Review : The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson
The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson
Pages : 304
Genre : Mystery, Noir
Stand alone
My Rating : 4/5
About the Book :
George Foss never thought he’d see her again, but on a late-August night in Boston, there she is, in his local bar, Jack’s Tavern.
When George first met her, she was an eighteen-year-old college freshman from Sweetgum, Florida. She and George became inseparable in their first fall semester, so George was devastated when he got the news that she had committed suicide over Christmas break. But, as he stood in the living room of the girl’s grieving parents, he realized the girl in the photo on their mantelpiece – the one who had committed suicide – was not his girlfriend. Later, he discovered the true identity of the girl he had loved – and of the things she may have done to escape her past.
Now, twenty years later, she’s back, and she’s telling George that he’s the only one who can help her…
My Thoughts :
It’s a good day when you get to review a book you enjoyed reading – especially after such a long reading slump! Over the past few weeks, I have mentioned a few times here how I had a hard time keeping my mind on my reading, yet when I started The Girl with a Clock for a Heart, I was immediately pulled in by the mystery. I picked the book before going to bed, thinking I would read the first chapter, and before I knew it I was halfway through.
The book was presented to me as a noir mystery and it’s exactly what it read like. The ambiance was heavy and ominous, filled with secrets and uncertainties and a slight sensuality. Liana definitely had something of the femme fatale and the story had a slow yet not uneventful pace.
I truly enjoyed discovering who she was and what her motivations were, but I think what I enjoyed the most was reading how obsessed George was with her. Well, it wasn’t an obsession exactly, but there was definitely something there, something more than “first love memory”. In parts due to her changing nature, I’m sure. Though the story is told in third person narrative, we are privy to a lot of George’s thoughts and calculations, so there was a very intimate feel to the story.
To me the weakest point was the ending. First because it left me a bit unsatisfied, I guess; I felt like the story wasn’t coming full circle, and I wondered what had been the author’s intention. I also felt like the pace was a bit strange then, and that the last few scenes could have been more concise.
This being said, I had very few complaints with the book and really enjoyed my reading. An intriguing story of deceits and lust, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart offered a great change from the thrillers I mostly read. I am already looking forward to Peter Swanson’s next novel (hopefully in a similar style?)
Thanks to the author and TLC Book Tours for inviting me to this book tour and providing a copy of the book; learn more about the book by visiting the author’s website!
Because of the title, I thought this was fantasy of some sort. It actually sounds like a book I’d enjoy.
I agree the title may suggest something fantasy, especially with steampunk being so in right now! But I think you might indeed find this book interesting.
Like Kathy, I also thought this was something different than it actually is based on the title. I will have to add it to my wish list. I am glad it got you out of your slump!
Yes, the title is a little “steampunkish” but in fact it really suits the novel. I’ll be curious to hear what you think of it!
I’m just starting this now. So far I’m enjoying it, but I’m wondering what my reaction to the end will be.
Yay for finding the right book to bring you out of your reading slump! I love it when that happens. 🙂
Thanks for being a part of the tour.