And Then She Vanished by Nick Jones

He only looked away for a second. Still haunted by the disappearance of his little sister, Amy, over twenty years ago, Joseph Bridgeman’s life has fallen apart. When a friend talks him into seeing hypnotherapist Alexia Finch to help with his insomnia, Joseph accidentally discovers he can time travel. His first trip only takes him back a few minutes, but his new-found ability gives him something he hasn’t felt for the longest time: hope. Joseph sets out to travel back to the night Amy went missing and save her. But after several failed attempts, he discovers the farther back he travels, the less time he gets to stay there. And the clock is ticking. With the help of Alexia, Joseph embarks on a desperate race against the past to save his sister. Can he master his new skill and solve the mystery of Amy’s disappearance before it’s too late? Previously released as The Unexpected Gift of Joseph Bridgeman, this updated version includes extra chapters, new plotlines, and even deeper character development. It makes way for an expanded vision of the Joseph Bridgeman Series, with the first four books released in 2021 and 2022.

Apparently, I'm on a time travel kick. This is a very interesting view of a time travel story. Well written, internally consistent, and has sequels. Interested in reading more.

First, if you're going to enjoy the audio version if this book, I thought the narrator did a great job. Often times a narrator can ruin a read for me, thankfully this was not the case this time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and given that, have already began reading #2 in this series. While not my favorite book ever, I rather enjoyed the author's perspective of time travel, and the various rules that were laid on top of the concept. Specifically, that time “acts” on its own in many ways I thought was a rather unique interpretation of time travel theory.

And Then She Vanished (Joseph Bridgeman #1)

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I enjoyed this book, but I found it to be a bit too formulaic. So, I'm not giving this book an unfavorable review or trying to wave anyone off from reading it, but I will say that if you have a fondness for time travel stories, you will see this as not offering anything really new.

As a teenager, Joseph Bridgeman experienced a trauma that shaped his life when his sister disappeared. Years later, Joseph is muddling by, using his psychic talent for knowing the provenance of objects by touch to run a failing antique store. He is persuaded to visit a hypnotherapist who unlocks his latent ability to travel in time. He then uses that ability to do what you must surely think he will do based on the premise I've already mentioned.

The story moves along in a pretty logical, connect-the-dots fashion as Joseph learns the limitations and rules of his power. (One of the rules is that the further he goes back, the less time he can spend in the past.) We meet his supporting cast of characters, who are all likable and supportive. Joseph gets breaks in moving forward in his efforts just as he needs to get those breaks. He's a likable guy. The story is likable. In the end, we are shown that there is a league of time travelers who protect the timeline, or at least that's my inference.

It's a nice book. In some ways, I saw this as a kind of superhero origin story.

I had problems with it for a number of reasons. First, the time-travel element is pure fantasy. Joseph travels through time by wishing it, or, if you prefer because he has a gift for time travel that was unlocked by hypnotherapy. This is handwaving that I would normally give the author as part of the “suspension of disbelief” deal a reader has with the author, except, second, the author had already spent his credit on the psychic ability to know provenance by touching. I understand that the latter is part of the package for time travel, but I really think that the more handwaving an author tosses in the more it seems like Superman's brand new power.

Again, nice book, it can't hurt you, but not a lot of nutrition.

Being a fan of time travel stories, I couldn't resist Nick Jones' And Then She Disappeared. The book effortlessly merges the thrill of time travel with a gripping mystery, offering up all the twists and turns that fans of the genre crave.

The story revolves around Joseph Bridgeman, a regular guy who discovers he can jump through time. But he quickly learns that with each jump, there are unexpected consequences, creating a high-stakes puzzle that keeps readers on the edge. When he sets out to uncover the mystery of a missing girl, Joseph's jumps start to shift reality in ways he didn't foresee, and the plot dives deeper with each page, challenging him to make difficult, often morally gray decisions.

Jones does a brilliant job with the time-travel mechanics here, grounding the jumps in a way that feels both realistic and thought-provoking. Joseph's journey isn't just about adventure—it's about the emotional weight of trying to fix something from the past while grappling with the cost of each jump. As the story unfolds, Jones captures the tension between Joseph's desire to set things right and the ripple effects that each choice unleashes.

And Then She Disappeared is perfect for anyone who loves a smart, suspenseful take on time travel. Jones' writing is immersive, and I found myself unable to put it down. It's thought-provoking, fast-paced, and delivers on every level for those who, like me, are drawn to stories that explore the delicate balance between choice and consequence. Highly recommended!