Clockwork

by Darcy Coates

An unsettling tale of an antique repairers time working on a room full of clocks.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

9 pages, Unbound

First published May 25, 2022

About the author

Darcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.

She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates

Reviews

[Amanda Hornick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this sounds weird, but I liked this story so much because, although it was written as a fictional horror story, it could easily be a metaphor for ADHD Hyperfocus Burnout: ADHDers will lean into work when in Burnout (instead of away from it), we lose track of time when hyperfocusing on work (to the extent that we may forget to eat and may have trouble pulling ourselves away from it to go to sleep), and in the end, it hurts us.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found out that there is a Darcy Coates discord, and you don't know how fast I searched to get there. Haha. And then I found out there were all sorts of spooky stories, short ones, perfect for a bite in between. This one was spooky. About someone who makes/repairs clocks, an impossible job, and how it goes more and more creepy and weird as it continues. And that ending. *GASP*
Recommended! On to the next short one! I want more!

[RobynLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the authors notes on this one! I always read those ~ So many clocks to repair ~ all handmade. The guide gave instructions to the restorer they all had to tick in sync and for 20 thousand dollars who wouldn't take this task! Great short-story!

[The_Books_Music_Life · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2 stars.


I was left confused by this story. I don't know if I just didn't understand it or what but I was confused about the ending.

[Lennie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky! I love the slow build of the obsession here! ❤

[Rebecca Rossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow really cool and interesting! Darcy you are a genius!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

super creepy!!! Must read

[Stevie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha, I was thinking of this story, believing King wrote it. I've never been more happy to be wrong.

[Ayden Ginder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent and so creative. I was wondering if the leather clocks were human flesh, turns out they all are no matter the material.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very brief but good story with quite an unexpected twist ending.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. It was so eerie and all-consuming. I felt like I was right there with them keeping time.

[Kali O'Toole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was wayyyyy too dark for me. No thanks.