When the truth is locked in the past, best you pray for the right locksmith.
Just four months after Emma Hogan was born, her father was convicted of a heinous crime and sent to prison for life.
Forty-six years later, and now a London-based journalist, Emma inadvertently discovers an old notebook she suspects might be connected to the father she never knew. Embossed on the front of that notebook is a single word — Clawthorn.
Unbeknown to Emma, the innocent-looking notebook is anything but, and it takes a stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the past to warn her of that fact — an intriguing stranger by the name of Clement.
With neither the notebook nor Clement being quite what they seem, Emma is compelled to dig for answers. However, one elusive individual will stop at nothing to protect the notebook’s secrets — its mysterious author.
As the past clashes with the present, Emma soon realises there is far more at stake than just a career-changing story. As for Clement; destiny may have brought them together but a seemingly higher power will decide their fate as they attempt to expose the truth about Clawthorn.
Run out of good things to say now, as every one of the books Keith Pearson has written are more than brilliant. I hate that I've read them all now and hope there's more to come soon, miss that denim clad hunk already! :-D
The return of Clement which starts at a near the end scene from the previous book, seen by an outsider, Emma Hogan, a journalist smelling a story. A story she is warned off from by her bosses. Six months later she sets off a rolling stone which quickly gathers moss, dangerous moss, and sees the return of Clement. If you have read and loved the first two in this series then you will also this third tale. Never a dull moment with the big man around.
A good story but you really have to read the series to fully understand the characters. Nice that we are given more clues into who Clement is. With the ending I presume there will be more
I've read and enjoyed the previous two Clement stories. This story was fun, and a very easy read (for me to get through 400 pages in a matter of days is testament to that).
The story follows a journalist, Emma in her mid-40s, living in London on her own and being handed crappy assignments, whilst she's still hungry for her big break.
She comes across Clement (our 70s angel trying to - somehow - find redemption) and he's drawn to her knowing that he must help her in some way. Enter the Clawthorn Club and the story.
Overall, the story is enjoyable, and it's nice to get a little into the feelings of Clement (having read the two previous installments). The story does have some predictable (to me) twists, but it doesn't hurt the reading experience too much.
Sadly the author decided this was the book to push his own opinions about the current climate of how women are to take daily microaggressions.
I understand that Clement's language and attitudes stem from the 60s and 70s which leads to some socially jarring language. This is what adds to Clement's charm, that when he's pulled up on the language be it "casual" racism or sexism he listens to the feedback and adjusts when appropriate.
This book is different to the previous installments, as this story is sprinkled with the protagonist, Emma, casually putting down other women's own struggles. These times throughout the book don't contribute to the characters nor did it help the story along, so I sense this is more that the author is _shoehorning_ their own opinions in. Which served to annoy and frustrate me when I bumped into those random moments in the book.
Good, but... I had to knock a star off for the female character flaws!
I’ve read all 3 Clement books now and I did really enjoy them all, with the exception of some of the things the main female character says/thinks in this and the first book.
Some of the things really makes me cringe eg wanting to be looked after/saved or eyeing every male up as a potential partner. Even the allegedly hard-nosed journalist was not immune to this.
So in summary - Clement is a great character, but the females need some work!
The "Clement" Series of books - of which this is the 3rd instalment - are extremely entertaining reads - or in my case listens as I am working through the Audible versions on my work commute and daily walks for the past 2 months.
Each novel revolves around a modern day ordinary man or woman who finds themselves in a crisis not of their making. Invariably there is a villian of the piece capable of ruining the life of our everyday hero whose every action seems to only drag them deeper into trouble.
Clement emerges in each story at the point where the hero seems about to capitulate. To describe him as an unlikely saviour is to put it very mildly. He is a denim clad, chelsea boot shod, droop mustache wearing bouncer and gangland fixer - from the mid-70s London underworld.
His appearance in modern Britain - having been dead for more than 35 years - is never fully explained - at least in the first 3 books. He is clearly some sort of Angel - and similar to Clarence the Angel in "Its a Wonderful Life" he needs to rescue the hero from their predicament and their despair to earn his wings. Or at least he thinks he does - he is never quite sure himself what his objective is meant to be.
I know that some readers will be put off by this fantasy construct - but Clements back story aside - there are no other "supernatural" twists. Indeed the stories are really just good thrillers - and Clement provides a voice of reason (and the occasional threat of violence) to help the hero of the story who gets caught up not only by the bad guy - but also by his/her own modern ideas of value and worth. Clements advice has a way of rejigging their view of the world - and helping them to grow as people during this time of crisis in their lives. Clement is an excellent judge of character - and can spot humbug from across the room. It is his judgement and advice - even more than his physically threatening presence - that helps the main protagonist out of their jam.
Can't wait to listen to book 4 - and I hope many more CLement stories in the years ahead.
Keith A. Pearson is an ingenius storyteller. He is creative, intelligent and crafts a complicated and intriguing series. I heartily stand by my five star rating. I must state a minor negative opinion however. For all his intelligence it seems apparent that Pearson had a less than perfect English education. The poor grammar can be jarring for the reader and detracts from the great and suspenseful storyline. Certain words and tenses seem particularly difficult. 'she was stood beside him' (standing), 'he was sat beside her' (sitting). And I lost count of uses of firstly, a non-word. Firstly doesn't exist. As an English professor at the University of Paris for more than twenty years, I stressed grammar for students who normally did not have English as first language. One says 'First then secondly, thirdly etc. on until lastly'. Grammatically, one doesn't need 'ly' at all. Keith is super creative but he badly needs an editor or proofreader.
I find it odd that this book and the others in the "Clement" series are clasified under the genre as "humor". OK you can't take the premise of Clement coming back from the dead seriously but the books are not humorous, in fact, far from it.There are many witty observations as you would expect since Clement has "arrived" from the 60's and therefore has no knowledge of the internet etc. but the stories are excellent and certainly not humorous. Having waffled on, I rate Keith Pearson's story telling as good as anyones. He has a style of writing that makes you say to yourself "yes I do that" when describing the heroine chucking stuff in her kitchen drawer. "The time travellers wife" was a book that had a huge following, Pearsons time travel is more modern and stupidly enough, more believable. I will read another!
Fantastic as per.....Great to see another side of the big guy
Keith is a class writer each of his stories have pulled me in book line and sinker and this is no different. The Clement character is full of charm, humanity and old school values even tho he is a Sally just a Sally from a different time. But it the other main character of n each of the Clement books that compel you to get drawn in. You go on their journey with then. Also the supporting cast are great as are the levels of humanity and questioning everyone should have about themselves for the positive . Great read and looking forward to see what happens next with the big guy and looks like Emma
As a lifelong avid reader, now in my middle 70's and no longer very mobile, it's not uncommon for me to read a book a day. Having just finished the third Clement book in as many days, I wish there were more to look forward to reading. I already miss Clement and strongly doubt I'll find anything as unique, well plotted and overall well written as these three books. All three are interest holding from start to finish with a very good mix of drama and humor. I wish Mr Pearson the multitudes of thoroughly entertained readers he most definitely deserves.
Author Keith Pearson does it again with another gripping, funny and touching book about the Clement character.
Is the rough 1970s hard man back from the dead, a deluded lunatic or something else?
In this book, Clement finds himself drawn to helping Emma Hogan, a journalist who’s disgraced fathers death holds all sorts of revelations about a secret society she’s trying to uncover.
A great read, featuring characters who you find yourself investing in.
I have greatly enjoyed reading these books. It's a new theme one I've not encountered. I love a book story but mostly I love that the good guy wins. I hope we all have a chance at redemption. God loves a sinner but hates a sin. Not exactly a religious presence it leaves room 4 the possibility of the miraculous. After all Jesus was just a man. Granted a very different often scary man. Who did amazing miraculous things. He was still a man flesh of the flesh killed by those he tried 2 teach. If he were clement thats a truly scary thought.
I didn't think I'd like this series but as Keith A Pearson's other time slip books have been fun I thought I'd give them a go and I'm so glad I did. Having lived through the 70's I find the references to the past very accurate and it's interesting to compare the lifestyle then to nowadays. I also find it clever that the author manages to tell stories using either a man or woman's narrative. Anyway, I ended up reading all of these books back to back (thank goodness for instant downloads from Kindle and I hope to read a lot more from Mr Pearson.
Wow! Clement is back. Even without reading the first two books this is a fantastic read, however to fully enjoy and appreciate the character then read the series. Brilliant storyline and so great to see more of Clement’s feelings too. A brilliant job by Keith Pearson and a nice little cliff hanging moment at the end! Will Clement be back for book 4???????
I have very much enjoyed the Clement series. The characters have been well rounded and each book has given a slightly different view of the main (anti) hero. The humour and storylines have been a pleasure to get into as I’ve progressed through the books.
Although I’ve headed my review as “Enjoyable conclusion” I hope to see more of Clement (and Emma) in the future.
I've read all 3 Clement books the first was excellent the second was good but not quite there I feel this is back to the formula of the first one I loved the relationship between Emma and Clement. Rhe story excellent kept me gripped the whole way through .The only down is that for me the ending was too abrupt but does leave the door for another book...I can't wait!
Wow wow wow I just completed Clements journey “so far “ more please Keith ! Anyhow I can’t express how much I enjoyed these books each story different . Characters so lively and believable real . Every book I’ve read of Keith A Pearson has got 5 stars , I attempt to always give an honest reviews If you want a great story read any of Keith’s books especially if Clement in them .
A great read in the Clement series of books. I’ve loved every one of the authors books, they are imaginative and different and I couldn’t put this one down after a while to get to the bottom of the plot. Recommend this and all his other books highly. Looking forward to the next ones
I've read all the 'Clement' books and have to say this has been, for me, the best so far. This doesn't mean the other two are lesser, far from it, they are extremely good as well, but, for me anyway, this has been my favourite in the series, I just hope there's more to come! Recommended.
I was caught by the review that said fans of ‘Living on Mars’ would love this book. And the Clement books did not disappoint... I loved the whole time travel in this new mode and Clement just grows and grows on you.. I like to think he lives happily ever after :)
Thoroughly enjoyed this and read it over 24 hours … I was off work. As ever, a great story with a few links to the previous two Clement books. A few twists, as few things you could see coming a mile off too but that didn't matter, merely raised a smile. I have enjoyed a few books from this author now and can recommend him wholeheartedly.
I read the trilogy whilst on holiday, couldn't put them down. Funny, witty, charming and mysterious. Kept you guessing. I kind of fell in love with Clement as he was such a mixture of sad, lonely, hard man and protector but lost. I'm hoping for another book as want to hear more. Fantastic
There must be something about these novels as I’ve read all three. Unfortunately, I never get further than three stars. This time the plot was explained a la James Bond, even though it said it wouldn’t in the text. Despite this, I love Keith A Pearson’s gentle human and relationships between characters. A comfy read - go on, I would again!
If you haven’t encountered Clement (the main character) yet then I recommend you do. Well written, often humorous and always interesting he’ll keep you turning those pages. I’ve downloaded book four which is, I think, the last in the series. I’m looking forward to reading it and really wishing for a happy ending.
Lots of subplots here, so pay attention. Clement is more "tame" in this book than the first two. I was happy to think he might finally find love and peace. But, does he? Goodness, there was a lot to process! Moving on to Book Four now....
I love stories that take you out of the real world but these ones are even better. They give you a bit of both, covering everything with a wonderful comic twist, even when things get tough and nasty. I couldn’t get my head out of them and truly admire the author for his ability to even imagine these stories. Absolutely loved them.
The story follows a journalist, Emma in her mid-40s, living in London on her own and being handed crappy assignments, whilst she's still hungry for her big break.
She comes across Clement and he's drawn to her knowing that he must help her in some way. Enter the Clawthorn Club and the story. Book 3 in a series. To appreciate the characters you need to have read the first two. Pretty good read.
This was the best of the three, I feel like there will be another one the way it ended. (Edit) There IS a fourth book! I absolutely enjoyed this one the most so far! The series tho is quite good and the writing is coy, crafty and on point. Highly recommend this series. Lotsa twists and turns and a good read.