Book Review: Twice Round the Clock by Billie Houston

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Twice Round the Clock stands as Billie Houston’s solitary contribution to the Golden Age of Mystery. Reissued by British Library Publishing, this novel by the actor and dancer unfolds as a classic country house mystery, heightened by a ‘locked-in’ scenario spurred by harsh weather conditions.

I eagerly delved into this book, intrigued by the fact that it was Houston’s only novel. Martin Edwards sets the stage with a brief introduction to the author’s life. As the story progressed, I couldn’t help but notice how Houston’s background in performance possibly influenced the dramatic elements of the mystery.

The story opens with the introduction of Horace Manning, the unfortunate murder victim. In the dead of night, Bill Brent is roused by a noise and discovers Manning’s lifeless body in the library, a carved ivory knife wedged between his shoulder blades. Dr. Hendy joins him, and shortly after, Manning’s daughter, Helen, enters the room, only to be confronted with her father’s corpse and faints. The narrative then transitions into a flashback, unraveling the events leading up to this chilling moment.

Horace Manning, a reclusive and eccentric scientist, remains a mystery even to his closest associates. Residing in a country house alongside his daughter, Helen, and their loyal housekeeper, Mrs. Geraint.

Anthony, deeply in love with Helen, approaches Manning to ask for her hand in marriage, fully expecting objections. However, to everyone’s surprise, Manning assents to the engagement, shocking Anthony and his friends. Manning’s unexpected agreement adds to the intrigue, further heightened by his invitation for dinner later that evening.

Before the party, Helen gathers the courage to confront her father about her unknown mother. Their relationship is fraught with fear; the mere presence of her father sends chills down her spine. Childhood memories haunt her—screams in the night as she woke to find him by her bedside, his gaze malevolent. As a young adult, Helen remains terrified, though he has never physically harmed her.

As the rest of the party arrives – Sir Anthony and Lady Fane, Fay, Bill Brent, Dr. Hendricks, and Teddy – the atmosphere inside the house becomes increasingly tense. The brewing storm outside mirrors the turmoil within. Mrs. Geraint’s distress escalates when she learns that her beloved cat and kittens have been taken away by Horace Manning, leading to a dramatic fainting spell.

Tension reaches its peak when Manning unveils a live demonstration of his latest compound. A drop of it on a kitten results in a painful and swift death just minutes later, shocking the party guests. Despite their attempts to intervene, Manning remains resolute, warning them that the chemical has already contaminated the kitten’s fur. Opening the box would seal the fate of everyone in the house.

Fay, known for her outspoken nature, openly expresses her disdain for Manning’s experiment and freely voices her opinions. Restless, she investigates when she hears a noise outside her room, encountering Mrs. Geraint (sleepwalking) and Teddy (trying to break into Manning’s lab to free the kittens) in the corridor.

The discovery of Manning’s body jolts the household awake, with everyone roused by Helen’s fainting spell. Attempts to contact the police are thwarted by the storm and apparent sabotage of the telephone lines, suggesting Manning’s murder was premeditated.

The narrative meticulously details events from the murder day’s afternoon and evening, continuing into the next day. With myriad clues and motives and a locked-in element, the story unfolds, rewinding twelve hours to reveal a closed cast of suspects. It races towards a riveting conclusion, guiding readers twice round the clock.

Helen’s palpable fear of her father and Horace Manning’s sinister nature add layers of complexity to the story, building anticipation until the confessions that attempt to salvage loved ones’ reputations.

However, a sudden twist midway through the narrative leaves a sense of disappointment as it veers off into a side story, ultimately serving as a red herring. While the revelation of the true motive for murder and the killer’s identity comes as a shock, there is a lingering feeling that readers were not given sufficient hints to anticipate this surprise.

I felt that the inclusion of subtle clues woven into the storyline would have made for a more satisfying resolution, gradually leading readers towards the killer and their motive, perhaps hinted at earlier in the narrative for a more cohesive resolution.

Overall, Twice Round the Clock by Billie Houston proved to be a satisfying read. While it may not reach the heights of some other works from this era and genre, it nonetheless offers an entertaining experience.

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