This story begins with Griffin, Finley, Emily and Sam on their way to America to try to rescue their friend Jasper Renn who was grabbed by bounty hunters and accused of murder. They are traveling on an airship the Griffin owns. When they arrive in New York, they discover that Jasper is not in the Tombs and have to begin a search to find out where he is.The viewpoint switches to Jasper and we learn that the bounty hunters were hired by Reno Dalton who wanted Jasper because he stole a valuable machine from him when he left. Dalton is using a former friend of Jasper's - Ma Xing - to guarantee Jasper's good behavior. Dalton has attached a device to Mei that is the clockwork collar of the title. If she gets too far away from Dalton, the collar tightens and strangles her is Dalton doesn't turn it off in time. The story is filled with adventures as the gang tries to locate and rescue Jasper and as Jasper tried to recover the device and free Mei. Emily creates all kinds of marvelous machines including a cat that can turn into a personal flying machine and a motorcycle. Finley fights her way into Dalton's gang and has to wonder if she is letting her dark side control her. Griffin has to learn more about the aether as he battles some sort of creature in it. Both Emily and Griffin consult with Nikola Tesla who has invented a number of machines including the one that Dalton is trying to recover and use for his nefarious purposes. Griffin also has to deal with social climbing debutantes as he becomes a very desirable guest since he is a Duke. Griffin and Finley also have to work more on their relationship. Griffin and Finley aren't in the same social class. He is an aristocrat, in fact, a duke; she is a member of the middle class and has acted as a lady's maid and companion. Despite that, they are attracted to each other.This story was entertaining and exciting. I recommend it to those who enjoyed the first book in the Steampunk Chronicles - The Girl in the Steel Corset.
