Seventy-Seven Clocks

By Christopher Fowler

Book Overview

'The newspapers referred to it as the case of the seventy-seven clocks. There was quite a fuss at the time. We got into terrible trouble. Dear fellow, it was one of our most truly peculiar cases. I remember as if it was yesterday.' In fact, Arthur Bryant remembers very little about yesterday, but he does remember the oddest investigation of his career...
It was late in 1973. As strikes and blackouts ravaged the country during Edward Heath's 'Winter of Discontent', sundry members of a wealthy, aristocratic family were being disposed of in a variety of grotesque ways - by reptile, by bomb, by haircut. As the hours of daylight diminish towards Christmas, Bryant & May, the irascible detectives of London's controversial Peculiar Crimes Unit, know that time is the key - and time is running out for both the family and the police. Their investigations lead them into a hidden world of class conflict, craftsmanship and the secret loyalties of big business. But what have seventy seven ticking clocks to do with it?
Now the full story can at last be revealed, in this most eerie of adventures that features Arthur Bryant at his rudest, John May at his most exasperated and a gallery of colourful, bizarre characters who could only make their home in a city like London...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553817191
• ISBN13: 9780553817195
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 476 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.0" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Seventy-Seven Clocks

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and it kept my interest through the whole book. As soon as I finished it I ordered the next one. A really good read

If you're new to the Bryant & May mysteries, don't start with this one...

I love these old school detectives- no fingerprints, no fiber evidence here, just two cops bouncing ideas off of each other as they interview witnesses and suspects. Each book is set in London, and the city's rich history and geography play a part in each book. However, this book is not the strongest in the series. There are a couple of coincidences that don't work for me, and the plot is just so complicated that it strains belief. Read them in order, starting with Full Dark House. By the time you get to Seventy Seven Clocks, you'll forgive the author of any mistakes he has made.

Near Top of the Line, with VerySlight Flaws!!

Yes, this is mostly a wonderful, realistic mystery where members of a family and 1800's guild end up dead for no apparent reason in 1973 England. Some fine characterisations, scenery, and 1970's culture, and classy writing throughout! Not to mention the intriguing interaction between the 2 eccentirc detectives in a new Crimes Unit. There is the by-now customary lack of fear among those linked with the victims,which seems very unrealistic, plus family squabbling that gets to be irritating. My main complaint is the solution,though interesting, seems somewhat over-inventive. Nonetheless, a very pleasant,interesting , and unique whodunnit that aproaches five-stars, but does not quite succeed

Seventy Seven Clocks

The book itself was in like new condition, clean and apparently unread. The story was excellent, taking one back to London right after World War II. The characters were well drawn and interesting, primarily Bryant and May, but also some of their fellow investigators. A five star mystery, most enjoyable.

Another excellent outing...

As with Fowler's earlier Bryant & May novels, SEVENTY-SEVEN CLOCKS manages to perfectly balance complexity and suspense. The result is an enjoyable thriller that is both dark and charming. It's an unusual combination and one I find hard to resist. I discovered Fowler through his work in the horror genre - which I recommend heartily - and only found out about this series later. I was skeptical at first, but willing to give them a try because of Fowler's amazing ability to capture the feel of an environment with a minimum of words. At the very least I thought I might learn something I could apply to my own attempts at fiction. All pretence to analysis went out the window after the first few pages. A gripping mystery, well drawn characters, and an impressive sense of environment. Fowler just sucks you into the story and keeps it all moving until the very end. As with FULL DARK HOUSE and THE WATER ROOM, SEVENTY SEVEN CLOCKS relies a great deal on the history of London. That history is an important part of the investigation as Bryant & May look into a series of deaths in an odd family. Fowler expertly weaves a lot of background detail into the narrative as his elderly heroes dig ever deeper into the family's past. And the heroes themselves are delightful to follow. No pretense of hard-boiled toughness or superhuman intellect. Just two elderly men doing what they do in their own unique way. They're old. They're grouchy. And ultimately, more interesting. I've gotten tired of psychologically damaged detectives hunting down pyschologically damaged serial killers. What Fowler has to offer us is much more subtle, complex, and entertaining. I highly recommend the Bryant & May books for anyone interested in well crafted mysteries with a lot of character. SEVENTY SEVEN CLOCKS lived up to the promise of the others in the series and I can't wait for the next one.