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What the Clocks Know
Suffering a quarter-life crisis, 26-year-old Margot sets out on a journey of self-discovery—she dumps her Boston boyfriend, quits her Chicago job, and crosses the ocean to crash at her friend’s London flat.
Rather than find herself, though, she only feels more lost. An unsettling energy affects her from the moment she enters the old Victorian residence, and she spirals into depression. Frightened and questioning her perceptions, she gradually suspects her dark emotions belong to Charlotte instead.
Who is Charlotte? The name on a local gravestone could relate to Margot’s dreams and the gray woman weeping at the window.
Finding a ghost isn’t what she had in mind when she went “soul searching,” but somehow Margot’s future may depend on Charlotte’s past.
Woven between the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, What the Clocks Know is a haunting story of love and identity that won First Place in General Fiction in the 2017 Red City Review Book Awards.
Rather than find herself, though, she only feels more lost. An unsettling energy affects her from the moment she enters the old Victorian residence, and she spirals into depression. Frightened and questioning her perceptions, she gradually suspects her dark emotions belong to Charlotte instead.
Who is Charlotte? The name on a local gravestone could relate to Margot’s dreams and the gray woman weeping at the window.
Finding a ghost isn’t what she had in mind when she went “soul searching,” but somehow Margot’s future may depend on Charlotte’s past.
Woven between the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, What the Clocks Know is a haunting story of love and identity that won First Place in General Fiction in the 2017 Red City Review Book Awards.
318 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2016
About the author
Rumer Haven
8 books87 followersRumer Haven is probably the most social recluse you could ever meet. When she’s not babbling her fool head off among friends and family, she’s pacified with a good story that she’s reading, writing, or revising—or binge-watching Buffy. A writer/editor hailing from Chicago, she presently lives in London with her husband and probably a ghost or two. Rumer has always had a penchant for the past and paranormal, which inspires her writing to explore dimensions of time, love, and the soul. Her award-winning work includes Coattails and Cocktails (First Prize Winner, 2018 Red City Review Book Awards) and What the Clocks Know (First Place Winner in General Fiction, 2017 Red City Review Book Awards).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 21, 2016
Similar to Rumer's debut novel, What the Clocks Know features two time periods. In this book, the reader is submerged into both the 19th Century and the present day. Moving back and forth between contemporary times and the distant past can be a tricky task for an author, but this is one of Rumer's real strengths. She is able to provide a distinctive voice to each era, allowing the characters to act and react appropriately to the circumstances of the world in which they reside.
Just in case you find the prospect of immersing yourself in 19th Century Victorian London a daunting prospect, let me offer a reassurance. Although the setting and characters of this time play an important role in the novel, the majority of the story takes place in modern day London.
The novel primarily follows a young American woman named Margot as she navigates through that time of life referred to as the quarter-life crisis. Margot is experiencing a severe bout of restlessness, frustrated by a lack of direction and commitment in both her career and her relationship with her long-distance boyfriend.
Eager to make a fresh start, she ends her romance and seizes the opportunity to study in London. She moves in with Rand, a Brit and former work colleague of hers from Chicago. The chemistry between the two flatmates is evident from the moment he picks her up at the airport.
****
Margot dropped her eyes and bit her lip with a nervous giggle as she gripped her suitcase handle tighter. Her steps faltered, but on locking eyes on Rand’s again, she felt a chord in her stomach pull her toward him as fast as those suitcase wheels would roll.
“’Allo, guvna!”
“Greetings and salutations, miss,” he said with a graceful bow. Rand had always been a gentleman. With no prompting, he’d stated his plans to meet Margot at Heathrow as though a matter of course and not the generous, out-of-the-way favor it really was.
Her nerves melted away at his familiar lean frame and dancing eyes. He’d always had that good humored magnetism about him, yet he was even more handsome than she remembered. His full, wavy chestnut hair had grown out, and he looked dashing in a well-tailored purple dress shirt and the striped multicolor socks that peeked from beneath his fitted trouser legs – a look few corn-fed Chicago dudes could pull off. And there was no contest against his smile. It wasn’t the bleached white and capped American grin of false promises, but a slightly tea-stained and asymmetrical one that seemed to earnestly believe in keeping calm and carrying on.
Once she set her bags down, Margot beamed at him with arms outspread. “It’s been so long! I could hug the dickens out of ya!”
“The Charles Dickens, mind. You’re in London now, Yankee.” He grinned. “And you damn well shall hug me.”
Margot could have stood in the welcome comfort of his arms for ages, feeling silly for her nerves just moments ago, but she made herself break away.
****
As the days and weeks go by, Rand and Margot enjoy a growing fondness for one another but it's not completely carefree. Rand already has a girlfriend named Gwen and Margot finds herself surrounded by strange occurrences and coincidences from the moment she arrives at Rand's flat. Puzzled and perhaps a bit unnerved by her discoveries in London, she quickly finds herself distracted from her studies and slides into a state of depression.
Her erratic behavior catches the attention of Rand, whose sensitivities to her mental state are enhanced by his own experiences with tragedy. The two struggle to maintain their growing friendship, but what is evident throughout the story is the genuine tenderness and concern between Margot and Rand.
As the story deepens and the reader experiences more flashbacks to 19th Century London, parallels between the two eras emerge and a larger mystery begins to form. The more Margot tries to make sense of what is happening to her, the more she feels her grip on reality loosen. Even so, she finds support and comfort from those she chooses to bring into her confidence. Although she often feels alone in her situation and her friends may not comprehend what she is going through, they (and Rand in particular) do their best to help Margot through her troubles.
What the Clocks Know is a paranormal story well told. I found it to be intelligent, suspenseful and just the right amount of sexy. There are plenty of surprise twists and turns with the plot from beginning to end, and I'm always pleased when an author can craft a story that keeps me guessing all the way through.
In contrast to Seven for a Secret, this novel is a darker tale with a slower burn, but nevertheless it made for an excellent read. I am more than happy to recommend What the Clocks Know to fans of the paranormal genre.
Just in case you find the prospect of immersing yourself in 19th Century Victorian London a daunting prospect, let me offer a reassurance. Although the setting and characters of this time play an important role in the novel, the majority of the story takes place in modern day London.
The novel primarily follows a young American woman named Margot as she navigates through that time of life referred to as the quarter-life crisis. Margot is experiencing a severe bout of restlessness, frustrated by a lack of direction and commitment in both her career and her relationship with her long-distance boyfriend.
Eager to make a fresh start, she ends her romance and seizes the opportunity to study in London. She moves in with Rand, a Brit and former work colleague of hers from Chicago. The chemistry between the two flatmates is evident from the moment he picks her up at the airport.
****
Margot dropped her eyes and bit her lip with a nervous giggle as she gripped her suitcase handle tighter. Her steps faltered, but on locking eyes on Rand’s again, she felt a chord in her stomach pull her toward him as fast as those suitcase wheels would roll.
“’Allo, guvna!”
“Greetings and salutations, miss,” he said with a graceful bow. Rand had always been a gentleman. With no prompting, he’d stated his plans to meet Margot at Heathrow as though a matter of course and not the generous, out-of-the-way favor it really was.
Her nerves melted away at his familiar lean frame and dancing eyes. He’d always had that good humored magnetism about him, yet he was even more handsome than she remembered. His full, wavy chestnut hair had grown out, and he looked dashing in a well-tailored purple dress shirt and the striped multicolor socks that peeked from beneath his fitted trouser legs – a look few corn-fed Chicago dudes could pull off. And there was no contest against his smile. It wasn’t the bleached white and capped American grin of false promises, but a slightly tea-stained and asymmetrical one that seemed to earnestly believe in keeping calm and carrying on.
Once she set her bags down, Margot beamed at him with arms outspread. “It’s been so long! I could hug the dickens out of ya!”
“The Charles Dickens, mind. You’re in London now, Yankee.” He grinned. “And you damn well shall hug me.”
Margot could have stood in the welcome comfort of his arms for ages, feeling silly for her nerves just moments ago, but she made herself break away.
****
As the days and weeks go by, Rand and Margot enjoy a growing fondness for one another but it's not completely carefree. Rand already has a girlfriend named Gwen and Margot finds herself surrounded by strange occurrences and coincidences from the moment she arrives at Rand's flat. Puzzled and perhaps a bit unnerved by her discoveries in London, she quickly finds herself distracted from her studies and slides into a state of depression.
Her erratic behavior catches the attention of Rand, whose sensitivities to her mental state are enhanced by his own experiences with tragedy. The two struggle to maintain their growing friendship, but what is evident throughout the story is the genuine tenderness and concern between Margot and Rand.
As the story deepens and the reader experiences more flashbacks to 19th Century London, parallels between the two eras emerge and a larger mystery begins to form. The more Margot tries to make sense of what is happening to her, the more she feels her grip on reality loosen. Even so, she finds support and comfort from those she chooses to bring into her confidence. Although she often feels alone in her situation and her friends may not comprehend what she is going through, they (and Rand in particular) do their best to help Margot through her troubles.
What the Clocks Know is a paranormal story well told. I found it to be intelligent, suspenseful and just the right amount of sexy. There are plenty of surprise twists and turns with the plot from beginning to end, and I'm always pleased when an author can craft a story that keeps me guessing all the way through.
In contrast to Seven for a Secret, this novel is a darker tale with a slower burn, but nevertheless it made for an excellent read. I am more than happy to recommend What the Clocks Know to fans of the paranormal genre.
March 16, 2016
When Margot is visiting her boyfriend, whom she lives with in Chicago and who is working in New York, she realizes he has no intentions of ever making their relationship more permanent so she ends the relationship and returns to Chicago where she promptly quits her job and makes arrangements to move to London where she will live with a friend hoping to start a new life. When she arrives at the London flat she swears she sees a woman in the window crying and then the story begins. The flat is an old Victorian house that has been converted into several flats and as she settles into her new life she cannot fight the lethargy and depression she can feel descending on her as she fights to remember what has brought her to London. The story is told between present day and Victorian London and is about finding yourself and love with a little bit of a ghost story thrown in. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
March 17, 2016
A story as beautiful as it is haunting - weaving between modern London and Victorian London as two souls (or is it the same soul?) connect again through the ages. Margot moves to London from America to do some 'soul searching' after breaking-up with her boyfriend, Rand, but that soul searching takes on a whole new meaning as another life reveals itself bit by haunting bit to her, causing her to think at first that she has declined into madness. What the Clocks Know is superbly written, it's almost poetic at times, with the Victorian passages in particular so poignant they'll take your breath away. I won't give away the plot, but it's a wonderful journey you'll embark on, and one that will hold you enthralled from beginning to end. I adored this book and regard it as one of the finest reads of the year so far.
October 14, 2016
This story has many great points. The characters are really well-developed and they effortlessly lead the plot throughout, and I love the fact that the narrative switched from Victorian London in the 19th Century to London in the 21st Century as it really added to the overall effect. I also enjoyed the small excerpts of poetry dotted throughout the novel as they helped to build up the sense of mystery surrounding Margot and Charlotte.
While the concept of the book is extremely interesting, there was just something missing for me and I struggled to connect with Margot as she tried to solve the mystery of Charlotte, and figure out her own life at the same time - there was just something slightly immature about her that stopped me from really getting involved with her character.
*I received this book from THE Book Club on FB in exchange for an honest review.
While the concept of the book is extremely interesting, there was just something missing for me and I struggled to connect with Margot as she tried to solve the mystery of Charlotte, and figure out her own life at the same time - there was just something slightly immature about her that stopped me from really getting involved with her character.
*I received this book from THE Book Club on FB in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2016
I received this book as an ARC from THE Book Club on Facebook (TBC). While I enjoyed reading this book, I did find it hard going at times, it didn't grab me and on occasion I had to make myself pick it up. The story flowed quite well, and the characters were interesting, the story splitting into two time periods was an interesting factor too.
September 9, 2016
I was gifted a copy of this book by THE Book Club (TBC) on Facebook in exchange for an honest review.
When twenty-six year old Margo becomes disenchanted with her life in Chicago, not to mention with her boyfriend as well, she decides to travel to London on a student visa. She crashes at a friend's flat, Rand, who she used to work with and begins her college classes where she meets Chloe, a French student who seems more than a little odd at first, but who Margot soon warms to.
But all too soon, Margot is cutting classes, drinking too much and being drawn into the life of someone called Charlotte who, after discovering her gravestone in a local cemetery, Margot finds out died long ago.
And so begins a journey of discovery. Who is Charlotte? Why does Margot have such an affinity with her? And who is the weeping woman she spies crying at the window in her flatmates bedroom?
The author has a beautiful way with words, and her prose flows easily, even through the change of voice as we moved from Victorian times to modern day. In fact, during the visits to the past, she brilliantly caught the language of the day - not an easy thing to achieve. Kudos to her.
However, I found Margot to be somewhat immature in her reactions, and if the author hadn't pointed out her age, I would have guessed she was closer to eighteen. The novel came across at times as more of a YA/teen novel rather than a dark paranormal story which is what I think the author was trying for and what the novel could be with a little rewriting to add some maturity to Margot. In addition, some of the transitions between scenes were clunky, and I would encourage a revisit of those on any future editions also.
I did find myself skirting over the poetry from Wordsworth that makes an appearance from time to time, but that is more to do with my ambivalence to that particular genre; I completely understood why it is there, and some readers will devour those elements, I'm sure.
Overall, it's quite a good read that flows well, but (in my opinion only) could benefit from the improvements I've mentioned in my review.
When twenty-six year old Margo becomes disenchanted with her life in Chicago, not to mention with her boyfriend as well, she decides to travel to London on a student visa. She crashes at a friend's flat, Rand, who she used to work with and begins her college classes where she meets Chloe, a French student who seems more than a little odd at first, but who Margot soon warms to.
But all too soon, Margot is cutting classes, drinking too much and being drawn into the life of someone called Charlotte who, after discovering her gravestone in a local cemetery, Margot finds out died long ago.
And so begins a journey of discovery. Who is Charlotte? Why does Margot have such an affinity with her? And who is the weeping woman she spies crying at the window in her flatmates bedroom?
The author has a beautiful way with words, and her prose flows easily, even through the change of voice as we moved from Victorian times to modern day. In fact, during the visits to the past, she brilliantly caught the language of the day - not an easy thing to achieve. Kudos to her.
However, I found Margot to be somewhat immature in her reactions, and if the author hadn't pointed out her age, I would have guessed she was closer to eighteen. The novel came across at times as more of a YA/teen novel rather than a dark paranormal story which is what I think the author was trying for and what the novel could be with a little rewriting to add some maturity to Margot. In addition, some of the transitions between scenes were clunky, and I would encourage a revisit of those on any future editions also.
I did find myself skirting over the poetry from Wordsworth that makes an appearance from time to time, but that is more to do with my ambivalence to that particular genre; I completely understood why it is there, and some readers will devour those elements, I'm sure.
Overall, it's quite a good read that flows well, but (in my opinion only) could benefit from the improvements I've mentioned in my review.
September 14, 2016
What the Clocks Know
First of all, I loved the title and the cover of this book. This is a character-driven novel with each of the characters feeling fully realised and very human with all their faults. The setting was wonderfully realised. The alternative narrative was exciting and provided the main suspense to fuel the narrative.
Of the characters, I liked the London flatmate a lot. I also liked his largely-absent and clearly very understanding girlfriend. None of the setting or the peripheral characters were wasted in the narrative and all felt real. However, I didn't like the main character, Margot, at all. Other readers may feel differently to me. I felt sorry for her at the beginning but I soon felt her to be unbearably selfish.
The setting was great. It's always interesting to consider what someone from another country thinks about the UK, or what they think the French think about the UK.
The tempo of the story didn't pick up until three-quarters of the way through because the book is character-driven. I would have liked more suspense in the modern-day story earlier on.
I am giving 4 stars because, clearly, Rumer Haven is a great writer: the characters and setting are well-realised, the alternative narrative full of suspense and the latter part of the book is an exciting read. But, ultimately, I found the ending unsatisfying because I didn't like the main character. I'm looking forward to reading more of Haven's books.
First of all, I loved the title and the cover of this book. This is a character-driven novel with each of the characters feeling fully realised and very human with all their faults. The setting was wonderfully realised. The alternative narrative was exciting and provided the main suspense to fuel the narrative.
Of the characters, I liked the London flatmate a lot. I also liked his largely-absent and clearly very understanding girlfriend. None of the setting or the peripheral characters were wasted in the narrative and all felt real. However, I didn't like the main character, Margot, at all. Other readers may feel differently to me. I felt sorry for her at the beginning but I soon felt her to be unbearably selfish.
The setting was great. It's always interesting to consider what someone from another country thinks about the UK, or what they think the French think about the UK.
The tempo of the story didn't pick up until three-quarters of the way through because the book is character-driven. I would have liked more suspense in the modern-day story earlier on.
I am giving 4 stars because, clearly, Rumer Haven is a great writer: the characters and setting are well-realised, the alternative narrative full of suspense and the latter part of the book is an exciting read. But, ultimately, I found the ending unsatisfying because I didn't like the main character. I'm looking forward to reading more of Haven's books.
October 8, 2016
I wish I could give the book three and a half stars. It deserved more than three, though, so four stars it is. Rumer Haven is a talented writer who is perfectly capable of beautiful words. For that reason alone I enjoyed the book.
The problem I found with the book was that the “ghost” element seemed secondary to the overall story. Margot is a young woman who moves to London after a difficult breakup with her boyfriend back in the US. She moves into the haunted flat of a friend, but for me the haunting never seemed to fully develop into anything more than a lukewarm mystery.
The characters are well developed, particularly her French classmate, Chloe. The language of the Victorian London scenes seemed authentic but somewhat confusing at times. That may just be me, though.
If you are looking for a beautifully worded book by a talented writer, I recommend it. But for those seeking out a chilling ghost story, it might not fit the bill.
A copy of the book was provided by The Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
The problem I found with the book was that the “ghost” element seemed secondary to the overall story. Margot is a young woman who moves to London after a difficult breakup with her boyfriend back in the US. She moves into the haunted flat of a friend, but for me the haunting never seemed to fully develop into anything more than a lukewarm mystery.
The characters are well developed, particularly her French classmate, Chloe. The language of the Victorian London scenes seemed authentic but somewhat confusing at times. That may just be me, though.
If you are looking for a beautifully worded book by a talented writer, I recommend it. But for those seeking out a chilling ghost story, it might not fit the bill.
A copy of the book was provided by The Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2016
I am always up for a good paranormal romance. What the Clock Knows was a really well written paranormal romance. The main character, Margot, decides she needs a fresh start after a break up with her boyfriend. She leaves Chicago and heads to London where she plans to get away from life for awhile at the flat of a friend/mentor. Little does she realize her life is about to go from mildly complicated to strange and possibly maddening. Rumer Haven has a beautiful writing style that instantly captivated me. She weaves an intriguing story with ghosts, mysteries and the hard to explain around every corner. Margot and the read are left wondering who to trust. I was left on the edge of my seat from the first chapter and wasn't sure what all the answers would be until the very end. I highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance or anyone in the market for an interesting and engaging read.
A copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2016
Thank you to TBC and the publisher who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Interwoven between two timelines, 'What the Clocks Know' is a beautifully written and haunting paranormal story that moves seamlessly between Victorian London and the present day. Although the majority of the action does take place in 21st century London, the connection between Margot, 19th century Charlotte and the atmospheric Victorian era is palpable.
The story has twists and turns that keep you interested throughout, and I particularly enjoyed the seamless handling of the two timelines. Both Margot and Charlotte are well rounded characters who you quickly come to care about. A character driven paranormal story, written in a haunting style that kept me reading late into the night. This was my first book by Rumer Haven, but it most definitely won't be the last, and is an author to look out for in the future.
An atmospheric 4 stars. Highly recommended.
Interwoven between two timelines, 'What the Clocks Know' is a beautifully written and haunting paranormal story that moves seamlessly between Victorian London and the present day. Although the majority of the action does take place in 21st century London, the connection between Margot, 19th century Charlotte and the atmospheric Victorian era is palpable.
The story has twists and turns that keep you interested throughout, and I particularly enjoyed the seamless handling of the two timelines. Both Margot and Charlotte are well rounded characters who you quickly come to care about. A character driven paranormal story, written in a haunting style that kept me reading late into the night. This was my first book by Rumer Haven, but it most definitely won't be the last, and is an author to look out for in the future.
An atmospheric 4 stars. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2016
This is the first book by Rumer Haven that I have read.
This book was 'n slow starter for me. Margot descends in some kind of depression after her arrival in London. I expected a bit more of this book after reading the blurb although the book did pick up some speed at around 55% it did not do so well for me. For me not a lot of attention was given to the 19th century characters and at times I struggled to grasp the story, it was maybe a bit to dark for me.
Even though this was not what I expected other readers might feel different and may love this book. If you love dark paranormal novels please pick up this book and give it a go.
Thank you to the author and TBC for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was 'n slow starter for me. Margot descends in some kind of depression after her arrival in London. I expected a bit more of this book after reading the blurb although the book did pick up some speed at around 55% it did not do so well for me. For me not a lot of attention was given to the 19th century characters and at times I struggled to grasp the story, it was maybe a bit to dark for me.
Even though this was not what I expected other readers might feel different and may love this book. If you love dark paranormal novels please pick up this book and give it a go.
Thank you to the author and TBC for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2016
***** I received this ARC for free from TBC on FB in return for an honest review *****
This was a very thought provoking, intriguing novel. I decided to give it four stars because nothing of any note actually happened until the very end of the book. It was intensely written, beautifully detailed, and the historical details were very good. I will admit to reading the entire story in just three sessions over a couple of days, just wondering what else was going to happen. Though slow to get moving, once it did it fairly flew along! As I read the last few pages, the term "silver linings" kept coming to mind with the warming ending. I enjoyed it, and will definitely check out other/future works from this author.
This was a very thought provoking, intriguing novel. I decided to give it four stars because nothing of any note actually happened until the very end of the book. It was intensely written, beautifully detailed, and the historical details were very good. I will admit to reading the entire story in just three sessions over a couple of days, just wondering what else was going to happen. Though slow to get moving, once it did it fairly flew along! As I read the last few pages, the term "silver linings" kept coming to mind with the warming ending. I enjoyed it, and will definitely check out other/future works from this author.
November 1, 2016
What the Clocks know is a story of love lost and love found. The story is set between Margot in modern day London and Charlotte in the 19th century. Margot leaves the life she knows in America and ends up crashing at a friend's house in London. Upon arrival things begin to get a bit strange and mentally she begins to decline...but there is a chance there is more than her mental health at risk.
A gentle love story with ghostly happenings; not my usual read as I prefer more gore and scares but I would recommend for fans of Wuthering Heights etc.
A gentle love story with ghostly happenings; not my usual read as I prefer more gore and scares but I would recommend for fans of Wuthering Heights etc.
November 14, 2016
Set over two time periods, the present day and the 19th century, I thought this book might be a little hard to follow, but I have to say that the author switched seamlessly between the two and it flowed really well with everything gradually starting to fit into place and make sense as the story went on.
Beautifully written with great attention to detail, I really enjoyed this somewhat haunting paranormal love story that kept me turning the pages.
My thanks to TBC for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Beautifully written with great attention to detail, I really enjoyed this somewhat haunting paranormal love story that kept me turning the pages.
My thanks to TBC for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
October 16, 2016
I was gifted a copy of this book by THE Book Club (TBC) on Facebook in exchange for an honest review
The characters were all well formed and the book was well written, that said, I found the book difficult to get into and to follow. I just kept putting it down.
The characters were all well formed and the book was well written, that said, I found the book difficult to get into and to follow. I just kept putting it down.
November 1, 2016
the idea was very interesting where it switches between the current and past and it is very well written but at times I struggled with it and it didn't really hold my attention all the way through but it was worth reading to the end and I enjoyed the characters and the mystery of it all.
March 20, 2016
You can read my full review here.
April 7, 2016
** I received a copy of this book from Netgally and Crooked Cat Publishing in exchange for an honest review**
Warnings about this book: Alcoholism, non-explicit sexual content, men in relationships flirting with single women, single women flirting with men in relationships, stalker jokes, xenophobic stereotypes, Romani stereotypes, fatphobia, the g-slur (used in place of Romani), the main character pees on the floor at a point
Overall Feelings: I thought I could push past this book, but I honestly can't manage it. I DNF'ed it at 50%. It had everything I wanted, hypothetically- a time travel/time parallel plot, multiple main female characters, set in Britain... Anything a girl could want, really. The thing is, as far as content goes, this book falls tragically short. Long, droning sentences that don't carry much meaning and important events happening off stage instead of in the focus, I couldn't force myself to finish it. With characters that seem like hollow versions of real people and stereotypes based off of nationality and age (and a striking lack of people of color, outside of one racist depiction of a Romani woman), this book seemed nearly hostile as far as reading it went.
Full Review: Right off the bat, I knew something was going sour in this book. My very first status update was about how dry and boring the 19th century entries were. I don't use the phrase 'purple prose' often, but that's all I can use to describe this writing style. As an hobby-writer, I honestly can't imagine forcing my readers to read meaningless paragraphs about the main characters hygiene for damn near thirty percent of the book. One of the biggest issues with this book is that all of the action takes place off-screen, or even before the book starts. We're dropped in the middle of Margot's apparently volatile breakup with her boyfriend- for it to later be revealed (through multiple, poorly handled flashbacks that seems more like hallucinations) that the breakup really wasn't that bad. Her and her friends Derek and... honestly, I can't remember the girl friend's name (I literally forgot both of their names constantly, because of their little relevance to the plot) had such an unbelievable friendship that I couldn't even believe that they were friends. Like, ever. You ever read a book where the characters only seem to like each other because the author wrote it that way, even though they fight all the time and have no similar interests? Yeah, this book is exactly like that.
At a point, I literally wondered if I had been dropped into a sequel- this doesn't feel like a complete book. I'm missing context for half of the actions Margot takes- her sudden inclination towards alcoholism being one of them, out of seemingly nothing.
Also, can I just say how tired I am of the 'lazy millennial' stereotype? When the narrative is shaming its own main character because of her age, you know the author's bias is included, and that you're practically reading the author speaking, not the character. "Margot was a product of her generation, fair to say. One that didn't have to follow traditional gender roles or win any little league games to still get a trophy." This was the first time I wanted to drop the book. It would not be the last.
There's a lot of weird xenophobia in this book, as well as this highly praised idea of what British people really are. To begin with, every British person is super polite and accommodating in this book. Which is something that immediately turns me off because Brits are really not known for their sparkling manners- they're distant and polite, not homely and close. (As an aside, her interactions with Rand were so strange to me- the way he worked around her every need was definitely uncomfortable, and the implication that they'd known each other only briefly a long time ago was even stranger.) Onto the French in this book, ya rab. Firstly, Chloe is seen as, like, this epitome of the gentle, ballerina-esque French woman, who is occasionally distant, sure, but mostly because she doesn't understand American customs (insert that weird 'mwaha' the author used to symbolize laughing). Despite the fact that she's studying, in English, in England, she can't grasp basic English sentence structure, leading to train wrecks like "Please do not feel under obligation". On top of that, as someone who speaks French, a lot of the French came off as weird and counter-intuitive ("C'est bien bon", anyone?). She would say something in French that's easily understood in English ('pas du tout', for example, is easily understood in the context) and then immediately translate. Also, she said 'mon Dieu' once in a weird way, but I only marked that saying 'zut' would've made, well, a lot more sense. Xenophobia in regards to Americans, calling them fat, saying they "eat six meals" and are Really Fat.
Did no one inform the author that the French eat a six course lunch? Seems like a failure in research.
Something else that made me uncomfortable is the sexual framing of Rand and Margot's relationship, even though he's in a relationship with Gwen (who Margot has never met). Like, she's always checking him out, he jokes around and grinds on her at a point, and they openly flirt with on another. At a point, Chloe even says that married men aren't really off the menu, which had me make gagging sounds. It definitely sounds like the set up of a bad erotica, which had me even more wary. Nothing comes about, but Margot is continuously spiteful towards Gwen (who isn't even there) because she's in a relationship with Rand. Talk about entitlement.
Margot was by no means likeable, either. On top of the fact that her narrative was about as colorful as the desert, she does things like . In fact, she comes off as a less-likeable Bella Swan. Which says something about her fascination and romanticization of the classics, her ability to ignore reality in favor of what she wants to do, and her constant seeking out of the paranormal. Honestly, after every time something even slightly weird happens she cries 'ghost!'. Another thing she does that I find annoying? The whole white person 'my eyes change color depending on lighting and my mood' thing. That was another time I nearly dropped this book. It was such a juvenile thing to read that I was baffled by the fact that this is sorted under Adult fiction.
More stuff that just bothered me:
* Gwen being a topic of conversation, but not a real person
* The main character and Rand cleaning it up. There are Limits and the author crossed em.
* "A knot had loosened in her breast, though."
* "The one who spilled it was Margot, right onto the carpeting between her bare feet.
Margot didn't poke fun at Gwen. Partly because 'taking the piss', as the Brits said, would have been outrageously hypocritical on both literal and figurative levels at the moment.""
July 17, 2017
I won this book in a drawing, which probably predisposed me to like it even though I was unfamiliar with the author and didn't know what to expect. This is a book that resists categorization; for me, this works in its favor. Romance is handled realistically and doesn't take over the story. Physical or psychological explanations could explain all the supernatural aspects of the plot. Above all, the writing is excellent, creating a moody, haunted atmosphere without laying it on too thick.
Main character Margot is a young woman who wants to reset her life: she has dumped her long-distance boyfriend, quit her job, and moved back in with her parents in preparation for a summer business course in London. Two old friends helping her create storage space join Margot in an ironic session with an old Ouija board. The spooky message they receive sets the tone for Margot's summer away. She doesn't feel herself and has several unsettling experiences and dreams. Is it mental illness? Ocular migraines? Ghosts? Past lives? Some kind of time travel? Her search for answers is complicated when she develops feelings for both the friend she's staying with and an alluring classmate. Small details—a brooch, a watch, turns of phrase—reinforce the sense that something strange is going on, without giving the characters all the answers.
The reader gradually receives information the characters don't have access to: diary entries by a Victorian woman, detailing her sorrow over several miscarriages, the failure of her marriage, her intense relationship with her lady's maid. These fragments relate to Margot's search in surprising ways, sometimes appearing to break into her life. Or is Margot breaking into the past? The ending brings satisfying resolution where nothing feels unearned.
Main character Margot is a young woman who wants to reset her life: she has dumped her long-distance boyfriend, quit her job, and moved back in with her parents in preparation for a summer business course in London. Two old friends helping her create storage space join Margot in an ironic session with an old Ouija board. The spooky message they receive sets the tone for Margot's summer away. She doesn't feel herself and has several unsettling experiences and dreams. Is it mental illness? Ocular migraines? Ghosts? Past lives? Some kind of time travel? Her search for answers is complicated when she develops feelings for both the friend she's staying with and an alluring classmate. Small details—a brooch, a watch, turns of phrase—reinforce the sense that something strange is going on, without giving the characters all the answers.
The reader gradually receives information the characters don't have access to: diary entries by a Victorian woman, detailing her sorrow over several miscarriages, the failure of her marriage, her intense relationship with her lady's maid. These fragments relate to Margot's search in surprising ways, sometimes appearing to break into her life. Or is Margot breaking into the past? The ending brings satisfying resolution where nothing feels unearned.
May 29, 2017
This was a decent read. The author has created enjoyable characters with depth. The book starts out a little slow, but the book is full of twists and mysteries that keep the reader engaged. The plot line of having people from different centuries interconnected was creative and the author did a good job of slowly unraveling the mystery.
Unfortunately, this book was not really for me. While I think the book is well written and there are books with paranormal themes that I have enjoyed, this one was just a little too strange for me. If you like books with paranormal elements, I would encourage you to try this book because I think many people will find it a good story.
I received a copy of the ebook from Reading Alley in exchange for a review.
Unfortunately, this book was not really for me. While I think the book is well written and there are books with paranormal themes that I have enjoyed, this one was just a little too strange for me. If you like books with paranormal elements, I would encourage you to try this book because I think many people will find it a good story.
I received a copy of the ebook from Reading Alley in exchange for a review.
June 24, 2017
I enjoyed this unique novel- a pairing of history, realistic fiction, and a ghost story. I can honestly say that I have never read anything quite like it before. Overall, I liked this book- the story development was unique, characters were well written, and there was a good amount of suspense & romance. I also liked the inclusion of other literary works throughout the book as well. I struggled a bit early to get into the novel, but once I got past page 100 or so it was hard for me to put down (I read the last 100 pages all in one day). I hope to read other novels by this author in the future, it was a strong 2nd piece.
September 1, 2017
Uncaged Review: Set in present time and crossing over to19th century Victorian time, we meet Margot who is fleeing from America to London after a split with her boyfriend James. Staying at her friend Rand’s London Victorian resident she begins to encounter strange ghostly visions.
This is a story filled with love, betrayal and the dabbling of spirit boards.
This is my first read by Rumer Haven and I found myself caught up with Margot’s story and 19th century Victorian London. Reviewed by Jennifer
This is a story filled with love, betrayal and the dabbling of spirit boards.
This is my first read by Rumer Haven and I found myself caught up with Margot’s story and 19th century Victorian London. Reviewed by Jennifer
December 4, 2018
The nuanced lesbian interest did not appeal at all.
March 16, 2016
Margot is changing her life: she's dumped her boyfriend, quit her job, and has moved to London in search of herself, unsure of what her next move should be.
This question is answered for her as the old house settles in around her (or, does she settle into it?) and brings with it strange dreams, other lives, and a ghostly possibility.
It's not unusual to find a ghost story couched in the broader tale of a lifestyle change; but what brings What the Clocks Know to real spooky life is its ability to timeslip the protagonist between Victorian and modern London to enter different worlds that each serve as a microcosm of love, hate, and everything in between.
The scene opens with a poignant depiction of this state of mind. The protagonist is in mourning for a lover; a solitary affair in which she wishes herself dead, as well. There is a price to be paid for having been 'born old', and that price is death. How Margot comes to be in this state and where she stands in the worlds she traverses is the subject of a haunting saga that immediately opens with the timeslip potentials in life provided in the enchanting young adult novel Charlotte Sometimes.
From these clues one quickly determines that Margot is not uninformed on these matters, and that her life is actually a set up for the final act in which a journey out of her world will become longer and go farther than she could have imagined.
Diary entries and death sentences, crazy dreams and unreal entities, wicked arguments, parallel lives, and friendships holding promises of renewal, and spirited women tamed and lost … all these elements combine in a powerful novel packed with eye-opening imagery and tales of spirits dead, alive, and evolving.
What does it take to find a soul mate in another world, or to live a full life in two dimensions? What happens when two bodies sharing one soul unite? Margot may be running away from something, but she finds she's actually running into another conundrum as well: one from which she may never escape.
The entire production is a gripping read, highly recommended for ghost story enthusiasts, timeslip novel readers, and anyone who likes romance and powerful protagonists facing unexpected circumstances.
This question is answered for her as the old house settles in around her (or, does she settle into it?) and brings with it strange dreams, other lives, and a ghostly possibility.
It's not unusual to find a ghost story couched in the broader tale of a lifestyle change; but what brings What the Clocks Know to real spooky life is its ability to timeslip the protagonist between Victorian and modern London to enter different worlds that each serve as a microcosm of love, hate, and everything in between.
The scene opens with a poignant depiction of this state of mind. The protagonist is in mourning for a lover; a solitary affair in which she wishes herself dead, as well. There is a price to be paid for having been 'born old', and that price is death. How Margot comes to be in this state and where she stands in the worlds she traverses is the subject of a haunting saga that immediately opens with the timeslip potentials in life provided in the enchanting young adult novel Charlotte Sometimes.
From these clues one quickly determines that Margot is not uninformed on these matters, and that her life is actually a set up for the final act in which a journey out of her world will become longer and go farther than she could have imagined.
Diary entries and death sentences, crazy dreams and unreal entities, wicked arguments, parallel lives, and friendships holding promises of renewal, and spirited women tamed and lost … all these elements combine in a powerful novel packed with eye-opening imagery and tales of spirits dead, alive, and evolving.
What does it take to find a soul mate in another world, or to live a full life in two dimensions? What happens when two bodies sharing one soul unite? Margot may be running away from something, but she finds she's actually running into another conundrum as well: one from which she may never escape.
The entire production is a gripping read, highly recommended for ghost story enthusiasts, timeslip novel readers, and anyone who likes romance and powerful protagonists facing unexpected circumstances.
June 13, 2016
Mysterious Orbs! Strange shadows! Gruesome dreams! Ghastly ghosts! Margot experiences all these and more on her journey. She takes a hiatus from Chicago, and her ex-boyfriend. The plan is to spend summertime in London with her friend Rand, at his Victorian flat. While in London, Margot becomes unbalanced. The vivid crazy dreams she begins having become debilitating. Then shadows, stalkers, and orbs become part of her daily scenario. Was something or someone attached to Margot, and making her act that way? Rand becomes very concerned for his friend. He notices changes, like Margot talking to herself. She begins binge drinking, and staying indoors like a recluse. Eventually, even Margot begins worrying about herself. She becomes obsessed with the local cemetery, and someone named Charlotte. Somehow she believes her past is connected to her future. The story flips from present, to Victorian era and back again several times. Margot is fascinated with history, writings, and diseases of the Victorian era. Yet, our writings and possessions will outlive us one day also. Our future generations will gawk at old skinny jeans and cell phones amid glass museum cases. So, the author looses us a bit when constantly making reference to one or the other generation and things relevant to the time period. In the end, my opinion is the moral of the story is the many sorrows of love. The challenges a family faces. The failure of medical procedures, no matter which era performed. Over all, the book enticed my passion for the spirit world, haunted houses, and life after death. I give the book three out of five stars. I received this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Kris.
March 30, 2016
Haunting and a bit dark
After the recent emotional break up with her boyfriend, Margot needs a break. She decides to trade in her familiar life in Chicago for a summer in unfamiliar London. Margot hopes that her time away from home will help her clear her mind and get her life back in order. What she never expected was to feel more confused and lost than ever before. As soon as she arrives at Rand’s place, her colleague’s apartment in an old Victorian building, her life slowly starts to spin out of control. She sees and feels things she can’t explain then at some point an unknown force compels her to visit the grave of a woman named Charlotte at a local cemetery.
Margot begins to think that she may be possessed and that her feelings of despair and depression are not her own but somehow connected to Charlotte. In order to save herself she must discover what happened to Charlotte in the past.
This is a haunting story and a little bit dark. The characters were well described so that you can feel their confusion and despair. The writing is good but I found the story difficult to follow. At times it was hard to understand what was happening as the story kept switching between timelines and characters. This made it confusing. I understand this may have been the author’s intention but ultimately it was distracting, making it hard to really get involved in the book.
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book “Seven for a Secret” which has a bit of a paranormal element and is a lighter story overall. This book, however, is a lot darker and focuses mainly on the paranormal. Therefore fans of paranormal or haunted ghost stories may enjoy it.
Review copy provided through Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
After the recent emotional break up with her boyfriend, Margot needs a break. She decides to trade in her familiar life in Chicago for a summer in unfamiliar London. Margot hopes that her time away from home will help her clear her mind and get her life back in order. What she never expected was to feel more confused and lost than ever before. As soon as she arrives at Rand’s place, her colleague’s apartment in an old Victorian building, her life slowly starts to spin out of control. She sees and feels things she can’t explain then at some point an unknown force compels her to visit the grave of a woman named Charlotte at a local cemetery.
Margot begins to think that she may be possessed and that her feelings of despair and depression are not her own but somehow connected to Charlotte. In order to save herself she must discover what happened to Charlotte in the past.
This is a haunting story and a little bit dark. The characters were well described so that you can feel their confusion and despair. The writing is good but I found the story difficult to follow. At times it was hard to understand what was happening as the story kept switching between timelines and characters. This made it confusing. I understand this may have been the author’s intention but ultimately it was distracting, making it hard to really get involved in the book.
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book “Seven for a Secret” which has a bit of a paranormal element and is a lighter story overall. This book, however, is a lot darker and focuses mainly on the paranormal. Therefore fans of paranormal or haunted ghost stories may enjoy it.
Review copy provided through Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2016
Twenty-something Margot leaves Chicago, family and friends for London to join a summer course and moves in with her friend Rand, once her mentor in Chicago. Just before she heads to Jolly Old Britain she and her friends find her long forgotten Ouija board. At that evening they are not aware of opening doors to a world they can’t fathom. Arriving in London, for Margot things change. She gets lost. Struggling with her emotions, she starts to dream. Weird dreams in which she seems to live another person’s live in the 19th Century of London. But whose live? Soon she befriended Chloé. Is she the one who could help Margot to solve her mysterious dreams? Or is it Dr. Fitzgerald, the therapist Margot goes to once a week? And who is Charlotte?
Paranormal phenomenoms lead the story of What the Clocks Know and Wordsworth’s poems interweave both worlds on a melancholy kind of way. Rumer Haven shows us a vulnerable Margot trying to find herself. She makes us wonder, if paranormal phenomenoms exist or are just an illusion. One thing is for sure: They feel real while you’re reading What the Clocks Know. And tic tic tic … time goes by so fast when you dive into the story of Margot and Charlotte.
Paranormal phenomenoms lead the story of What the Clocks Know and Wordsworth’s poems interweave both worlds on a melancholy kind of way. Rumer Haven shows us a vulnerable Margot trying to find herself. She makes us wonder, if paranormal phenomenoms exist or are just an illusion. One thing is for sure: They feel real while you’re reading What the Clocks Know. And tic tic tic … time goes by so fast when you dive into the story of Margot and Charlotte.
March 27, 2016
After splitting up with her boyfriend, Margot decides to start over. She leaves the USA to attend university in London. Moving in with a friend seems to be a good solution. But soon she feels lost in this new and vibrating town. Instead of going to school, she remains more and more at home and gets more isolated from day to day. When she starts feeling the presence of a ghost and strange things happen to her, she slowly starts to question her own sanity – and her friends become aware of her development, too. Is she really haunted by a ghost from the past or is there a much simpler explanation to the incidences?
Rumer Haven’s novel is a wonderful combination of a sentimental love story and a classic ghost haunt. It was just perfect to indulge in the plot on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The protagonist’s gloomy mood in the beginning was easily tangible; then, turning more and more depressed and starting to feel awkward and haunted were convincingly presented and easy to follow. You can feel Margot’s uneasiness in every page and effortlessly sympathize end empathize with her. This is what I appreciated most in the novel, simply finding a way in and suffering with the young woman. All in all, there was a spooky suspense which slowly developed and a convincing solution in the end.
Rumer Haven’s novel is a wonderful combination of a sentimental love story and a classic ghost haunt. It was just perfect to indulge in the plot on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The protagonist’s gloomy mood in the beginning was easily tangible; then, turning more and more depressed and starting to feel awkward and haunted were convincingly presented and easy to follow. You can feel Margot’s uneasiness in every page and effortlessly sympathize end empathize with her. This is what I appreciated most in the novel, simply finding a way in and suffering with the young woman. All in all, there was a spooky suspense which slowly developed and a convincing solution in the end.
April 26, 2016
After reading Seven for a Secret by Rumer Haven, I couldn’t wait read her next work. When I saw this one available for review at Reading Alley, I immediately requested it. What the Clock Knows begin a bit slowly, but speeds up quickly and holds a steady pace until the ending. Two from told different timelines, the 21st Century and alternating in 19th Century London could be confusing and disorienting if told by another author. Haven makes the transition smoothly. Being a long-time Anglophile and frequent visitor to London, I appreciated the detail she put into her work. Not too much, though. Just enough to let you know where the reader was. The characters and setting were realistic and three dimensional. I enjoyed What the Clock Knows. Author Rumer Haven has a gift for storytelling and this book confirms it.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Reading Alley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Reading Alley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 7, 2016
The cover and title do an excellent job of conveying the emotion and mystery of this novel. As thought provoking as it is entertaining.
This starts out as the realistic tale of a woman at a crossroads - and wonderfully depicts the confusion, insecurity & doubt that goes along with it. Bit by bit we see that there's more going on here than your typical life transition. The author creates some truly eerie scenes that'll have you supernatural senses pricking.
I'm amazed at the richness of the Victoria era story. We only get to see it in pieces, but it comes together so vividly. I'd love to see that story written out at full length. In both time periods, the story does an excellent job of relating the intrinsic draw between certain characters - even if we don't understand it at first, it all comes together in the end.
This starts out as the realistic tale of a woman at a crossroads - and wonderfully depicts the confusion, insecurity & doubt that goes along with it. Bit by bit we see that there's more going on here than your typical life transition. The author creates some truly eerie scenes that'll have you supernatural senses pricking.
I'm amazed at the richness of the Victoria era story. We only get to see it in pieces, but it comes together so vividly. I'd love to see that story written out at full length. In both time periods, the story does an excellent job of relating the intrinsic draw between certain characters - even if we don't understand it at first, it all comes together in the end.
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