"The Clock Struck Murder" By Betty Webb: Review/Giveaway

Review by Sarah Erwin

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

The Clock Struck Murder is book two in Betty Webb’s Lost in Paris historical mystery series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I especially enjoy listening to historical mysteries as audiobooks, and the narrator, Hope Newhouse, did a lovely job throughout bringing the setting and each character to life. As the world prepares for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, this novel is set in Paris in the midst of the 1924 Olympics, so the tie-in made this a timely read.

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Image Source Poisoned Pen Press

Expat Zoe Barlow has settled well into her artist's life in Paris, despite her banishment from her family back in Alabama. Zoe is headed to the Montparnasse flea market to find a replacement for her favorite but broken clock. She bargains with a favorite vendor, Laurette, and walks away with a lovely new-to-her clock. Zoe is stunned, though, when she discovers that a lost Marc Chagall painting has been used to wrap her purchases.

Zoe returns the painting to Chagall and also sets off to track Laurette down at her storage shed to see if there are more lost paintings. Zoe does not see anyone around the shed so takes the opportunity to snoop and not only finds several additional Chagalls, but she also finds Laurette murdered.

Zoe returns the paintings and even though her lover (Henri, a married police officer) asks her not to get involved, she begins her own investigation. What she discovers is that not everyone found Laurette as lovely as Zoe did. The suspect list is long, and while the clues mount, the puzzle does not shrink! To make things even more complicated, Zoe discovers a second murder victim and the stakes grow.

Zoe is an enjoyable sleuth to follow – especially in 1924 Paris. She’s determined and despite rough times in her past, she is not held back. I rooted for her the entire time, even when I might not like some of her personal decisions. I also enjoyed references to famous artists and authors of the time – Picasso and Hemingway, for example.

In addition to investigating the murders, Zoe also reads to Henri’s wife, who is disabled from a stroke. While his wife cannot speak, parts of the novel are told from her perspective and include her having conversations with a small spider – those scenes added a touch of magical realism and tension to the book.

While Zoe is successful in her investigation, there’s a cliffhanger ending that had me wanting book three in my ears (or on my ereader) immediately! Fans of historical mysteries should enjoy this series, especially if they have enjoyed the“Jane Wunderly series by Erica Ruth Neubauer.

To enter to win a copy of The Clock Struck Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "clock,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 20, 2024. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.