I would rate this book 3.25 out of 5 stars.

This was a reasonably enjoyable sequel but it left me with a lot of unanswered questions and I disliked that a lot of the issues with time travel from the previous book were just conveniently not an issue in this book.

The Shadows of London by Nick Jones

I enjoyed this mystery and felt like I was on the journey traveling with our MC. At times i was a bit confused of the time travel and felt disconnected. I did enjoy my time in this novel though.

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.

What happens to his present when a time traveler returns to a pivotal moment in his past and changes it? That's the premise of Nick Jones' novel, The Shadows of London, which I read courtesy of NetGalley and Blackstone Publishers. I didn't realize it was a sequel to a previous novel (And Then She Vanished, also a terrific read), but the book is thoroughly engaging and satisfying as a stand-alone novel.
London bookseller Joseph Bridgeman returns to the present after saving his younger sister Amy and rewriting his own history. Back home, things are not the way he remembered them. Some things are better, and some things are not. His father is alive, and the girl he fancied never wants to see him again. Importantly, he has no recollection of the last 20 years, as it was lived by a different version of himself. He muddles his way through the present, claiming amnesia. The one constant in his life however, is the fellow time traveler he met on his return to the present.

This mysterious traveler blackmails Bridgeman in returning to the past to change the destiny of a woman murdered by a notorious gangster - a murder for which Bridgeman has already been arrested. If he fails, the consequences are severe, not only for him, but also for his sister, his family and the future.

This book is terrific for so many reasons. There is no time machine, magic potion or wizard's spell that makes traveling to the past possible. Jones' premise is original and utterly believable. The reader can easily accept it. Jones doesn't dwell on the how, but on the why. His plot is rich with the details of everyday life, and the consequences of changing the past. There is a delightfully comic sequence in the novel where Bridgeman and his best friend (a nerd obsessed with the past) find themselves on Carnaby Street in the swinging 1960s, when the street was the epicenter of culture, fashion and lifestyle.

All in all, a terrific read, and I look forward to the next book in the series (hoping there will be one).

The story is your typical time travel novel but the ideology behind what happens if you replace yourself in a timeline is intriguing and how to come to grips with pursuing a path you have no idea about. Thoroughly enjoyed this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Shadows of London by Nick Jones

Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for this ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) that publishes today, June 1st!

The Shadows of London is a quirky time traveling mystery about an antiques dealer, Joseph Bridgeman. This book is a sequel that piggy backs off of Joseph’s recent return to modern day after he’s saved his sister’s life and rewrote his own history. This time, Joseph is blackmailed into time traveling again and is sent to 1960’s London where he witnesses a brutal murder and goes head to head with an infamous gang leader. Joseph’s mission is to save an innocent life and rewrite history again.

This was a fun adventure that was quick and kept me intrigued. The main character, Joseph, felt like a lovable brother you’re rooting from the first page. At the same time, much of the book was a bit too convenient and didn’t leave me with much of a mystery. Essentially, “Look here, there’s a mystery key in my pocket.” I also had a few issues with the semantics of the time travel logistics. It didn’t quite make sense. Then again, what time travel does?! I enjoyed this book for a quick summer read that surprised me with a big twist at the end!

After reading and loving And Then She Vanished, I knew I had no other option but to continue with this exciting time travel series. I'm a huge fan of the genre, but unfortunately, it's been difficult for me to find a lot of quality series to enjoy. The first book in the series was my first read by the author Nick Jones, and I was very impressed with his skill in creating a detailed, suspenseful, and flawless plot. With time travel stories it's very easy for plot holes to occur, but once again he managed to wrote a seamless story that my analytical mind could not find fault with. Book one was centered around the protagonist Joseph Bridgeman discovering his abilities and using them to save his sister. The Shadows of London focused on the aftermath of the events in book one as well as a new time traveling adventure in 1960s London. He's still the same lovable guy that appeared previously-Joe couldn't have asked for a more loyal friend to support him as he navigates his new life and mission.

Joseph was desperate to save his sister Amy who disappeared when he was a teenager. Her disappearance was the catalyst that destroyed the happy life his family once knew. He always believed that if he could just rewind time and change history that everything would be perfect again. It seemed that it would be at first. Then he realized that altering time has consequences. Changed events change the trajectory of people's life, people's personality, and so many other small things.

When Joseph changed history, his family consequently lived a happy life free of tragedy. After jumping back to present time he replaced the version of himself that lived that happy life with his parents and sister. This is something that he finds difficult to accept-that he virtually erased who he calls "Other Joe." It's hard to imagine the guilt you would feel erasing someone from existence. Even if it's yourself and you still exist in another version. Rather than jumping into the perfect life, Joseph must now learn to adjust to his altered reality. Other Joe was adventurous, wealthy, self-absorbed, and athletic. Joseph is none of those things and now must walk in his new shoes convincingly.

I enjoyed discovering the many various changes along with him. One of the most interesting developments for me was how he altered his relationship with the love interest Alexia. At the end of book one, he discovers that Alexia has no memory of the developing relationship they once shared. Instead of sharing a budding romance, she now can't stand the sight of him. He must discover what caused her animosity and hopefully make amends to form a new relationship. I was rooting for him to make things right once again because even though his sister was returned to him, he lost the woman who was just starting to mean something very special to him. His friend Mark did not make an appearance in this new installment, but his best friend Vinny returned to make Joe's new mission a little bit lighter. You couldn't ask for a more loyal and fun sidekick than Vinny, and he brings some much needed levity to some life or death situations.

There is new pivotal character introduced by the name of William P. Brown. (side note: I couldn't help but wonder if his name was a nod to Doc Brown from Back to the Future.) Bill is a man with intentions that you can't quite pin down. He forces Joe's hand in time time traveling once again and randomly pops up to give him advice and guidance. Joe despises him with a passion for entangling him in a mess that he wants no part of, but not everything is always black and white. Sometimes things must be done for the greater good. The question is, who will benefit if Joe manages to save Lucy in the 60s? Will it alter his own future for the worse either way?

Nick Jones did a great job setting the scene in the past for the reader. The clothing, language, and London's sights and sounds were all there in vivid detail. When Joe travels, he has new tools and knowledge to guide him on his path. He's not quite as green as he used to be, and there isn't that fear underlying his jumps because he has a better control over how and when to go home. That may have affected the level of suspense somewhat for me, but I did enjoy seeing Joe gain his new skills. He even got to enjoy himself a little in the past, more so than the first time when he was terrified that he wouldn't be able to get home.

The end sets us up a little bit with what's to come. After another successful read, I'm really looking forward to continuing on to see where the news twists lead Joseph Bridgerton. There are still plenty of questions unanswered-especially in relation to Amy in the past and future. She seems to be a troubled person and she didn't get a huge amount of page time in this installment, so I look forward to discovering some of her secrets. If you're like me, and you love a time travel book with plenty of twists and turns, there's a good chance you will love this series! I'm solidly hooked now and there's no looking back.

This is the first book I read in this series and, even if I enjoyed, I supposed I missed something not having read the previous story.
It's a gripping, entertaining and well written story and I was hooked since the first pages.
I think it's a good story, the plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well thought.
Joe is a nice guy, a bit weak at times, and I want to read the first book to better understand the world building and the characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I didn't realise that this was the second book in this series but have to say the author did a fabulous job of recapping and bringing the reader up to speed. I was immediately aware that Joe had previously travelled back in time to 'save' his sister Amy. That act has brought consequences though as not only are people who in his previous timeline were deceased or ill but Joe himself had a life that took an unexpected course. The Joe we follow is completely different to the one he refers to as " other Joe " and he struggles to fit in and convince people that he has lost memories due to hitting his head. All Joe wants to do is resume his life but sadly "other Joe " has definitely messed up any romantic plans that Joe has. You would think that is enough to deal with but no Joe hasn't quite finished time traveling and he finds himself blackmailed into returning to the swinging sixties and for Joe it's definitely not groovy man !
I had enormous sympathy for Joe right from the start as he came across as a good man trying to do the right thing. However at times he didn't feel very contemporary or modern. His best friend Vinny is an absolute hoot though and I'd really like to see more from his funny sidekick. No Tardis here but Joe does learn about his abilities and as he tries to fulfil his mission in the past he starts to learn much more about the mysterious group who contacted him.
This kept me thoroughly entertained with a very interesting plot. I just struggled at times to see Joe as a modern, young guy and wanted more of what I can only call emotion from him. He was undoubtedly likeable but for me perhaps a little weak but he definitely thought on his feet and I would be very interested in reading more about his exploits.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Before I get into the review, I have to say thank you to both NetGalley and the Publishers over at Blackstone Publishing for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Joseph Bridgeman series about an antique’s dealer who discovers he’s a time traveler when he goes back in time to save his sister from going missing as a child. Book number two pretty much picks up where the last one left off and the world is expanded on. The Shadows of London comes out on June 1st and is available for pre-order now.

I feel like most of the reason this book was middle of the road for me (good, not great) is because I feel like my expectations weren’t met. In the end of book 1, we’re basically led to believe that in book 2 Joe is going to explore an organization that manipulates and controls time. But instead he is manipulated by the organization and doesn’t get to interact with them any more than that. I enjoyed the characters but felt like the growth between the characters was less than in the first book because of the many time jumps. I really enjoyed the twist at the end of this one in a way that I didn’t with the first book. I think the shocker there at the end gives a lot of depth to a character that has felt pretty flat up to this point. I’m exciting to see how they grow and develop in the next book.

My main struggle with this one (outside of expectations) was the same issue that I had with the first book. I feel like a lot of time travel books account for a lot of the time-y wimey issues that can pop up, but it seems like they always miss something. And for me the something was that when Joe comes back from one of his time jumps he meets up with someone and decompresses about the trip, but that person should have been effect by the changes made in Joe’s trip and that he shouldn’t remember what Joe is talking about. Maybe I didn’t fully understand what was going on there, but for me it didn’t make sense.

But overall I’m enjoying this series and I’m excited to see where it goes. It’s a little average for me right now but I see so much potential in the rest of the series. Especially after that twist at the end.

This is a sequel to ‘And Then She Vanished,’ in which Joe, an ordinary man discovers that he can not only time travel but can also go back in time to prevent his seven year old sister, Amy, from mysteriously disappearing. Now Joe is back in the present, but it’s a very different present to the one he knew before he saved Amy. Not only is Amy present and grown up but his parents are both alive and well (unlike in his previous world). The Joe he has now replaced (who he refers to as ‘Other Joe’) was also very different. Growing up in an intact, happy family, Other Joe is more successful, but also has a sense of entitlement and treats women badly, including the woman Joe loved in his previous existence. Since Amy is the only one who knows what has happened to them, Joe has to pretend he had an accident that caused amnesia, so he can explain why he can’t remember anything for the last twenty years.

Although Joe had promised Amy that he would not time travel anymore, he finds himself being blackmailed by a time travellers society to return to the 1960s to prevent a death someone who is important to his current world. Joe soon finds himself in the shadowy underbelly of 1960s London. An exciting time in London with Carnaby Street changing the fashion scene, rock and roll and new dance styles on the rise but also a world of criminal gangs, thugs and corruption.

I enjoyed this fun time travel mystery into the heady atmosphere of 1960s London. Although I had not read the first book (not realising this was a sequel), there was sufficient backstory that this could be read as a stand-alone, although I would have preferred to have read the initial book first. The author has some interesting thoughts about time travel and the effects it can have on lives. Joe is a wonderful character forged by his difficult childhood after Amy vanished, a much kinder and responsible person than Other Joe who had a happy, caring upbringing. His best friend and wingman Vinny is delightful in his approach to life and dealing with difficult problems. The author has indicated that we will learn more of the society of time travellers in further time travel adventures, so I am looking forward to meeting Joe and Vinny again in the next book in the series.

The Shadows of London by Nick Jones, an interesting read. Instead of building a completely separate system to go back in time, its mostly inherent to you. An interesting take on time travel.

Joseph Bridgeman thought he had figured out how to change the world, his world, back to how he thought it should be, and then he could live his happily-ever-after. If only. Readers of fairy tales, horror movies and fans of any type of science fiction know that nothing ever works out in the ‘happily ever after’ scheme, nor do we want it to; where is the fun in that? THE SHADOWS OF LONDON is the second in a series that author Nick Jones has created with our time traveling hero, Joseph Bridgeman. Our Everyman with the strange desire to be average when he’s got fantastic skills. This installment has a definite Back to the Future vibe, as Joseph learns he has returned to a present that is not a world he fits into well. His beloved can’t stand him, his parents, while now alert and alive, are...demanding, and well, the others have their own quirks. He finds he has duties he couldn’t possibly have imagined in the first book. I can’t wait for the third so we’ll get to see how he really comes into his own. This tale is good, juicy and filled with new characters and great schemes. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

he goes back to the Sixties to prevent a murder, if he can, but it’s difficult because Lucy is the murder victim

A wonderful book. Joe is a time traveller, and he goes back to the Sixties to prevent a murder, if he can, but it is more complicated than that. Lucy Romano is the murder victim, he hopes to save. Whether he prevents the murder or not, I will not reveal, for fear of spoiling the novel. It is a good read, and takes in a crime, and time travel as well. I would recommend it, to anyone who is interested in this sort of novel. I do hope, as the author hinted, that it might become a series, although it is good as a standalone novel. One thing I noticed is that the author does follow one of his characters advice and ties up loose ends. All in all, a highly satisfying novel.