The Thirteenth Chime

In the seaside village of Brackenby, time keeps more than hours. When clockmaker Eloise Hart receives a mysterious gold pocket watch for repair, she expects a stubborn mechanism and little else. Instead, the watch begins chiming melodies tied to old village tragedies—warnings no one else seems willing to hear. Then, on the eve of Founders Day, a respected church historian dies in what appears to be a terrible accident. But Eloise knows better. As whispers spread through Brackenby's cobbled lanes, harbour cottages, and ancient church halls, Eloise and sharp-eyed constable June Mercer begin to uncover a pattern buried beneath decades of silence. Hidden ledgers, long-held grudges, family secrets, and a village talent for polite denial all point to a chilling truth: someone has turned memory into a weapon. With the help of an overworked vicar, a practical baker, and a cast of villagers who know far more than they admit, Eloise must untangle the deadly mechanism before the past claims another victim. Perfect for fans of traditional British mysteries, this atmospheric cozy mystery blends small-town secrets, clever sleuthing, and richly drawn characters with a hauntingly original puzzle at its heart. Because in Brackenby, every bell tolls for a reason.