Brainstorm 323: Time Travel Mysteries

Today, I’ve got the promised specific subgenre of scifi mysteries, time travel mysteries. When characters can go back and forth through time, the twists and turns in the mysteries seem to escalate. These stories will keep you on your toes and will keep the brain stimulated. Click on the titles to see my full review of each book, including any content notes/trigger warnings.

The Echo Room by Parker Peevyhouse

In a nutshell: A young man keeps waking up in the same disturbing locked-room circumstances and has limited time each day to figure things out before the day resets.

More info: Rett keeps waking up in a strange bunker with a girl he barely knows but also seems to have odd memories about. He's got blood on his jumpsuit that didn't come from either of them, the door to the bunker has been mangled shut so it won't open again, there are strange symbols on the walls, the power and water don't work, and neither of them knows what is going on or if they can trust each other. Can they figure out what is going on? Or are they destined to repeat the same moments forever?

Extra thoughts: This reads like a much more sinister and mysterious version of the movie Groundhog Day. If you want a different kind of thriller and you like mysteries with plenty of twists and a dash of scifi pick this up.

Target readers: Suspense Fans, Mystery Fans, Scifi Fans, Groundhog Day-ish Story Fans, Fans of Stories with Twists, Young Adult Readers

Glitch by Laura Martin

In a nutshell: Two time-travel operatives in training must find out why their names are on an illegal note from the future and fend off an unknown threat somewhere in time.

More info: Regan Fitz and Eliot Mason are training to be Glitchers (time-travel operatives who prevent people from changing the past). They can barely stand each other. Regan thinks Eliot is a know-it-all with zero social skills. Eliot thinks Regan is the entitled daughter of the commander, and that she acts like a princess. When a note from the future arrives - a very illegal note from the future with their names on it - Regan and Eliot must find a way to work together to save their present and future selves from some unknown danger.

Extra thoughts: Laura Martin is a genius at writing exciting scifi adventures that are pitch perfect for middle grade. The training exercises to various key points in history are fun to experience with the Glitchers; it really makes history come to life in new ways.

Target readers: Mystery Fans, Time Travel Fans, Scifi Fans, Enemies to Friends Story Fans, Adventure Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Lost in Time by A.G. Riddle

In a nutshell: A murder among a small group of scientists who invented a time traveling device results in a murder investigation unlike any other.

More info: In the future a group of 5 scientists and their business investor who set out to make a speedy shipping device accidentally made a time travel machine that only goes to the very, very, VERY distant past. And they're pretty sure it also dumps travelers in a different time stream. Governments quickly pounced on the idea of using the Absolom machine as a way to deal with death row inmates. Dr. Sam Thomas is one of the scientists who has been working on Absolom. He just started dating one of the other scientists, Nora. Both of them lost their spouses early to do a tragedy/cancer. The morning after Sam and Nora told Sam's 19 year-old daughter Adeline that they were a couple, Nora is found dead. Surveillance of the house shows no one else entering or exiting Nora's house since Sam and Adeline left. It looks quite likely that they could both be headed to the Absolom machine. But the business investor for the project, Daniele Danneros, has a plan. She's assured both Adeline and Sam that she can get Sam back from the past if he confesses, while she and Adeline investigate who really killed Nora. Sam just has to survive Triassic dinosaurs long enough for them to rescue him. And Sam's scientific partners, Hiro, Elliott, and Constance have to get Absolom 2 to do more than just dump people in a very distant alternate timeline past. Adeline is in. She has already lost one parent, and she's not going to lose her father for a crime she's sure he didn't commit. But who did, and how long will it take her to clear his name?

Extra thoughts: I loved the smart twists in this plot line.

Target readers: Scifi Fans, Mystery Fans, Fans of Stories with Twists, Time Travel Fans, Adult Readers (though totally fine for YA)

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

In a nutshell: An anomaly appearing in four different time periods is investigated by readers and a mysterious man.

More info: From an aimless British 2nd son trying to find his way in Vancouver in 1912 to a grieving young woman in modern day New York to an author on tour all over future Earth to a far future Moon colony, the story follows 4 people who have all had encounters with a strange anomaly that seems to bridge various places and times in a single moment. One man keeps reappearing in each timeline interviewing each person about their experiences with the anomaly. But why is he investigating it, what is it, and how is he in so many different timelines?

Extra thoughts: This starts slow, but once you visit a couple timelines and figure out there is a mystery, it picks up quite a bit. Those who have read Station Eleven by the same author may notice interesting possible autobiographical parallels between the future author’s life/work and Emily St. John Mandel’s.

Target readers: Scifi Fans, Time Travel Fans, Mystery Fans, Emily St. John Mandel Fans, Slow Burn Story Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to some YA)

Time Chasers (Area 51 Interns, #3) by James S. Murray & Carsen Smith

In a nutshell: Viv and her friends race through time following clues to try and track down her dad who has been lost in time for years due to a machine glitch.

More info: Viv has rarely heard her mom talk about her dad, but after he showed up for a blip at the end of the last book, he's the main topic of conversation. Her mom goes charging off to open up a wing of Area 51 that was closed down since Ernest Becker disappeared. It's a section full of time machines that Ernest developed. Director Harlow quickly gets one working with the help of other parents/scientists and goes off in time to try and rescue Ernest. Viv can't stand the thought of losing both parents, so she decides to get in another time machine and help. Of course, Elijah, Charlotte, and Ray aren't going to let Viv have an adventure without them. But can they actually catch up with the trail Ernest has left, and who are the freaky guys in robes following them?

Extra thoughts: This was a fun romp through time with an added suspense factor thanks to the guys in robes. The kids get to travel to a wide range of time periods both past and future, and meet Beethoven, Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Wright brothers.

Target readers: Scifi Fans, Time Travel Fans, Adventure Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Globe Trotting Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers