A Rip in Time

Name: A Rip in Time
Price: 10.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798223119104

✍️ Thomas J Stone

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$10.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Roman curse drives a killer across two millennia in this supernatural thriller.

Stone uses a non-linear structure to connect three distinct time periods. The plot hinges on the twenty-two year cycle of a cursed Centurion. Frank Kelly serves as the bridge between the nineteen seventy-six investigation and the two thousand twenty events. The text references Cast The First Stone to show character continuity. The resolution depends on uncovering the killer's original Roman name and its link to eighteen eighty-eight London. This approach blends historical fiction with modern crime solving.

Key Themes

Roman curse serial killer time travel

Literary Context

The novel bridges ancient Rome, Victorian London, and late twentieth century England. It draws on the tradition of the immortal villain who returns after generations. The eighteen eighty-eight reference evokes Jack the Ripper lore without naming him. Stone places these elements in Kingsford to ground the supernatural events in a specific village setting.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Clive Barker · Anne Rice · Stephen King · Douglas Preston

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Thomas J. Stone 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798223119104

📝 Description: A Rip in Time

Thomas J Stone crafts a supernatural thriller that spans centuries in A Rip in Time. The narrative begins in sixty-two AD with a Roman Centurion executed for treason, cursed to return every twenty-two years to kill six people and harvest their fear. This cycle continues through the long hot summer of nineteen seventy-six, where fourteen-year-old Frank Kelly escapes a killer in Kingsford and becomes the sole witness capable of identifying him. DCI Mallen leads the investigation during this era. The story jumps to two thousand twenty when the murderer returns to Kingsford. Frank has also returned after several years away. The killer leaves no forensics or DNA, forcing Frank and returning characters from Cast The First Stone to work together. They seek to uncover the killer’s true identity and destroy him permanently. The investigation reveals a name that struck fear into Londoners in eighteen eighty-eight, linking the ancient curse to modern crimes. Stone combines historical horror with contemporary mystery. This book suits readers who enjoy multi-era supernatural thrillers and police procedurals involving ancient curses. It may not appeal to those seeking standalone mysteries without recurring characters or complex timelines. The narrative relies on the connection between past sins and present consequences.

💎 Our verdict on A Rip in Time

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Thomas J Stone delivers a meticulous supernatural thriller that successfully merges the atmosphere of historical fiction with the pacing of modern crime solving. The non-linear narrative effectively builds tension by connecting a Roman curse to events in 1976 and 2020 through the pivotal figure of Frank Kelly. The book shines in its exploration of an ancient, relentless antagonist who leaves no forensic trace, forcing characters to rely on historical knowledge rather than technology. It suits readers who enjoy intricate plots where past actions dictate present outcomes. While the complex timeline may challenge casual readers, it rewards those who appreciate detailed world-building and the intersection of gothic horror with procedural investigation styles.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy complex, multi-era narratives will find this book engaging as it bridges ancient Roman history with modern forensic challenges. The non-linear structure offers a unique puzzle for those who appreciate uncovering connections between past sins and present consequences. It appeals to fans of psychological horror who like seeing how historical trauma manifests in contemporary settings. Those interested in the mechanics of an unstoppable supernatural antagonist will appreciate the tension created by the twenty-two-year cycle. The integration of recurring characters from previous works adds depth for dedicated followers of the author's universe. It is ideal for those seeking a thriller that relies on intellectual deduction alongside supernatural dread, rather than just visceral scares.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Thomas J Stone delivers a meticulous supernatural thriller that successfully merges the atmosphere of historical fiction with the pacing of modern crime solving. The non-linear narrative effectively builds tension by connecting a Roman curse to events in 1976 and 2020 through the pivotal figure of Frank Kelly. The book shines in its exploration of an ancient, relentless antagonist who leaves no forensic trace, forcing characters to rely on historical knowledge rather than technology. It suits readers who enjoy intricate plots where past actions dictate present outcomes. While the complex timeline may challenge casual readers, it rewards those who appreciate detailed world-building and the intersection of gothic horror with procedural investigation styles.