The House of One Hundred Clocks

We had AM Howell coming to our small school so read this off the TBR pile! (she was going to talk about her Mysteries at Sea series which I've already read).
Helena's father has a new job as a conservator of clocks in Cambridge so they are moving from London, with her parrot Orbit. The house they move to has 100 clocks and her father is not allowed to allow them to stop - his contract says they will take all their belongings including Orbit if they do.
Mr Westcott is very strange and he doesn't seem to like parrots. There is also a child - who dresses like a boy during the day and a girl when her aunt and father are around. She tells Helena her name is boy. When Helena finds a warning in a pocket watch she goes to investigate.
Why did the clocks stop for the previous conservator and will they do it again?
Inspired by Moyses Hall Clock Museum in Bury St Edmunds where AM Howell is lucky enough to live (it's my home town too!)

A story for those who enjoy a bit of a mystery. Helena moves to Cambridge with her father who is a clockmaker. The house has clocks lots of them and the house owner insists they never stop ticking. Helena sets about solving the mystery of who the mystery child is and why the clocks must keep ticking. I enjoyed the friendship that Helena made with Boy and how she deals with losing her mum.

Set in 1905 Cambridge the story follows 2 grieving families both of whom have lost a wife and mother; one father is lost in his own, almost crippling superstitions whilst the other in his work, with both daughters left to muddle through as best they can. As the story unfolds so does the mystery of the one hundred clocks. The relationships unfold into a thing of beauty especially between the two girls as their relationship grows and they support one another in their grief.
I loved the story from the very first page, the mystery and tension continue all the way through to the last. I loved the relationship between the main character Helena and her dependence upon what was her mothers, very vocal Blue-fronted Amazon parrot, Orbit. I also enjoyed how the inequality of men and women of the time was portrayed, yet how many others had higher hopes for future generations of women including in areas such as science and engineering.

I found it really hard to engage with this story. I therefore didnt finish it

I loved this book as it was a small mystery that kept you guessing without being too scary.
My favourite character , or pet, was Orbit Helena's cheeky parrot.

I would recommend this book to 8-12 year-olds

I really like this book as it is an adventure book and this girl named Helena makes friends during this journey. It may be boring at first but you just have to keep reading and it gets better.

This book is one of my all time favourites it always made me want to find out what happens next. My favourite character was Orit a blue fronted amazon bird.

I liked the mystery in this book, it kept me guessing all the way through. I loved how girls could dress as boys - you don't have to dress like other people of the same gender. It has inspired me how you should always believe and even if your parents are busy, they will always be there for you if something goes wrong.

Slow to start but a great idea and really picked up. Need to perceiver.

An unusual book with an unusual plot about the necessity of winding clocks correctly.
The heroine is adventurous and curious and the novel unfolds as she finds out more about the family whose house she is a guest in. Some difficult themes are explored in a very original way.
I would definitely recommend this one.

I liked the character Orbit because it was a parrot and I like animal characters.

I liked this book very much because it was magical and made me dream.

I loved the air of mystery created by the author at times it has a slightly sinister or supernatural atmosphere and I really liked that. I enjoy reading books with old houses which have a story to tell so this tale about a house filled with clocks (which must never stop) where there was once laughter and love was definitely up my street. The story has a strong female lead and has themes of friendship, social difference, equal opportunities, loss and love.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I love this book because it is a mysterious book to put lots of your ideas together. I would recommend this book for children who like mysteries and lots of cliffhanger.

Have introduced this as a reader for year 7

This was a book that had me wondering all the way through. I could not understand how the main character, Helena, was going to get out of the situation she was in.
It is a story full of mystery and tension with some very strong characters in it.
My favourite character was Florence as she was so interesting.

Beautiful language and description of Cambridge city at the turn of the century made this book an interesting but not too engaging read. Would recommend to children with an interest in historical fiction.

Helena and her parrot Orbit are forced to move when her farther gets a new job as a clockwinder. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop.

Soon Helena discover more secrets that the house of one hundred clocks holds. And they’re not pretty...

This book is amazing! I would recommend this to 8/9+

Happy reading!

Great historical fiction with plenty of suspense and mystery. I really loved how the plot came together at the end. Also fell in love with Orbit!

I really enjoyed this book

Helena was the best character of the book.
I would recommend it yes.

It was really sad sometimes. In the end lots of people tell the truth about what happened. Florence, otherwise known as Boy, was my favourite character because she was Helenas friend and she just seemed kind and had lots of books. I would recommend this book because takes you on a journey.

A fantastic mystery story set in Edwardian Cambridge, with lots of twists and turns. A great read which I would recommend to 9+ readers.

this book is very good.

I liked the idea of a young female protagonist, and the links to burgeoning industrialisation and scientific discovery. I though that Boy is an interesting narrative hook for young people too. I’d recommend this to readers of fantasy type books who are looking to widen their reading experience.

I really enjoyed this book. I have actively sought out books with clocks or clockwork since reading Cogheart by Peter Bunzl. Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are such well-rounded characters and you just want the, to solve the mystery of the clocks. Great writing about family relationships, morality and lots of little twists and turns.

I found this book thrilling and loved the charactors .It captured my imagination.

It was a very good story - I liked how it was a mystery, and it was happy and sad and had history in it. I loved all the twists and turns throughout the story. I would definitely recommend it!

I think this is a very interesting book because of the peculiar but intriguing storyline

Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are move in with one of the wealthiest people in England when her dad gets the job as his official clock winder. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop and there are huge numbers of them - the house is full of clocks!
But after some investigating, Helena discovers the house of one hundred clocks holds many mysteries... Can she work out its secrets before she runs out of time?

My favourite character is orbit the parrot because he is ; funny, lively and full of kindness.

Amazing read full of mystery, intrige, and secrets. The house of 100 clocks is amazing and every good book collector needs to have this title!