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A Time for Murder: A Hardboiled Murder Mystery with a Time-Travel Twist
THE ONLY WAY OUT IS TO SOLVE THE CASE.Everyone knows the first forty-eight hours are the most important after a homicide. But for Detective Luke Guillory, the first forty-eight hours are all he gets—over and over and over. The same victim, the same crime scene, the same long list of suspects. Each reset erases his progress and resets the clock—but only for him.
With his marriage unraveling, his career stalled, and his own reputation damaged by his mother's criminal conviction, Luke is running out of people he can trust.
As Luke relives the same two days over and over, he starts to uncover new clues and dangerous truths. But every mistake he makes means starting from scratch. To solve the murder and break the cycle, Luke must think faster, trust harder, and risk everything—even if it means making impossible choices.
Smart, tightly plotted, and packed with sharp dialogue and high stakes, A Time for Murder is the pulse-pounding first book in the Time Loop Detective series. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch, Tana French, and the movie Edge of Tomorrow, this genre-bending mystery blends suspense, science fiction, and procedural drama into a uniquely addictive read.
Time is Luke's enemy. Truth is his only weapon. And if he wants his life back, he has to get it right.
Start A Time for Murder today and discover a twist-filled thriller where every second counts—and the clock is already ticking.
"Ardoin is the real deal" —Mark Stay, host of Mark Stay's Creative Differences
With his marriage unraveling, his career stalled, and his own reputation damaged by his mother's criminal conviction, Luke is running out of people he can trust.
As Luke relives the same two days over and over, he starts to uncover new clues and dangerous truths. But every mistake he makes means starting from scratch. To solve the murder and break the cycle, Luke must think faster, trust harder, and risk everything—even if it means making impossible choices.
Smart, tightly plotted, and packed with sharp dialogue and high stakes, A Time for Murder is the pulse-pounding first book in the Time Loop Detective series. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch, Tana French, and the movie Edge of Tomorrow, this genre-bending mystery blends suspense, science fiction, and procedural drama into a uniquely addictive read.
Time is Luke's enemy. Truth is his only weapon. And if he wants his life back, he has to get it right.
Start A Time for Murder today and discover a twist-filled thriller where every second counts—and the clock is already ticking.
"Ardoin is the real deal" —Mark Stay, host of Mark Stay's Creative Differences
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2025
9 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Paul Austin Ardoin
32 books126 followersPaul Austin Ardoin is the author of the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. A California native with a degree in creative writing from UC Santa Barbara, Ardoin has also published short fiction and humorous essays in Bottomfish and Sweet Fancy Moses. His non-fiction articles about computer security have appeared in California Computer News and European Communications. He lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, two teenagers, and a menagerie of animals.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 11, 2025
I’ve been following Ardoin’s writing since his first Fenway Stevenson novel, and this is by far my favorite! While series starters can seem slow, this one hits the ground running, adding layers of character development and as the book continues so that even the office bully tugs the readers’ compassion by the final chapter. The time loop phenomenon is well thought out so the characters acknowledge oddities and parallel universe theories without pretending to have all the answers. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, Luke wakes up at the same time Wednesday morning each 2-day cycle, bringing nothing with him but his memories, and must use his prior knowledge to push the case forward- hopefully without getting fired, landing in jail, accusing everyone of an elaborate prank, or arresting the wrong suspect (again). But, as his partner tells him early in the novel, “Everyone deserves a mulligan.”
My biggest complaint is that I fell in love with the only one of Ardoin’s novels that doesn’t already have a sequel. I’m looking forward to more of Luke’s adventures.
My biggest complaint is that I fell in love with the only one of Ardoin’s novels that doesn’t already have a sequel. I’m looking forward to more of Luke’s adventures.
February 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It took me a minute at the beginning to sort out the big cast of characters, but quickly enough, I was deep into the story and could not put it down. I am a big fan of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, and this time loop story reminded me of that. I loved the Fenway Stevenson series and I really hope this is the first of many books with Luke and Summer.
February 14, 2025
Detective relives his 48 hour loop until the killer is indited -5 stars
It is a curse - not a blessing - to relive each murder investigation until the facts line up. Only the detective has figure out the crime; the rest of the world does not realize that the detective is living a repeat, three-peat, or hundred-peat as required to get out of his time loop.
The transfer of the special capability takes place at a retirement party. Luke congratulates Justine Blood, the retiree who has the best close record in the department, in a quiet corner. As he offers her a drink, the lights flicker and go out. When the lights go back on, it is not immediately obvious that the "gift" has been transferred. Not until 12:13 am the next morning is there a clue. The cycle has started. Luke will wake up at 12:13 Wednesday morning every 48 hours until he solves the crime. The victim, a real estate developer, died at 12:13 am and Luke has to figure it out and get the right person arrested and charged in order to escape the repeating 48 hour purgatory. The clock resets at midnight on Thursday night until Luke solves the murder.
Each of the 48-hour sequences starting with the death will be different. Luke could get drunk and do nothing. He could try to be at the scene of the crime soon after it occurred in a park frequented by drug dealers. He could investigate many possible suspects. He does all of this and more in each cycle. The thing is that only Nick relives the 48 hours. Everyone else he interacts with views the sequence as if it were the first and only time; a successful investigation will allow everyone to have the same memories.
There are advantages of being able to make mistakes. Luke needs advantages especially after doing stupid things, annoying witnesses and co-workers, and even winding up in jail for allegedly committing the murder. In at least one of the cycles, I thought that Luke had the right person. When the clock struck 12:13 am (again), everything reset. It was not the correct person.
By replaying the murder with the same victim and murderer, you get the drift of the possible characters and can make the assertion that he or she is not guilty. Who is left. It is a great concept. Luke can try to recall what happened in each cycle but learns that he has to write down what happened because, the writing and everything else goes away when the cycle starts.
Figuring out who did what and why has not been this much fun in ages. This mystery is highly recommended.
It is a curse - not a blessing - to relive each murder investigation until the facts line up. Only the detective has figure out the crime; the rest of the world does not realize that the detective is living a repeat, three-peat, or hundred-peat as required to get out of his time loop.
The transfer of the special capability takes place at a retirement party. Luke congratulates Justine Blood, the retiree who has the best close record in the department, in a quiet corner. As he offers her a drink, the lights flicker and go out. When the lights go back on, it is not immediately obvious that the "gift" has been transferred. Not until 12:13 am the next morning is there a clue. The cycle has started. Luke will wake up at 12:13 Wednesday morning every 48 hours until he solves the crime. The victim, a real estate developer, died at 12:13 am and Luke has to figure it out and get the right person arrested and charged in order to escape the repeating 48 hour purgatory. The clock resets at midnight on Thursday night until Luke solves the murder.
Each of the 48-hour sequences starting with the death will be different. Luke could get drunk and do nothing. He could try to be at the scene of the crime soon after it occurred in a park frequented by drug dealers. He could investigate many possible suspects. He does all of this and more in each cycle. The thing is that only Nick relives the 48 hours. Everyone else he interacts with views the sequence as if it were the first and only time; a successful investigation will allow everyone to have the same memories.
There are advantages of being able to make mistakes. Luke needs advantages especially after doing stupid things, annoying witnesses and co-workers, and even winding up in jail for allegedly committing the murder. In at least one of the cycles, I thought that Luke had the right person. When the clock struck 12:13 am (again), everything reset. It was not the correct person.
By replaying the murder with the same victim and murderer, you get the drift of the possible characters and can make the assertion that he or she is not guilty. Who is left. It is a great concept. Luke can try to recall what happened in each cycle but learns that he has to write down what happened because, the writing and everything else goes away when the cycle starts.
Figuring out who did what and why has not been this much fun in ages. This mystery is highly recommended.
February 23, 2025
Mesmerizing!
Lucien “Luke” Guillory is a robbery and homicide detective whose life, personal and professional, is in a downward spiral. His marriage is circling the drain. His case closure rate is abysmal. His colleagues ridicule and harass him relentlessly for his ineffective job performance and for the fact that his mother, once the highly regarded chief of police in Sacramento, has recently been convicted for bribery and embezzlement and if the mother is a dirty cop, Luke must be crooked also. Or so his colleagues believe. It is in the midst of all this chaos that Luke is suddenly “blessed with a gift.” When a homicide case is assigned to Luke and his partner, Summer Symanski, Luke finds himself experiencing the worst case of déjà vu he’s ever known. With a little help from a recently retired detective he learns that he is destined to repeat a two day cycle over and over until he solves his case. Each time the cycle resets he learns new information, makes new mistakes, and experiences different consequences of his actions. I admit I had some reservations about the time travel component of this story but knowing the quality of this author’s work, I was more than willing to give this new series a try. I am so glad I did. This is a carefully crafted tale full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages right up to the very end. It is not repetitious or formulaic, it is original, brilliantly plotted and absolutely mesmerizing. I look forward to many future installments in this exciting new series.
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I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
Lucien “Luke” Guillory is a robbery and homicide detective whose life, personal and professional, is in a downward spiral. His marriage is circling the drain. His case closure rate is abysmal. His colleagues ridicule and harass him relentlessly for his ineffective job performance and for the fact that his mother, once the highly regarded chief of police in Sacramento, has recently been convicted for bribery and embezzlement and if the mother is a dirty cop, Luke must be crooked also. Or so his colleagues believe. It is in the midst of all this chaos that Luke is suddenly “blessed with a gift.” When a homicide case is assigned to Luke and his partner, Summer Symanski, Luke finds himself experiencing the worst case of déjà vu he’s ever known. With a little help from a recently retired detective he learns that he is destined to repeat a two day cycle over and over until he solves his case. Each time the cycle resets he learns new information, makes new mistakes, and experiences different consequences of his actions. I admit I had some reservations about the time travel component of this story but knowing the quality of this author’s work, I was more than willing to give this new series a try. I am so glad I did. This is a carefully crafted tale full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages right up to the very end. It is not repetitious or formulaic, it is original, brilliantly plotted and absolutely mesmerizing. I look forward to many future installments in this exciting new series.
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I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
February 13, 2025
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story will keep you guessing right till the end. It involves Luke and Summer being assigned a murder at a location where there are a lot of overdoses. The detective who had the most crime resolutions begged off the assignment and that is how it got handed to the duo. Once Big Mike who begged off the case originally discovered that the victim was a big shot, he worked to get it back.
Follow along as Luke has been given a so-called gift that permits him to relive time until he completes what is required. In this instance it is for him to discover Pye's, the victim, killer. Learn how many different thoughts he runs through as he examines the various suspects that he has identified. Discover what assistance he receives from Det. Blood in trying to understand how to use the gift he was given.
The steps point out how easy it is for the police to quickly home in on an individual and not look at the whole picture.
The ending will surprise you as you learn who the killer was. This is definitely I book you shouldn't miss!
This story will keep you guessing right till the end. It involves Luke and Summer being assigned a murder at a location where there are a lot of overdoses. The detective who had the most crime resolutions begged off the assignment and that is how it got handed to the duo. Once Big Mike who begged off the case originally discovered that the victim was a big shot, he worked to get it back.
Follow along as Luke has been given a so-called gift that permits him to relive time until he completes what is required. In this instance it is for him to discover Pye's, the victim, killer. Learn how many different thoughts he runs through as he examines the various suspects that he has identified. Discover what assistance he receives from Det. Blood in trying to understand how to use the gift he was given.
The steps point out how easy it is for the police to quickly home in on an individual and not look at the whole picture.
The ending will surprise you as you learn who the killer was. This is definitely I book you shouldn't miss!
March 11, 2025
I have enjoyed this author through a couple of previous series, most notably the Fenway Stevenson and the Woodhead & Becker Mystery series. Having enjoyed those so immensely I was excited when Ardoin started a new series especially when I read there was going to be a time loop involved. What fun! I have to say, I think I like this new series the most. There are just so many layers to Luke's story, it had to be a job and a half for Ardoin to try to remember which came first. Was this new information, would he know these facts in this sequence of events or was this another cycle's information. I cannot say enough regarding my enjoyment of this book. Suffice it to say it has me itching for the next in the series.
I received a copy of this book through the author and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion of the tale.
I received a copy of this book through the author and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion of the tale.
February 12, 2025
A sci-fi murder mystery which will keep you guessing. Luke wants the respect of his fellow detectives and a chance to prove his worth but past events keep this from happening. Then imagine living in a time loop which is the same but yet different each time you experience a new loop. Will each loop provide a new piece to discovering who the murderer is or just create more chaos. How does one get out of the time loop? Was a good start to a new series. Characters are depicted well, some you will like, some you won't. A back story is introduced but not investigated which is to pique your interest that will probably be further explored in a book in the future. Received an ARC and this is my voluntary honest review.
April 21, 2025
What a read
A great story that keeps you coming back wanting to keep reading, a real page turner. Great for all ages and anyone who enjoys twists and turns in a book. Great believable characters too that are easy to invest in and the book leaves you wanting to know more, following the side life stories of the characters. Definitely will read more in this series and recommend to all that just love a good story to lose yourself in.
A great story that keeps you coming back wanting to keep reading, a real page turner. Great for all ages and anyone who enjoys twists and turns in a book. Great believable characters too that are easy to invest in and the book leaves you wanting to know more, following the side life stories of the characters. Definitely will read more in this series and recommend to all that just love a good story to lose yourself in.
February 22, 2025
Mind-blowing!!
Wow! I've never read a mystery like this one which I couldn't put down. This is the beginning of a very promising Time Loop Detective series (think Groundhog Day, only much better). I'm a big fan of Paul Austin Ardoin's two other series which are totally different, but highly recommend them all.
Wow! I've never read a mystery like this one which I couldn't put down. This is the beginning of a very promising Time Loop Detective series (think Groundhog Day, only much better). I'm a big fan of Paul Austin Ardoin's two other series which are totally different, but highly recommend them all.
March 30, 2025
As always Paul's stories are well written and keep you guessing about what will happen next and what you are missing. When you think you know what will happen you just might be surprised. And this one has something really different from his other stories. If you are looking for a mystery with a little something different I recommend you read this!
February 12, 2025
I loved A TIME FOR MURDER! Solid plotting, realistic dialogue, and a protagonist (Luke) you can’t help but cheer for. I really enjoyed watching him grow. The “groundhog day” time repeat twist is great fun.
February 8, 2025
Not what I expected- almost DNF but got halfway and then needed to see if murder got solved. Not sure of I will read any more in this series, will read other reviews first.
February 11, 2025
I loved this book. The days may have repeated for the Detective but they were never the same. This is a great start to this new series.
February 16, 2025
I enjoyed this well written book, an edge of the seat page turner.
February 17, 2025
This is not another version of Groundhog Day. It's much better and more enjoyable. You can't wait to see what happens next. I loved the characters and the story is top-notch.
Highly Recommended.
Highly Recommended.
June 13, 2025
A Time for Murder by Paul Austin Ardoin. (Time Loop Detective Book 1)
This is a detective story with a twist. Detective Luke Guillory is given the chance to become a better person both in his professional and personal life by having to repeat the first 48 hours after a homicide. Just like in the movie "Groundhog Day", Luke is reliving the first 48 hours over and over again and he will stay in that time loop until he solves the homicide. A very engaging tale.
Looking forward to book 2. A solid 4 stars.
This is a detective story with a twist. Detective Luke Guillory is given the chance to become a better person both in his professional and personal life by having to repeat the first 48 hours after a homicide. Just like in the movie "Groundhog Day", Luke is reliving the first 48 hours over and over again and he will stay in that time loop until he solves the homicide. A very engaging tale.
Looking forward to book 2. A solid 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews