LOST IN TIME

A father and daughter must solve a time-spanning mystery in this twisty science-fiction thriller.

As the book begins, scientist Sam Anderson is visiting his late wife Sarah's grave with his children, 19-year-old Adeline and Ryan, who's 11. While they're still talking about Sarah, they're approached by three drones and seven cops who arrest Sam for the murder of Nora Thomas, one of his colleagues—with whom he’d begun a relationship. Sam is shocked to find out that Nora is dead, that he's a suspect, and especially that Adeline has been arrested, too. Gradually, Riddle reveals how Sam and his colleagues at Absolom Sciences made their fortunes via a process that sends “the world’s worst criminals” millions of years back in time and into a parallel timeline, thereby ending most crime on the planet. While the process that the Absolom scientists created is central to the plot, its societal effects are not—the parts of the book dealing with those effects (and the ethics behind it) are the least developed aspects of the novel. Trying to save Adeline, Sam offers a false confession to the murder and is sent back to prehistoric times, while, in the present day, Adeline tries to get to the bottom of who murdered Nora. It’s here that the plot really kicks into high gear. If Riddle was simply telling two parallel storylines—one of a man struggling to survive in the Triassic, the other of his daughter exploring corporate intrigue to clear his name—it would be thrilling enough. But Riddle makes use of a few neatly done plot twists to send the narrative around some unexpected corners. Some aspects of the setting feel undercooked, but the plot and pacing are handled strongly enough to make up for it. The end result is thoroughly gripping once it’s worked up enough momentum.

Come for the time travel, stay for the plot twists.