The Singing Clock

by Virginia Perdue

Virginia Perdue was an American novelist best known for her detective fiction, including Alarum and Excursion, The Silent Stranger, and The Singing Clock, described by the New York Times as "charming . . . an expert and dreadful tale." Perdue was a friend of Robert Heinlein and an early mentor of Ray Bradbury.

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

Reviews

[Arthur Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is far from being a conventional mystery story, it is closer to conventional than the other two books I've read by Miss Perdue. It is shocking and surprisingly violent in spots and, for me, it took awhile to get going. But I certainly found it intriguing. Incidentally, Goodreads refuses to acknowledge that there are any editions other than a modern paperback (not even a FIRST edition), though the edition I read was published by Jarrolds for the Crime Book Society.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jacklin Bogart worshipped her mother and her stories of her wealthy life, which she left to marry Jacklin's father. Jacklin is so grateful for her rescue, as she sees it, from people she hated that she also overlooks all signs of her grandfather's disdain and cruelty. She and her relatives live in his palatial Chicago mansion, and do what he says--or else. When her cousin is stabbed, Jacklin clearly knows more about it than she's telling the police. Her handsome cousin Ward makes a play for her, and though she's not sure that she can trust him, Jacklin lets him turn her head. The reader begins to fear for Jacklin as this tour de force heads to an end.

[Hello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read! the author grabs your attention and you cant wait to see what happens. NOT your typical mystery novel or heroine or ending. Gonna have to see what else she wrote now! This might have made a good Hitchcock to be honest.