I was initially drawn to the book by its title and close behind by it's historical fiction subject matter...and I was not disappointed.  Using her personal background of law and history she skillfully weaves the story from the past (beginning in 1903) to the present (2009), and throughout various cities in Europe.  And she ties it all together in a most interesting and unique way: an anniversary clock handmade in Bavaria in 1903 and the several lives it touches.  Ms Jenoff also does an excellent work of developing personal relationships, both in the past and the present, and in her character development.  All in all quite an accomplishment for under 300 pages.
 
If you enjoy fact-based historical fiction you should enjoy her efforts.  Romance is also prominent, but is in no way overpowering. 

Not good...no, not the book, but the arrival of the delivery truck with my book after dark...it kept me up long after my normal bedtime. 'Unputdownable' page turner...my first contact with Mr Cumming, but hopefully not my last. Fans of spy novels will most certainly enjoy this one...it even had a new book quote (at least for me) to add to my list...

"He believed in the unarguable notion that if a young person is lucky enough to read the right books at the right time in the company of the right teacher, it will change their life forever."

Except for the totally unnecessary four-letter words sprinkled around, I would give it a '5-Very Good'...but at least there weren't enough of them to cause me to put it down.