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The Clockmaker
The Clockmaker waits for you...
A gripping supernatural novel set in post-blitz Scotland, the first of an upcoming series.
“No man in this world may boast of his might, he is awake in the morning and dead at night.”
Widowed in World War 2, Annette and her young son face a completely different life as they exchange the devastation of post-blitz London for the slow pace of a small village. The house they have inherited is old, its bones still settling, creaking noises in the dead of night and the murmur of scritch-scritch in the walls. Located outside the village of Lochnagar, it’s been empty for many years.
The unfolding of how the Clockmaker made his plans, his meticulous preparations and macabre creations, all builds up to a series of gruesome, horrific murders. These have just one end in view: his release from that which has held him captive for centuries.
A chilling supernatural novel with characters you’ll come to care for, The Clockmaker will interest anyone who fears the dark – and what might lie in the shadows...
A gripping supernatural novel set in post-blitz Scotland, the first of an upcoming series.
“No man in this world may boast of his might, he is awake in the morning and dead at night.”
Widowed in World War 2, Annette and her young son face a completely different life as they exchange the devastation of post-blitz London for the slow pace of a small village. The house they have inherited is old, its bones still settling, creaking noises in the dead of night and the murmur of scritch-scritch in the walls. Located outside the village of Lochnagar, it’s been empty for many years.
The unfolding of how the Clockmaker made his plans, his meticulous preparations and macabre creations, all builds up to a series of gruesome, horrific murders. These have just one end in view: his release from that which has held him captive for centuries.
A chilling supernatural novel with characters you’ll come to care for, The Clockmaker will interest anyone who fears the dark – and what might lie in the shadows...
300 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 3, 2018
All the stars and a few full moons, too, for this amazing gothic thriller!
First, take a look at that gorgeous cover art! Rarely are we treated to such beautiful cover art. Of course, that is just the beginning. The real treat is inside the cover where there awaits an amazing cross-genre tale that will have you hooked from beginning to end.
The Clockmaker is the story of Annette and her son, Duncan, who are moving to an ancestral home in the highlands of Scotland. It is a tale set during the post-war era and has all of the atmospheric prose of that time period. The house is old, full of creaks and sounds that lend to the overall aura of the book. Of course the house comes with secrets, a some-what supernatural element and an old man that is full of surprises. As murders begin to happen, Annette starts to wonder how this man is tied in with the murders and the other strange events that the small family is experiencing.
This tale is fabulously written. There are times that it could have veered off into the “campy” side of horror or supernatural but it never once did that. Instead, it is captivating and will have you mesmerized until the very last page – and then you will want more because this is the first book in a trilogy! While this story ends well, there obviously are questions that will be answered in subsequent books – and I cannot wait for those books to be written and printed!! The Clockmaker offers something for everyone’s tastes: history, horror, supernatural, thrills and suspense. I highly recommend it for all.
Tons of thanks to #Netgalley, #Troubadour Publishing Limited, #CeriWilliams and #DrewNeary for my copy of this outstanding book!
First, take a look at that gorgeous cover art! Rarely are we treated to such beautiful cover art. Of course, that is just the beginning. The real treat is inside the cover where there awaits an amazing cross-genre tale that will have you hooked from beginning to end.
The Clockmaker is the story of Annette and her son, Duncan, who are moving to an ancestral home in the highlands of Scotland. It is a tale set during the post-war era and has all of the atmospheric prose of that time period. The house is old, full of creaks and sounds that lend to the overall aura of the book. Of course the house comes with secrets, a some-what supernatural element and an old man that is full of surprises. As murders begin to happen, Annette starts to wonder how this man is tied in with the murders and the other strange events that the small family is experiencing.
This tale is fabulously written. There are times that it could have veered off into the “campy” side of horror or supernatural but it never once did that. Instead, it is captivating and will have you mesmerized until the very last page – and then you will want more because this is the first book in a trilogy! While this story ends well, there obviously are questions that will be answered in subsequent books – and I cannot wait for those books to be written and printed!! The Clockmaker offers something for everyone’s tastes: history, horror, supernatural, thrills and suspense. I highly recommend it for all.
Tons of thanks to #Netgalley, #Troubadour Publishing Limited, #CeriWilliams and #DrewNeary for my copy of this outstanding book!
August 15, 2018
This supernatural thriller is set in the picturesque post war Highlands and centres around the characters of Annette, a young widow, her son Duncan and the mysterious old man known only as the Clockmaker.
Annette and Duncan seem to have found the perfect home after the trauma of the Second World War but their idyllic life shatters dramatically after a series of gruesome murders.
This twisting tale scattered with beautiful prose is the first in a series and a must read. I can't wait for the next installment.
Annette and Duncan seem to have found the perfect home after the trauma of the Second World War but their idyllic life shatters dramatically after a series of gruesome murders.
This twisting tale scattered with beautiful prose is the first in a series and a must read. I can't wait for the next installment.
December 16, 2018
If you pick this book up of an evening hoping to get some sleep that night then you are in for a shock! This post-blitz horror story is a real page turner! The only thing more sinister than the clockmaker are his inventions. You will be afraid to close your eyes when you have finished! Can’t wait for the second book in the Trilogy!
March 14, 2019
A Spine-chilling Tale
'The Clockmaker' by Drew Neary & Ceri Williams is a spine-chilling tale set in post-blitz, Scotland. - Never before has parts of a book had the power to gross me out, whilst other parts drew me like a magnet.
I believe 'The Clockmaker' will appeal to older readers who are fans of deep, dark horror stories or sci-fi thrillers.
'The Clockmaker' by Drew Neary & Ceri Williams is a spine-chilling tale set in post-blitz, Scotland. - Never before has parts of a book had the power to gross me out, whilst other parts drew me like a magnet.
I believe 'The Clockmaker' will appeal to older readers who are fans of deep, dark horror stories or sci-fi thrillers.
September 14, 2023
I looked forward to reading this book each evening. At times I did find the story complicated, but I eventually got into the rhythm and was rewarded for persevering. It did take me a while to read, a slow builder rather than a page turner, but the rewards were worth it. (Book Tour Reviewer Eileen Tilley)
Such a well written book with a brilliant premise! It starts off with little quaint details that often reminded me of my own family, when they’d talk about similar experiences, such as trips or journeys they’d taken. Despite the dark elements, I still felt an overall tone of optimism and the vivid characters made it really come alive. I loved the sense of community displayed and how people worked together to overcome the malevolent interloper in their midst. (Book Tour Reviewer Rachel Stoddart)
This atmospheric and evocative book really gets under the skin. The slow build and tension created, make for an engaging and at times chilling story. The descriptions were particularly well done, I could picture the setting very clearly and both the writers have a natural command of the language. I found myself interested in which author wrote which part and found their writing styles seemed to blend seamlessly. I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to cosy up and escape on a cold Autumn or Winter evening. Though probably not one for fans of graphic horror, it definitely has its thrills and chills along the way. (Book Tour Reviewer Michelle Marshall)
The book has a very strong premise: a young family comes to live in Lochnagar after the destruction of London in the war. We follow Annette, a grieving mother, and her young son Duncan. They settle into this new village and start making a life for themselves. Life seems to go on quietly, but evil stirs in the town; an evil we are introduced to as early as the first chapter, in the form of the Clockmaker, a man out of time, with interesting powers. His motives are clear from the get-go, and he works tirelessly through the book to make things happen. The scenes with his creations and what they can do are some of the most visceral in the novel. All the characters have diverse backstories and some are more fleshed out than others. I would have liked to see more chapters from the Clockmaker, and the village people he targets; to truly feel the emotions when certain events happen. Duncan is a sweet boy, but I never quite connected with him; seeing him filtered through the lens of everyone else. However, Annette and even Major Evelyn are some strong, well-detailed characters. The dialogue is for the most part striking, and we know who is talking. The scenes are well-written and the style is almost poetic. It is an atmospheric read. Sometimes though, the transitions between scenes are abrupt, or the timeline jumps in the middle of ponderings or certain events. The book sets the stakes early on, but the pacing seems to pick up and then drop off a bit irregularly throughout. The ending especially felt too rushed considering the slow buildup. However, this was an enjoyable read, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing what happens next. (Book Tour Reviewer Sophie Jupillat Posey)
The Clockmaker is of the sort of suspense and dread that takes time and careful reading to piece together as a mystery. The horror for me here is more ethereal than visceral, though the glimpses through the veil are unsettlingly intriguing. (Book Tour Reviewer Tim Marshall)
This supernatural horror set in post-blitz Scotland sees Annette and young son Duncan move from London to an old inherited house in a small Scottish village. En route to their new lives, they by chance meet the Clockmaker, where he decides Duncan fulfils the perfect final role for his plans. The unfolding of the Clockmaker’s preparations and creations build up to a series of horrific murders. A chilling supernatural novel with characters you’ll come to care for This is absolutely not a book genre that I would choose to read, however the characters have been well written and the setting well researched. The original and imaginative plot here holds the readers’ attention throughout, with a satisfactory pace and credible dialogue (even including the Scottish brogue!) (Book Tour Reviewer Yvonne Marrs)
The Clockmaker sees a recently widowed wife and her son relocate far to the north, escaping the terror of the 2nd World War. However, the arrival of a stranger, a seemingly innocent old man, sees their lives once more thrown into turmoil. The story starts with a slow burn and the author capturing the grief of Annette, the mother, and the innocence of her son as they arrive near the Cairngorms in Northeast Scotland to take over a hotel and start their lives anew. The Clockmaker arrives not long after and has a plan that has been presented to him by demonic forces. The story builds around several key characters and secondary characters. Each is well crafted, and the reader will either like or loathe. The scenes build and really draw the reader in to what is a great climax. The author’s sense of time and place are exceptional and this pulls the reader even further into the story. The story is not an ”all guns blazing” affair but this works to really build the suspense. Fans of steampunk and suspenseful horror will love this (Book Tour Reviewer Niall McKay)
We award 4.5 stars.
Such a well written book with a brilliant premise! It starts off with little quaint details that often reminded me of my own family, when they’d talk about similar experiences, such as trips or journeys they’d taken. Despite the dark elements, I still felt an overall tone of optimism and the vivid characters made it really come alive. I loved the sense of community displayed and how people worked together to overcome the malevolent interloper in their midst. (Book Tour Reviewer Rachel Stoddart)
This atmospheric and evocative book really gets under the skin. The slow build and tension created, make for an engaging and at times chilling story. The descriptions were particularly well done, I could picture the setting very clearly and both the writers have a natural command of the language. I found myself interested in which author wrote which part and found their writing styles seemed to blend seamlessly. I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to cosy up and escape on a cold Autumn or Winter evening. Though probably not one for fans of graphic horror, it definitely has its thrills and chills along the way. (Book Tour Reviewer Michelle Marshall)
The book has a very strong premise: a young family comes to live in Lochnagar after the destruction of London in the war. We follow Annette, a grieving mother, and her young son Duncan. They settle into this new village and start making a life for themselves. Life seems to go on quietly, but evil stirs in the town; an evil we are introduced to as early as the first chapter, in the form of the Clockmaker, a man out of time, with interesting powers. His motives are clear from the get-go, and he works tirelessly through the book to make things happen. The scenes with his creations and what they can do are some of the most visceral in the novel. All the characters have diverse backstories and some are more fleshed out than others. I would have liked to see more chapters from the Clockmaker, and the village people he targets; to truly feel the emotions when certain events happen. Duncan is a sweet boy, but I never quite connected with him; seeing him filtered through the lens of everyone else. However, Annette and even Major Evelyn are some strong, well-detailed characters. The dialogue is for the most part striking, and we know who is talking. The scenes are well-written and the style is almost poetic. It is an atmospheric read. Sometimes though, the transitions between scenes are abrupt, or the timeline jumps in the middle of ponderings or certain events. The book sets the stakes early on, but the pacing seems to pick up and then drop off a bit irregularly throughout. The ending especially felt too rushed considering the slow buildup. However, this was an enjoyable read, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing what happens next. (Book Tour Reviewer Sophie Jupillat Posey)
The Clockmaker is of the sort of suspense and dread that takes time and careful reading to piece together as a mystery. The horror for me here is more ethereal than visceral, though the glimpses through the veil are unsettlingly intriguing. (Book Tour Reviewer Tim Marshall)
This supernatural horror set in post-blitz Scotland sees Annette and young son Duncan move from London to an old inherited house in a small Scottish village. En route to their new lives, they by chance meet the Clockmaker, where he decides Duncan fulfils the perfect final role for his plans. The unfolding of the Clockmaker’s preparations and creations build up to a series of horrific murders. A chilling supernatural novel with characters you’ll come to care for This is absolutely not a book genre that I would choose to read, however the characters have been well written and the setting well researched. The original and imaginative plot here holds the readers’ attention throughout, with a satisfactory pace and credible dialogue (even including the Scottish brogue!) (Book Tour Reviewer Yvonne Marrs)
The Clockmaker sees a recently widowed wife and her son relocate far to the north, escaping the terror of the 2nd World War. However, the arrival of a stranger, a seemingly innocent old man, sees their lives once more thrown into turmoil. The story starts with a slow burn and the author capturing the grief of Annette, the mother, and the innocence of her son as they arrive near the Cairngorms in Northeast Scotland to take over a hotel and start their lives anew. The Clockmaker arrives not long after and has a plan that has been presented to him by demonic forces. The story builds around several key characters and secondary characters. Each is well crafted, and the reader will either like or loathe. The scenes build and really draw the reader in to what is a great climax. The author’s sense of time and place are exceptional and this pulls the reader even further into the story. The story is not an ”all guns blazing” affair but this works to really build the suspense. Fans of steampunk and suspenseful horror will love this (Book Tour Reviewer Niall McKay)
We award 4.5 stars.
November 25, 2020
19. The Clockmaker by Ceri Williams and Drew Neary
A lot of my recent reviews have been by Indie Authors like myself. There are a lot of writing and reading groups around and it’s great to support other authors, it’s a competitive world out there for struggling writers. From my perspective, it’s great, because it’s forced me out of my niche. If you cut me open, you would find Psychological Thrillers written in my core like a stick of Blackpool Rock. I am reading all kinds of other genres.
This is one such book and it’s a collaboration which always interests me. The final edit was clearly done by both partners because, the writing is seamless. Sometimes you can identify which author wrote specific parts and you can work out where their expertise lie.
This is a horror story set in the Highlands of post war Scotland. It has a beautiful subplot running through it. It is well written and well edited. Yes, yes, I’m going to say it, because I always do, the writing could be less passive in places but that is down to author style and the book is fabulous.
Woman has lost her husband in the war. She and her young son have inherited a wonderful old house in the Highlands and are travelling by train with a single suitcase to take residence. No spoilers—God, no—but they meet an old man who offers the boy that scarce joy of chocolate.
The same man appears at their door that night, he thinks it is a hotel. He is taken in and is the Loch House’s first paying guest. Things are sinister, the writing is stunning, and the gore is beautiful. Remote village. Middle of nowhere. What could go wrong?
The story is great and clips along, but for me, the joy of this book was reading the dusty old house come to life. Left to them via the husband, by his elderly mother, the house is left as was—but it has lain empty for a long time. Annette, our heroine, aims to bring it back to its former glory and turn it into a guest house.
I loved reading about the old house, the servant’s quarters , the bells in the kitchen, and the pantry, still stocked with conserves. Each removed dust sheet unearths another treasure.
The writing is both delicate, sensitive and poignant, turning to, brutal, hard and no-punch-pulling. My kinda story. We like the child, Duncan, who forms a fast friendship with the old man. And we rally with Annette as she finds her way in her new life.
This book sits well with the mainstream authors and can hold its head high. A stunning story, with scenery to equal it. Magnificent descriptive escapism. 8 out of ten and highly recommended.
A lot of my recent reviews have been by Indie Authors like myself. There are a lot of writing and reading groups around and it’s great to support other authors, it’s a competitive world out there for struggling writers. From my perspective, it’s great, because it’s forced me out of my niche. If you cut me open, you would find Psychological Thrillers written in my core like a stick of Blackpool Rock. I am reading all kinds of other genres.
This is one such book and it’s a collaboration which always interests me. The final edit was clearly done by both partners because, the writing is seamless. Sometimes you can identify which author wrote specific parts and you can work out where their expertise lie.
This is a horror story set in the Highlands of post war Scotland. It has a beautiful subplot running through it. It is well written and well edited. Yes, yes, I’m going to say it, because I always do, the writing could be less passive in places but that is down to author style and the book is fabulous.
Woman has lost her husband in the war. She and her young son have inherited a wonderful old house in the Highlands and are travelling by train with a single suitcase to take residence. No spoilers—God, no—but they meet an old man who offers the boy that scarce joy of chocolate.
The same man appears at their door that night, he thinks it is a hotel. He is taken in and is the Loch House’s first paying guest. Things are sinister, the writing is stunning, and the gore is beautiful. Remote village. Middle of nowhere. What could go wrong?
The story is great and clips along, but for me, the joy of this book was reading the dusty old house come to life. Left to them via the husband, by his elderly mother, the house is left as was—but it has lain empty for a long time. Annette, our heroine, aims to bring it back to its former glory and turn it into a guest house.
I loved reading about the old house, the servant’s quarters , the bells in the kitchen, and the pantry, still stocked with conserves. Each removed dust sheet unearths another treasure.
The writing is both delicate, sensitive and poignant, turning to, brutal, hard and no-punch-pulling. My kinda story. We like the child, Duncan, who forms a fast friendship with the old man. And we rally with Annette as she finds her way in her new life.
This book sits well with the mainstream authors and can hold its head high. A stunning story, with scenery to equal it. Magnificent descriptive escapism. 8 out of ten and highly recommended.
March 11, 2023
Very interesting and intriguing read set in Scotland right after the second world war, it is suspenful and chilling although it raises so many questions that are left unanswered. But that makes sense as it's the first book in a series and it sets the scene, with more action well into the book.
We get to know several characters that unwillingly will play a part in the plan of the Clockmaker and we get to share the hopes, joys, sorrows and sadness of Annette and Duncan when they move to an abandoned inherited mansion in rural Scotland.
The Clockmaker is the creator of abominable contraptions that are at his will, all part of a ritual at the center of which is "the perfect child". This involves brutal murders, a book written in blood and a sacred place but we don't get to understand more than that.
As the war has left everyone scarred, the writers give us a glimpse of what's that like alongside the main story, through the lives and dreams of the primary and secondary characters using a very carefully picked language. The writing style is reflective of the historical context and supernatural vibe of the book, and it's descriptive enough, albeit giving space to the reader's creativity and imagination.
Overall, I did enjoy this novel even if it left me with so many questions that I hope the next installment of the series will answer.
We get to know several characters that unwillingly will play a part in the plan of the Clockmaker and we get to share the hopes, joys, sorrows and sadness of Annette and Duncan when they move to an abandoned inherited mansion in rural Scotland.
The Clockmaker is the creator of abominable contraptions that are at his will, all part of a ritual at the center of which is "the perfect child". This involves brutal murders, a book written in blood and a sacred place but we don't get to understand more than that.
As the war has left everyone scarred, the writers give us a glimpse of what's that like alongside the main story, through the lives and dreams of the primary and secondary characters using a very carefully picked language. The writing style is reflective of the historical context and supernatural vibe of the book, and it's descriptive enough, albeit giving space to the reader's creativity and imagination.
Overall, I did enjoy this novel even if it left me with so many questions that I hope the next installment of the series will answer.
June 11, 2018
*Thank you to Troubadour Publishing for this free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
The Clockmaker is set in a post WWII Britain following Annette and her young Son, Duncan, as they start a new life opening a guest house in Scotland. After an elderly guest comes to stay things in the quiet village begin to take a sinister turn. Mechanical creatures, supernatural occurances and occult influences lead this steampunkesque novel down an otherworldly path. I enjoyed the premise of the story and the gore...oh my the gore! Definitely not one for the faint of heart. But there wasn't enough of it to keep me interested. I just wanted more of everything, to go bigger but it fell short of my expectations. It was a quick read and with it being the first in a series I can see it leading to interesting things. If you're a fan of The Watchmaker Of Filigree Street then this may be just the thing for you. Full of intent but not much execution for my liking.
The Clockmaker is set in a post WWII Britain following Annette and her young Son, Duncan, as they start a new life opening a guest house in Scotland. After an elderly guest comes to stay things in the quiet village begin to take a sinister turn. Mechanical creatures, supernatural occurances and occult influences lead this steampunkesque novel down an otherworldly path. I enjoyed the premise of the story and the gore...oh my the gore! Definitely not one for the faint of heart. But there wasn't enough of it to keep me interested. I just wanted more of everything, to go bigger but it fell short of my expectations. It was a quick read and with it being the first in a series I can see it leading to interesting things. If you're a fan of The Watchmaker Of Filigree Street then this may be just the thing for you. Full of intent but not much execution for my liking.
February 9, 2021
Oh, my goodness, this book is riveting! The Clockmaker, as a character is such a mysterious and scary person. However the writers thought him up, I don’t know. I’m sure he’s unique, I don’t remember reading a book with someone quite like him in it. I loved the setting; the bleak landscape of the Highlands with the stone circle on a hilltop overlooking a loch, the remote house that Annette and her son Duncan have inherited after her beloved husband Gordon died in the war. Add to that the village with locals suspicious of foreigners. I have to admit I was somewhat sad about the policeman, James. (No spoilers) The writing was exceptional, the characters alive and real, the Clockmaker terrifying. I found it hard to put down, even though at the same time I was scared to continue reading! But I couldn’t leave it. And the conclusion? I’m not saying!
February 19, 2023
The Clockmaker - Drew Neary and Ceri Williams
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Annette, widowed after WWII, moves with her young son to a large old house in Scotland. They meet the Clockmaker, whose actual name is never given, who forms a friendship with her son. He creates macabre "constructs" from bones, tissue and clockwork for his own nefarious purposes, but needs one more thing in order to release himself from that which has held him captive for centuries.
What a story! Very creepy, the titular Clockmaker is the stuff of nightmares.
My only gripe would be the writing style - the short, cut-off sentences made made it so the prose doesn't flow so well, in my view. Your mileage may vary, and despite this it was a great read. A solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Annette, widowed after WWII, moves with her young son to a large old house in Scotland. They meet the Clockmaker, whose actual name is never given, who forms a friendship with her son. He creates macabre "constructs" from bones, tissue and clockwork for his own nefarious purposes, but needs one more thing in order to release himself from that which has held him captive for centuries.
What a story! Very creepy, the titular Clockmaker is the stuff of nightmares.
My only gripe would be the writing style - the short, cut-off sentences made made it so the prose doesn't flow so well, in my view. Your mileage may vary, and despite this it was a great read. A solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
February 24, 2021
I have a rule that if chapter 1 doesn’t grab me then I put the book down and read something else. I was halfway through this book when I realised I hadn’t even stopped to ask myself the question. I was gripped! I have read a lot of books in this genre and it’s one of my favourite genres too but I have never read anything so original! I hope the next one in the series is published soon as I need more!! I need to know what happens next....
September 6, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"A chilling read with an ending that will leave you guessing"
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"A chilling read with an ending that will leave you guessing"
July 28, 2021
I won't lie, the gorgeous cover pulled me in to this book without reading the description. I was lead along a journey of a grieving widow and her son and was not expecting any part of the chilling events which occured.
The story telling was fantastic, but I think in my head I so badly wanted a different story for Annette that this just wasn't it. Although I can certainly appreciate the creativity behind it.
The story telling was fantastic, but I think in my head I so badly wanted a different story for Annette that this just wasn't it. Although I can certainly appreciate the creativity behind it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews