About the Book

‘Amazing! One of the twistiest time-tales I’ve ever read.’ Diana Gabaldon

‘Many japes and high jinks ahead.’ The Times – A Science Fiction Book of the Month

From the worldwide bestselling author of The Extinction Trials, Departure, and The Atlantis Gene comes a new kind of sci-fi thriller: a time-travel murder mystery with a twist you’ll never see coming…

An absolute must for fans of Hugh Howey, Clive Cussler, and Michael Crichton.

Dr. Sam Anderson is one of the most celebrated scientists in history. Ten years ago, he invented Absolom – a device that changed the world forever. Now his life is about to be ripped apart – and his own creation may be to blame.

One fateful morning, Sam discovers that his girlfriend has been murdered and that his daughter, Adeline, is accused of the crime. Believing her innocent, but without proof, there is only one option – he must confess. But in the future, murderers aren’t sent to prison. They’re sent to the past, forever, back to the time of the dinosaurs, where they live out their lives alone.

In the present, Adeline embarks on a mission to find the person who framed her – uncovering more questions than answers. With conspiracies and secrets afoot, Adeline soon finds herself in the midst of a mystery that stretches across the past, present, and future – and leads to a revelation that will change everything.

Control the Past. Save the Future.

About the Author

A.G. Riddle spent ten years starting internet companies before deciding to pursue his true passion: writing fiction.

His novels have sold over five million copies worldwide and been translated in twenty-four languages. Several of his works are in development for feature films.

He lives in North Carolina with his wife, daughter, and eccentric dog.

What I Thought

I raced through the first 60% of this in one sitting and would have quite happily finished it all if it wasn’t for needing pesky sleep.

From the rug pulling opening to the dinosaur encounters I think readers might end up letting out breaths they fully know they were holding more than once.

Things I found myself thinking of when reading this first section – The Fugitive, Demolition Man, Jurassic Park, Bear Grylls.

Interestingly when I picked the story back up it changed pace slightly to focus mostly on Adeline’s point of view moving forward. I did slightly miss the to and fro of the alternating chapters although the pace was still pretty breakneck but with some quieter and more emotional moments.

Time travel is such a slippery thing and my head was spinning a bit at all the explanations of causality, etc. I always find it best not to delve into the mechanics too deeply (mainly because I don’t understand it – ironic when one of the books I’ve written features time travel). I definitely got pulled in by the twists and turns though, and wanted to know what had happened and if we would ever get Sam back from the Triassic.

This is however a story of grief and what you would do for a second chance to connect with missing loved ones and I found myself so connected with both Sam and Adeline, invested in the murder mystery and wondering how on earth they would solve getting back the unreachable. There’s also plenty of secrets and lies, mentions of drug abuse, gambling, chronic ill health and much more – the book really explores both sides of humanity.

The story presents two contrasting ways to use time travel and I can’t help thinking that exploring the ethical dilemmas both options present would make a great book club discussion.

This book was a Goldsboro GSFF pick of the month (and I’m luckily a member) – now I’ve read it understandably so. I signed up for the blog tour but reading from my own copy. Thanks to Black Crow PR and Head of Zeus for having me along for the thrilling ride. My thoughts and opinions are as ever my own.

The copy I have has an entirely different cover – which I also love – and I found it super satisfying that the stencilled edges artwork split right in the middle of the story (pg 225/450) but that is not as satisfying as the story which I would highly recommend.

Do follow along with the blog tour to see what everyone else thought too.