Book Review of The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

Title: The Thirteenth Chime

Author: Emma Michaels

Release Date: August 13, 2010

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.  In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.  The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man’s mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.  With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Hatred never dies.

Summary from Goodreads.com

My Review: I found this book when I was online one day and saw the trailer on someone’s blog.  The trailer is awesome and I was immediately intrigued and started searching online to try and pre-order this book.  Sadly, it was not available for pre-order so I had to wait it out, but its ok because I have my copy now!  The cover looks even better in person by the way, the eye is even darker and inside the pupil are the numbers for a clock face.  The only thing I found strange is the roman numeral for “4″ used on the clock face.  It thought it was supposed to be “IV” but on my cover it is “IIII”, anyone know why?  Just curious I guess, maybe I am just missing something.  Either way the cover is really cool, even the pages on the inside are faded a little so they are more yellowish instead of white which I thinks fits in really well with the tone of the book.  Alright enough about the appearance, onto the review.

The book centers mainly around Destiny and David so you get to see both of their point of views which I love.  I think multiple points of view always add depth to the story since you get multiple angels.  Anyway, Destiny and David dated for 4 years, but an accident shook both of them up and when David asked Destiny to marry him she said no.  A week later, she met Scott who asked her to marry him 6 months in and she said yes.  I don’t know about you, but I still think there are some unresolved issues there that Destiny needs to deal with before she can marry this new guy.  I also happen to really like David and wish that something would spark again between him and Destiny, but we don’t really get to see Scott that much so maybe I am not giving the guy a fair shot.  Not so sure, but I will be interested to see if that comes up later down the line.  On the same note, Stephanie, Destiny’s friend, starts to develop a little crush on David and I for one do not like it.  I guess I am one of those people who thinks you don’t date your friends ex’s no matter what, but that is just me.  I think this also might come up later down the line but we will have to wait and see.

The mystery in this story revolves around a grandfather clock that is in an old Victorian style house.  This cryptic clock only works some of the time and has a tendency to chime thirteen times when there is about to be trouble.  On a side note, I have a grandfather clock in my house and I find myself listening very carefully when it goes off now because I am worried I am going to hear that thirteenth chime.  I don’t even want to look up at that clock, I am actually thinking about silencing it   I know it is just a story, but I really got into this one, so it is kinda staying with me.  I think that is a sign of good writing though, Emma has me all freaked out about the object that causes so much mayhem in her book.

I would classify this book as a mystery, but there are definitely some paranormal elements in there.  There are no vamps or fey or anything like that running around, but that does not mean it is not obscure and that is what I like about it.  I also like that there is no fluff!  Thank you Emma for writing a great story and not putting in any of the nonsense.  The book is 240 pages, but you are always moving forward and getting new pieces to the puzzle which kept me very interested.  The Thirteenth Chime is a mystifying read that will captivate you so quickly you won’t even realize it has happened.  If you have not read it put it in your “to be read” pile!  I know I loved this book and as my final remarks I am going to leave you with the trailer, because it is awesome!  If it does not persuade you to pick up the book I am not sure what will, so watch and the go read!