Tale of New York in the 1770s and 1780s, when the Dutch were still in ascendency, before the Irish invasion and including the American Revolution. A Jewish antique dealer and his niece arrive in NY and he sets up business dealing with both sides in the revolution. He is fascinated by clocks, eventually being strangled by one - and his landlady's son is accused of the murder. Odd tale; competent. (PB)