Heather’s Bookshelf: The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray
Author: Oliver R. Simmonds
Released: 07/30/21
Genre: Time travel/SciFi
“The main goal was the pursuit of historical enlightenment. History, you must understand, is a series of patterns and structures that helps modern society to navigate the world in which we now live. And we had some of the best minds in the world all under one room—from scientists, historians, scholars—and with the Timepiece we were able to unlock some of the most important discoveries in our history.”
“The Timepiece” introduces William Wells, an American living in London with his girlfriend Abigayle. Will happens upon a small shop and purchases a small token, a timepiece, for his girlfriend. Chaos ensues when Abigayle suddenly disappears. Will returns to the shop and finds the owner murdered. His understanding of life and the world around him completely changes from that moment forward.
Unbeknownst to him, the timepiece is actually a time traveling device. A series of events results in Will accidentally sending his girlfriend through time. The shock of that sends him back to the shop where he purchased the timepiece. Unfortunately, Will returns to find the shopkeeper killed and he as the number one suspect in his death.
Thrown in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, Will finds a journal that provides some answers but a whole lot more questions. While behind bars, a visitor clues him in on a little of what’s happening and gives him an ultimatum about what’s to come.
Trigger Warning: adult language, murder, abuse
Overall, I enjoyed this time travelling tale. The protagonist, Will, is funny and believable in his interactions with those around him as everything he thinks he knows falls apart. I enjoyed how the author intertwined action with backstories. It gave the tale depth and kept the pacing interesting. I also appreciated the explanation of the time travel tech and the organizations monitoring such things. The author also did well in leaving little Easter eggs of the effect of the time travel or overlapping timelines. I do wish the main villain was a little bit more developed. I was also hoping for a little bit more from the creepy next door neighbor. However, I did really like the ending. I personally really enjoyed the time travel and trip around London.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
(The image used in the background of the cover art was taken on a trip to London to see the Jacksonville, Jaguars. I thought it fitting as the cover matches in location and color scheme)
OVERALL REVIEW:
A fun time travel tale and trip around London with a fun protagonist but a not-as-convincing villain
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