Michelle Harrison introduces her time-twisting murder mysteries
About Author
The Morrow twins, who we first meet in Twice Upon a Time, return in A Clock Strikes Murder. Look out for a strange museum, a cursed painting - and a murder . . . Author Michelle Harrison tells us more.
Michelle worked as an editorial assistant in children's publishing and as a bookseller at Waterstones before becoming a full time writer. She is also a trained illustrator. Originally from Grays in Essex, she now lives in Oxfordshire with her partner and child. Her novels include The Thirteen Treasures and the A Pinch of Magic adventures.
Find out more at www.michelleharrisonbooks.com
Interview
March 2026
The Morrow twins return in A Clock Strikes Murder
Being able to stop time gives twins Merry and Spike an edge when it comes to solving mysteries . . . but could a painting be behind the latest murder in Greece? The Morrow twins have their hands full in their new mystery adventure, A Clock Strikes Murder, involving a strange mythical painting, wealthy art dealers and an isolated museum.
ReadingZone caught up with author Michelle Harrison to talk about creating characters, building the rules of time control, and her Creative Challenge - imagine having power over time!
More about A Clock Strikes Murder
Q&A with Michelle Harrison: Time control, writing magic and a Creative Challenge!
"My books are all set in the 'real' world, with magical elements then being introduced. I find it more
believable this way, not to overload stories with magic."
1. What first brought you into writing for children and teenagers, and what kinds of stories do you most enjoy writing?
I studied illustration at university so my degree is in art rather than writing! and it was that which led me to children's books. I loved the style of artists such as Arthur Rackham and Alan Lee, and it drew me into fantasy stories and fairy folklore. It was also around the time Harry Potter was becoming big, too, which piqued my interest in children's fiction, and very soon I was hooked.
2. What drew you to writing a mystery adventure genre for your new series?
I think most of my books have a mystery element, whether it's the roots of the curse in A Pinch of Magic (and how to break it) or the missing girl in 13 Treasures. I'm drawn to mysteries as a reader - I love seeing whether I can pick up on the clues a writer has left to solve the puzzles and twists before the final reveal.
3. What happens in your murder mysteries, Twice Upon a Time and A Clock Strikes Murder?
Twice Upon a Time is the first adventure of the Morrow twins, Merry and Spike. They're visiting Fox House while their mum restores an old painting, but they soon discover that a crime took place there years before and decide to try and solve it. However, Merry and Spike are no ordinary twins - they have visions into the past and the future and can stop time for a minute. Handy when it comes to crime solving!
Their second adventure, A Clock Strikes Murder, takes place in Greece where a supposedly cursed painting is up for sale. When a potential buyer is found dead it looks as though the curse is real - but the twins suspect MURDER!
4. Why did you decide to make twins the main characters, and why are siblings at the heart of so many of your books?
I'm fascinated by twins and the idea of psychic powers between them. I knew a set of twins at school who were always up to mischief, too! There's something so appealing about them when it comes to stories: the opportunity for them to play tricks, or mistaken identity . . . it was too good to resist.
I enjoy writing about siblings and do it well because my own sisters are a huge part, and the biggest constant in my own life. I wouldn't be who I am without them.
5. What inspired their secret power, to be able to stop time for one minute? How did you work out the 'rules' of this power?
It all came from a news article about twins born either side of midnight on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, giving them different birthdates in different years. I thought that was incredible (the odds of this happening are around one in two million)!
I couldn't stop thinking about these twins who were identical in every way, but bizarrely sort of separated by time. I thought, there must be something magical about that, and my mind began to wander and ask, what if? Before long I was thinking up all sorts of strange ways they could affect or influence time.
The 'rules' took a little working out - in the early drafts my editor pointed out where there were inconsistencies and eventually we figured it out exactly how their powers worked.
6. If you could have a secret power that involves time, what would it be and why?
I'd love to be able to travel back in time and relive days from my past, mainly to experience happy times with relatives who aren't here any more.
7. How do you plan these novels, and the gradual unveiling of the culprit(s)? Do you enjoy setting up the threads of the story?
I begin with a rough outline, like the blurb from the back of a book, and at this point I have the bones of what the mystery will be, but usually not who the culprit/villain is, or why. At this stage there are more questions than answers! I then build on this outline, and make a few notes on what might happen in each chapter until I'm happy with the direction.
This is my favourite part of telling a story, working it all out, and then starting the first draft. I can then go back and seed more subtle clues about the baddie, if necessary, for the reader, while trying not to give away too much.
8. You're known for writing stories with a touch of magic. How do you bring myths and a touch of magic into these stories?
Sparingly. Which might seem a strange thing to say, given that all my books are about magic, but what I mean is that my books are all set in the 'real' world, with magical elements then being introduced. I find it more believable this way, not to overload stories with magic. And there must be limitations to magic, otherwise the solutions to problems would be too simple.
Myths and folklore add a layer of depth and richness, and that's something I really enjoy weaving in (and love in real life).
9. What else do you have planned for the Morrow twins? What are you writing currently?
I'm currently working on my second book for adults, and in talks about what my next children's book will be - but I'm not allowed to say any more yet!
10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time, perhaps to help inspire more stories?
I spend much of my free time absorbing other people's stories, whether it's books, film, cinema, art, museums and so on. There's nothing like other creatives to inspire you. When I need a break from words I like to do physical things like upcycling furniture or home improvements. I also did a jewellery making course a couple of years ago and learned to make beautiful things from silver, which is very satisfying - especially when people want to buy them!
Creative Challenge: Create your own special power involving time! Start by brainstorming objects and places linked to time (eg. clocks, egg timers, museums, or a famous landmark like Big Ben). Then choose one of these items or places and think of magical ways it could affect time: perhaps by letting someone travel into the past or the future, by stopping time, or perhaps even repeating the same day over and over again. What sort of problems could this solve? And what challenges might your characters face? Playing with time gives you lots of exciting opportunities when telling a story!
School Visits: For my school events, I offer inspiring talks about my journey to being a published author, the importance of perseverance, and the ideas behind my books as well as offering practical tips, readings and a Q&A. I also offer creative writing workshops. Schools can get in touch via the contact form on my website (www.michelleharrisonbooks.com) and I'll send over more information on what's involved and my fees.
A Clock Strikes Murder
Twice Upon a Time: The perfect time-travel mystery
