This is the third book in the Gadgets and Gears series by Kersten Hamilton. The series takes place in the early 1900s when idustrialization is booming. In this book, Kersten Hamilton introduces the readers to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whom she fictionalizes as a friend of Aunt Rhodope and to the Sisters of Suffrage.   The story is being told by Noodles, the dachshund,  pet of Walter Kennewickett, aka Wally. (Noodles uses quite a few ‘BIG’ words, but always explains them for the reader, much like in the Lemony Snickett series.) Wally’s parents- Oliver and Calypso are scientists and Wally is a scientist-in-training. The Kennewicketts are inventing gadgets all the time for the betterment of society. Their use of batteries and electricity is new for this time period.

As this book opens, Wally’s parents are taking part in a three country Electromobile Rally in London, England. Wally is helping his Aunt Rhodope photograph the rally when a strange ticking sound is noticed. Aunt Rhodope and Wally, also, notice a poor man in tattered clothes, who later turns out to be known as the villain The Tick-Tock Man. After the rally leaves town ,Wally is informed by a street performer (Dobbin) he’s been watching that the Tick-Tock Man is out to nap him. Wally and Dobbin talk. Later, Dobbin sends Wally a note asking to meet with him. It is a matter of life and death. It turns out Dobbin’s sister, Briney, has a wind-up heart. Dobbin needs to find Tick-Tock to save Briney’s life. Tick-Tock has the keys needed to wind up Briney’s heart to keep her alive (like a Grandfather clock), but Tick-Tock is missing. Wally will help find Tick-Tock because that’s what Kennewicketts do. Wally and Aunt Rhodope enlist the help of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to help solve the whereabouts of Tick-Tock.  Along the way Hamilton adds flavor to the plot using London’s famous thick fog, constables, Scotland Yard, and in this case, wild swine who live in the sewers of London, much like the rats and alligators of other cities urban legends.

Tick-Tock comes to Briney’s aid, for he truly cares for the little girl, but it is too late for his keys to help her. What Briney needs is a bigger, new heart for she has outgrown the one she has. Tick-Tock holds Dobbin to the promise he made in exchange for Tick-Tock’s helping Briney. Dobbin will be required to “be a good man. From this day on…” and with that, Tick-Tock removes his own wind-up heart to save Briney. (114)

In the Epilogue, Oliver and Calypso Kennewickett will take Dobbin and Briney to live with them in America.

Readers should not skip reading the Author’s Note on pages 127-130. Here they will find some interesting information about the real Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.