“A thrilling, transportive historical adventure that offers hope and explores themes of found family.” — Kirkus Reviews

Twelve-year-old orphan Malcolm McKenzie’s world is falling apart.

His mentor, clockmaker Jack Alexander, was found dead inside a locked clock tower.

His best friend — and Jack’s son — Peter is dying of a mysterious disease.

His only hope: a puzzle inside a seemingly broken pocket watch that even Jack couldn’t fix.

The watch, a precious heirloom passed down through a family of proud physicians, must be the key to solving Jack’s murder and a miracle cure for Peter. But shadowy figures stalk the streets of Edinburgh, scheming to steal the watch and its secrets for themselves. Malcolm, alongside pickpocket and fellow orphan Maddie, must outsmart and outrun their enemies to solve the watch’s puzzle and save the family that saved him … before Peter’s time runs out.

Meagan Mahoney is an author who balances her love of writing with her work as a pediatric intensive care doctor. Her debut novel, Meranda and the Legend of the Lake, was nominated for the 2023 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Award, IODE Violet Downey Book Award, and R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she loves to explore the mountains with her husband, three children, and a very nervous rescue dog.

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“The analogies between time and medicine are clever and thought-provoking, providing middle-graders an opportunity for a deeper, more meaningful reading experience.”

Historical Novel Society

“Calgary pediatric doctor Meagan Mahoney’s sophomore novel is a propulsive historical adventure full of mystery, suspense, and illustrated clues.”

Quill & Quire

“A thrilling, transportive historical adventure that offers hope and explores themes of found family.”

Kirkus Reviews

“The Time Keeper, rich in detail, description and atmosphere, also has an intriguing array of supporting characters — from a mischievous pickpocket to mysterious, cloaked figures. This narrative full of twists and turns is an explosive spellbinding action mystery that will engage any reader of any age! FIVE STARS”

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