Lost in Time

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Pub Date 1 Sep 2022 | Archive Date 1 Sep 2022
Head of Zeus | Head of Zeus -- an AdAstra Book

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Description

The SUNDAY TIMES bestseller

"Amazing! One of the twistiest time-tales I've ever read."
–Diana Gabaldon

"Crichtonesque thrillers don't come much better than this... Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough."
Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Are we talking plot twists? More like spirals. Gripping, clever, mind-bending stuff."
Daily Mail

From the worldwide bestselling author of Departure and Winter World comes a standalone novel about a father and daughter trying to unravel an intricate murder mystery spread across time – with a jaw-dropping twist.

Control the past.

Save the future.



























The SUNDAY TIMES bestseller

"Amazing! One of the twistiest time-tales I've ever read."
–Diana Gabaldon

"Crichtonesque thrillers don't come much better than this... Readers won't be able to turn the...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781804541753
PRICE £7.99 (GBP)
PAGES 464

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Average rating from 145 members


Featured Reviews

This was the best novel I have read for some time. It concerns Adeline and Sam, and their time travel, but the concepts and plot are much wider than this, both take unexpected twists and turns. For example Ross is mentioned as the artist who spoke of happy accidents in his work, like the inventor of pencillin had a happy accident. I enjoyed these bits of the book, and the plot got better the more I read it. Though it was good to begin with, it became fantastic the more I read. I recommend it highly.

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I have read a few books by AG Riddle, so I was super excited to be approved for this ARC - thank you NetGalley.

To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the synopsis but was keen to see how it would work…… and work it did! It reminded me of Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (which I really enjoyed).

The chapters were short and that made it easier to read as you were always saying “just one more chapter”! That and the fact you were always left wanting to know what was going to happen.

The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was the dinosaur aspect, it just didn’t work for me. I would have preferred him to be sent to another time and or place. Still a great read though!

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Last year, one of the best books that I have read was from this author, so when I saw that NetGalley had a new ARC I jumped at the opportunity and you know what? Best thing I did ^___^ if you like doctor who with  wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff, you’ll love this book, the story starts straight enough, father going to the cemetery with his children, for the anniversary of the death of his wife, and it is there that things start to get interesting and weird, we are suddenly throw in a murder situation, and things just grow from there, complicate and then start to make sense, this book actually has a good ending but if you read in the stars maybe we could have a second book hahah ^___^

There's a couple of punches that I wasn't really expecting and then we get a clue and then we start to realize what really it is going on, and it is beautiful, eventually everything will make sense..

Can not stress enough how highly I recommend this book, for me it was the best read so far in 2022.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

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<i>Lost in Time</i> by <b>A.G. Riddle<b> is a combination of thriller and science fiction, with even a slight touch of feelgood. Several ingredients of the proven Riddle-recipe are present again, like many short chapters of which a lot end with a cliffhanger that keeps you turning the pages for what is to come. Or like a good dose of action, mixed with technological challenges. The fast paced style of storytelling is very appealing. From the first chapter onwards, Riddle keeps the tension going. The main characters – Sam and Adeline – are treated unjust from the very beginning, which helps in sympathising with them, and of course then you want to know what happens to them further into the story.

The book is divided in five parts, combining eighty chapter and an epilogue. The first part of the story is set five years into the future, with a murder case that appears to be a locked-room mystery, allegedly invented by <b>Edgar Allan Poe</b>. Most of the used technology is logically not very far ahead of what we already have, although some inventions seem unrealistic, not counting Absolom. But one never knows what the next five years will bring. In any case, it will be interesting to check again in five years how believable the book still is. At this moment, it’s very appealing in any case.

Starting from part three, part of the story shifts towards historical fiction, when Sam enters the Late Triassic. The rapid going back and forth between two timelines is well managed, with said cliffhangers at exactly the right moment. The way Sam has to solve practical problems, reminds a lot of how <b>Andy Weir</b> makes his protagonists do a similar thing in books like <i>The Martian</i> or <i>Project Hail Mary</i>. Fun fact: in Lost in Time, Hail Mary is mentioned once too, although not related to Andy Weir.

A.G. Riddle has some more aces in his sleeve. People who’ve read the <i>Impossible Times</i> trilogy by <b>Mark Lawrence</b>, will also love this newest Riddle-novel, because as of a certain moments, brain teasing time paradoxes, conceptually similar to the ones in <i>Impossible Times</i>, enter the story. The solution is surprising. I had a fairly good idea about how the plot would evolve after I head read a third of the book. My guess was not bad at all, although it’s clear to me that many readers will guess part of the outcome because Riddle ingeniously steers you in that direction. But then there is Riddles final trump card, shifting the solution in a way not many readers will see coming.

I was less impressed by the fifth and final part. Too long winded and cheesy for my taste. Could have been told in half the amount of words. Apart from that, this is a very recommendable sci-fi thriller.

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Fantastic and fast paced, emotional rollercoaster.

This is my first A G Riddle read and I will definitely be reading more.

The story centres around a group of people who, with their own reasons, build a time machine. The plot is on full of murder mystery, a whodunnit situation that leaves you disagreeing with yourself on what the hell has happened.

The story flows very well, I only started this last night and have now finished it in two sittings. If there was ever a unputdownable book, this is it.

The characters, as I’ve mentioned, all have their reasons to want to change their lives. Also, each one has a motive to want to murder the victim. Every time I thought I knew who done it, I was switched and left unsure. Each character felt real and where making decisions you’d expect of them.

There is a lot of time travel in this book and it sometimes went over my head, which isn’t hard! There’s a few scenes I would love to mention but it’s much better if you experience this yourself.

4/5 stars. Great story and one I didn’t want to end. I look forward to delving into the Riddle world.

You can find me @gavinreads for book chats!

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A group of scientists has developed Absolom, a machine that sends the world’s worst convicted criminals back in time, hundreds of years in the past, into the age of the dinosaurs. The threat of this fate had made crime virtually unknown on Earth.

The six scientist who developed the breakthrough - Elliott Lucas, Hiro Sato, Daniele Danneros, Sam Anderson, Nora Thomas, and Constance Niven, now believe they are ready to complete “Absolom Two,” but there is one big problem. One of the six has been killed, and one has been framed for the murder. They all can’t help but think it is related to the development of this new iteration of Absolom.

The murder mystery is couched in an exploration of the possibilities of quantum entanglement, and what that could mean for the universe. I wasn’t so sure about the feasibility of the physics part, and there seemed to be a huge paradoxical conflict between two of the characters, but the mystery was good, the dinosaur segments were fun, and the story held my interest.

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Oh my goodness I just loved this book,I have to admit to not knowing the author before but will definitely be reading more from them .I was able to read the book early on NetGalley Uk the book is published on the Uk in September by Head of Zeus
I love time travel novels and this is a unique and well written one which had me enthralled from the past .You have you love time travel into the time of dinosaurs .This is a small section of the story but incredibly visual and exciting with great cliff hangers at the end of each chapter
The story set in modern times is also fun to read and incredibly believable
The book is a complex tangle of past present and future and at all times it was easy to follow the chain of events and understand what was happening .There I’d a satisfying who dunnit in the story which unravels slowly with a great plot twist at the end which I didn’t predict and enjoyed thoroughly
The chapters are just the right length to keep you engrossed and the writing style is easy to read
I think this book would make a really fantastic movie and I’m sure the rights will be grabbed up quickly
This book was a light fun read and exactly what I was looking for the plot is intelligent and will appeal to those who like The time traveller’s wife .Great Sci Fi with an emotional heart I loved it

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Tremendously entertaining with a mix of action and mystery and an agile and fluid pace that keeps you hooked from the beginning thanks to short chapters and interesting characters with a common purpose and also with their flaws that add a greater dimension.
Without a doubt it is a highly recommended book.

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I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
The book has an interesting use for time- travel technology- it is used to send criminals to the past to be eaten by dinosaurs although the official line seems to be for people to live in exile.
Sam finds himself accused of the murder of his lover as is his 19- year-old daughter Adeline but finds himself confessing to the crime to protect her. As a result, he is sent to the dinosaur age which is ironic as he was one of the scientists who developed the tech and made millions from this.
His daughter Adeline is determined to find the evidence that proves his innocence and bring him back home. But she needs the help of his fellow scientists and financial backer but why do all of them seem to be hiding secrets.
Adeline is a realistic and believable 19-year-old and the book is mainly from her point of view. The world-building is futuristic and believable. There is enough explanation of the science to understand time travel but not too much to be boring.
I can;treally say more about the story as that would heading into spoiler terrority.
I’m not sure if there is a sequel to the book as I thought there were plot strands that weren’t resolved which left me a little frustrated. I didn’t quite understand the plot but that could be just me being dense and this did not stop me from enjoying this mind-boggling story.

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This is my first AG Riddle read. Very satisfying indeed. More than a few surprises and some nice twists. The story of Time Travel used as the solution to crime. The worst of the worst get sent back in time to alternate timeline Triassic banishment. Works great, world populations are scared you-know-what-less, so most everyone toes the line. One day one of the scientists, one among a team that discovered the breakthrough, is murdered. The evidence points to the daughter of one of the scientists and her father. The ensuing mystery of who got away with murder and framed her dad becomes the daughters life focus. Relentless is an understatement. We also spend time back in time with her banished father and his fight to survive.
This story gets increasingly better the further it goes. The characters grow and the story evolves to a pretty darn interesting tale that, as mentioned, had some nice twists. This is an ARC I recommend easily. Fun read.

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His best book yet. Time travel, dinosaur's murder mystery this book has it all could not put it down.
I received this book from Head of Zeus and Netgalley for a review.

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well written with a gripping storyline, short chapters which made for a quick read and well developed characters. I r=enjoyed it

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Time travel is tough to get all the details right, but Riddle did it in this wonderful, twisty novel. 4.5 stars!

When his teenage daughter is falsely accused of murder, a scientist must travel 200 million years into the past to save her. But there are secrets waiting there. And more than her life is at stake.

From the worldwide bestselling author of Departure and Winter World comes a standalone novel with a twist you’ll never see coming: Control the Past. Save the Future.

I would have given it a solid 5 stars except for two niggly little bits. 1) Sam's son Ryan always just seems like an afterthought; I would have liked to see just a few times where the little kid wasn't playing second fiddle to his sister for Sam's affection. 2) One niggling plot point regarding the bits and pieces of the recall ring (which if I say more would be a spoiler, so I won't!)

I highly recommend this time travel novel.

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A great read. Fun, fast some nice plot twists. If you’ve read any other Riddle books you’re going to really enjoy this one. If this is your first I can bet you’ll read his others.

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Lost in Time by A.G. Riddle There is so much going on in this book, time travel, an unsolved murder, family drama, first loves, new loves, addictions, dinosaurs, quantum something or another (way over my head), and enough twists and turns to make one's head spin. A bit of a slow start then bang, the story takes off. Just an all out entertaining, fun and engrossing read.

Thank you to AG Riddle, publisher, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

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This book can only be described as addictive from beginning to end. A.G. Riddle stayed true to his style. There is a lot of science and mystery. It will put your head in a spin and make you confused but in a fantastic way. It's a story about time travel at the next level. The characters are fully developed with personalities that can only be seen on the big screen. I, at times, was so immersed in Daniela's nature that I thought for a moment I was Daniela and what I would do next. The ending, for me, was a little difficult to swallow. The idea and actions were based on more emotions. How do they pick the people? What if those people that were chosen weren't meant to live? : (readers, you'll get what I mean after reading the book). It's a must-read book for this year.

Thank you to Head of Zeus -- an AdAstra Book, and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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n the not too distant future, a group of scientists invent a machine that transports convicts to the past in alternate universes. There is no way for them to return. This drastically reduces the crime rate, as fear of the unknown is much more of a deterrent to committing serious crime than life in prison or the death penalty.

Each of the scientists involved in the project has a deep, dark secret that they want to protect at all costs. When one of the scientists is murdered, they all know it has to be one of the team, or someone close to them. Surveillance cameras prove that Dr. Sam Anderson and his daughter, Adeline, were the last ones to see the murdered woman alive. After receiving a threatening note, Dr. Anderson takes the blame. His punishment is swift as he is sent into the past by his own invention.

The novel is then told from multiple timelines: the near future, the distant Triassic/Jurassic past and more. As Dr. Anderson fights off carnivorous dinosaurs and other prehistoric hazards, his daughter works to find a way to get her father back and discover the real murderer.

I confess I’m an A.G. Riddle Fan. This is the seventh book I’ve read by him. I’m the first to admit that his books aren’t great literature (and could benefit from the deft hand of a detail-oriented editor), but they are absolutely delightful “sit back and enjoy the ride” fictional romps through the author’s imagination. Lost in Time crosses several genres: time travel, light science fiction and thriller.

While I was reading this book, I was involved in a couple very time-sensitive, intense projects. Lost in Time was the perfect mental getaway for me. I’m crossing my fingers, hoping for sequels!

My Rating: 4.25 Stars, Grade A-

NOTE: Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus publishing for the opportunity to read and review an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Expected publication date is September 1, 2022. Look for it at your favorite online or local bookseller.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Dr. Sam Anderson and five others have invented a machine that is used to send prisoners back in time 200 million years. Sam and his 19 year old daughter are accused of murdering one of the other co-founders. Sam confesses and is sent back to live with the dinosaurs and Adeline works to solve the mystery and bring her father back.

I liked the book as it was going back and forth between modern day and the past. Then after about halfway it takes an awesome twist which took the book up a notch and I stayed up very late in order to finish. A fun read.

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When his daughter Adeline is accused of murder, Sam confesses to protect her. But in the near future, murderers are not sent to jail, they are sent to the past. Sam's punishment finds him stranded in the Triassic period, while his daughter desperately tries to clear his name.

This was a really interesting book, which turned out very differently to how I'd expected. The mystery was engaging and the twists kept coming until the very end. I personally found the very end of the book to be a little bit of a letdown, but everything leading up to it was a masterpiece! I will definitely be looking up more of the author's work!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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A G Riddle has done it again. This time in a stand alone book that is interesting and thought provoking. A very enjoyable read and I would highly recommend this book.

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A.G. Riddle is a great science fiction writer. I have read most of his books and have appreciated all. I enjoy time travel books and this is a thriller! Riddle keeps you guessing with twists and turns until literally the last page. It's a excellent book and well worth the read.

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Another wild ride from author A.G. Riddle. I read the description for the book and thought sci-fi? Mystery? Thriller? Yep, yep, and yep. If you are looking for great ‘literary fiction’ get out now, but if I are looking for a crazy rollercoaster ride then hop on board. This is the literary equivalent of a summer blockbuster ‘popcorn’ flick…and given the depressing news that seems to be all you see on TV 24/7 lately, it was exactly what I needed: a nice diversion, a short break from reality. Lost in Time features a cool cast of characters with a wild and relentless storyline that is hard to put down. Definitely wouldn’t mind seeing Amazon or Netflix adapt this into a limited series. 4.5 stars. I’d like to thank Head of Zeus and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Lost in Time.

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A twisting turning thriller that will keep you guessing throughout, this book is a great read! A group of scientist come together to try to create a machine (Absolom) to improve shipping goods faster. They hope to be able to send goods through time (like a transporter), but it failed. They could send things back in time but the things went to a parallel universe. A program was developed to send criminals back a billion years for capital offenses. One of the scientist is murdered and her colleague is convicted and sentenced to Absolom. The remaining scientists scramble to solve the murder and try to get their colleague back. There are all kinds of twists in this plot and you never quite figure out what or where it is going but the read is fantastic!

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The best book by this author so far! And the best book of the many I have read so far this year.
I have been reading this author's books for quite a few years, and they have just got better and better!
This was a book of many parts, as I love action I did enjoy the earlier parts a lot, and at first was a little surprised when there was such a change of pace. But I suddenly found I was just as engrossed in the story then as the earlier, more action-filled part.
I did love how twisty this novel became, and how most of the issues that I could find with the story got dealt with at some point. I found it nicely clever, plenty of twists and turns in the story, and with an outcome that I think very few will guess. And it is So Nice to not be able to predict the outcome!
Gerry Riddle is now firmly back in my select group of favourite authors, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

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Lost in Time by A.G.Riddle is a timey-wimey, twisty adventure/mystery story. I enjoyed it a lot.
There isn't really much to compare it to to let you know what to expect. The synopsis gives you a little bit but the actual story is a lot more. Sam and his daughter Adeline (Anagram for another character-or vice versa?) are our time lost characters and to say to much more would spoil things.
I think that the ending could be used as a spring board for a follow up book and I hope it is. There are some scenes at the end that seem to repeat but they logically need to due to the nature of the story. It is a fun story that will have you guessing up to the end.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #HeadofZues, and A.G. Riddle for the ARC of #LostinTime.

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A. G. Riddle writes an intriguing time travel novel using an imaginative twist. In the future, individuals convicted of murder are sent back 200 million years with no resources. This story follows what occurs when an innocent man is sent back and how his family and friends attempt to correct the injustice.

Mr. Riddle concocts an impressive plot that keeps readers turning pages as each unexpected twist grabs their attention. A remarkable adventure that whets the appetite for more.

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Thank you #NetGalley and #HeadofZeus for sending me an ARC of #LostInTime by #AGRiddle.

There is so much to digest with this book it is hard to know where to begin this review. This is an excellent story but it is long and arduous at times. To have the level of imagination that A. G. Riddle is quite impressive. I have read a few other of his stories and they are all like this. Captivating, thrilling, immersive and detailed.

Lost in Time is a time traveling, murder mystery and drama filled story. I have never read anything like this before. This is a four part story.

So much happened in Part One. Scientist Sam Anderson, widower, and his daughter, Adeline, are accused of murdering Sam’s co-worker, Nora. Who also happens to be in a relationship with Sam. Nora’s murder is the first murder in Absolom since the punishment of major crimes were introduced. The punishment…you are sent back in time to an unknown location and time.

Part Two is a split between the lives of Sam and Adeline living with the aftermath of their choices made in part one.

Part Three is an action packed and insightful section. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I thought I had it all figured out, but I so way off to the conclusion of this mystery!

Part Four is the wrap of everything that happened to a wonderful and perfect conclusion. There is no other ending that could satisfy this story.

A.G. Riddle has once again written a story that is original and mesmerizing. I will always be on the lookout for his books.

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_Lost in Time_ starts with a mystery (who killed Nora?), involving likeable characters who can’t be as good as they seem, and others with secrets they try to hide. But as the narrative continues, there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I appreciate a time travel story that has suspense without a lot of gratuitous violence. There was an interesting focus on causality and the relationship between past and future. Once I started the book, I finished it the next day because I just wanted to find out what happened next (or before?!).

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read an advanced copy of the book.

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What a fun book to read! Lost in Time is the first book I’ve read by the author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sam Anderson,one of the creators of the Absolom machine used to transport convicted killers into,the past of an alternate universe, self confesses to the murder of one of his colleagues in order to protect his daughter from being convicted. The story then takes parallel tracks, following Sam as he tries to survive in the late Triassic era, and that of Adeline, his nineteen year old daughter, who seeks the identity of the killer. It’s then that first of the many twists occurs, many of which I never saw coming. Lost in Time then takes many of the conventions we are used to in time travel stories, and flips them on their heads.

A minor annoyance was that each short chapter in the first half of the book ended in cliffhanger style. Otherwise, a fast and very entertaining read.

My thanks is to Head of Zeus and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the book.

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4.5*

This was such an enjoyable and fast-paced book!!

We follow a scientist named Sam and his daughter Adeline, who are arrested for the crime of Sam’s colleague. But the worst part is, criminals are sent back in time to the jurassic period, never to return. When Sam takes the blame and ends up 200 years into the past, Adeline will do whatever it takes to save her father.

Starting off, I thought the writing was very simple and easy to read. The pacing was fast- like really fast- so I was shook when we already got to the jurassic period. We jump from Sam and Adeline’s POVs, and I think the author did well to cut off Sam’s POV quite early, because the story got WILD.

I did not expect to love this book. Adeline begins to search for the real killer, doubting all her father’s friends. She becomes determined to save him, while living with Danielle, one of the other scientists involved in the invention of this strange time machine. I did NOT see those plot twists coming. This book definitely messes with your brain, but it’s super easy to follow.

Adeline was definitely my favourite. I’d say go into this book without any information, and you’ll really enjoy it. it’s got an almost scary dystopian vibe to it, that makes you fearful of the future. The technology is explained well, and I liked the time travel aspect. There isn’t a lot of character development, but I liked the relationships and how they were portrayed. This is a plot-driven book through and through, and definitely one of the best time travel novels out there! I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

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Going into this novel I expected some curve balls. What it threw at you I would have never seen coming though. While within the book each chapter ending tries to give you little cliffhangers too.
Lost in Time is told from two perspectives. That of physicist Sam Anderson and his daughter Adeline. Overall this separation of view points helps fill in missing pieces and emotional coverage of what is happening very well.
Overall I think this was a well done book. It is said to be a one shot but I feel the way he ended the book while a good closing left room for more story to be told.

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I want to thank Head of Zeus and Net Galley for the opportunity to read tis book as an ARC. This book is a combination murder mystery/time travel storyline. It is set in the near future, a few years after the pandemic. Scientists have discovered a way to send things back in time.It is called Absolom. It has been licensed to the US Government for crime control. Violent criminal are sent into the past- 200 million years in the past, to the time when dinosaurs roamed. The criminals are sent to an alternate time line from our universe. This is so that the time continuum is not altered. The scientists who developed it are a close knit group. They all have secrets and loss in their past. They all have their own reasons for wanting to go back in time.The book begins with a murder. Sam and Nora are 2 of the scientists. Sam's wife passed away a few years before and he has a teenage daughter and a preteen son. Nora and Sam are in a relationship. Sam has taken his daughter, Adeline, to see Nora and to explain that they are seeing each other. Adeline take it as a betrayal of her late mother . Adeline and Sam leave. The next day, they are arrested for Nora's murder. The first section of the book is an investigation of the murder. Sam knows they didn't do it, but the police have iron clad evidence. Sam confesses to save his daughter, knowing he will be put in the Absolom Machine and sent back in time.Adeline promises to find the real killer, with the help of the other scientists, and Daniele, who was the venture capitalist that brought everyone together. The next section of the book was my favorite. The chapters alternated between Adeline in the present, looking for answers, and Sam, in the past( late Triassic era), trying to stay alive. It was riveting, and I was tempted to skip around and read all the present day chapters and then the past chapters in sequence.( I didn't,).Then there is a huge plot twist. I cannot even tease it , for fear of spoilers. It involves Adeline, in a way I never would have imagined. The next section is focused on the development and use of the Absolom machine. It is a bit convoluted, and this was the section that I had the hardest time understanding. Two of the scientists are involved in another project, another version of Absolom . The explanation of this was a bit murky for my taste, however, I was hooked throughout the book. The fourth section ends with another huge plot twist. The last section is a wrapping up of sorts, but more intense.It attempts to close all the plot holes, and find satisfying endings for all of the characters. I felt like I had a few more questions that were not answered. I also felt like the ending was a bit pat. Hence the 4 stars as opposed to 5. However, it was a good twisty ride and I am glad I took it! I looked up the meaning of Absolom- in Hebrew Absalom( slightly different spelling)means Father of Peace.

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This book is a little difficult to get into - the final push to start the plot actually rolling takes place 20% of the way into the book - but once that threshold is crossed, it's like you've adopted the pace of the story - everything starts crashing down on you and you start searching for the clues the characters might have missed, for anything that will tell you the Whodunnit.

I finished this book in 4 days. There were points that it was easy to put the book down, and there were points where it was extremely difficult. I had the wrong character pegged from the start, but I've also absorbed a lot of fictional media, and am used to lazy writing. I'm glad this book did something different.

Would have loved more ancient-era scenes, and the writer could have written longer chapters or joined a few together, but that is a matter of personal taste.

Probably not a reread book, but definitely a read-once book.

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Brilliant! I enjoyed Lost in Time more than I could have imagined. Intelligent, thought provoking with good science. A.G. Riddle presents a fascinating concept with great characters. My only question was about the paradox of both iterations of the same person sharing a timeline. Well done! A must read.

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Pub Date: 11/01/22
CW: minor depictions of violence

A big thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for approving me for an eARC. As always, it’s much appreciated.

I started this book the day I lost my cat, so there’s always gonna be that memory attached to reading this book, but one thing that made it just a tiny bit better was the publisher’s name is Head of Zeus. Zeus was my cat’s name and it took everything in me not to burst into tears when I saw that name.

So, one of the things I didn’t like was that it took 100 pages for us to learn exactly what Absolom was and what it did. I spent the first pages when Absolom was mentioned trying to figure out what it was but it was only vaguely referred to as to what it did.

Adeline, understandably, was a very angry character, at least in the first 20% of the book or so. Ryan hardly made any appearances despite how much Adeline and Sam cared for him. And when he did make appearances, he never talked. Ryan probably said maybe, maaaaaaybe, twenty words the entire book.

Things really began to get into gear at the 30% mark. That’s when I found myself reading chapter after chapter after chapter. And the chapters were relatively short too, so it made it easier to binge.

Some of the science just didn’t make sense and as a result, I had to reread and reread to try and make sense of it all. But then again, the super complicated sciency stuff like time travel and quantum entanglement and wormholes have never really been something I’ve been able to wrap my head around so maybe that’s my fault. I love science fiction and my being unable to wrap my mind around something like that isn’t going to stop me from enjoying a book.

This book had so many frickin plot twists it was like a labyrinth. It was insane. I NEVER saw any of the twists coming and I’m usually pretty good at predicting how a book will turn out. That’s one thing I love about sci-fi; it’s wildly unpredictable.

I’m aware I read an ARC, so there’s bound to still be mistakes, but I did notice some continuity issues… little things that just didn’t make sense based off what I had already read. I had to go back and reread and then just ignore the issue because otherwise I’d be thinking about it all day and wouldn’t be able to finish the book.

But all things considered, this was a REALLY good book. I really enjoyed this story and the twists and turns that came with it. I’ve found so many good books thanks to NetGalley and their generosity and I have no doubt this book will be a wonder when it’s publication date finally comes around.

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I've read a few AG Riddle books before and while I enjoyed them, they didn't wow me but i have to say this one changed all that for me. I finished it a few days ago and I am still thinking about it, trying to get my head around it all and unravel the knots that this book tied me up in. Time travel stories make my head hurt, but I love them. I loved all the plot twists in this one. The middle third of the book was a little bit like something out of a Michael Critchton book Jurassic Park book and was a nice side plot from the rest of the story which I'd class as more of a techno-mystery. I am keen to see what AG Riddle writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of this book.

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OBSESSED!!!! I'm not a huge sci-fi nerd. My eyes tend to glaze over when we start talking about the intricacies of time travel. But I've really enjoyed other AG Riddle books so I was excited to try this one out.

The way that I explained this to others when I read reading it was that they yeet criminals into the time of the dinosaurs. After I finished, there is absolutely a deeper story line than that but the concept of sending criminals into a past alternate history is fantastic.

The character development was great. Story was great. Reveals were A+. I loved the ending and stayed up all night to finish!

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Control the Past.
Save the Future.

WOW. The premise was not something I have come across in the past, the idea of punishment being prehistoric in its nature was fascinating. As a personal lover of dinosaurs I was so excited to see where this went. I was hooked from the get go, the story was fast paced and unique. I could not put it down!

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In this world set in the future, murders are treated a little differently. Murderers aren't given a death sentence. Instead they are sent to the past with the possibility of living, or getting eaten by a dinosaur, dying of starvation, etc. This came to be by an invention, Absolom, by Sam and his group of scientists,

Sam and Adeline were the last seen the night that a scientist dies. Both of them are accused of murder, but the blame falls on Adeline, the one who was seen fighting with the scientist. However, both Sam and Adeline know they didn't kill the scientist.

Sam takes the blame and is sent to the past. It becomes his daughter, Adeline and his friend, Daniele's problem to solve. How to prove his innocence and bring him back. But Adeline can't figure out which of the scientists to trust and the story quickly takes a spin you would never see coming.

I loved this book. This book ranks among the top 3 that I've ever read. The amount of twists and unseen plot changes was insane and that made this book a complete page turner. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed trying to guess what was happening (even though I was often entirely wrong) and I think that's what made this book such a fun read.

I would recommend this to anyone, but especially people that like sci fi, crime, or disorienting novels.

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Lost In Tine
A.G. Riddle
Dr. Sam Anderson and several other scientists created the Absolom machine; they were working on Absolom 2 when Nora, one of the scientists was murdered. Nora was against Absolom 2 and demanded it be destroyed. Sam (a widower) and Nora cared deeply for each other. The night of her murder he and his daughter Adeline were at Nora’s home; they planned to reveal their relationship to Adeline. She was hurt and angry; she left the house furious, feeling her father was betraying her deceased mother. Sam left shortly afterwards. Nora was still alive when he left but the next morning she was found lying in her own blood. Sam and Adeline are accused of Nora’s murder. Sam confesses to the murder to protect his daughter. In Absolom murderers are not imprisoned or put to death; they are sent back in time 200,000,000 years in the past through the Absolom machine. They must live out their life with the dinosaurs. Nineteen-year-old, Adeline refuses to accept her father’s fate; she is determined to prove him innocent and bring him back from the past. Adeline is surrounded by naysayers; but they all have secrets.
WOW! What a tale! While this may sound farfetched think about it. The crime rate decreases, who wants to take their chances facing a T-Rex. This tale is told from 2 points of view in alternating chapters. Sam tells his fight for survival. We watch/listen as he hunts for food, search for refuge, makes a fire, survives earthquakes, and uses his brains to remain alive. He describes the dinosaurs as he sees them. Sam hangs on to life determined to see his daughter and son again. Adeline shares her struggle to discover the real murderer. The deeper her investigation the more danger she faces. Each of the scientists that created the Absolom machine have secrets. I found it fascinating watch Adeline develop into a mature young woman. Author A.G. Riddle is a genius. He has included scenes that bring out raw emotion. There are twists and turns galore. The ending is unexpected. I have read several books by author A. G. Riddle while I enjoyed them all this one has now moved him to my Top Ten Authors list. Kudos Mr. Riddle.

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I can’t start an A.G. Riddle and actually stop reading it. I devoured Lost in Time in a 24 hour period and it didn’t disappoint. I love the twists and turns that Riddle puts into his books. Each and every time he surprises me so much.

Time travel is a reality but what is the actual use for it. Send prisoners back in time as punishment but that is really only a small portion of this fast paced novel where it comes together wonderfully. Riddle has become a favorite author of mine and I was so excited to get this ARC from NetGalley to read.

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This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Lost in Time is a fantastic blend of sci-fi, time travel and thriller. Sam and his daughter, Adeline, are accused of murdering Sam’s colleague and lover, Nora. Sam confesses to the murder. In the future the world’s worst criminals aren’t sent to prison, they’re sent through the Absolom machine. This machine will send Sam back in time to the Triassic period, the era of dinosaurs. As the novel progresses Adeline plunges into an all consuming quest to prove her father’s innocence, to discover a way to bring him back. Everyone around her is a suspect, everyone holds secrets, and what Adeline eventually uncovers changes everything. The author switches each chapter to alternate between Adeline, who investigates the murder mystery element and Sam who delivers us a survival story. There are scenes of Sam foraging for food, seeking shelter, building a fire and using every ounce of his wits to stay alive. I have to say the ending of the book was nothing like what I expected it to be. the author drops a completely mind blowing twist and changes the perspective of the entire novel. I felt at the end of some chapters, we were left hanging, but the author tied things up really well I. The end. I have to say, my husband really enjoyed it also, and he never likes the books I do!!

# netgalley

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When his daughter is falsely accused of murder, a scientist must travel 200 million years into the past to save her. But there are secrets waiting there. And more than her life is at stake

I am new to A.G Riddle's books and dont read alot of sci-fi, but this book was phenomenal. A mystery/thriller turned sci-fi.
The beginning was slow but still intriguing, pulling me in with physics and time travel, by 50% though I couldn't put it down wanting to unravel all of the mysteries.
This was definitely one of the reads that have a deeper meaning revolving around family and life. The relationships, in particular father and daughter, were beautiful and emotional, and a very strong connection between the scientists.

The character development was mind blowing, and the technology was great. The technology paved the way for this 5 star read, you do not need to understand the technical terms to really fall in love with this one, and the emotional, tear-jerking ending.

And I thank netgalley and Head of Zeus, for the opportunity to read this early copy. Which will be out to purchase on 1st of september, so please give this one a chance.

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I must admit I’m a fan of Riddle’s work! I enjoy some sci-fi but I’m very picky with what I read. Riddle’s books just hit that sweet spot for me.

If you hadn’t already guessed this story is about time travel, but in an interesting way. Set in the near future, a company called Absolom now has a stranglehold on dealing with violent criminals - murderers, serial rapists and terrorists - by sending them into the past. But not some cushy, Middle Ages or Stone Age past, oh no, they get sent to the Jurassic/Triassic era with no tools or weapons. It doesn’t look very promising for these exiles!

When one of the six founders of Absolom, Dr Nora Thomas, is killed CCTV footage shows only that Dr Sam Anderson and his 19 year old daughter, Adeline, visited her on that night. Even though they are both innocent, Sam confesses to the murder to protect Adeline and he asks his colleague Daniele Dannero to look after his children as he knows he will be sent back through time. That’s when it starts to get really interesting because the Absolom founders are planning to retrieve Sam although it is not yet technically possible.

You don’t need to get caught up in all the technical detail to enjoy this story. It’s all very speculative and I did get a little lost at times but if you press on and just go with it it is a very different and entertaining story.

One thing I love about Riddle’s books is that, while the plots are always interesting, the stories are, at heart, always about people - their relationships and how they deal with what life has thrown at them. His world building is not the main game, his characters are. And they are always very relatable and dealing with issues not much different to our own. So, while it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, for me, this was another winner. Many thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

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Lost in Time is a stand-alone soft sci-fi novel mashed up with a murder mystery set in the near future. I’d enjoyed one of Riddle’s previous books so was keen to try this, and while I struggled with the premise in the first half, something then happens which changes the whole nature of the book and from then on I was hooked. I strongly recommend avoiding spoilers for this one to get the most out of it, and keeping going even if you’re thinking, like me, “that’s ridiculous, why would they do that?”

In the near future, Sam Anderson is part of a group of scientists who have created a time travel machine called Absolom, which has solved one of society’s biggest problems - what to do with the very worst criminals - by sending them back millions of years through time to an alternate universe where they can fend for themselves. Then Sam’s new partner is murdered, and he and his daughter Adeline are framed for the crime, so to save her, he confesses - and is himself exiled to the Jurassic era. Adeline vows to do whatever it takes to get him back, but how can she change the past without destroying the present?

This is not a book for serious sci-fi fans, or physicists, but if you like nonsensical Doctor Who-style timey-wimey shenanigans with clever twists, give this one a go. As mentioned previously, the idea that a government would use all that energy and cost to get rid of people they could just execute - since the outcome is the same, stopped me from engaging fully here in the first part. I’ve also decided I’m not a fan of split timelines or character perspectives in alternating chapters, as I find it too distracting. However after the first big twist, I was all in, and raced to the end to find out what on earth was going on - and was not disappointed!

As in The Extinction Trials, this has a range of likeable characters, with believable flaws but mostly good intentions, minimal violence (apart from some brutal dinosaur on dinosaur attacks that is), no sex and no swearing. The writing won’t win any prizes but that’s not what you look for in this kind of book, and more importantly it’s well paced and plotted with a denouement that hangs together if you don’t think too hard about the science. This was a fun read and I plan to check out more of his earlier books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Lost in Time is published on September 1st.

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Sometimes you are totally surprised by a book. It can be a bad surprise, Atlas Six anyone, or be blown away by how much you enjoyed a book you expected to be run of the mill. Well Lost in Time was that such book. I expected an OK sort of book, but got a twisty wisty, timey wimmey book that was so much more than either the title or the blurb suggested.

Adeline's father is convicted of murder and is sentenced to exile in the Jurassic by the time machine that he helped build and design. She vows to prove he was innocent and bring him back. The only problem is the time machine only works one way. Can she find a way of not only proving his innocence, but also bringing him back before dinosaurs devour her father?

The plot at first, a device that works one way to send a person back in time isn't anew idea. One of my favourite sci-fi authors, Julian May, used one as the basis for her brilliant Pliocene trilogy. At first, I thought this might be a rehash. Oh, boy was I wrong. It's totally different. An easy book to read, the words flow, and you're soon embroiled in intrigue where nothing seems to be true. It doesn't let up until the end. I may also add a very satisfying end.

This is a brilliant book. If you're into sci-fi or Michael Crichton style books, then this one is for you. I can see it being a very likeable film, not that I think it's being made into one. An excellent, twisty sci-fi tale that'll keep me going. 5 stars all the way.

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***4.0**

Overall
I have been a fan of A.G. Riddle since his Atlantis Trilogy. When the opportunity came up to read his next novel as an ARC (thanks to Netgalley) I grabbed it up as quick as I could! This book did not disappoint. No surprises, it is a science fiction based on time travel. The story is fast paced and an easy read. Sometimes with science fiction it can feel like you have no idea what is going on because of a lot of science mumbo jumbo. This book is easily accessible and the science makes sense. At least it did for me. The story centers around a group of 6 individuals who created a machine called Absolom that is capable of transporting matter millions of years back in time. They end up using it to send the worlds worst of the worst back in leu of the death penalty. The story begins with the murder of one of the 6 individuals and love interest of one of our POV characters, Sam. Sam’s daughter is accused of the crime and knowing her fate takes the blame. What ensues is wild ride of questions and answers and figuring out how everything is connected. The only thing I would say is that I figured out a couple of the reveals before they happened, though I wasn’t too disappointed that I was correct.

Cover
The cover is pretty eye catching. I mean it’s pretty blatant with a person falling on to what looks like an island with dinosaurs flying around. How does that NOT make you want to take a second look and make you want to pick it up? I will say that I have a have a subscription with Goldsboro Science Fiction Fantasy Fellowship and there August book is this one. The Special Edition is GOREGOUS!

Recommendation
I would recommend this book to any one who likes: science fiction, time travel (that includes dinosaurs), A.G Riddle books or twist- turny books that keep you guessing until the end.

***I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Head of Zeus, in exchange for my free and honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book early #LostInTime #NetGalley ***

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This is my first book by this author and will not be my last.
What an amazing story! Time travel, dinosaurs, murder mystery, it has it all.
Very well written and believable.

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I really liked the way this one started. I am a fan of Science and Technology thrillers, as well as time travel, and the combination of those things plus a cast of intriguing characters drew me in straightaway here. However, when the big reveal came, I must confess that I found it bizarre and unwieldy and while it all tied together in the end quite neatly, it felt a little too tidy and like more of a stretch than I felt the author explained to my adequate satisfaction..

I'm not exactly sure how Adeline would have figured out things as she did so quickly, and the way everything rolled out from there felt a little contrived to me. It was still wholly entertaining - don't get me wrong - and I enjoyed the book. But it required a little more suspension of disbelief than even this type of story usually requires.

Still, the characters were a well-developed and interesting mix, and the plot was certainly original and clever. I would definitely look up Riddle again...

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I don’t really read sci-fi but this book flew me away! I absolutely loved the storyline and the time travel aspect to the book. The book is the perfect blend of sci-fi and thriller and had me completely hooked. It’s the first book I’ve read from this author and I’ll definitely be checking out some more!

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I love reading A. G. Riddle's stories and this is another good one. I have to admit that it did take a bit to get into it at the start but that didn't last long. I soon found myself completely into the story and I couldn't put it down.

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A really interesting premise, this was a very entertaining read, even though at times I couldn’t quite understand what was going on, but this was only when it was to do with the physics/quantum side of it. A group of scientists had developed the Absolam machine but not quite in the way they had hoped. It ended up being used by governments to send the most evil convicted criminals thousands of years back in time. Things changed when Sam, one of their own is convicted of the murder of another scientist in their group, Nora.

This is a murder mystery being investigated in an unusual way, which when you add in time-travel, dinosaurs and science makes it very readable. I didn’t quite understand all of it but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This book caught my attention with the cover and then you add in time travel and dinosaurs and it sold me. The story hooked me from the start. I loved the familial relationships and the found family of all the scientists. I really enjoyed the dinosaur survival, that was fascinating. I thought I knew what and who and then plot twist, I had no idea. That was one hell of a story. It did get a tad repetitive there for awhile but I understand why it was needed. It was also heavily science involved and I don't know if any of that science talk was accurate but it sounded smart so I'm gonna believe it was all legit. All in all a great story.

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An interesting, fast paced story about time travel, family relationships, dinosaurs, murder and quite a bit more. It’s a story with which you just have to suspend belief and go with it as there are some parts that didn’t really work for me. The chapters concerning Sam’s time in the Triassic period were not as interesting as those set in the present and I was glad when the book concentrated more on the events taking place in that period. A clever and “didn’t see that coming” storyline develops about half way through which certainly added to the plot and kept me reading. My interest in the Sci-if genre has waned over the years which is why I’ve only given this four stars but if you are a SF fan then I would recommend it as it an original, well written story.

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