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A Broken Clock Never Boils
IS IT MADNESS OR THE SUPERNATURAL?
Psychiatrist Claire Rossi seeks cases nobody else can treat—cases like her mother's, whose misdiagnosis of schizophrenia and subsequent death inspired Claire’s career. Initially infatuated with an influx of seemingly schizophrenic patients, interest turns to terror as their ailments infect her too. She sees and hears a man who grows more violent with every encounter. The analysis and training she’s relied on her whole career fail to explain his presence, leaving only one conclusion: that what haunts her isn't in her head at all. But maybe that's just what she wants to believe.
As her symptoms escalate, she's left with two unsettling clues. Her mother speaks to her in twisted idioms, and a mysterious letter taunts her with a single line:
Enjoy your gifts.
Psychiatrist Claire Rossi seeks cases nobody else can treat—cases like her mother's, whose misdiagnosis of schizophrenia and subsequent death inspired Claire’s career. Initially infatuated with an influx of seemingly schizophrenic patients, interest turns to terror as their ailments infect her too. She sees and hears a man who grows more violent with every encounter. The analysis and training she’s relied on her whole career fail to explain his presence, leaving only one conclusion: that what haunts her isn't in her head at all. But maybe that's just what she wants to believe.
As her symptoms escalate, she's left with two unsettling clues. Her mother speaks to her in twisted idioms, and a mysterious letter taunts her with a single line:
Enjoy your gifts.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2022
14 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Weiss
3 books26 followersC.J. Weiss loves hiking, board/video games, traveling, and obviously reading (particularly speculative fiction and some history). Walking around the neighborhood with a podcast or audiobook playing is a daily occurrence. He enjoys exploring new ventures and the unknown, leading to a healthy respect for storytellers able to craft believable worlds.
That respect led to his diving into writing and publishing his debut novel, A Broken Clock Never Boils, in 2022. Feeling excited over where this journey might lead is an understatement. He's thrilled to interact with his supporting readers along the way.
Finally, he's as big a fan of peanut butter as it gets. Only the natural stuff - oil separation is normal!
That respect led to his diving into writing and publishing his debut novel, A Broken Clock Never Boils, in 2022. Feeling excited over where this journey might lead is an understatement. He's thrilled to interact with his supporting readers along the way.
Finally, he's as big a fan of peanut butter as it gets. Only the natural stuff - oil separation is normal!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 23, 2022
4.5/5 Stars
Weiss has given us a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist.
We open with Dr. Claire Rossi working with patients who she believes are exhibiting signs of schizophrenia, having hallucinations that are becoming threatening.
But when Claire starts suffering from the same thing, and her hallucination starts harming her, she seeks out any and all answers to help her and the other women before they succumb to themselves.
Claire reaches out to Catholic priest/demonologist Father Ingetti, who tells her these hallucinations are not just a project of the women's minds, but a curse set upon them by someone seeking to get vengeance on Claire.
With her friends Eric, Robert, and Jess helping her, Claire fights off her hallucination/curse Ryan, while seeking the truth of the person who may have cursed her.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a good twist on the normal psychological thriller. The pacing dragged at the beginning, and some of the text seemed more pretentious than needed, but overall this was such a good read that I couldn't put it down.
Weiss has given us a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist.
We open with Dr. Claire Rossi working with patients who she believes are exhibiting signs of schizophrenia, having hallucinations that are becoming threatening.
But when Claire starts suffering from the same thing, and her hallucination starts harming her, she seeks out any and all answers to help her and the other women before they succumb to themselves.
Claire reaches out to Catholic priest/demonologist Father Ingetti, who tells her these hallucinations are not just a project of the women's minds, but a curse set upon them by someone seeking to get vengeance on Claire.
With her friends Eric, Robert, and Jess helping her, Claire fights off her hallucination/curse Ryan, while seeking the truth of the person who may have cursed her.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a good twist on the normal psychological thriller. The pacing dragged at the beginning, and some of the text seemed more pretentious than needed, but overall this was such a good read that I couldn't put it down.
August 19, 2023
Big thank you to C.J. Weiss for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to read this paranormal psychological thriller. This isn’t usually a genre I read too often, but something about the title, the cover, and the synopsis drew me in and I knew I had to find out what this was about!
What I liked about the book:
1. This was very well written, especially for such a complex topic and for a debut author. He did a good job weaving in the psychological education of the reader with the events taking place in the story, as well as referring to key points throughout so you didn’t forget about something previously mentioned.
2. All Claire’s circles of thoughts around psychology explained beautifully why I love psychology! The never-ending puzzles and rabbit holes are why I took every General Education class requirement I could in psychology! I love it all so much and this book showed just how complex and fascinating it all is!
3. Even if some of them were twisted, I’m a sucker for a good idiom and I really enjoy lines that make you think. Some of my favorites were:
--
--
4. I liked that I didn’t know where the story was going to go at all times. There was no obvious conclusion, which made it very intriguing for someone like me that is a total Snapped maniac and tends to pick up on the conclusion of a mystery book fairly early.
I also really liked the paranormal aspect of this story. I wish it would have dove into it more (blood in Ryan’s bathroom???) but I appreciated that there was a “reasonable explanation” for all of it. This was the right amount of unnerving and “spooky”, especially having read it during California’s massive storm this week!
What could have been better:
1. At times, I felt there were a lot of big words used when they weren’t really needed. I think the parts where this stuck out to me the most were when they weren’t dialogue- or internal thoughts-related, but just general descriptions of the settings. I could definitely understand when the use of bigger words made sense when referring to Claire’s dialogue or internal thoughts, but otherwise it felt a little daunting at times.
2. Unfortunately, I really disliked the main character. I’m all for strong females, especially ones who don’t feel the compulsive need to be wives, mothers, and in line with society’s expectations. That is straight up my jam! However, the main character’s own flaws and mental struggles that weren’t looked into, her fascination with her title, and her entitlement issues made it really hard to like her or even feel blah about her. I think my big breaking point with her came when she wanted a kid to refer to her as Doctor Rossi and really drove that home until he did.
3. One thing I noticed, and I’m sure this is just me being a raging feminist, was every female body was described. Male characters had their facial features or general statures noted, but females were described for their bodies (i.e., chubby, thin, curvy hips, guys ogling their breasts, being checked out mercilessly, etc.)
After noticing this with the FMC and her friend, I tried to find females introduced that didn’t and really couldn’t. From the nurse with two sentences to the cop, every female had her body specifically described and this bothered me.
4. There were a few key things that weren’t resolved or weren’t explained to my satisfaction.
The whole “Rick” thing was one. The explanation for Rick didn’t sit well with me, especially since there was the whole other character of “Kim” that I doubt was the same explanation. I was looking for more explanation here.
Another thing I didn’t quite feel was explained well was Claire hearing her mother’s “twisted idioms”. Why was she hearing these? Why did her mother say these in the first place? Why did they actually prove useful?
Finally, I felt there were some critical scenes that were told in past tense instead of being wrote out so the reader could read them “live”. Like the end scene with Ryan as well as Claire collecting some of the letters. These are definitely things I would have liked to read about instead of having them explained to us after the fact. I felt there was a lot of talk about wine that I would have far preferred been cut out than these.
Final Thoughts:
C.J. Weiss is one to watch! Check this one out if you like psychological thrillers with a paranormal touch.
What I liked about the book:
1. This was very well written, especially for such a complex topic and for a debut author. He did a good job weaving in the psychological education of the reader with the events taking place in the story, as well as referring to key points throughout so you didn’t forget about something previously mentioned.
2. All Claire’s circles of thoughts around psychology explained beautifully why I love psychology! The never-ending puzzles and rabbit holes are why I took every General Education class requirement I could in psychology! I love it all so much and this book showed just how complex and fascinating it all is!
3. Even if some of them were twisted, I’m a sucker for a good idiom and I really enjoy lines that make you think. Some of my favorites were:
Depression and loneliness fed off one another, a snake eating its tail in an endless loop of misery.
--
Beware of the gift that keeps on giving.
--
You’re strong and can handle more than most, but eventually a snowflake becomes an avalanche.
4. I liked that I didn’t know where the story was going to go at all times. There was no obvious conclusion, which made it very intriguing for someone like me that is a total Snapped maniac and tends to pick up on the conclusion of a mystery book fairly early.
I also really liked the paranormal aspect of this story. I wish it would have dove into it more (blood in Ryan’s bathroom???) but I appreciated that there was a “reasonable explanation” for all of it. This was the right amount of unnerving and “spooky”, especially having read it during California’s massive storm this week!
What could have been better:
1. At times, I felt there were a lot of big words used when they weren’t really needed. I think the parts where this stuck out to me the most were when they weren’t dialogue- or internal thoughts-related, but just general descriptions of the settings. I could definitely understand when the use of bigger words made sense when referring to Claire’s dialogue or internal thoughts, but otherwise it felt a little daunting at times.
2. Unfortunately, I really disliked the main character. I’m all for strong females, especially ones who don’t feel the compulsive need to be wives, mothers, and in line with society’s expectations. That is straight up my jam! However, the main character’s own flaws and mental struggles that weren’t looked into, her fascination with her title, and her entitlement issues made it really hard to like her or even feel blah about her. I think my big breaking point with her came when she wanted a kid to refer to her as Doctor Rossi and really drove that home until he did.
3. One thing I noticed, and I’m sure this is just me being a raging feminist, was every female body was described. Male characters had their facial features or general statures noted, but females were described for their bodies (i.e., chubby, thin, curvy hips, guys ogling their breasts, being checked out mercilessly, etc.)
After noticing this with the FMC and her friend, I tried to find females introduced that didn’t and really couldn’t. From the nurse with two sentences to the cop, every female had her body specifically described and this bothered me.
4. There were a few key things that weren’t resolved or weren’t explained to my satisfaction.
The whole “Rick” thing was one. The explanation for Rick didn’t sit well with me, especially since there was the whole other character of “Kim” that I doubt was the same explanation. I was looking for more explanation here.
Another thing I didn’t quite feel was explained well was Claire hearing her mother’s “twisted idioms”. Why was she hearing these? Why did her mother say these in the first place? Why did they actually prove useful?
Finally, I felt there were some critical scenes that were told in past tense instead of being wrote out so the reader could read them “live”. Like the end scene with Ryan as well as Claire collecting some of the letters. These are definitely things I would have liked to read about instead of having them explained to us after the fact. I felt there was a lot of talk about wine that I would have far preferred been cut out than these.
Final Thoughts:
C.J. Weiss is one to watch! Check this one out if you like psychological thrillers with a paranormal touch.
October 8, 2022
Claire is psychiatrist and started in this field because of her mother. Her mother was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and died. She starts seeing patients and starts to realize that something is happening to her. Soon, she starts seeing her mother and someone left her a mysterious note. The note said for her to enjoy her gifts. Is it all in her mind? Or is there something more sinister happening? A supernatural thriller that engages the reader with a haunting plot and great characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2023
This is a great psychological thriller with a very interesting twist at the end. Psychological, paranormal thriller.
The book centers around Dr. Claire Rossi. She has her own psychiatry practice where she has been treating 5 women who all believe that they are seeing hallucinations in the manifestation of a man that talks to them. Dr. Rossi diagnoses them all as possibly schizophrenic.
As the story goes on, we see that Dr. Rossi is also beginning to think that she is also beginning to exhibit these symptoms. Her hallucination taking on the form of a man named Ryan who over time begins harming her. Her patients are also being attacked by their "hallucinations".
After talking to her co-worker, Eric, another psychiatrist, he suggests that what may be happening to these women might not be all in their heads (as Dr. Rossi did not tell him that she was seeing the same things as her patients). He tells her about a priest he knows that is also a demonologist, Father Ingetti. After speaking with him, he suggests that it might actually be a curse that these women are under and maybe someone is taking vengeance out on them.
Dr. Rossi eventually tells her friends, Robert and Jess what's been going on and they start to believe her once they see that she's being attacked, thrown around the room, by something they cannot see. Together with Eric, they help her seek the truth as to who has it out for her and these other women. Can Dr. Rossi find the one who has cursed them end it before anyone else dies, including her?
I really enjoyed this story. The writing is fast paced, and you will definitely not be bored while reading it. I felt the characters were well written as well and overall; the story made sense. Throughout the beginning of the book and even into some of the middle, I felt the author did a good job of keeping me guessing about whether or not, Dr. Rossi was actually going insane or if she was actually cursed. I liked the characters well enough. Claire could be a tad hoity toity, but I feel like that's par for the course with doctor types. The villain was really scary, and I felt the author really conveyed that well. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.
The book centers around Dr. Claire Rossi. She has her own psychiatry practice where she has been treating 5 women who all believe that they are seeing hallucinations in the manifestation of a man that talks to them. Dr. Rossi diagnoses them all as possibly schizophrenic.
As the story goes on, we see that Dr. Rossi is also beginning to think that she is also beginning to exhibit these symptoms. Her hallucination taking on the form of a man named Ryan who over time begins harming her. Her patients are also being attacked by their "hallucinations".
After talking to her co-worker, Eric, another psychiatrist, he suggests that what may be happening to these women might not be all in their heads (as Dr. Rossi did not tell him that she was seeing the same things as her patients). He tells her about a priest he knows that is also a demonologist, Father Ingetti. After speaking with him, he suggests that it might actually be a curse that these women are under and maybe someone is taking vengeance out on them.
Dr. Rossi eventually tells her friends, Robert and Jess what's been going on and they start to believe her once they see that she's being attacked, thrown around the room, by something they cannot see. Together with Eric, they help her seek the truth as to who has it out for her and these other women. Can Dr. Rossi find the one who has cursed them end it before anyone else dies, including her?
I really enjoyed this story. The writing is fast paced, and you will definitely not be bored while reading it. I felt the characters were well written as well and overall; the story made sense. Throughout the beginning of the book and even into some of the middle, I felt the author did a good job of keeping me guessing about whether or not, Dr. Rossi was actually going insane or if she was actually cursed. I liked the characters well enough. Claire could be a tad hoity toity, but I feel like that's par for the course with doctor types. The villain was really scary, and I felt the author really conveyed that well. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.
November 3, 2022
I have mentioned this in other reviews, but I enjoy reading horror books around Halloween. There is nothing like reading a creepy book on a night when the wind is blowing, and you can hear the trees creaking and moaning. That is one of the reasons why I accepted the invitation from the author. I wanted to be scared, and guess what? I was. This book was very creepy to read and kept me wondering if I should beware of weird notes sent to me through the mail.
A Broken Clock Never Boils had a creepy and interesting storyline. Claire is a psychiatrist. She notices a weird coincidence when several new patients start having schizophrenic episodes that are the same. They all involve a tall, pale man who only they can see, and all of their episodes are getting progressively worse. Things take a turn for the worse when Claire starts having her episodes soon after receiving a letter that says, “Enjoy your gifts.”. Fearing for her sanity, Claire starts investigating her patients and herself, looking for something that links them all together. Will Claire figure everything out before someone dies? Or will she become another victim?
A Broken Clock Never Boils is a fast-paced book. It started off running and didn’t slow down until the end. There was some lag in the middle of the book, but the author got the book back on track.
This book took place entirely in Denver, Colorado. The author did get into some background of the city, but he kept it mainly to Claire’s house, Claire’s office, and another location. I wish there were more background, but I was content with what was given because of the storyline.
What I liked about A Broken Clock Never Boils:
I enjoyed the horror element of the book. The author did a great job of keeping me wondering if Claire was going insane or if it was something else.
I liked seeing that Claire had such strong relationships with her friends. Her friends were her backbone for the entire last half of the book.
I liked that the occult was used during the last half of the book. It made for a more creepy and interesting read.
What I disliked about A Broken Clock Never Boils:
Claire for 90% of the book. She rubbed me the wrong way. She was condescending, snarky, and wasn’t very nice to her neighbor (or her son).
I wouldn’t say I liked Claire’s boss, either. He didn’t take her seriously about anything until the last half of the book. It was almost like he was looking to discredit her initially and then had a change of heart.
The demonologist. I couldn’t stand him. Every time Claire talked to him, he was a jerk, and getting information out of him was like pulling teeth.
Claire was an interesting character for me to read. I did have trouble connecting to her in the beginning because, to be blunt, I didn’t like her. But my dislike aside, she was an interesting character to read. Even I began to wonder if it was all in her head. She also made a decent detective and followed the clues to the bad guy.
The villain was also an interesting character to read. I am not going to go much into his character, but I will say that he was a frightening person. His obsession with his mother was scary and disgusting at the same time. I also was in awe over what he could do and how he could do it.
Several notable secondary characters gave A Broken Clock Never Boils some added depth. They are Dr. Eric (Claire’s boss), Amy and Bradley (her next-door neighbors), Robert and Jessica (her best friends), and her patients (old and new).
A Broken Clock Never Boils is a combination of psychological horror and supernatural. There was a bit more psychological horror angle than the supernatural. Combined, they both made this book a good read.
Three reasons why you should read A Broken Clock Never Boils:
It is an engaging read.
The characters are well-written and well-fleshed out.
It is the perfect book to read around Halloween.
Three reasons why you shouldn’t read A Broken Clock Never Boils:
The book rambled in parts. I could have done without knowing every single thought in Claire’s head.
It does get a little violent in parts of the book. Claire is beaten several times throughout the book.
If you are triggered by anything mental health-wise. The bad guy is severely mentally ill, and the author doesn’t hold back with him at all.
The end of A Broken Clock Never Boils was good. The author was able to wrap everything up in a way that satisfied me as a reader. I wonder if the author will write another book in this universe because of how the book ended. I guess we’ll see.
I would recommend A Broken Clock Never Boils to anyone over 21. There is language; there is implied sexual contact, and there is moderate to severe violence.
A Broken Clock Never Boils had a creepy and interesting storyline. Claire is a psychiatrist. She notices a weird coincidence when several new patients start having schizophrenic episodes that are the same. They all involve a tall, pale man who only they can see, and all of their episodes are getting progressively worse. Things take a turn for the worse when Claire starts having her episodes soon after receiving a letter that says, “Enjoy your gifts.”. Fearing for her sanity, Claire starts investigating her patients and herself, looking for something that links them all together. Will Claire figure everything out before someone dies? Or will she become another victim?
A Broken Clock Never Boils is a fast-paced book. It started off running and didn’t slow down until the end. There was some lag in the middle of the book, but the author got the book back on track.
This book took place entirely in Denver, Colorado. The author did get into some background of the city, but he kept it mainly to Claire’s house, Claire’s office, and another location. I wish there were more background, but I was content with what was given because of the storyline.
What I liked about A Broken Clock Never Boils:
I enjoyed the horror element of the book. The author did a great job of keeping me wondering if Claire was going insane or if it was something else.
I liked seeing that Claire had such strong relationships with her friends. Her friends were her backbone for the entire last half of the book.
I liked that the occult was used during the last half of the book. It made for a more creepy and interesting read.
What I disliked about A Broken Clock Never Boils:
Claire for 90% of the book. She rubbed me the wrong way. She was condescending, snarky, and wasn’t very nice to her neighbor (or her son).
I wouldn’t say I liked Claire’s boss, either. He didn’t take her seriously about anything until the last half of the book. It was almost like he was looking to discredit her initially and then had a change of heart.
The demonologist. I couldn’t stand him. Every time Claire talked to him, he was a jerk, and getting information out of him was like pulling teeth.
Claire was an interesting character for me to read. I did have trouble connecting to her in the beginning because, to be blunt, I didn’t like her. But my dislike aside, she was an interesting character to read. Even I began to wonder if it was all in her head. She also made a decent detective and followed the clues to the bad guy.
The villain was also an interesting character to read. I am not going to go much into his character, but I will say that he was a frightening person. His obsession with his mother was scary and disgusting at the same time. I also was in awe over what he could do and how he could do it.
Several notable secondary characters gave A Broken Clock Never Boils some added depth. They are Dr. Eric (Claire’s boss), Amy and Bradley (her next-door neighbors), Robert and Jessica (her best friends), and her patients (old and new).
A Broken Clock Never Boils is a combination of psychological horror and supernatural. There was a bit more psychological horror angle than the supernatural. Combined, they both made this book a good read.
Three reasons why you should read A Broken Clock Never Boils:
It is an engaging read.
The characters are well-written and well-fleshed out.
It is the perfect book to read around Halloween.
Three reasons why you shouldn’t read A Broken Clock Never Boils:
The book rambled in parts. I could have done without knowing every single thought in Claire’s head.
It does get a little violent in parts of the book. Claire is beaten several times throughout the book.
If you are triggered by anything mental health-wise. The bad guy is severely mentally ill, and the author doesn’t hold back with him at all.
The end of A Broken Clock Never Boils was good. The author was able to wrap everything up in a way that satisfied me as a reader. I wonder if the author will write another book in this universe because of how the book ended. I guess we’ll see.
I would recommend A Broken Clock Never Boils to anyone over 21. There is language; there is implied sexual contact, and there is moderate to severe violence.
September 24, 2022
Dr. Claire Rossi is dedicated to helping her psychiatric patients but when a string of women all present the same symptoms she is at a loss. Especially when she herself is experiencing the same thing. She even ask Dr. Eric, the other doctor she shares the clinic with to help her. When he suggests she goes to see a demonologist that spoke at his church she wants to blow him off but Bing the dedicated doctor she is she first wants to speak to him so she can rule A haunting out. After meeting with Doctor and Daddy, Claire did not like his obtuse attitude but couldn’t deny his knowledge and when he asked about receiving something strange she immediately thought of the letter. He told her that she and the other women were cursed and the longer she waits to get rid of the curse objects the stronger the hallucinations in imaginary men will become. before the meeting with the demonologist is even over she gets a call saying one of her patients was rushed to the emergency room whipped slashes all over the front of her body. Claire is shaken and ROZES over to see her nose despite how she feels about Doctor and Jerry’s conclusion she must act to save her and her patience. She still wants to know however who did this to her and why? What does it have to do with her and why only females? This book was so good!!! it is a very slippery slope when someone says you’re hallucinating because how can you adamantly positively say you’re not? Also, I loved how her mom also suffered with mental health issues and it made her even more hesitant to admit the mental problem she was having. This summary don’t even come close to doing the book justice it is so good and it is a book I truly and highly recommend a total five star read. I received this book from Book sirens and the author but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 10, 2022
Oooo… this was really good!
Claire Rossi is a psychiatrist with several patients who all seem to be suffering from the same thing. Haunting figures, violent strangers and the slow of loss of their grip on reality seem to be the symptoms plaguing five separate females, all under Dr. Rossi’s care. Chances of it all being a coincidence are much less than likely, particularly when Claire finds herself experiencing the same issues. She’s a woman of logic, but is it real? Or is she taking after her mother and the beginnings of schizophrenia are starting to bear its’ head? Either way, she needs to figure just what is happening or else she’ll lose herself completely.
This was an absolute solid read. I love psychological thrillers and horrors so this book was right up my alley. I really enjoyed Claire’s character. Right from the beginning, she came across as strong and intelligent, and I’m glad that she wasn’t driven to a broken mess by the end – she reminded me a lot of Cecilia from Invisible Man. I thought the story was well-written and while I consider this a bit of a slow burn, I was definitely engaged through the entire novel. The twists and turns came as a surprise and by the last few chapters, I was frantically reading to see what would happen. A great read and I will be looking forward to seeing what else comes from this author.
Thank you Voracious Readers and CJ Weiss for my copy! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Claire Rossi is a psychiatrist with several patients who all seem to be suffering from the same thing. Haunting figures, violent strangers and the slow of loss of their grip on reality seem to be the symptoms plaguing five separate females, all under Dr. Rossi’s care. Chances of it all being a coincidence are much less than likely, particularly when Claire finds herself experiencing the same issues. She’s a woman of logic, but is it real? Or is she taking after her mother and the beginnings of schizophrenia are starting to bear its’ head? Either way, she needs to figure just what is happening or else she’ll lose herself completely.
This was an absolute solid read. I love psychological thrillers and horrors so this book was right up my alley. I really enjoyed Claire’s character. Right from the beginning, she came across as strong and intelligent, and I’m glad that she wasn’t driven to a broken mess by the end – she reminded me a lot of Cecilia from Invisible Man. I thought the story was well-written and while I consider this a bit of a slow burn, I was definitely engaged through the entire novel. The twists and turns came as a surprise and by the last few chapters, I was frantically reading to see what would happen. A great read and I will be looking forward to seeing what else comes from this author.
Thank you Voracious Readers and CJ Weiss for my copy! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 14, 2022
There's a whole lot to like in this book, but also a lot to dislike. It's a debut novel; however, some complaints do deserve mention, mainly that the author tries to go into too many different directions at once, broaching a variety of subjects, and bringing in a lot of different viewpoints on the same issues: you get psychiatry, analysis, paranormal, supernatural, romance, science, religion, noir, and a tiny bit of horror. This does make sense eventually, since the book deals with a female psychiatrist's apparent hallucinations, which develop mysteriously into real trouble. The problem, however, is that the narrative tends to wander away from the main plotline and not come back to it for a while, messing up the novel’s pacing, which slows down just when things start to pick up. The writing, too, is not the most direct, and although the quality of Weiss’s prose is readable, several times I ended up confused. Perhaps, for a reader in a different mindset, the book will be thoroughly enjoyable: the novel is still fun, the mystery is compelling and I for one stayed with the book since I really wanted to see what it all comes to.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 29, 2023
This was a wonderful read and I'd recommend it to everyone. On the surface it is a psychological thriller. The undercurrent of a possible paranormal aspect that winds its way through the book builds a tension that makes the read even more enjoyable. By the end of the book the tension had built to a point that made it difficult to read, in the best of ways. The difficulty came from making sure I had the time to read it to the conclusion without staying up too late and ruining myself for work the next day. The characters are interesting and well fleshed out. They add to the tension and the uncertainty the reader feels throughout the book. This is definitely a fun read and well worth checking out this book!
October 15, 2025
“A Broken Clock Never Boils” by C.J. Weiss is an unsettling, brilliantly crafted descent into the blurred line between madness and the supernatural. It’s a rare kind of horror novel that manages to be both cerebral and terrifying an intimate psychological study that spirals into haunting metaphysical terror.
The story follows Dr. Claire Rossi, a psychiatrist whose entire career is shaped by the tragedy of her mother’s misdiagnosis. When she begins treating patients whose symptoms echo her mother’s schizophrenia, Claire’s fascination turns into fear as she starts to experience their same terrifying visions. The deeper she delves, the less certain we are whether she’s confronting a haunting or losing her grip on reality.
Weiss writes with surgical precision every chapter tightens the psychological tension. His prose is crisp and clinical when it needs to be, then descends into feverish chaos as Claire’s mind unravels. The voice is immersive, the pacing relentless, and the dialogue unsettlingly realistic.
The beauty of this book lies in its ambiguity. Is Claire haunted by her mother’s ghost, or by her own guilt? Are the visions supernatural, or manifestations of repressed trauma? Weiss refuses to give easy answers, forcing readers to live inside the same fragile uncertainty that defines Claire’s mind.
There’s a haunting motif of twisted idioms and cryptic messages particularly the chilling “Enjoy your gifts” that lingers long after the final page. The story feels reminiscent of The Silent Patient, Haunting of Hill House, and Black Swan, but with its own distinct, unnerving rhythm.
For readers who crave horror with intellect the kind that questions the boundaries between psychiatry and the paranormal A Broken Clock Never Boils is both a masterclass in atmosphere and a deeply human portrait of grief, obsession, and inherited madness.
A slow burn that leaves scars Weiss delivers a psychological thriller that’s as elegant as it is nightmarish.
The story follows Dr. Claire Rossi, a psychiatrist whose entire career is shaped by the tragedy of her mother’s misdiagnosis. When she begins treating patients whose symptoms echo her mother’s schizophrenia, Claire’s fascination turns into fear as she starts to experience their same terrifying visions. The deeper she delves, the less certain we are whether she’s confronting a haunting or losing her grip on reality.
Weiss writes with surgical precision every chapter tightens the psychological tension. His prose is crisp and clinical when it needs to be, then descends into feverish chaos as Claire’s mind unravels. The voice is immersive, the pacing relentless, and the dialogue unsettlingly realistic.
The beauty of this book lies in its ambiguity. Is Claire haunted by her mother’s ghost, or by her own guilt? Are the visions supernatural, or manifestations of repressed trauma? Weiss refuses to give easy answers, forcing readers to live inside the same fragile uncertainty that defines Claire’s mind.
There’s a haunting motif of twisted idioms and cryptic messages particularly the chilling “Enjoy your gifts” that lingers long after the final page. The story feels reminiscent of The Silent Patient, Haunting of Hill House, and Black Swan, but with its own distinct, unnerving rhythm.
For readers who crave horror with intellect the kind that questions the boundaries between psychiatry and the paranormal A Broken Clock Never Boils is both a masterclass in atmosphere and a deeply human portrait of grief, obsession, and inherited madness.
A slow burn that leaves scars Weiss delivers a psychological thriller that’s as elegant as it is nightmarish.
December 29, 2022
What I Did Like:
+Sucks you right in. The board game night chapter specifically was the point for me when I knew I was HOOKED (chapter 3 or 4). You feel that anticipation and the mystery is chilling. You want answers.
+Well written. From background sprinkled in to phrases that paint a picture, this one is written to grab your attention and keep it.
+At first the title seemed odd. But it has a point rooted in the characters background and it works. Loved how it played into the story.
+The inclusion of psychology and philosophy is handled well. Often these can be heavy handed or boring additions to a fiction story that bog the reader down. This author handles it with precision that doesn’t detract from the story. Instead, it adds a depth of thought that makes it utterly fascinating.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of mystery/thrillers that delve into the paranormal in satisfying ways.
My Rating: 4 Stars
This one is well written and the link between psychology and the supernatural stuff was really well done.
For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2022/...
+Sucks you right in. The board game night chapter specifically was the point for me when I knew I was HOOKED (chapter 3 or 4). You feel that anticipation and the mystery is chilling. You want answers.
+Well written. From background sprinkled in to phrases that paint a picture, this one is written to grab your attention and keep it.
+At first the title seemed odd. But it has a point rooted in the characters background and it works. Loved how it played into the story.
+The inclusion of psychology and philosophy is handled well. Often these can be heavy handed or boring additions to a fiction story that bog the reader down. This author handles it with precision that doesn’t detract from the story. Instead, it adds a depth of thought that makes it utterly fascinating.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of mystery/thrillers that delve into the paranormal in satisfying ways.
My Rating: 4 Stars
This one is well written and the link between psychology and the supernatural stuff was really well done.
For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2022/...
September 15, 2022
When it comes to folie a deux, the problems start when it turns out more to be a madness shared by several patients of psychiatrist Claire Rossi. Her patients are being hounded by malignant clown-like characters only they can see. The trouble is, their psychiatrist is being hoz ded by one two. But surely she can't be mad……. can she?
As the attacks grow worse and one patient actually gets killed, Ross is pushed to her absolute limits in trying to get to the bottom of what is happening. Will she be able to save herself as well as her patients?
This is a slow burner and difficult to get into at first, nor was it always clear what role certain characters were meant to play in the story, making the reading occasionally disjointed. It is more supernatural thriller than psychological study, though the take on what the nature of the foe is does bring some originality to the tale. Once the plot thickens, the horror quotient rises, so this novel should appeal most to gothic/horror buffs.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As the attacks grow worse and one patient actually gets killed, Ross is pushed to her absolute limits in trying to get to the bottom of what is happening. Will she be able to save herself as well as her patients?
This is a slow burner and difficult to get into at first, nor was it always clear what role certain characters were meant to play in the story, making the reading occasionally disjointed. It is more supernatural thriller than psychological study, though the take on what the nature of the foe is does bring some originality to the tale. Once the plot thickens, the horror quotient rises, so this novel should appeal most to gothic/horror buffs.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 25, 2025
This chilling psychological thriller masterfully blurs the line between psychiatry and the paranormal, crafting a narrative where the most terrifying question isn't "what is real?" but "what if both possibilities are horrifying?" The story centers on Dr. Claire Rossi, a psychiatrist driven by the tragic, misdiagnosed death of her mother to specialize in treatment-resistant cases. Her professional obsession becomes a personal nightmare when she begins to share the exact symptoms of her new patients, hallucinations of a man who grows increasingly violent.
The novel's genius lies in its impeccable, nerve-shredding premise. It inverts the classic haunted house trope, making the protagonist's own mind and her lifelong tool of analysis, the suspected haunted ground. The central dilemma is executed with devastating precision: is this a supernatural infestation, or a terrifying hereditary psychosis manifesting?
The novel's genius lies in its impeccable, nerve-shredding premise. It inverts the classic haunted house trope, making the protagonist's own mind and her lifelong tool of analysis, the suspected haunted ground. The central dilemma is executed with devastating precision: is this a supernatural infestation, or a terrifying hereditary psychosis manifesting?
September 27, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was drawn to this book because the synopsis really sounded like something that could be on the big screen, think Shutter Island. It was actually very interesting and did leave me on the edge of my seat several times. Unfortunately, there was an unclear sense of direction at some points that led to confusion. I would love to see some of cleared up to really focus on certain aspects. If you like spooky reads, the paranormal, psychology, thrillers, romance, horror, and suspense then this could be for you. Check out my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2022/09/27/r...
September 28, 2022
Dr. Claire Rossi practices psychiatry along with Dr. Eric Wilson. Weekly she ran through her cases with him to make sure she hadn't missed something that might help their recovery. Claire began receiving mail from an unknown person with cryptic messages. At about the same time she felt she was being watched, even at home. On top of those weird happenings, Claire realized that five of her patients had similar hallucinations, but she found nothing that tied them together. Trying to solve their cases would require emotional, mental and physical strength. She had to immerse herself in the dangers or gifts offered and hope she survived. And thus, her journey begins. Excellent depiction of a mental haunting by a stalker.
February 2, 2024
"A Broken Clock Never Boils" is a solid thriller that had me hooked from the get-go. With a mix of mystery and suspense, the story keeps you guessing, and just when you think you've got it figured out, bam! Plot twist. The characters are intriguing, each with their own bag of secrets that adds some serious depth to the story.
I'd give it a cool 3 out of 4 stars. The pacing is on point, and the writing style is smooth. The dialogue feels natural, and the author manages to create a vibe that's both suspenseful and entertaining. While it doesn't reinvent the thriller genre, it's a darn good read that will keep you flipping pages. So, if you're in the mood for a gripping mystery without getting too tangled up in overly complicated plots, this book is worth a shot.
I'd give it a cool 3 out of 4 stars. The pacing is on point, and the writing style is smooth. The dialogue feels natural, and the author manages to create a vibe that's both suspenseful and entertaining. While it doesn't reinvent the thriller genre, it's a darn good read that will keep you flipping pages. So, if you're in the mood for a gripping mystery without getting too tangled up in overly complicated plots, this book is worth a shot.
September 16, 2022
This was surprisingly good and I enjoyed the supernatural element. I suspected more involvement from some characters but that added to the thrill. Everything was generally wrapped up well;the parts that weren’t were understood generally but there was also the sense of things not being quite settled, which I suppose is a trope, but handled well in this case. Maybe a bit more character development in the friends, but that’s a minor quibble. An excellent first outing for an author. I look forward to reading more.
I received a free copy via Voracious Readers for an honest review. This was one of the particularly good ones.
I received a free copy via Voracious Readers for an honest review. This was one of the particularly good ones.
September 26, 2022
This book had such a unique premise - a psychiatrist notices that several of her new patients have similar hallucinations, which she begins to have too. She begins to wonder if these are really hallucinations or if there is something more nefarious behind them. Each character had a very unique personality from the main character Dr. Claire Rossi to the little boy next door. The plot and ultimate twists were all very complex but C.J. Weiss demonstrated much skill in uniting all of the different pieces of the story into one flowing, cohesive, and suspenseful story. A great read!! Highly recommended!
September 30, 2022
Thank you so much to BookSirens for a copy of this book!! I am so excited to share my thoughts an opinions.
I really enjoyed this novel, I am actually reading it again because I wanted to take my time with it.
What I loved: this book is haunting yet it doesn’t leave you up at night, scared out of your mind. I have never read anything by this author but I will 100% read more of their thrillers.
What I didn’t love: at time I really struggled with the amount of detail. Of course we want to know the main character (Claire) but while reading I just wanted to skip the detail and move to the spooky parts.
I received an advanced copy of this book from ARC.
I really enjoyed this novel, I am actually reading it again because I wanted to take my time with it.
What I loved: this book is haunting yet it doesn’t leave you up at night, scared out of your mind. I have never read anything by this author but I will 100% read more of their thrillers.
What I didn’t love: at time I really struggled with the amount of detail. Of course we want to know the main character (Claire) but while reading I just wanted to skip the detail and move to the spooky parts.
I received an advanced copy of this book from ARC.
September 20, 2022
~I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily~
I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it hence the 3 stars but please do not base your decision to read this on my review as I rated it on personal preference.
I usually like the odd psychological thriller read and this one didnt change that, it is just that it was more psychological than thriller.
It was a tad slow to get to the parts that seemed thriller and when it did get there it was a little anticlimactic.
I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it hence the 3 stars but please do not base your decision to read this on my review as I rated it on personal preference.
I usually like the odd psychological thriller read and this one didnt change that, it is just that it was more psychological than thriller.
It was a tad slow to get to the parts that seemed thriller and when it did get there it was a little anticlimactic.
October 8, 2022
Rounded up from 2.5 because this is a book by a new author.
There are so many great ideas in this book. Schizophrenia, possession, hallucinations, the occult, curses, revenge...the list goes on. This is a good thing, but also the problem with this book, there are too many ideas in this book, it gets cluttered and confusing. I appreciated the character development and I loved the ending, how the problem was resolved. It did look like there was a possibility of a sequel, I'd be interested to see the development of this author.
There are so many great ideas in this book. Schizophrenia, possession, hallucinations, the occult, curses, revenge...the list goes on. This is a good thing, but also the problem with this book, there are too many ideas in this book, it gets cluttered and confusing. I appreciated the character development and I loved the ending, how the problem was resolved. It did look like there was a possibility of a sequel, I'd be interested to see the development of this author.
October 3, 2022
This book was a really interesting read.
I initially found it a little bit difficult to connect with the Maine character Claire but was able to do so a few chapters in.
It is a suspenseful book that kept me on the edge of my seat. Each twist and turn kept me guessing what was real... Or not?
This would make a fun read for anyone interested in psychology, thrillers and/or the supernatural.
The writing style is very matter of fact and full of detail.
I initially found it a little bit difficult to connect with the Maine character Claire but was able to do so a few chapters in.
It is a suspenseful book that kept me on the edge of my seat. Each twist and turn kept me guessing what was real... Or not?
This would make a fun read for anyone interested in psychology, thrillers and/or the supernatural.
The writing style is very matter of fact and full of detail.
November 7, 2022
Interesting Plot
When I started reading this book the 1st time I got to the 3rd chapter and put it down. I couldn't keep going, it wasn't grabbing me at all. I read a couple of non fiction books and then I picked this one up again. The second attempt was much better, caught my attention right off the hop. Very interesting story line. I am happy to recommend this book, you will be perplexed for awhile till the story unfolds.
When I started reading this book the 1st time I got to the 3rd chapter and put it down. I couldn't keep going, it wasn't grabbing me at all. I read a couple of non fiction books and then I picked this one up again. The second attempt was much better, caught my attention right off the hop. Very interesting story line. I am happy to recommend this book, you will be perplexed for awhile till the story unfolds.
July 6, 2025
Fun horror book! Not that this book is necessarily fun, it is creepy & unsettling and pokes at a very specific fear of mine, so I was instantly sold, but fun in the way that it was quite the page turner. Bonus points by the fact that I feel like the ending sets up some interesting world building in this anthology series. Planning on reading Secrets Gnaw at the Flesh soon to see if my suspicions are correct.
September 17, 2022
An appealing psychological thriller with a supernatural twist… I enjoyed reading it… though the story could be more interesting… the characters could be more appealing… still, I like it..it was a good read.
I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 25, 2022
This is a voluntary review of an ARC from Hidden Gems.
Schizofrenic? Supernatural? Dr. Rossi is trying to find out what has been haunted her patients and fast, to save their lives.
As something that sounds to be a psychological thriller, it didn't give off that vibe. I thought the premise was pretty good, but it was slow moving at times. Some twists and turns had me guessing throughout.
Schizofrenic? Supernatural? Dr. Rossi is trying to find out what has been haunted her patients and fast, to save their lives.
As something that sounds to be a psychological thriller, it didn't give off that vibe. I thought the premise was pretty good, but it was slow moving at times. Some twists and turns had me guessing throughout.
September 26, 2022
I ended up really enjoying this book, but it took a while to pull me in. I didn’t really like how Claire over psychoanalysed everything and everyone in the beginning of the book. But then it got me going and I really liked it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 27, 2022
A Broken Clock never boils is a supernatural thriller with lots of twists and turns.
This novel follows psychiatrist Claire and after her mum passes away will only treat a certain type of patient.
The book starts of slow but keep going with it as it's gripping and I couldn't put it down.
This is a debut novel by C. J Weiss and looking forward to seeing what they write next.
This novel follows psychiatrist Claire and after her mum passes away will only treat a certain type of patient.
The book starts of slow but keep going with it as it's gripping and I couldn't put it down.
This is a debut novel by C. J Weiss and looking forward to seeing what they write next.
September 28, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 16, 2022
A superb psychological thriller with a supernatural twist. The atmosphere is dark and dreadfully papable. A great story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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