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by Jamie Costello

A historical YA novel set between the last years of HMP Holloway's operation and the present day

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2023

Reviews

[Lauren | Wordsbetweenlines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I am accidentally on a paranormal/ magical realism kick lately without me knowing that any of them had these elements.

I enjoyed escaping into Millie’s world as she kept being torn from her reality to the past.

I kept hoping for more of an emotional connection either to the characters or the story but it didn’t quite get there for me.

I think overall, there were too many elements and big themes for one book and it muddled the storyline for me. We had time travel, capital punishment, rape, dysfunctional families, complex medical diagnoses and a mission to accomplish. It all made the story harder to follow and detracted from the main storyline for me. Although I did really appreciate the ending despite a few loose ends still feeling loose.

Pub Day: March 7, 2024

Thank you atom for the arc!

[Kayleigh (BookwormEscapes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AD/PR - 4.5* - If you’re a fan of a time travel trope and you loved 11/22/63 then you HAVE to read The Midnight Clock! It’s a demand not a request 😂. It’s a brilliant murder mystery following Millie in the present day and as she travels to 1955 to solve a double murder and save a woman sentenced to die in a few days. Yet another example of an older YA that’s still amazing for adults. Literally just switch the age of the MC and it’s an adult time travel murder mystery!

I have no idea how @jamiecostelloauthorya wove this intricate web of secrets and lies, or how she kept track and untangled it all without leaving plot holes or unanswered questions but WOW. I imagine her in front of one of those murder boards with red string everywhere 😂😂. It’s a brilliant murder mystery that keeps running deeper with every new clue and revelation. I was playing detective alongside Millie and was very chuffed with myself a few times for being all “hang on a minute!!” right before Millie said something didn’t add up! I loved that everything is laid out for you so you can investigate and solve it along the way. It felt very immersive and interactive and it’s honestly the closest I’ve come to that 11/22/63 feeling!

The Midnight Clock is everything you could want a time travel mystery to be. It’s so exciting, thoroughly gripping and a total winner of a whodunnit. I LOVED IT!!!!

[Bookwormbev · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars.
I enjoyed the story greatly as I love time travel if it’s well done as this is. There’s a lot of period detail, the characters are well done and I cared about them enough to be keen to read on. My main criticism is that there’s too much going on. The plot includes parental separation, murder, rape (implied), teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, capital punishment and mental ill health. I also could not see what Millie’s ex-boyfriend, Kieran, added to the story.
Having said that it is a good read and moves along apace so I do recommend it as a YA book with no shortage of discussion points.
Thanks to YLG and publishers Atom for the proof copy.

[Mrs Susan J Bociek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Young Adult Book but I chose it as it looked interesting - and I was right. A clock that somehow allows a person to slip into a different period of time, in this case, 1955. Same date, same place - but in 1955 a terrible injustice is to take place in a few days, and it is going to take a twist of the clock to try to put it right.

[Emma Freddura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love a book with alternative time lines, it does make a book intresting. Justice for Annie was the main storyline, I feel we could of visited her a few more times. I also could not understand why it was only under 18 that could see millie. Maybe more susceptible to magic. It did keep me reading as I wanted to know if Annie could be saved, but so many unanswered questions.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an enjoyable read even if there's a lot going on and sometimes it's a bit confusing.
I liked the world building and the attention to the details.
3.5 upped to 4
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Zoya Nawaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

!I really loved this book!
I loved all of its elements, characters and topics. A very underrated book in my opinion

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BEST!!!! SO CAPTIVATING!!!!!!