Clock and Dagger (Clock Shop Mystery #2) by Julianne Holmes

I always feel a special connection with a series that I read from the first release. It's exciting to wait for the next part. I was thrilled to see Clock and Dagger (Clock Shop Mystery #2) by Julianne Holmes available. I found the first part unique and refreshing. I hope you grabbed it when I recommend it, because part two is wonderful.

From the back of the book:

Expert clockmaker Ruth Clagan has another murder on her hands in the second Clock Shop Mystery from the author of Just Killing Time.

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:

Real characters is something you will always see me talking about. It is special when a character comes to life for you. Little things make that happen. Little things like personality quirks, like a clock expert who is always late. I simply loved everyone in this series, secondary characters as well. I could feel the strangeness of caring for the woman who married your grandfather, even though the memory of your grandmother was so precious.

Wrapped in the mystery were subplots that allowed for some great character development of the step-grandmother. The mystery had a few layers, death, and shady business in general, that made it fun to think about as I tried to peel it all back and put it together. I didn't figure it out, but I was really close. I absolutely crave the next part, you'll want to grab both parts and dive into this beautiful cozy with its original setting and wonderful characters.

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Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.