Theft on the Nile

The Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge #0.5

by Tracy L. Higley

As a university math professor, Audrey knows how to solve problems. But the one problem she can’t solve? The whereabouts of her brother, missing for seven months.

When a vintage travel poster advertising a Nile riverboat cruise—tacked up in the back hall of the restaurant where her brother was last seen—reveals a startling anomaly, Audrey stumbles into an adventure too classic to be real, but too real to be a dream.

Now she’s trying to rescue her brother, return a stolen Egyptian artifact, and solve a murder, all while navigating the unfamiliar world of Egypt one hundred years in the past.

Sure, she wants to get home. But danger, mystery, and a dash of romance—who could resist?

An edge-of-your-seat short story from bestselling author Tracy Higley.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Novella, Fantasy, Mystery

51 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2023

About the author

Tracy Higley has been attempting to time travel through the pages of books since she was a child. She started her first story at the age of eight, and has since authored nearly twenty books, including the acclaimed Seven Wonders Series, and the Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge. She earned a Master’s Degree in Ancient and Classical History, and has traveled to Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Italy, and Turkey, researching her books and falling into adventures. Peruse her travel journals and learn more fascinating history at www.tracyhigley.com.

Reviews

[Nadine Keels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed a good handful of books by this author before, and the cover of this short story immediately attracted the historical mystery lover in me.

Granted, the heroine is dressed in her modern-day clothes when she arrives back in time. But my brain may have cheated a little to make the story "look" more like the great cover artwork in my head as I went along.

This quick read is an enjoyable one. Admittedly, I found the moderate number of punctuation/dialogue tag errors to be a little distracting, but I'm not sure if the complimentary copy I received is the same as the version for sale.

I've already got copies of all the books about Sahara Aldridge, so it'll be cool to finally get a look at her full story after being briefly introduced to her in this mystery.

[Carla Barroso · Rating 3 out of 5]

É um pequeno conto interessante, apresentando o conceito de viagens no tempo, mas as personagens principais não parecem ser as que depois vamos acompanhar na série. Foi sobretudo isto que me desapontou um pouco.

[Barbara Langlois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. But very short and sweet. I would have loved a lot more meat to the story. It does have a great story line and I can't wait to see where the next book leads me.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short tale of siblings involved in time travel more or less against their will. This is a book I thoroughly enjoyed, one I am pleased to recommend to friends and family.
Reviewed on July 4, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, B&N and BookBub.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent intriduction to a time traveling series though the characters in this installment are not the main characters going forward - we do get introduced to the main character going forward

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spend too much screen time on FB and it knows it. Always recommending books and I am sometimes a sucker for such recommendations. Anyway, that's how I found Tracy Higley and am happy I did. There was an offer - I accepted and along came three books purchased from the author. I really like to read my Kindle, but haven't had much luck with it and Book Funnel so decided I'd read on my iPad. Glad I did. I have several new series for less than I would pay from Amazon. Only problem is I can't do text to speech so have to sit and read them. I know, why is that a problem? Only that I can't keep reading when I am out and about so these have to wait for being home on the exercise bike. I was interested because this is a time travel series and focuses on Egypt. I've been fascinated with Egypt and its past for as long as I can remember - seventy some years - so am glad to have found a series that scratches that itch. This is listed as 0.5 in the Sahara Aldridge Time travel journals and I have three more to keep me entertained. If you are a fan of this genre, please give this series a try.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a time travel mystery adventure in the Hercule Poirot style of whodunnit which takes place in Egypt. A sister searches in vain for her missing brother who had been lost for seven years, until she inadvertently sees a poster she had looked upon many a time but notices something different in it this time. She sees her brother on the boat crossing the Nile river, and as she touches his face she is absorbed into the poster and finds herself on the banks of the river in the 1920's, where she looks for and finds her brother, who in turn had done the same thing whilst searching for his colleague. When all three meet up a murder takes place and the are the prime suspects but they end up solving the crime. This is a very short story unfortunately, as I was really enjoying the read which is steeped with beautiful descriptions of the Nile and Egypt to heighten the mystery with a touch of the exotic! I love the way Ms. Higley writes with so much love and knowledge of Egypt as it is a love we both share.

[Joan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You Tracy Higley

A Cozy Quick Pace Who Done It Mystery Story. The writing style is as smooth as spreading butter on warm toast. The characters are believable.

The Protagonist's brother has been missing without a trace for 7 months. There is an intriguing picture in a hallway that might whole the key to her brother's location.

This is a Prequel to Book Series. The main characters have not been introduced as of yet.

This book reminds be of the television show The Librarians 2014 to 2018. I Recommend this solid 4 star read.


Crime Fiction
Speculative Fiction
Suspense
Romance

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun preview for a series. I enjoyed the unique time travel launched in this book. The setting and characters fit nicely into the time period they found themselves in, and exploring. It is a novella and is a great length to introduce us briefly the the lead character in the first book of the series while still being a stand alone piece. I look forward to reading more by Tracy Higley and getting to know Sahara.

[Margaret Neale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read novella/short story. I enjoyed this visit to Egypt in the 1920s. Detailed descriptions created a vivid picture of the place and time. Because it was short (50ish pages) everything happened rapidly and kept the story moving forward. Audrey is quite the observant one, and quick thinker. Good resolution to all the issues.

There were some unexplained bits, and some loose threads that could have been used to develop a subsequent story.

[Christine]

Trying to find her missing brother, Audrey stumbles on a travel poster of Egypt and time travels her way back to find him. While she is there, she discovers a murder and finds a missing artifact. A light fluffy adventure for lovers of Egypt.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short story that's adjacent to rather than part of Sahara Aldridge's world. It started well, but felt a little rushed in the middle, although it rallied at the end. This could easily have been expanded into a full cozy mystery, but it was a fun interlude nevertheless. 3.75*

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable short jaunt from the present to the past and back again for a grieving sister, brother, and co-worker. Super quick read, but worth the mystery and relationships we witness.

[Jacky Schad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on Nile was another book to keep your interest in tact!
A short story, again with time travel!
Love the way Tracy Highley writes!

[Hannah Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great little novella/short story series opener. Well written and well paced. Adventure and intrigue. Lots of fun historical and literary references. Sibling banter. And a tiny inkling of a potential romance to come. Would definitely read this author in the future.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was a quick read. I guess I didn’t realize it was a novella. Very enjoyable though.

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma investigação resolvida a partir de uma viagem inesperada no tempo. Bastante interessante.

[Dan Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to the Sahara Aldridge series and its theme of time traveling. Quick read and an interesting little mystery.

[M Mroczkowska-Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little story. Not comparable to the Journals of Sahara Aldridge, nice addition to them.

[Elizabeth Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after reading A Time To Seek.
A fun preview of the travel idea.

[Stacy Ziems · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, little short story!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, adding to my knowledge of this heroine from reading a time to seek.

[Anke Kurth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely idea to let Sarah help travellers although she's new in this business. Very entertaining to read.

[Diane Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read but ties up rather fast but with a short story, expected.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short story of unintended time travel. loved the nods to classic mystery and golden era Hollywood movies.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story , very fast paced time travel and murder mystery. Enjoyed the story and characters.