The Christmas Clock

Ray Bradbury has sent a fan letter to John T. Cullen, praising The Christmas Clock. Arthur Latchloose is a grumpy old banker who feels left behind by the world, though perhaps he unknowingly helped cause his estrangement from his late wife and their children. He hasn't a friend in the world, not even a pet, and has not celebrated a Christmas in years. He does have an unusual hobby to go along with his considerable wealth. He collects antiquities. Not just old antiques, but rare and valuable items from long ago. This year Mr. Latchloose has contrived to buy himself a fabulous and strangely powerful grandfather clock originally made at the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and given to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, where it underwent some remarkable modifications using classic alchemy and other arcane arts. After the fall of the Ottomans during World War I, the clock ended up in possession of an Arab prince near Baghdad, where it acquired its own resident djinni. Now the clock is in the hands of Arthur Latchloose, courtesy a mysterious old Army major, and the djinni offers Arthur a single great wish. This is the story of how Arthur Latchloose pursues the quest of his ultimate wish in life, nearly drives a powerful djinni out of his mind, and manages to turn half the world upside down. You see, Arthur Latchloose starts out with one thing in mind--immortality--but when he can't have that (according to the arcane rules of the Agency bureaucracy with whom his djinni constantly consults on his cell phone) then Arthur strikes out on a remarkable quest of his own. The Christmas Clock is just the right story to get you in the mood for a Merry Christmas, offering lovers of SF and dark fantasy just the right mix of holiday wonder, mystery, humor, human drama, and a sentimental payoff worthy of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's a suspenseful roller-coaster ride, not for the faint of heart, spirit, or imagination. It is definitely not a kid story, but it's good clean fun for any grownup willing to suspend disbelief for a while, and let the imagination go for a wild ride in time and space. Written especially for a holiday audience by John T. Cullen, an author whose works include A Walk in Ancient Rome, Revised 2nd Edition (Nonfiction/Ancient History) and nearly two dozen novels.