An Hour Unspent
Shadows Over England, 3
With Danger Creeping Ever Closer,
Do Their Dreams Still Matter?
Once London’s top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war. But not until he rescues a clockmaker’s daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.
Evelina Manning has constantly fought for independence but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end the engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clockwork repair with her father, she can’t help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.
As 1915 England plunges ever deeper into war, the work of an ingenious clockmaker may give England an unbeatable military edge—and Germany realizes it as well. Evelina’s father soon finds his whole family in danger—and it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape it.
Shadows Over England Series
Purchase Links (Retailers)
Discussion Questions
Download a printable PDF here.
1. Barclay, by the time the book opens, has moved from a life of thieving to one of “approved” government work. In his position, would you have trouble reconciling your sanctioned work with your new faith? What do you think of the journey he took from childhood to where he is now? How did your understanding of the man he’s become change throughout the story?
2. Evelina has a core of strength and independence, but vulnerabilities too. What do you think of her causes? The reasons for them? Do you empathize with her struggle to really feel, or did that baffle you?
3. What did you think of the connection between Barclay and Evelina? Did anything about the progression of their relationship surprise you? Frustrate you? Make you happy?
4. What historical aspects did you find most interesting—clockmaking, the advance of the wristwatch, the world’s first aerial raids, the transport of basic food supplies past the front lines?
5. Family is a huge theme of the book. What do you think of the different views represented by the Mannings and Barclay’s clan? What are your thoughts on what family should be?
6. What did you think of Basil and his reasons for ending the engagement? Were you surprised by the note he left for Evelina?
7. Who was your favorite character? What made them stand out to you? Your least favorite? Why?
8. Did you find Evelina’s reaction to the news from Basil to be understandable? Frustrating? What about Barclay’s response to her?
9. We finally learn more about Mr. V and get a glimpse into his life. Was he what you expected?
10. What were your thoughts on the conclusion, both of the story and the series? Where do you think the family will go from here?