When the Walls Fell by Monique Martin

When the Walls Fell (Out of Time, #2)

by Monique Martin

Professor Simon Cross and his assistant Elizabeth West have returned from their accidental journey into the past and are adjusting to their new life together as a couple. But an unwanted visit from the Council for Temporal Studies could change everything.

A murder in the past is changing the future, and if the killing isn't stopped, Simon Cross might never be born.

When they arrive in 1906 San Francisco, Elizabeth and Simon have no idea who wants Victor Graham dead or how it will happen. With the earthquake that leveled most of the city just days away, the race to save Graham thrusts them into a complex mystery of jealousy and revenge where murder might be the least of their worries.

Reviewed by kalventure on

3 of 5 stars

Share
I learned a long time ago that life is vastly more interesting when you say yes to it."


This is the second installment of the Out of Time series, and despite having read it last year I remembered literally nothing of the plot. Martin manages to quickly and efficiently recap what happened in New York during the first book, which is something I greatly appreciate - no one likes to read a pages long recap of a book you have already read.

In this book, Simon and Elizabeth travel back to 1906 San Francisco right before the great earthquake at the Council's behest, introducing an unnecessary conflict in their relationship. Much like with my review of Out of Time, I found that this is a romance book that could have taken place anywhere that uses the time travel to drive conflict and push forward the budding relationship between Simon and Elizabeth. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but it really detracts from the over-arching adventure, particularly when the investigations and action are left for the end of the book.

Overall I enjoyed this book, but was a bit disappointed with the many things left unanswered pertaining to the Council and the at times repetitious narrative that seemed to drag out the plot.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 3 February, 2018: Finished reading
  • 3 February, 2018: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 3 February, 2018: Reviewed