The Shadows of London by Nick Jones

The Shadows of London (Joseph Bridgeman, #2)

by Nick Jones

A time traveler's work is never done.

Likable antiques dealer Joseph Bridgeman is back in the present and dreaming of a quiet life. But when a mysterious and enigmatic time traveler arrives in his shop, Joe learns that his first trip was just the beginning and this time, the rules of the game have changed.

Blackmailed into accepting a new mission, Joe is flung back to 1960s London where he comes face-to-face with a ruthless gangster and witnesses the brutal murder of an innocent woman. Joe knows better than most that death can be reversed and the final chapter is sometimes where the story actually begins. Emotionally involved, he has no choice but to act, and quickly. With the help of Vinny, his vinyl-loving sidekick, Joe once again sets out to change the course of history. Sounds simple enough ... but when it comes to time travel, nothing is ever as it seems. Who is the old time traveler working for? And who decides what can and can't be changed?

In a thrilling twist, Joe discovers that the victim is critically important to the future and what starts out as a straightforward mission soon becomes a race to unravel a mystery -- one that threatens the very timeline he fought so hard to protect. Joe must dig deeper than ever, master his newfound skills, and save the woman before the past catches up with him for good.

Turns out time doesn't heal after all. It just adds salt.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Shadows of London is a humorous and engaging time travel mystery by Nick Jones. Released 1st June 2021 by Blackstone, it's 350 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

Although it's the second book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. The author does a great job of providing the necessary backstory (although there *are* abundant spoilers for the first book covered in the second, so if readers wish to read the first book before diving into the second, they should read them in order). In fact, that's one of the things which struck me throughout - the author is very adept at his craft. The narrative is very well plotted (time travel is *tricky* to write) and although told in back and forth time hops between current and 1960s London, I never felt disoriented or confused about what was happening at any point.

I loved the take on time travel that nothing in the past is fixed and that watershed moments have quite profound effects on future timelines. I also enjoyed the ramifications of making a profound jump in time and "fixing" something to find that you're suddenly thrust into the life of the "not-you" whom you've displaced with your meddling. Protagonist Joe faces this exact problem, popping into the timeline and displacing "other Joe" and trying to convince everyone that he just had a bump on the head (mountain biking "accident") and figuring it out on the fly. His new life throws him even more complications in the form of a group of "fixers" who intend to recruit him into service whether he wants to join them or not (he doesn't).

There are some genuinely funny moments and the whole has a quaint and very British vibe. There's a surprising amount of dramatic tension and a frisson of danger. I found Joe likable (if hapless) and easy to relate to. The plot, denouement, and resolution are quite cleverly constructed and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series with anticipation.

Four and a half stars. Fun, clever, and entertaining.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 30 October, 2021: Finished reading
  • 30 October, 2021: Reviewed