The House of One Hundred Clocks

When Helena’s father gets a new job, it takes them away from London and the life she knows. Taking Orbit the parrot, her constant reminder of her deceased mother, with her, Helena prepares for a new life in Cambridge. However, her father’s new job is not as simple as it seems and the house they are now living in is not only full of clocks, but full of mystery too. In their bid for a new life, will they end up losing everything?

I loved A M Howell’s first book, ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’ and ‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ was no disappointment. Inspired by the clock collection of Frederic Gershom Parkington, it is a fascinating story full of description, detail and colour. The atmosphere in the house is decidedly eerie with family mystery and heartache threatening to take everything from Helena and her father should the clocks falter.

Grief at the loss of a loved one permeates the story yet the girls find solace and strength in their new friendship and work together to make things better. The villain of the piece comes as a surprise, but encourages the reader to think about questions of inequality and how people are treated can make them act in certain ways. Orbit is a delight- a little flash of mischief and humour!

‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ is an atmospheric, enchanting read, perfect for sharing and reading aloud. Can’t wait to read it to a class!

The House of One Hundred Clocks

A M Howell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474959568