A Flash In Time

by J. N. Frye

Energy is around us, microwaves, cell-phones, electric lines, radar, and new inventions, scientific cyclotrons, plasma, and energy weapons.




It's 2006, and E-R-Mag Labs, NM, turns on an AM radio antenna connected to "Enet", a communication net at the resonant frequency of earth, to communicate with any special receiver world wide - ships, military units. As the switch is thrown, the entire transmitter explodes, and a tree with metal decorations some miles away vanishes, 2 teenagers with it. The antenna has become a focal point for the earth's magnetic energy, so was named "X-pole" which soon began absorbing electrical energy, but later any form of energy.




The antenna recharges by itself.




Every 24 hours, people and equipment in rough circles vanish. They are sent to a red-sand desert, and are being stalked and attacked by what look like "grey aliens", who appear to have followed a different evolutionary direction, and remained closer to dinosaurs and other amphibians.




Is this the end of time?

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2023

Reviews

[Harold D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t just build suspense… it traps you inside it.”
From the very first scene inside that underground government facility, I could feel the tension like static in the air. The broken sensors, the rushed deadlines, the exhausted team, and a manager who’s more terrified of losing his career than destroying the world it all felt too real, like watching a government secret unfold from behind the glass. Then the precision of the writing takes a shocking turn from pure science to something ancient and intuitive as we switch to Deputy Ivanov Longfeather, whose subconscious starts warning him before anything happens. The mix between hard science and spiritual dread is brilliant, and instead of giving cheap thrills, the author lets the fear creep in slowly and intelligently. By the time the radio cuts off, I realized I wasn’t just reading about suspense I was experiencing it. This book is a masterpiece of tension, written for readers who want more than entertainment.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents an intriguing blend of speculative science and suspense-driven storytelling. What stands out immediately is the author’s ability to ground a high-concept idea energy resonance at the Earth’s magnetic frequency in familiar, real-world technology such as radio antennas, power grids, and military communication systems. This grounding makes the unfolding events feel both plausible and unsettling.
The concept of the X-pole as a self-recharging focal point for all forms of energy is particularly compelling. Rather than treating energy as a vague force, the narrative explores its behavior, consequences, and unintended escalation in a way that encourages readers to think critically about humanity’s reliance on emerging technologies. The recurring 24-hour disappearances add a methodical rhythm to the tension, reinforcing the sense that this phenomenon obeys rules we do not yet understand.
Overall, the book succeeds not just as science fiction, but as a cautionary exploration of innovation without foresight.

[Charles F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scientific detail in this book is not just impressive it’s terrifying. When Joan Rand questions the readings coming from the antenna feedback loops, it hit me like a real-life scientific cover-up. Anyone who has ever worked in a pressured system will recognize the fear of knowing something is wrong and being ignored because profit and deadlines matter more. That realism, paired with a cultural depth through Ivanov Longfeather’s visions, transforms the story into something bigger than just fiction. It feels like a warning about how the world might end, not with explosions, but with humans ignoring the truth. The more I read, the more I felt like this book wasn’t written to entertain it was written to wake us up. Powerful, bold, unforgettable.

[Kevin C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love thrillers that feel like reality bending into danger, THIS is the one to read.

Ivanov Longfeather’s instinctive fear hit me harder than any car chase or gunfight could. His quiet moment with the spider, his distracted thoughts, the eerie music from the radio, the sudden silence all of it builds an invisible threat that feels more powerful than violence. You can tell he is sensing something everyone else is blind to. The author makes intuition feel like a scientific tool of its own. The blend of Native spiritual knowing with high-tech experimentation is not only unique, it’s revolutionary storytelling. This is suspense that respects culture, science, and humanity together.

[Andrew D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts as a tense scientific thriller and quietly grows into something far bigger.
What begins with strange data, exhausted scientists, and an ominous experiment expands into a complex web of consequences involving law enforcement, political power, and personal relationships. The introduction of the X Pole completely changes the scale of the story, and characters like Bart and Jaylee add emotional weight that grounds the science in human cost. By the time the President enters the picture, you realize this is no longer a localized problem it’s a national and global one. I finished the book deeply impressed by how layered and intentional the storytelling is.

[Leonard Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into A Flash In Time expecting a straightforward sci-fi disaster story, but it turned out to be much more reflective than I anticipated. The concept of people vanishing, not dying, but being displaced, adds a disturbing emotional layer that stayed with me. What really worked for me was the gradual escalation. The author didn’t jump straight into chaos; instead, the tension builds in a way that feels unsettlingly realistic. By the time the scope expands beyond individuals, the sense of dread is already firmly in place.

[Maximilian Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found A Flash In Time through a Listopia list centered around time-based science fiction, and I’m genuinely glad I did. What stayed with me most was the disciplined escalation of the crisis. The story doesn’t rely on spectacle alone; it builds tension through inevitability. The 24-hour cycle becomes almost psychological as a reader, you start anticipating the next loss before it happens. Books like this benefit tremendously from visibility in curated lists, because the right audience will absolutely appreciate the depth behind the concept.

[Richard Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the story evolved instead of staying in one lane.
Early chapters hook you with tension and unease, but later sections deepen the narrative through relationships, moral conflict, and authority under pressure. Bart, Jaylee, and the Sheriff are not side characters they are essential to understanding the human impact of the X Pole and its ripple effects. The author clearly thought beyond spectacle and focused on consequence. This is a complete story, not just a setup.

[Loren T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The X Pole is one of the most fascinating concepts I have encountered in a techno-thriller.
What impressed me is that it isn’t over-explained or used as a gimmick. Instead, its presence slowly reshapes the story, pulling in scientists, law enforcement, and eventually the highest levels of government. The tension doesn’t disappear it multiplies. Watching characters respond differently to the same unfolding threat makes this book intellectually and emotionally engaging.

[George Scalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The relationships in this book surprised me the most.
I went in expecting a science driven thriller, but the complicated dynamics between Bart, Jaylee, Rand, and others added depth I didn’t expect. These relationships don’t distract from the plot they sharpen it. The personal conflicts mirror the larger chaos unfolding around the X Pole. That balance between emotional realism and high-stakes science is what makes this book memorable.

[Jake L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rare thriller where the consequences actually matter.
The author doesn’t reset the world after each chapter. Decisions made early echo later, especially once the Sheriff and federal leadership become involved. The appearance of the President isn’t sensational it feels earned, logical, and unsettling. The scope grows naturally, which makes the story feel believable rather than exaggerated.

[Jacob S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Flash in Time is a thoughtful, layered, and rewarding read.
It covers scientific experimentation, personal relationships, law enforcement response, political consequence, and intuitive warning without losing cohesion. The story respects the reader’s intelligence and rewards attention. This is the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it, and one I would confidently recommend to fans of intelligent, realistic thrillers.

[Paul Hartford]

This book hooked me with its premise, but it held me with its consequences. The antenna experiment felt grounded enough to be believable, which made everything that followed even more frightening. I appreciated that the story doesn’t rush to explain everything or wrap things up neatly. There’s a sense that some forces are simply beyond human control, and that idea is explored thoughtfully throughout the book.

[Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book while browsing Listopia under speculative thrillers, and it surprised me in a good way. The red desert sequences add a layer of unpredictability that elevates the story beyond a simple technological disaster. The survival aspect shifts the tone in a way that feels earned rather than abrupt. It’s the kind of book that finds its audience when readers are actively searching niche lists.

[Luis C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Flash in Time is the perfect blend of cutting-edge science and ancient intuition. Joan Rand’s brilliant mind facing unreadable data and a tense experiment had me on edge, while Ivanov’s visions added a layer of chilling mystery. This book doesn’t just tell a story it makes you feel it. I found myself thinking about it long after finishing. Absolutely mesmerizing."

[Lillie Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books that keep you guessing and your pulse racing, this is the one. The tension between logic and intuition, the fear of what’s coming, and the subtle hints of catastrophe make this story irresistible. It’s not just a thriller it is an experience. I have recommended it to everyone I know.

[Charles A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s ability to build suspense without over-the-top action is masterful. I felt the fatigue, anxiety, and fear of the scientists and the deputy as if I were right there with them. Every small detail the snapping pencil, the flickering monitors, the eerie quiet pulled me deeper. A Flash in Time is a brilliantly written, heart-pounding read.

[Michael A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book excels at atmosphere and pacing.
From the quiet unease of the desert to the pressure inside labs and offices of authority, every setting feels intentional. The pacing is steady, not rushed, allowing tension to build naturally. The shift from localized concern to national attention is handled smoothly, making the escalation believable rather than sensational.

[Gerald M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a one-note thriller.
It’s part techno-thriller, part character study, part political suspense. The author weaves personal conflict, professional responsibility, and global implications into a cohesive story. By the time the President is involved, the reader fully understands why. The scale grows because it has to.

[Christopher L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sheriff’s role adds a grounded perspective that anchors the chaos.
As the story expands beyond the lab, law enforcement becomes a crucial lens for understanding what’s happening and how it affects ordinary people. This shift in perspective strengthens the narrative and prevents it from becoming abstract or overly technical. Everything feels connected and purposeful.

[Delphine Oona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out most to me was how ordinary the beginning felt. Life goes on as usual, and then suddenly it doesn’t. That contrast made the early disappearances feel especially chilling. I also liked that the scientists weren’t portrayed as cartoon villains. Their intentions are understandable, which makes the outcome feel more tragic than malicious.

[Anthony A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Flash In Time grabs you by the collar in the first pages and never loosens its grip. What begins as a secret desert experiment spirals into something far more unsettling and cosmic. The tension is relentless, the mystery deep, and the moment the Silver Tree disappears… I was completely hooked. This isn’t just sci-fi. It’s dread, wonder, and adrenaline rolled into one unforgettable ride.

[Elliot M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blend of science, Native spirituality, and raw human instinct is extraordinary. Ivanov Longfeather is one of the most compelling protagonists I have read in modern speculative fiction intuitive, grounded, and utterly real. When the Silver Tree vanishes, it feels personal. This book doesn’t just tell a story. It unsettles you.

[Doug K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that makes you glance at the sky differently. The scientific build-up feels authentic and grounded, but what unfolds after the activation is chilling in the best way. The pacing is sharp, the dialogue feels real, and the sense that the world has tilted slightly off its axis is handled perfectly.

[Kristina C.]

I thought I was getting a techno-thriller. I got something far deeper. This story asks terrifying questions about power, time, and what happens when humans push too far. The disappearance of the Silver Tree is one of the most haunting scenes I have read all year. It’s not just shocking it’s symbolic and eerie.

[Frederick T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, there is a sense that something is off. Frye writes that creeping unease so well that you feel it in your chest. The animals reacting. The strange heaviness in the air. The missing time. It builds into a moment that hits like a bomb. And then the consequences ripple outward in ways you don’t expect.

[Kody Coy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated most was the seriousness with which the story treats consequence. The experiment isn’t just a plot device, it’s the moral center of the novel. There’s a quiet weight to the decisions being made, and that tension carries through the narrative. You clearly gave thought to the implications of the science rather than using it as decoration. That level of care shows.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went in expecting action-driven science fiction, but what I found was something more reflective. There’s an undercurrent of vulnerability throughout the story—the sense that humanity may have reached beyond its wisdom. That theme lingers well beyond the final chapter. It’s thoughtful without becoming heavy-handed.

[Eugene Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across A Flash In Time through a Listopia list focused on experimental sci-fi concepts. Without that list, I probably wouldn’t have stumbled onto it. What stood out to me was how the narrative doesn’t panic under its own scale. Even as the stakes expand dramatically, the story remains centered on the human cost. That balance is not easy to maintain.

[Peregrine Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding this through a Listopia time-displacement category felt like a reward for digging through curated lists. The premise alone is bold, but what I appreciated was the narrative patience. The tension accumulates rather than explodes all at once. That choice gives the story a stronger emotional foundation.