a different side of Greece than the mythology that dominates its image in media.
Only Merry narrates the tale, the one-sided nature of it feeding into their disagreement. There is an asymmetry in only hearing from one of them, which only intensifies the sense of something being off when they fight.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
April 5, 2026
Well what can I say? A Clock Strikes Murder was such a brilliant bed time read for our nine year old Daughter, Amelie-Rose and I and we read this over about 4 nights or so.
It's a tale packed to the brim with adventure, with lots of brilliant twists and turns and a storyline that's enralling and engaging with more than an dose or two of quirk and plenty of fun.
It was great to be back with the twins, Spike and Merry, following their escapades in book 1, and this time they're off to Greece.
In parts, it's somewhat spooky and creepy, but nothing too much for the majority of children.
Overall, just a great blend of mystery and magic with a brilliant cast of characters that are believable and feel real.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.
It's a tale packed to the brim with adventure, with lots of brilliant twists and turns and a storyline that's enralling and engaging with more than an dose or two of quirk and plenty of fun.
It was great to be back with the twins, Spike and Merry, following their escapades in book 1, and this time they're off to Greece.
In parts, it's somewhat spooky and creepy, but nothing too much for the majority of children.
Overall, just a great blend of mystery and magic with a brilliant cast of characters that are believable and feel real.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.
May 29, 2026
I couldn't wait for this book to come out! I loved going on this new adventure with Spike and Merry, this time set in Greece.
They go to Greece as there mother is working on some paintings as the same time there is an auction for one of the paintings which is apparently cursed. One of the bidders is found dead and Spike and Merry start their new adventure finding clues to piece together to find who did it.
Personally, I loved the first book more than this one, I felt it was missing something the first book had. However, I still enjoyed this book and will be recommending to the children at work!
Looking forward to seeing where their next adventure takes them!
They go to Greece as there mother is working on some paintings as the same time there is an auction for one of the paintings which is apparently cursed. One of the bidders is found dead and Spike and Merry start their new adventure finding clues to piece together to find who did it.
Personally, I loved the first book more than this one, I felt it was missing something the first book had. However, I still enjoyed this book and will be recommending to the children at work!
Looking forward to seeing where their next adventure takes them!
March 22, 2026
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!
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!
April 4, 2026
After a painting of a mythical figure that's reputed to be cursed is put up for auction, it results in one dead bidder and one owner MIA.
Luckily, the dynamic duo of twins Spike and Merry are at hand, and they soon spring into action, bringing their time bending powers into play in order to investigate what is really going on.
This is a really entertaining and fast paced adventure that will have widespread appeal for readers belonging to the target group.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Luckily, the dynamic duo of twins Spike and Merry are at hand, and they soon spring into action, bringing their time bending powers into play in order to investigate what is really going on.
This is a really entertaining and fast paced adventure that will have widespread appeal for readers belonging to the target group.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 26, 2026
A Clock Strikes Murder is the second riveting, mystery adventure for twins Spike and Merry: an intriguing whodunnit which kept me completely enthralled throughout.
Identical twins Spike and Merry are on holiday in Crete with their mum who has been employed by friend, and owner of the Museum of Cursed Objects, Yiannis, to complete some restoration work on an old painting. When the twins arrive, they discover that the other guests are there for the auctioning of Medusa’s Revenge, an antique painting rumoured to bring death to anyone looking directly into it. When one of the bidders is found dead, the twins are determined to investigate: could the curse be real, or does someone else have a motive for murder? Can they find the culprit before they strike again? And, can they uncover the family secrets behind the cursed painting?
And so begins a gripping, tense and thrilling mystery as Merry and Spike, alongside new friend, Nikos, begin their investigation into, not only the death of a guest, but a disappearance. Could these two events be linked? Can the twins use their abilities to manipulate time to help them solve the crime, and find the missing person before someone intent on revenge strikes again?
The isolated setting of the Museum, accessed through caves, at the top of a cliff is just perfect for this mystery. Tension builds inexorably as danger increases, tremors and thunderstorms strike, and the feeling of being trapped with someone dangerous, with no access to help, grows. The unexpected twists and turns, revelations and unravelling of clues kept me eagerly turning pages as I was just as keen as Merry and Spike to discover the culprit. As in Twice Upon a Time, the twins use their incredible ability to manipulate time to help them unravel the mystery and get out of sticky situations.
I loved being back with Merry and Spike as they venture to the beautiful island of Crete with their mum – and soon find another mystery to solve – and a new friend. Their different interests and strengths complement each other when piecing together clues and, despite some disagreements which are natural between siblings, their bond remains strong. Their curiosity, courage and tenacity help them to piece together clues to unravel a truly intriguing mystery.
The gorgeous chapter heading illustrations give a wonderful glimpse into each chapter alongside the chapter epigraphs.
Whilst this can be read as a standalone, I have no doubt that readers will want to spend time with the first book, Twice Upon a Time, after enjoying this gripping mystery.
A wonderful whodunnit, brimming with danger, conundrums and secrets, perfect for readers of 9+.
Identical twins Spike and Merry are on holiday in Crete with their mum who has been employed by friend, and owner of the Museum of Cursed Objects, Yiannis, to complete some restoration work on an old painting. When the twins arrive, they discover that the other guests are there for the auctioning of Medusa’s Revenge, an antique painting rumoured to bring death to anyone looking directly into it. When one of the bidders is found dead, the twins are determined to investigate: could the curse be real, or does someone else have a motive for murder? Can they find the culprit before they strike again? And, can they uncover the family secrets behind the cursed painting?
And so begins a gripping, tense and thrilling mystery as Merry and Spike, alongside new friend, Nikos, begin their investigation into, not only the death of a guest, but a disappearance. Could these two events be linked? Can the twins use their abilities to manipulate time to help them solve the crime, and find the missing person before someone intent on revenge strikes again?
The isolated setting of the Museum, accessed through caves, at the top of a cliff is just perfect for this mystery. Tension builds inexorably as danger increases, tremors and thunderstorms strike, and the feeling of being trapped with someone dangerous, with no access to help, grows. The unexpected twists and turns, revelations and unravelling of clues kept me eagerly turning pages as I was just as keen as Merry and Spike to discover the culprit. As in Twice Upon a Time, the twins use their incredible ability to manipulate time to help them unravel the mystery and get out of sticky situations.
I loved being back with Merry and Spike as they venture to the beautiful island of Crete with their mum – and soon find another mystery to solve – and a new friend. Their different interests and strengths complement each other when piecing together clues and, despite some disagreements which are natural between siblings, their bond remains strong. Their curiosity, courage and tenacity help them to piece together clues to unravel a truly intriguing mystery.
The gorgeous chapter heading illustrations give a wonderful glimpse into each chapter alongside the chapter epigraphs.
Whilst this can be read as a standalone, I have no doubt that readers will want to spend time with the first book, Twice Upon a Time, after enjoying this gripping mystery.
A wonderful whodunnit, brimming with danger, conundrums and secrets, perfect for readers of 9+.
April 5, 2026
This is a fast-paced mystery with very accessible vocabulary for its target readers. The story is centred around a cursed object and that has be hooked from the get-go.
Review of advance copy
Absolutely loved this. It's the second book in the series and if anything I think I enjoyed it even more than the first: the world feels properly settled now, and the mystery had me hooked from the start. The characters continue to grow in ways that feel earned rather than forced, and there's a warmth to the whole thing that I find myself thinking about afterwards. Already hoping a third book is on the way because I'm not ready to be done with the time-warping twins. Straight to the favourites shelf.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews