Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery

by Tom Catalano

Prominent archaeologist Henri Rutherford and his young protégé discover an ancient skeleton clutching a mysterious device. They have no idea what it is or where it came from. When they start repeating the same day over and over again they know they have something that could change the world -- for better or worse.

Will they use the time travel device for the betterment of society -- or their own gain? Can they keep it from being stolen? Can they avoid the government agent willing to do whatever is necessary to get it and rule the world?

Their lives are in danger and the future is in jeopardy. The race is on, and time is running out.

Get ready to depart on an exciting time travel journey through mystery, suspense, greed, murder, treachery, paranoia, heartache, and love!

346 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Judith Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was an odd one for me.

The first half of the book was a touch confusing and slightly slow-moving. Once we moved to the point where Dr. Rutherford passed the Talisman onto John, things started to make more sense, and we moved into the second part of the book.

However, the small time jump that happened shortly after that point lost me a bit again until Taylor showed up. Then it was a wild ride from there.

So I'd say this book went from a 3-star read to a 5-star read in the space of all of those pages, so I settled on 4.

I think if the first half had been shorter, the middle a bit more meaty and the last 30% a touch longer, particularly the point where Taylor found John, then I honestly think this could have been a 5-star for me!! Although having said that, I still really enjoyed it!!!

[Deborah Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery” by Tom Catalano is an intriguing puzzle that draws you in with its diverse perspectives and unexpected twists. It’s a thrilling page-turner that keeps you guessing at every turn. The excitement and mystery kick off right from the very first page and maintain their momentum throughout. The book shines with strong characterization, suspenseful plotlines, well-developed characters, and a hint of romance. The ending caught me off guard in the best way possible. Overall, this book was a delightful surprise!

[Sean Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Tom Catalano and @bookpublicityservices Services for sending me over a copy of "Talisman" to read and review! (A no spoilers review):
This one grabbed my attention. The fun mix of archaeology, time travel, and a hint of mystery made it really easy to get invested and stay that way. Our main characters were a delight and each had their own unique personality that made it feel easy to either connect to or hate.
Talisman delivered an engaging storyline that kept me wanting more! The writing was thrilling and straightforward, it honestly was hard to put down!
Overall, I had a good time with this one. It was an easy, entertaining read that kept me curious from beginning to end. If you enjoy time travel with a little mystery mixed in, I definitely would have to say it's worth checking out and is worth a 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Marcosbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery
Thank you to the author, Tom Catalano and Book Publicity Services for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rather than repeating the synopsis, I’ll share my thoughts.

Talisman is a fast-paced, entertaining read that hooked me from the very first chapter. It kicks off with deception and intrigue, then keeps the suspense and momentum going right through to the end.

The story has the feel of a classic sci-fi adventure while remaining easy to read and accessible. Blending archaeology, murder, and time travel, it delivers an engaging mystery that kept me turning the pages. The writing is straightforward, allowing the story to take center stage, and the characters face ethical and moral dilemmas that add another layer to the adventure. There are plenty of characters to cheer for—and a few you’ll love to hate.

If you enjoy classic science fiction, time travel, and mystery, Talisman is an enjoyable read that’s definitely worth checking out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis:
Prominent archaeologist Henri Rutherford and his young protégé discover an ancient skeleton clutching a mysterious device. They have no idea what it is or where it came from. When they start repeating the same day over and over again they know they have something that could change the world—for better or worse. Will they use the time travel device for the betterment of society—or their own gain? Can they keep it from being stolen? Can they avoid the government agent willing to do whatever is necessary to get it and rule the world? Their lives are in danger and the future is in jeopardy. The race is on, and time is running out.

Get ready to depart on an exciting time travel journey through mystery, suspense, greed, murder, treachery, paranoia, heartache, and love!

#marcosbookshelf #bookcollector #talisman #tomcatalano #bookstagrammar

[Robert Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was approached by book publicity services on Instagram about checking out Talisman: A Time Traveling Mystery. While this is noty usual genre I said I would give it a try. The author Tom Catalano sent me a signed copy of the book! I was actually really surprised at how much I enjoyed the book! I finished it in a day and a half! The story is engaging and fast-paced! The characters are well developed and I really liked that they could only travel back in time. This really makes it different from the other time travel novels I have read. The story is about a archaeology professor and students who travel to an island for a dig. On the last day the professor and John one of the students, find a skeleton which is holding a golden hockey puck sized object. The professor, who is not all above board with his dealings decides to keep the golden object a secret from the rest of the team. This is where the story really takes off! Time travel, murder, betrayal, it’s all in there! Go grab yourself a copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read and definitely one for older teens. The story starts off with an expedition on the remote island of Antigua where a skeleton is discovered clutching a mysterious device. Of course once the object is played with things start to go very wrong, with the same day repeating itself over and over again at the beginning. It instantly pulls you into the mystery and makes you wonder what is actually going on.

What I really enjoyed about this book was how it opens up the whole conversation around time travel and what people would actually do if they had the chance. Would you use it to become rich? Save lives? Change your own mistakes? It’s one of those stories that makes you think while still keeping the adventure moving.

The imagination of the author really brings the story to life and keeps things exciting throughout. The world and ideas are easy to picture and the mystery keeps you wanting to discover the truth behind the device.

Overall this is a fun and imaginative story that keeps you hooked right until the end. I don’t want to give anything away as you really need to experience this one for yourself. Let me know what you think if you decide to read it.

[David Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and thought provoking time travel mystery that's well written and easy to follow. Some books I've read with this subject matter become convoluted as you try to keep up with the different timelines and periods that are inherently confusing. Not so with this one!
There are three sections, each one focuses on a different character's possession of the Talisman and the moral dilemma created by using it. In doing so, it poses the question of what would you use it for if you had it. Would you use it for selfish reasons, to change the outcomes of negative experiences, or would you use it for purely altruistic reasons. Hmm...
Each section is interconnected and the author does a great job of weaving them together, adding a twist or two along the way and then ending with a satisfying conclusion. All-in-all this was a very enjoyable, entertaining read that held my interest from start to finish and one that I highly recommend.

Thank you to the author and Book Publicity Services for the gifted copy for me to read, review and enjoy.

[Chris Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read, very interesting time travel story. I found this was super easy to get into, the story moved very well, and a plot I could not have guessed.

[Ant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery by Tom Catalano is an easy-reading book, split into three parts. Each part predominantly follows a major character as ownership of a time-travelling talisman (a gadget that allows a person to shift only backwards in time) moves between them.

Time travel books can be convoluted as timelines can split and converge, but not so here. The time-shifting that takes place is well explained and easy to follow, and doesn't get bogged down with technical details. That we generally only follow the single timeline as seen from the current character's point of view helps immensely. Only nearing the end does the concept of causality from looping begin to rear it's head, but again it's presented in an easily understood manner.

Each of the main characters are fairly well drawn, and distinct, with clear motivations; Taylor perhaps initially less so, but then, his story is the last to be fleshed out.

This is the perfect book for anyone slightly interested in reading some light time-travel sci-fi, but have always been concerned about being able to follow a multiple timeline narrative.

Many thanks to the author and Book Publicity Services for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time travel as it should be! This book made me think about more than simply the possibility of time travel but also the morality and dangers of it. Along the way, the book brought some twists I wasn't prepared for either, making this an absolute blast to spend time with (pun intended). Give it a read. I think you will love it!

[Jim Scriven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novel. The writing was somewhat basic, with character dialogue and inner monologues lacking complexity, but the plot itself was intriguing and interestingly designed. There is indeed a mystery to enjoy here, crafted well and fun to follow. Alas, as a time travel tale, it suffers from a malady common of many such stories, which I will not mention specifically so as to remain spoiler-lite — but if you were looking finally for the one perfect time travel novel, this won't be it. However, if you want to read an accessible and interesting mystery tale with a fun take on time travel thrown in, this could be worth a read. I had no struggles with it, and the final quarter of the book literally flew by.

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery” by Tom Catalano begins on an archeological dig in Antigua. John Shaw is a young man who unearths a skeleton holding onto a mysterious gold object. He is concerned when his esteemed professor asks him to keep it a secret. He soon discovers that there seem to be glitches in the matrix, when there are strange occurrences that don’t seem to match up. Confronting his professor, he learns that the talisman is being used for profit. When it enters John’s possession, he knows he doesn’t want to use it for greed, yet he still must be careful and find a way to conceal it.

The protagonist embarks on an adventure by repeatedly using the talisman to go back into his own timeline to gain knowledge for his future so that he can find a way to best conceal it and help those when needed. As he navigates through his past while trying to help himself in the present, he faces challenges including the threat posed by a former classmate who is aware of the talisman’s power and seeks to claim it for his own selfish needs.

Characters are well-developed in this narrative. It is interesting to see how the presence of the talisman affects each one involved with it. The protagonist, who is of good character, frequently must question whether his choices are for the good of others. Except in one instance involving a child, he tries to alter the timeline as little as possible. Those who are egotistical and greedy do not care.

Catalano skillfully weaves together elements of suspense, science fiction, mystery, and ethical dilemmas as the protagonist John grapples with the consequences of altering history and the weight of responsibility that comes with wielding such extraordinary power. The novel delves into themes of greed, morality, and selflessness. While it is an exceptional work of fiction, there are touches of reality that leave me wondering about what is really happening when I experience feelings of déjà vu. Is it just a feeling or is there someone out there messing with time?

In conclusion, it is through Catalano’s vivid storytelling and well-developed characters that readers are drawn into this gripping narrative that keeps them on the edge of their seats until the final page. “Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery” is a thought-provoking and engaging read that explores the consequences of time travel. I look forward to reading more works by this fantastic author.

[PJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Tom Catalano for providing me with a copy of Talisman in exchange for my honest review. Receiving a complimentary copy has not influenced my thoughts or opinions.

Time travel is one of those concepts that immediately catches my attention because it always comes with impossible questions. If you had the chance to change the past, would you? And even if you could, should you?

Talisman explores those questions through an archaeological discovery that quickly becomes something far bigger than anyone involved could have imagined. What begins as an excavation soon becomes a race against greed, ambition, and the consequences of possessing a device capable of altering time itself.

What I appreciated most was how approachable the story felt. Time travel novels often become tangled in complicated rules and endless explanations, but this one keeps its attention on the characters and the choices they make. The mystery surrounding the artifact kept me curious, and each new revelation raised the stakes without making the story difficult to follow.

I also enjoyed that the novel doesn't present power as something purely exciting. Every decision carries weight, and the temptation to use the talisman for personal gain creates believable conflict throughout the story. Watching different characters wrestle with those choices made the adventure feel grounded despite its science fiction premise.

Tom Catalano's writing is easy to read, allowing the story to move at a brisk pace. Rather than overwhelming the reader with technical details, he lets the mystery unfold naturally while keeping the focus on suspense and momentum.

If you're looking for science fiction built around imaginative ideas, high-stakes adventure, and the timeless question of whether changing the past is ever worth the cost, Talisman is a fun and engaging read that delivers an entertaining journey from beginning to end.

[Josh DuGard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery had a lot going for it. It was an easy book to get into, the story stayed engaging, and it definitely kept me wanting to see what was going to happen next. I thought the plotting was probably its strongest point, and there were a few twists that worked really well, even if I saw some of the bigger ones coming.

The time-travel concept was really interesting, but the deeper the story got into the rules of it, the more I felt like some of the logic started contradicting itself. There were a few moments where I found myself questioning whether everything actually worked within the rules the book had established.

The characters were probably the biggest thing holding it back for me. Some of their motivations and decisions didn’t always make sense to me, and a few of them felt a little one-note. I also struggled a bit with the POV structure. It jumped between characters pretty freely, and while I understood why the story needed some of those perspectives, I personally would have preferred a clearer structure and a more defined central protagonist.

Overall, though, this was an entertaining time-travel story with some strong plotting and a fun concept. I had a good time with it. I just think it works best if you go along for the ride and don’t examine all of the time-travel logistics too closely.

Thank you to the author and publicist for gifting me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[TBRTrentBeReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Talisman: A Time Travel Mystery by Tom Catalano is a time travel adventure that asks a simple but compelling question: if you had the ability to travel through time, what would you do with it? Would you use it to gain wealth and power, or would you use it to help others?

The story follows an archaeology team led by Professor Henri Rutherford and his student assistant, John Shaw. After discovering a dead body and a strange artifact that they eventually name the Talisman, they find themselves caught up in a dangerous race for control of a device that can change everything. Before long, anyone who possesses the Talisman becomes a target.

The first part of the book felt fairly straightforward, but a twist in the middle added a new layer to the story and pulled me back in. From there, the plot picked up and did a nice job bringing everything full circle by the end.

"The only thing that can stop a man with a time traveling apparatus is an overwhelming need for greed and power." That idea really sits at the heart of the story.

Overall, this was an relatively enjoyable read that combines time travel, mystery, and questions about how people handle power when given the chance.

[Ty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time travel stories usually lean heavily into the mechanics of how it works, but The Talisman by Tom Catalano is more interested in what time travel does to people. This is a mystery that slowly unfolds across different points in time, rewarding those who enjoy piecing together clues instead of having everything explained upfront.

The novels does a wonderful job at balancing suspense and emotion around time travel as well.

I'll admit the beginning is a bit slow, and I wasn't fully hooked right away. But once the different timelines started connecting, I couldn't stop reading.

Overall I think this is well put story and thank you again @bookpublicityservice for sending me this copy.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, fast-paced book with great writing.

Unfortunately (and this has nothing to do with the book itself), time travel as a topic just never lands well for me. It leaves too much room for plot holes, and the stakes never feel real.

That being said, this is one of the better time travel books that I've read, and it's definitely a lot of fun if you don't think too deeply on the implications of time travel.

[Zachary Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was a really quick read with a nice take on time travel. Loved the little twist in the book and the characters in it. It shows two sides of humanity and how power can corrupt

[Ronnie P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great premise, underwhelming execution. The opening 50-70 pages set things up beautifully but everything aftwr that feel flat with a very unsatisfactory ending. 2.5