The Towpath: A Time Travel Suspense Thriller

by Jonathan David Walter

When the Redeemer learns about an ancient magic medallion that will allow her to go back in time to prevent her teenage daughter's suicide, she and her band of seventeenth-century Iroquois warriors embark on a mission to recover it. The only problem, however, is Aaron Porter, a shy fourteen-year-old with a garbage-picking hobby, who has discovered the medallion first. And he has his own plans for it. Now, hot on the trail of Aaron and his friends, the Redeemer won't hesitate to recover what's rightfully hers. How far would you go to prevent the death of someone you love, and when? The Redeemer knows, and that's why she'll travel across centuries, removing anyone who stands in her way.

Genres: Thriller, Time Travel, Fiction, Fantasy

360 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2024

About the author

Jon's debut novel, THE TOWPATH, about a group of teens who are targeted by a time-traveling killer and her band of warriors from the past, was published by Collective Ink Books on November 1, 2024.

By day, Jon is a senior User Experience (UX) design professional and leader with more than 20 years of experience in his field. A degreed visual designer, his career has included roles at U.S.-based Fortune 500 companies in insurance and industrial automation. Additionally, Jon has earned 18 patents on industrial software applications and worked for small startups in the commercial security and real estate technology industries.

Jon often spends his “downtime” speaking and writing on User Experience and related topics. His thought leadership has been on display in UXmatters, UX Collective, and The Startup digital magazines. Jon has been a contributing columnist for UXmatters since 2017. As a fiction writer, Jon’s short fiction has been featured in GHOSTLIGHT, THE MAGAZINE OF TERROR (SPRING 2019), DARK DOSSIER #32: THE MAGAZINE OF GHOSTS, MONSTERS, AND KILLERS, and THE DEVIL'S DOORBELL: AN ANTHOLOGY OF DARKEST ROMANCE.

Jon resides in the Cleveland, Ohio area in the U.S. with his wife and two hell-raising sons. He gets by just fine with the help of hoppy beer and strong coffee and enjoys hiking and biking on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in the forested Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where much of his debut novel, THE TOWPATH, a time-travel suspense thriller, is set. It’s a beautiful place that’s steeped in mystery, legend, and the occasional bone-chilling ghost story. Fun fact: Jon is a distant descendant of American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, on his mother’s side of the family (his great-grandmother was a Hawthorne). Vast writing skills, pedigree, and renown differences aside, maybe that’s what made Jon want to try his hand at writing, who knows?

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Towpath by Jonathan David Walter offers a fresh spin on the time travel thriller. The story revolves around the Redeemer, a mother who desperately wants to go back in time to prevent her daughter’s suicide. With the help of a group of Iroquois warriors, she embarks on a mission to find a magical medallion that can change the past. The only problem? A shy, 14-year-old scavenger named Aaron has already found it and has his own plans. What follows is a tense, emotional race against time where trust is in short supply, and stakes are higher than ever.

What makes this novel stand out is its unique blend of magical realism and raw emotion. While time travel can be a tricky concept to get right, Walter succeeds by grounding the plot in universal themes of love, grief, and redemption. The characters are what truly make the book shine. Aaron, with his quiet, introspective nature, feels refreshingly real, while the Redeemer’s complex motivations add layers of depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward conflict. The presence of the Iroquois warriors adds an unexpected historical dimension that ties the past and present together in a meaningful way.

Overall, The Towpath is an emotionally resonant and thrilling read that’s hard to put down. With its creative premise, relatable characters, and an unexpected emotional punch, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves time travel with heart. Fans of YA thrillers and science fiction will find much to enjoy here, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where Walter takes his storytelling next.

Fout out of five stars.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[CHenry Roi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club had so much to say about this one! The time travel aspect led to some great debates, and the moral dilemmas had us questioning what we would do in Aaron’s place. It’s a novel that makes you think, but it’s also a thrilling ride. The writing is sharp, the characters feel real, and the historical layers add so much depth. Definitely one of our best picks this year.

[Vickiec192 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cool! A bit of a time travelling psychological thriller in a "realistic" setting!

Aaron Porter has a hobby as a garbage picking hobby, I mean, to each his own! On one of his scavenges, he finds a medallion which has a strange pull on him. It also has a pull on The Redeemer. Someone who plans to use the medallion to go back in time and prevent the devastating death of her daughter.

After a tragic accident in a salt mine, Aaron's brother disappears. After several days, the police call off the search and he is declared missing, presumed dead. When a storage woman threatens Aaron and two of his friends, it becomes clear that both Aaron and the Redeemer are both in need of the medallion, but can they find a way to try and trust each other? Well, yes but should they trust each other? Far far from it!

This was a really original plot. Yeah time travel has been done before but the complexity of the medallion and the portals in the mine are really clever and fresh. Gripped from the start and some really great characters, Hannah is exceptional. This was really enjoyable. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

[Roy Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Walter brings the Iroquois culture into a time-travel framework is not just compelling but educational. I found myself completely absorbed in the historical depth, from the meticulous details of the past to the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. If you love history wrapped in an adventure, you won’t regret picking this up.

[Tina Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered this book from Amazon after reading an article about the author and novel in my local newspaper. I live just a few miles from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And I always try to support local authors! Well I was pleasantly surprised. What a fun read. It kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next! The main characters Aaron, Libby and Simon are great! Looking forward to a sequel or another novel from Jonathan Walter!

[Samuel King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath" is a gripping time travel thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Walter masterfully blends suspense and historical detail, creating a truly immersive and thought-provoking read. The intricate plot twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. A must-read for fans of time travel fiction!

[Christopher Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book set in a place where I grew up. cool!

[Julie Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers: Time travel can be a precarious subject with the possibilities and paradoxes. Like going back in time to kill Adolf Hitler or prevent John F. Kennedy’s assassination could lead to history changing for the better or worse. Perhaps the Soviet Union becomes the victor in the Cold War or another dictator is created from the ashes of World War I or II. Imagine going back in time and accidentally killing or falling in love with your ancestor. You wouldn’t be there to travel back but then who killed or fell in love with them? What about seeing the future knowing what is to come but being unable to prevent it? Time travel can be very excruciating and produces many migraines to figure out the rules and fiction has explored the concept in different ways. Jonathan David Walter’s The Towpath is an example of a novel that explores the complex intricacies and fragile strands that the concept of time stands on.

A mysterious character called The Redeemer is in mourning for her daughter, Hannah, who committed suicide. She is searching for a powerful medallion which will allow the wearer to go back in time so she can prevent the girl’s death. Unfortunately, the medallion is accidentally found by Aaron Porter, a teen boy. Once he learns what the medallion can do, Aaron wants to use it to find his missing brother, Owen. The discovery puts Aaron and his friends, Simon and Libby in immediate danger as The Redeemer pursues them with the assistance of a group of Iroquois warriors that she gathered from the 17th century.

The Towpath has plenty of depth, particularly with its main protagonist and antagonist. The Redeemer alternates between troubled and terrifying. While searching for Aaron, she gives one of his classmates a particularly painful and grisly death. She is willing to kill for the medallion or send the Iroquois to do it and has no conscience when it comes to inflicting pain on the teen. In her desire to save her child from death, she has no qualms about inflicting it on other children.

However, The Redeemer is not completely soulless. Her intense grief over her daughter’s suicide is very real. Her telepathic conversations with Hannah’s younger self pours out the unhinged rage and despair over the girl’s death and the extreme lengths that she goes through to save her. This is a woman whose traumatized grief has driven her insane.

There is a possibility that time travel itself has played a hand in The Redeemer’s cracking mental state. She has completely disfigured herself and has become desensitized to the historical violence in which she encountered. She has some bouts of kindness such as helping the Iroquois in their fights against white settlers but they’re almost always with the specific goal in mind to save Hannah. As she travels back and forth, The Redeemer loses parts of herself more and more until in one heartbreaking moment she is rejected by Hannah who is frightened of and angry at her. She has become the person that she didn’t want to be because of her grief that has eaten away inside her.

Aaron is someone who if they were on the same side, would understand what the Redeemer is going through. He too has felt tremendous loss. He has no memories of his birth father. His stepfather, a kindly veteran, died. His mother lives in a drugged and depressed stupor so he is cared for by Owen.The loss that he feels after Owen disappears is just as harrowing as The Redeemer’s mourning. He is not just mourning his brother, but someone who had become another father figure to him shortly after losing his last one.

The twin stories of grief and obsession are fascinating parallels because it serves as a warning. The Redeemer stands as someone that Aaron is in danger of becoming if his sadness and anger overpower him. He could become just as driven, just as heartless, and just as insane as the woman who is chasing him.

The intricacies of time travel are brilliantly explored particularly after Aaron and The Redeemer both travel backwards in time and encounter Hannah. She is bruised, morose, and detached. Aaron has to help the troubled girl and repair the rift between her and her mother, without running into his past self. However, he desperately wants to warn and protect Owen from his own fate.

There are plenty of existentialist questions that are asked. If they rescue them from these specific incidents, are they really saving them or postponing the inevitable? Hannah is clearly troubled and her mother’s presence unnerves her. In her drive to save Hannah, is The Redeemer airbrushing the past and not acknowledging her own culpability in creating the tormented soul that Hannah became? Would Aaron’s knowledge of Owen’s future drive him closer to his brother or further away? If they are saved by their loved one’s trips to the past, then what happens to them in the future? They wouldn’t have this drive to travel back in time or maybe not the ability, so they wouldn’t be able to go back to save them. Would running into their past selves lead to a paradox by their mere presence and would they have any memories of this meeting or the circumstances that led to it?

These questions are addressed and explored in ways that weigh these potential consequences and change things for better and sometimes for worse.

[Coffee Book Couch by Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan David Walter’s The Towpath isn’t just your average thriller—it's an inventive and gripping journey through layers of history, magic, and human desperation.

At the heart of the novel is a mother, known as the Redeemer, who is driven by the deepest, most primal urge a parent could feel: to rescue her teenage daughter from the tragedy of suicide. The stakes are sky-high from the beginning, as Walter introduces us to an ancient, magical medallion capable of bending time itself. With this intriguing artifact as the cornerstone of the plot, Walter brilliantly plays with the idea of how far a person might push the limits of morality and time to rewrite their most devastating mistakes.

But things take an even more intriguing turn when Aaron Porter enters the picture—a solitary, introspective fourteen-year-old boy, whose quiet scavenging on the towpath leads him to discover this very same medallion. Aaron isn’t your typical teenage character; he's complex and nuanced, carrying his own unspoken pains and dreams, making him compellingly relatable.

The collision course between the Redeemer’s fierce determination and Aaron’s uncertain yet potent resolve provides the book’s most emotionally charged moments. What Walter does exceptionally well is build tension without leaning too heavily on clichéd suspense tactics. The author trusts his storytelling to speak for itself, using rich characterization and carefully crafted plotting rather than relying solely on action-packed scenes.

Walter’s integration of seventeenth-century Iroquois warriors into the narrative isn't just a nod to historical depth—it’s an inspired choice that enriches the story, adding texture and resonance to the exploration of timeless themes like loss, grief, and the unpredictable nature of fate. The interplay of past and present is elegantly handled, creating a vivid contrast that leaves an unforgettable impression.

One of the greatest strengths of The Towpath is its deep emotional authenticity. The author deftly explores the lengths to which love and grief can push us, asking subtly yet persistently: what would we truly risk to undo our greatest losses? Walter's prose is clear, vivid, and strikingly empathetic, making every page resonate on an emotional level. The complex emotional landscapes of his characters are drawn with remarkable sensitivity, giving their struggles real weight.

At no point does the narrative lose steam; instead, the pacing is precise and masterfully controlled. As the plot spirals toward its riveting climax, the careful threading of past and present provides readers with both intellectual stimulation and heartfelt emotional payoffs. Walter adeptly manages multiple timelines and perspectives without confusing readers, maintaining clarity while consistently deepening intrigue.

Ultimately, The Towpath delivers a satisfying blend of supernatural intrigue and emotional realism, making it far more than just a genre exercise. It's a thoughtful exploration of the human spirit’s capacity for hope and desperation, and the consequences we face when we dare to rewrite the fabric of our lives. Jonathan David Walter has crafted a thrilling, emotionally resonant story that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. Highly recommended for readers seeking something fresh, meaningful, and genuinely moving.

[Martti Orson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan David Walter’s The Towpath surprised me, in the best possible way. What starts as an almost folklore-tinged historical adventure quickly spirals into a tense, time-bending thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. The description intrigued me, but the actual story delivered far more depth and emotional punch than I expected.

The book’s central force is the Redeemer, a seventeenth-century Iroquois warrior-mother driven by grief so raw and unrelenting that it becomes its own kind of supernatural fuel. Her motivations are chillingly clear: she’ll rip through time itself to stop her daughter’s suicide, and she views that mission as righteous, no matter the collateral damage. Walter does a fantastic job making her both terrifying and sympathetic. I never forgot what she was fighting for, even when her methods made my stomach knot.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Aaron Porter, the painfully shy fourteen-year-old who stumbles onto the medallion first. I found Aaron incredibly relatable, awkward, earnest, and smart in the subtle, surprising ways teens often are. His garbage-picking hobby, which initially seems like a quirky detail, ends up being a perfect metaphor for his character: someone who sees value where others don’t, someone used to being overlooked until he suddenly isn’t. His dynamic with his friends brings a lighter, grounded energy that balances the darker historical thread.

The real tension comes from the collision of these two worlds. The Redeemer and her band of warriors feel mythic and unstoppable, and the sense of dread that builds as they close in on Aaron is almost cinematic. Walter shifts perspectives at just the right moments, letting us sit inside the minds of both predator and prey. That structure keeps the stakes high and the pacing sharp.

What I appreciated most was that the book never loses sight of its emotional core. Yes, there’s time travel, and supernatural elements, and chase scenes that feel tailor-made for adaptation, but beneath all that, it’s a story about grief, desperation, and the dangerous ways love can distort duty. The moral questions linger long after the action scenes fade.

If I had one minor critique, it’s that a few transitions between timelines felt abrupt, especially early on, but once the story found its rhythm, I barely noticed.

Overall, The Towpath is a haunting, fast-moving thriller with both heart and teeth. If you like your time-travel stories with real emotional stakes and antagonist-heroes who blur the line between monstrous and tragic, you’ll be hooked. I definitely was.

[Mcrea Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath: A Time Travel Suspense Thriller by Jonathan David Walter is an ambitious and emotionally charged novel that blends time travel, historical fiction, and moral suspense into a fast moving narrative. At its core is a haunting question, how far should one go to undo a personal tragedy? Walter explores this through the Redeemer, a formidable and morally complex antagonist whose grief over her daughter’s suicide drives the story across centuries.
The novel is particularly effective in its shifting perspectives and tonal balance. The contrast between the Redeemer’s ruthless determination and Aaron Porter’s quiet, adolescent curiosity creates compelling tension. Aaron, a shy fourteen year old with an unconventional hobby, is an engaging protagonist whose innocence and agency ground the story amid its darker themes. His discovery of the medallion serves as both a plot catalyst and a symbol of unintended responsibility.

Walter’s inclusion of seventeenth century Iroquois warriors adds a distinctive historical layer, lending texture and originality to the chase driven plot. While the pacing occasionally favors action over deeper character reflection, the suspense remains consistently strong. The prose is accessible and cinematic, making the novel an engaging read for fans of speculative thrillers.

Overall, The Towpath is a thought provoking and entertaining novel that successfully combines emotional stakes with high concept storytelling, inviting readers to reflect on time, loss, and the cost of rewriting the past.

[Evelyn Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath by Jonathan David Walter is a breathtaking fusion of suspense, time travel, and emotional depth a story that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final word.

At its core lies a haunting, universal question: How far would you go to save someone you love? Through a masterful blend of fantasy and thriller elements, Walter delivers a tale that is as heart-wrenching as it is exhilarating.

The Redeemer’s desperate quest through time is both ferocious and tender a mother’s love colliding with the ethics of destiny. Meanwhile, young Aaron Porter’s discovery of the medallion gives the story its pulse innocence tangled with fate, courage facing consequence.

Walter’s writing is cinematic, vivid, and deeply human. His world-building is rich with texture and emotion, blending historical authenticity with the thrilling edge of modern suspense.

The Towpath is more than a time travel thriller it’s a story about grief, love, and the dangerous beauty of second chances. A powerful, page-turning experience that lingers long after you close the book.

[Julia Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished The Towpath and wow, what a ride! The premise hooked me immediately a grieving mother willing to cross centuries to save her daughter. That's something any parent can understand, even if time travel isn't exactly realistic.
Aaron was a surprisingly relatable protagonist. A fourteen year old garbage picker who stumbles into this whole mess? Loved it. His voice felt authentic, not like an adult trying to write a teen.
The Redeemer is terrifying in the best way. She's not your typical villain she's driven by love and desperation, which made her both sympathetic and absolutely ruthless. The Iroquois warriors added a unique historical element I wasn't expecting.
The pacing kept me turning pages, though I'll admit some parts felt a bit rushed toward the end. Still, the moral question lingered with me: how far would I go to save someone I love?
Definitely recommend for thriller fans who enjoy a twist of history and magic.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Black Phoenix Book Tours.

This is a fantasy novel with time travel elements. At the start of the story, we meet the Redeemer, whose only wish is to have her daughter back. She needs the medallion, which is in the possession of teenager Aaron Porter.

I was drawn to the book's description and striking cover. I think that in some ways, it was a little bit different from what I first expected, but it was still an exciting read. It was the kind of book that throws the reader straight into the action of the story, and it had that certain kind of energy that kept me turning the pages. Aaron and his friends also felt real and relatable. I think that in particular, this would really appeal to teen or young adult readers.

Thank you to Black Phoenix Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Olivia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath completely hooked me from the first page! Aaron’s accidental stumble onto the medallion and the thrilling chase across centuries kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved how Jon balanced suspense with heart, this isn’t just a story about time travel and danger, it’s about the lengths we’ll go for the people we love.

The characters felt real, the tension was perfectly paced, and the historical elements with the Iroquois warriors added a fascinating layer I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t put it down, and I’ve been thinking about it long after finishing.

Highly recommend this to anyone who loves time-travel thrillers with depth, adventure, and emotional stakes. Can’t wait to see what Jon writes next!

[Kristy Kloster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you, The Towpath by Jonathan David Walter totally caught me off guard—in the best way possible. I went into this expecting a solid thriller, but what I got was so much more. The characters are raw and believable, especially Aaron Porter, who completely won me over. He's quiet yet powerful in his own way, and I loved following his journey.

The plot twists involving time travel add to the story, making me think about fate and choices in ways I hadn't expected. The tension kept building right up to an ending that felt both satisfying and memorable.

You won't regret picking up The Towpath.

[Chris Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath was a searing, gripping mind-altering read. I was hooked after the first few pages and it was hard to put this book down each night. When reading The Towpath, it was hard to believe that this was a first time author as the character and plot development, informed and respectful development of indigenous cultures, made this both a fun and at times, anxiety provoking read. Given what was at stake with competing forces who are driven beyond reason made for a heart pounding read at time. The Towpath will definitely get you out of your comfort zone.

[Zara Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath is an intense and imaginative thriller that hooked me from the first page. The mix of time travel, suspense, and emotional depth made this story unforgettable. The Redeemer’s desperate mission to save her daughter felt raw and powerful, while Aaron’s story added a touching and human balance to all the action. I loved how the book blended historical elements with modern emotion it felt fresh and cinematic. If you enjoy fast-paced stories with heart, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, this one’s a must read!

[Joe Koudelka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in northeast Ohio my entire life and having logged hundreds of miles running on the towpath, I picked up this book because of the geographical connection. I’m glad I did. The time travel aspect was also right up my alley. I found it hard to put down. I was expecting a decent story with bunches of references to places with which I was familiar. It did that and, more importantly, it was a real good story.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling story delivers action, heart, and high-stakes magic all at once. The Redeemer’s desperate mission to save her daughter,crossing centuries with Iroquois warriors,is absolutely riveting. And when shy teen Aaron Porter discovers the medallion first, the chase becomes intense, emotional, and impossible to look away from.

A bold, time,bending adventure filled with danger, love, and unstoppable suspense.
Highly recommended!

[R.J. Davila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Towpath is a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Leveraging the Northeast Ohio geographic region and landmarks, The Towpath delves into a story of a young awkward teen, Aaron Porter, who finds himself, and his ragtag crew, wrapped up in a battle through time to find his lost brother and stop The Redeemer—a desperate and villainous woman trying to bring her daughter back from the dead—from hurting him and his friends.

The pacing of the book allowed the story to unfold brilliantly, while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat—with short, punchy and engaging chapters.

Character development was on point, as I felt rather connected to each of the characters and their unique quirks, fears and passions.

I can’t say enough about this book and highly recommend this read. I look forward to reading the next books in the series!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a thriller. Some very intense moments. With having some native blood in me, I love that this had those vibes in it. I love the area it was and the story. I wanted to protect the kids with everything I had lol. Very well done.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tyler Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruh this book was lit. Like one sec Aaron is just livin life then BAM time travel, ancient warriors, and crazy magic stuff. The bad guys was actually scary and the fights was so intense I was like no way he getting out of this. Some parts got me confused for a sec but then it all made sense and it was so cool. Would def read again.

[Calista Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What impressed me most was how the author balanced action and emotion. The historical details about the seventeenth-century Iroquois warriors were vivid and well-researched, while Aaron Porter’s modern-day storyline added warmth and innocence that made me care deeply about his fate. The collision of their worlds creates nonstop tension that had me turning pages late into the night.

[Carola Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Towpath by Jonathan David Walter! It has the perfect balance of suspense and magical realism. The characters felt incredibly real, especially Aaron—there’s something so honest and relatable about him. Walter’s storytelling kept me glued to every page, effortlessly blending different timelines without confusion. Highly recommended!