BOOK REVIEW: Clock and Dagger by Julianne Holmes

Clock and Dagger (Clock Shop Mystery #2)

by Julianne Holmes

Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Published August 2nd 2016 by Berkley

$7.99 on Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

Ruth has three days to pull off four events—including the grand reopening of Cog & Sprocket, the clock shop she inherited from her grandfather—so she doesn’t have time for Beckett Green’s nonsense. The competitive owner of a new bookstore, Green seems determined to put other businesses out of business by also carrying their specialty items. He’s trying to steal Ruth’s new watchmaker, Mark Pine, not to mention block her plans to renovate the town clock tower.

Ruth is already all wound up when she’s alarmed to discover Mark’s dead body. As the denizens of Orchard each chime in as to who they think the murderer is, Ruth needs to watch her back as she investigates on her own. Despite the danger, Ruth won’t stop until the killer is behind bars and serving time.

My thoughts: 4.5 Stars

Ruth Clagan is a horologist. Horology is by definition the art or science of measuring time. This makes Ruth somewhat of an expert at clock and watch repair. So, it is no accident that she takes over the shoppe called the Cog & Sprocket for her late grandfather, GT.  Ruth has decided that one of her missions is to refurbish the old clock tower but she is being blocked right and left by a lady on the city board. When the residents are getting ready for a downtown party which includes the reopening of the Cog & Sprocket, one of Ruth’s assistants is found dead with a strange watch located nearby.

I like how the town Sheriff unknowingly becomes somewhat of a foil for Ruth’s budding relationship with shop owner, Ben. I enjoyed all the twists and turns which I won’t get into here because that will just ruin the fun for the rest of you.

Ruth just can’t help but stick her nose into the investigation and ends up helping the Sheriff locate an old conspiracy that was kept hush hush by people close to Ruth.

This was an enjoyable mystery and even though it took me awhile to read it, that had nothing to do with the greatness of the book. That was only due to the business of my schedule. Definitely check this one out. It is the second book in the Clock Shop Mystery series. I am looking forward to checking out book one entitled: Just Killing Time.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.