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Anna Mazzola
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The Clockwork Girl: The captivating and hotly-anticipated mystery you won’t want to miss in 2022! Hardcover – March 3, 2022

by Anna Mazzola (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,184 ratings
See all formats and editions

'Evocative, chilling, compelling' TAMMY COHEN
'Breathtakingly good' ABIR MUKHERJEE
'An atmospheric and constantly surprising thriller' THE TIMES
'Kept me guessing until the end. An absolute masterpiece' JENNIFER SAINT
'A deliciously dark historical novel of thrilling originality' ESSIE FOX
'Spellbinding, gripping, immersive and deliciously gothic' ERIN KELLY

Paris, 1750.



In the midst of an icy winter, as birds fall frozen from the sky, chambermaid Madeleine Chastel arrives at the home of the city's celebrated clockmaker and his clever, unworldly daughter.

Madeleine is hiding a dark past, and a dangerous purpose: to discover the truth of the clockmaker's experiments and record his every move, in exchange for her own chance of freedom.

For as children quietly vanish from the Parisian streets, rumours are swirling that the clockmaker's intricate mechanical creations, bejewelled birds and silver spiders, are more than they seem.

And soon Madeleine fears that she has stumbled upon an even greater conspiracy. One which might reach to the very heart of Versailles...

A intoxicating story of obsession, illusion and the price of freedom.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Orion
  4. Publication date
    March 3, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    7.99 x 10 x 1.85 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1398703788
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1398703780
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orion (March 3, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1398703788
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1398703780
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.27 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.99 x 10 x 1.85 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,184 ratings

About the author

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Anna Mazzola

Anna Mazzola

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Anna is the award-winning and bestselling author of four Gothic historical novels. Her debut novel, The Unseeing, won an Edgar Allan Poe award. Her third novel, The Clockwork Girl, set in 18th century Paris, has been nominated for two CWA Dagger awards as well as the Dublin Literary award. Her fourth novel, The House of Whispers, a ghost story set in Fascist Italy, reached number 7 in the Saturday Times Chart and is a Sunday Times historical fiction pick for 2023.

Her novels explore the impact of crime and injustice and her influences include Sarah Waters, Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson.

Anna also writes legal thrillers under the name Anna Sharpe, the first of which will be published in 2024.

When not writing or tutoring, Anna is a human rights and criminal justice solicitor, working with victims of crime. She lives in South London with her husband, their two children, a snake and a cat.

Anna loves to hear from readers, so do say hello on social media or via her website.

http://annamazzola.com

https://twitter.com/Anna_Mazz

https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMazzolaWriter/

https://www.instagram.com/annamazzolawriter/

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,184 global ratings
So entertaining
5 Stars
So entertaining
What a fun read. I appreciate the research that went into this beautifully written book. The errors did not interfere with me enjoying a magnificently crafted world. The characters were well defined and I loved the twisted plot. Anna Mazzola! Great job.
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Top reviews from the United States

Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars So entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
What a fun read. I appreciate the research that went into this beautifully written book. The errors did not interfere with me enjoying a magnificently crafted world. The characters were well defined and I loved the twisted plot. Anna Mazzola! Great job.
Customer image
Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars So entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023
What a fun read. I appreciate the research that went into this beautifully written book. The errors did not interfere with me enjoying a magnificently crafted world. The characters were well defined and I loved the twisted plot. Anna Mazzola! Great job.
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Natacha P
3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable despite the flaws
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2023
"She was tired of being told she was worth less than nothing by men who did nothing themselves."

In my search for other rather rare historical fiction novels with Louis XV, I found Anna Mozzola's 'The Clockwork Girl.' I was instantly intrigued by the plot of a clockmaker's experiments during the historical vanishing of 18th century children in Paris. I ultimately found it a page-turning read, with the endearing maid Madeleine, a grittier Versailles, and a scientifically-bent Louis XV making for a unique Gothic take that fueled suspense until the end.

However, there were also some issues with historical vs modern voice and some unfamiliar British terms that sometimes threw off the reading. But most surprising were the proofreading issues that make me once again congratulate fellow writers who do all the multi-layered painstaking work of creating and self-publishing their works. That it still makes it a worthy read is telling in different ways.
Perhaps it's because I'm drawn to the era and have written on Louis XV, but it was the classic case of 'what in stinky Paris & Versailles is going on?' and 'I must know how this turns out.'
Customer image
Natacha P
3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable despite the flaws
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2023
"She was tired of being told she was worth less than nothing by men who did nothing themselves."

In my search for other rather rare historical fiction novels with Louis XV, I found Anna Mozzola's 'The Clockwork Girl.' I was instantly intrigued by the plot of a clockmaker's experiments during the historical vanishing of 18th century children in Paris. I ultimately found it a page-turning read, with the endearing maid Madeleine, a grittier Versailles, and a scientifically-bent Louis XV making for a unique Gothic take that fueled suspense until the end.

However, there were also some issues with historical vs modern voice and some unfamiliar British terms that sometimes threw off the reading. But most surprising were the proofreading issues that make me once again congratulate fellow writers who do all the multi-layered painstaking work of creating and self-publishing their works. That it still makes it a worthy read is telling in different ways.
Perhaps it's because I'm drawn to the era and have written on Louis XV, but it was the classic case of 'what in stinky Paris & Versailles is going on?' and 'I must know how this turns out.'
Images in this review
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Customer image
Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Mr. C. R. Simmonds
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, refreshing and rewarding!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
A novel, set in Paris of the 1700s, and centred on the craze of mechanical “toys” that replicate humans - like today’s robots. There is a darker side to the story, one of murder, poverty, extreme wealth (King Louis XV) and intrigue. All in all it is an absorbing read with twists and turns, with an ending which is not necessarily what you might expect.
In a single word - refreshing and worth reading!
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JS
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read!
Reviewed in India on October 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
Amazing read. The work might be classified as a piece of historical fiction, but it accurately captures the position of women and children in 18th Century France. Technological progress and scientific advancement pitted against Ethics and Social Values. The plots keep one guessing till the end.
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Mimiorphee
4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful atmosphere, a thrilling read
Reviewed in France on August 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
I picked Anna Mazzola's Clockwork Girl because if it's stunning cover, and the promise of a thrilling documented read. It didn't disappoint.

I found myself immersed into the Paris of the XVIIIth century, in a city of riches and worst poverty, where the split between aristocracy and third state was masterfully handled.

The writing of this atmospheric tale drew me in from the get go. The plot kept me enthralled and on the edge of my seat, the eerie mystery, the worrysome intrigue cleverly laced with historical and geographic references. In a house filled with strange dolls and automatons, it was a delight to follow the heroine's quest for truth.
If you're in the mood for a historical thriller, I highly recommend this one. Have fun!

PS: I noted several French translation mistakes, that could have been easily avoided.
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Schwartz Heike
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in Germany on July 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was a very good story indeed. Thriller, Versailles and Steampunk! Liked it a lot!
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Mazzolla brings a horrible history to life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
Richly set in an historic French court, Anna Mazzola’s enjoyable mystery turns an elegant twist while exploring the dark underbelly of the king’s obsessions, where men think they have more power than the cunning women who really run the show. Lots of lovely detail about how filthy the rich really were in France at this time. Drawing on a few real tales of horror and missing children, the book is as beautifully written as it’s lavish cover.
5 people found this helpful
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