At the Chime of a City Clock
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Amazon.co.uk Review
London’s Bayswater in the summer of 1931 is not the most fashionable of places to live, and the protagonist of DJ Taylor’s strikingly original At the Chime of a City Clock, James Ross, is not comfortable with his lot. He’s a writer, but unfortunately there are no publishers eager to sample his wares. His landlady is breathing down his neck for unpaid rent, and he is forced to try extremely uncongenial occupation to keep body and soul together: pedalling carpet cleaning lotions from door-to-door. His life, however, is about to change -- dramatically -- when he meets the seductive Suzi, and her mysterious boss, Mr Rasmussen.
In the vividness of its seedy setting and the evocation of a particular period in British history, Taylor’s highly entertaining book is more than a little reminiscent of that great chronicler of the less-than-salubrious London of this period, Patrick Hamilton. But as the nicely judged retro cover suggests, At the Chime of a City Clock is about crime and femme fatales. But it’s also about more than that, as readers will discover. The aforementioned Mr Rasmussen may well be a criminal -- and certainly his interest in the disused premises over a jeweller’s shop has sinister implications. When a member of West End Central becomes intrigued by Rasmussen's behaviour, the reluctant James Ross finds himself dragooned into keeping a close watch over Suzi's boss. And things will come to a head -- dramatically -- when James is invited to stay at an upscale country weekend in Sussex, where the revelations will come thick and fast.
DJ Taylor is a distinguished critic and biographer (with both Thackeray and Orwell under his belt), but aficionados of the best fictional writing will be aware of his six novels. This latest one -- which functions as both as an evocation of an earlier period and as a clever modern riff on familiar themes -- is possibly his most accomplished yet. Even if you are not an admirer of Patrick Hamilton, you would do well to pick up this highly intriguing and well-researched mystery. --Barry Forshaw
Review
Steeped in historical detail, the novel evokes the sleazy side of the Thirties so vividly that you can almost feel the grease and grime on your fingers. --Anthony Gardner, Mail on Sunday
A beautifully crafted, brilliantly written and atmospheric slice of pre-war noir --Daily Mirror.
Engaging, cheerful, opportunist James Ross. You won't forget him or the London he frequents for a long time after closing the book. --Susan Hill, Literary Review
A beautifully crafted, brilliantly written and atmospheric slice of pre-war noir --Daily Mirror.
Engaging, cheerful, opportunist James Ross. You won't forget him or the London he frequents for a long time after closing the book. --Susan Hill, Literary Review
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read At the Chime of a City Clock a month ago while recovering from a short illness. My washed-out, listless moods entirely matched the atmosphere of this slow-paced amble through 1930s London, following the adventures of James Ross, a would-be writer and part-time carpet-cleaner salesman.
Young James leads a dreary life, living in "digs", and struggling to pay the rent. He writes poems and short-stories which are occasionally published in minor literary magazines, but the need for cash drives him to find a job with the Abraxas Carpet Cleaning Company. The small retainer and commissions on sales just about keeps him in beer and cigarettes and goes some way towards placating the land-lady's brother who is pressing him to clear his rent arrears.
While demonstrating the cleaner in Kensal Green, he meets the rather lovely Suzie (who looks like "the girl in the toothpaste advert", down to the tight jumper and red hair) who is impressed to meet a writer and agrees to go for a drink with James in a pub which is frequented by literary types.
There is not a lot of point in describing the story, other than to say that James finds that Suzie works as personal assistant to a mysterious Dane, Mr Rasmussen. James discovers that Rasmussen is a rather shady character and eventually a plain-clothes policeman recruits James to find out what he can about him. James discovers that Rasmussen and Suzie have been invited to a country-house weekend and manages to persuade a friend who has also been invited to let him have his invitation, which will of course require James to impersonate his friend.
The scene is set for a classic 1930s set-piece which has been seen on so many theatre sets - an ill-assorted bunch of people mingling in over-decorated rooms where nobody is quite as they seem and various misdeeds are planned and carried out. This is almost a game of Cleudo acted out on the page and needless to say, ends up with the police arriving on the premises.
Some reviewers have criticised this book for its definitely uncomplicated plot - its all a bit predictable. But I think this misses the point. The book seems to me to be an ironic recreation of a 1930s thriller, and the lack of sophistication (which might be found in a modern novel by Ruth Rendell of P D James) is all part of the concept.
I found the slow-pace quite acceptable because there is so much 1930s detail to keep the reader's interest. D J Taylor delights in describing seedy bed-sitting rooms and disreputable pubs where blousy tarts mingle with spivs and wide-boys. The criminals are parodies of themselves, from the cunning mastermind to the plodding henchmen, but this is all deliberate and is what the author intended.
If you can bear not sitting on the edge of your seat, then its a perfect read for a wet Sunday afternoon. Its strength is in D J Taylor's perfect evocation of 1930s London. I'm pleased I read it and would recommend it to anyone who might be able to appreciate its charm despite its lack of thrills.
Young James leads a dreary life, living in "digs", and struggling to pay the rent. He writes poems and short-stories which are occasionally published in minor literary magazines, but the need for cash drives him to find a job with the Abraxas Carpet Cleaning Company. The small retainer and commissions on sales just about keeps him in beer and cigarettes and goes some way towards placating the land-lady's brother who is pressing him to clear his rent arrears.
While demonstrating the cleaner in Kensal Green, he meets the rather lovely Suzie (who looks like "the girl in the toothpaste advert", down to the tight jumper and red hair) who is impressed to meet a writer and agrees to go for a drink with James in a pub which is frequented by literary types.
There is not a lot of point in describing the story, other than to say that James finds that Suzie works as personal assistant to a mysterious Dane, Mr Rasmussen. James discovers that Rasmussen is a rather shady character and eventually a plain-clothes policeman recruits James to find out what he can about him. James discovers that Rasmussen and Suzie have been invited to a country-house weekend and manages to persuade a friend who has also been invited to let him have his invitation, which will of course require James to impersonate his friend.
The scene is set for a classic 1930s set-piece which has been seen on so many theatre sets - an ill-assorted bunch of people mingling in over-decorated rooms where nobody is quite as they seem and various misdeeds are planned and carried out. This is almost a game of Cleudo acted out on the page and needless to say, ends up with the police arriving on the premises.
Some reviewers have criticised this book for its definitely uncomplicated plot - its all a bit predictable. But I think this misses the point. The book seems to me to be an ironic recreation of a 1930s thriller, and the lack of sophistication (which might be found in a modern novel by Ruth Rendell of P D James) is all part of the concept.
I found the slow-pace quite acceptable because there is so much 1930s detail to keep the reader's interest. D J Taylor delights in describing seedy bed-sitting rooms and disreputable pubs where blousy tarts mingle with spivs and wide-boys. The criminals are parodies of themselves, from the cunning mastermind to the plodding henchmen, but this is all deliberate and is what the author intended.
If you can bear not sitting on the edge of your seat, then its a perfect read for a wet Sunday afternoon. Its strength is in D J Taylor's perfect evocation of 1930s London. I'm pleased I read it and would recommend it to anyone who might be able to appreciate its charm despite its lack of thrills.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Now that I've read the book, I'm still not sure what to make of it. I was fully expecting a murder mystery, possibly on the lines of a Chandleresque character with a bit of Christie thrown in for good measure. What we've got is a running commentary on a few people's lives during the latter half of 1931. As with most lives, nobody goes anywhere very much. There are some evocative descriptions of the period, tainted somewhat with some incorrect inclusions but that aside, the anti-hero of the story is a rather aimless lad trying to earn his living selling carpet cleaner. That he somehow falls for the secretary of a man who turns out to be a thief and that she responds to his overtures is rather bemusing. We never find out why she would, although the story seemed to suggest there'd be a reason. 'Fraid not.
When you've finished the book, you're none the wiser - indeed about anything really. It's a pleasant enough book. The writing is such that you do want to keep on reading to see where it leads but, unfortunately, it goes nowhere - except back home to mum.
I'll look out for the author's next novel in the hope that we can progress into a real murder mystery - there should be enough information around to put together a gruesome murder or two and I'm sure the author has the skill to do us justice.
When you've finished the book, you're none the wiser - indeed about anything really. It's a pleasant enough book. The writing is such that you do want to keep on reading to see where it leads but, unfortunately, it goes nowhere - except back home to mum.
I'll look out for the author's next novel in the hope that we can progress into a real murder mystery - there should be enough information around to put together a gruesome murder or two and I'm sure the author has the skill to do us justice.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
A tale of seedy happenings in the London of the 1930s, populated by jewel thieves, society girls, aspiring writers, and downright chancers. The author has clearly been influenced by the works of Julian Maclaren-Ross, James Curtis, and even Patrick Hamilton. This book is in a similar style, employing many of the same themes - but it's none the worse for that.
I enjoyed the book a lot. It is well written and entertaining. If you enjoy it too then I'd recommend that you check out the other authors I've mentioned for more of the same. And vice-versa!
I enjoyed the book a lot. It is well written and entertaining. If you enjoy it too then I'd recommend that you check out the other authors I've mentioned for more of the same. And vice-versa!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
repitition, repition, repitition
I enjoyed this apart from one thing: a huge sense of deja-vu. Not only was the safe-breaking scene so reminiscent of that in 'Kept', the country house bit is also very similar to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by bookworm
shamelessly derivative
The author shamelessly plunders from Julian Maclaren Ross and other writers of the era without adding anything original. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jarah
Light on crime and mystery, heavy on 1930s popular culture
Named as it is after one of my favourite songs by Nick Drake, I was predisposed to enjoy this novel. I thought the cover was very appealing, but it all went downhill from there. Read more
Published 17 months ago by deepbluesky
Nice cover - shame about the contents
D J Taylor can certainly write, but this book is not the best advertisement for his undoubted ability. Read more
Published on 27 May 2010 by G. Brack
Gentle
At The Chime Of A City Clock is a gentle novel. It is set in a seamy, seedy London of the 1930s; days of calm and relative prosperity between the wars but unrecognizable by today's... Read more
Published on 18 May 2010 by MisterHobgoblin
The Clock Strikes Dull
Some novels are about epic events that sweep a nation; whilst others are about the personal journey of an individual. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2010 by Sam
Noir set in London
The setting of this, early 1930s London, gives it a slightly Dorothy Allingham/Dorothy L Sayers feel, balanced against the more hard boiled 'gangsters and jewel thieves' theme,... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2010 by KalteStern
Easy going and undemanding.
James Ross is a struggling writer reduced to selling carpet cleaner door to door. He spends
his time trying to make a few easy quid, having a flutter at the track or... Read more
his time trying to make a few easy quid, having a flutter at the track or... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Doh
Out of Time
DJ Taylor has attempted to create a noir novel mixing depression era London and the great Country House Murder Mystery formula. It fails utterly. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2010 by Donald Thompson
...what was all that abaht then...
I'm still not entirely sure what this book was about, but found it suitably diverting on a couple of rail journeys. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2010 by Mr. H
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