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Syd Brixton #0.5
Talisman
He can travel through time—but he can't change his destiny.
Dr. Morley Scott understands loss. His meticulously ordered life—a thriving pediatric practice, a luxury penthouse, a stunning lakeside cabin—is a fortress against grief. When he stumbles on the extraordinary ability to timeblink, he sees a lifeline. A chance to save his wife. To save himself.
Fate has other plans.
As Morley navigates his newfound power, two disturbing events unfold: he gains a shadowy stalker and he witnesses a heartbreaking crime.
When a mysterious woman with her own tragic history crosses his path, Morley begins to understand that his gift might serve a greater purpose than his own salvation.
Dr. Morley Scott understands loss. His meticulously ordered life—a thriving pediatric practice, a luxury penthouse, a stunning lakeside cabin—is a fortress against grief. When he stumbles on the extraordinary ability to timeblink, he sees a lifeline. A chance to save his wife. To save himself.
Fate has other plans.
As Morley navigates his newfound power, two disturbing events unfold: he gains a shadowy stalker and he witnesses a heartbreaking crime.
When a mysterious woman with her own tragic history crosses his path, Morley begins to understand that his gift might serve a greater purpose than his own salvation.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2024
15 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Mumford
4 books12 followersMJ Mumford is a fiend for psychological thrillers, page-turning suspense, and time travel stories with a dash of romance.
It was this passion that led to her debut novel, TimeBlink, a blend of all three genres in one narrative. Realizing there was more story to tell, MJ seized the challenge and created three more entries in The Syd Brixton TimeBlink series: Flight 444, Dragonfly, and a prequel novella, Talisman, which reveals how fan-favorite, Dr. Morley Scott, stumbled upon the power of timeblinking.
While MJ dreams of the day when timeblinking leaps off her pages and becomes a reality, she satisfies her wanderlust by exploring the tangible world alongside her husband, Alistair. In quieter moments, MJ enjoys the down-to-earth pleasures of reading, cooking, yoga, and supporting other independent businesses.
It was this passion that led to her debut novel, TimeBlink, a blend of all three genres in one narrative. Realizing there was more story to tell, MJ seized the challenge and created three more entries in The Syd Brixton TimeBlink series: Flight 444, Dragonfly, and a prequel novella, Talisman, which reveals how fan-favorite, Dr. Morley Scott, stumbled upon the power of timeblinking.
While MJ dreams of the day when timeblinking leaps off her pages and becomes a reality, she satisfies her wanderlust by exploring the tangible world alongside her husband, Alistair. In quieter moments, MJ enjoys the down-to-earth pleasures of reading, cooking, yoga, and supporting other independent businesses.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 17, 2025
Talisman by M.J. Mumford is a sharp, emotionally grounded time-travel novella that leans less on spectacle and more on consequence. Dr. Morley Scott appears to have built the perfect life a respected pediatric practice, beautiful homes, and rigid routines designed to keep grief at bay. But beneath that control sits an unhealed loss that no amount of success can erase.
When Morley discovers he can timeblink, the temptation is immediate and painfully human. This isn’t about curiosity or power it’s about undoing the one moment that broke him. Mumford handles this premise with restraint, allowing the tension to come not from flashy paradoxes, but from the slow realization that time may move, but destiny resists.
The story deepens as Morley becomes aware of a shadowy presence watching him and witnesses a crime he cannot ignore. The arrival of a mysterious woman with her own wounds reframes everything he believes about his gift. What begins as a selfish hope for salvation turns into a reckoning about responsibility, sacrifice, and purpose.
Readers drawn to character-driven speculative fiction, thoughtful time-travel stories, and emotionally complex protagonists will find Talisman quietly gripping. It’s a story less about changing the past and more about learning what must be faced in the present.
At its heart, Talisman asks:
If you could rewrite your worst moment would you, even if it meant losing who you’re meant to become?
When Morley discovers he can timeblink, the temptation is immediate and painfully human. This isn’t about curiosity or power it’s about undoing the one moment that broke him. Mumford handles this premise with restraint, allowing the tension to come not from flashy paradoxes, but from the slow realization that time may move, but destiny resists.
The story deepens as Morley becomes aware of a shadowy presence watching him and witnesses a crime he cannot ignore. The arrival of a mysterious woman with her own wounds reframes everything he believes about his gift. What begins as a selfish hope for salvation turns into a reckoning about responsibility, sacrifice, and purpose.
Readers drawn to character-driven speculative fiction, thoughtful time-travel stories, and emotionally complex protagonists will find Talisman quietly gripping. It’s a story less about changing the past and more about learning what must be faced in the present.
At its heart, Talisman asks:
If you could rewrite your worst moment would you, even if it meant losing who you’re meant to become?
April 4, 2026
Talisman by M.J. Mumford is a compelling blend of time travel and emotional storytelling, centered on grief, fate, and the limits of second chances.
The novel follows Dr. Morley Scott as he discovers the ability to timeblink, opening the door to altering moments from his past. What begins as a personal mission to undo loss gradually evolves into something far more complex, as new dangers and unexpected connections emerge.
The strength of the story lies in its emotional core. Rather than relying solely on its sci-fi premise, the narrative explores the human cost of grief and the consequences of trying to reshape destiny. The tension builds through both external threats and Morley’s internal struggle, creating a layered and engaging experience.
A thoughtful and engaging read for fans of time travel fiction, character driven thrillers, and stories about fate and redemption.
The novel follows Dr. Morley Scott as he discovers the ability to timeblink, opening the door to altering moments from his past. What begins as a personal mission to undo loss gradually evolves into something far more complex, as new dangers and unexpected connections emerge.
The strength of the story lies in its emotional core. Rather than relying solely on its sci-fi premise, the narrative explores the human cost of grief and the consequences of trying to reshape destiny. The tension builds through both external threats and Morley’s internal struggle, creating a layered and engaging experience.
A thoughtful and engaging read for fans of time travel fiction, character driven thrillers, and stories about fate and redemption.
December 12, 2024
🌐💚Very good surprise.
Morley had just teleported through space-time without really knowing how.
He was completely confused...
He had held in his hands the dear locket of his late, beloved Collette and found himself instantly teleported to an unknown airport...
---------
An excellent prequel full of unexpected twists and turns and which particularly highlights the character of Doctor Morley Scott, companion of the scientist Collette.
Very captivating to read. This is an informative and welcome addition to the entire series.
I recommend.
Morley had just teleported through space-time without really knowing how.
He was completely confused...
He had held in his hands the dear locket of his late, beloved Collette and found himself instantly teleported to an unknown airport...
---------
An excellent prequel full of unexpected twists and turns and which particularly highlights the character of Doctor Morley Scott, companion of the scientist Collette.
Very captivating to read. This is an informative and welcome addition to the entire series.
I recommend.
November 30, 2024
A POV from my favorite character
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy of Talisman, the prequal to The Syd Brixton TimeBlink Series. A set of time-travel novels that I love dearly. Mumford’s creativity knows no bounds. This time, readers get a look at the story from Dr. Morley Scott’s point of view. He’s simply my favorite character, so I couldn’t wait to dive into the book. Talisman is a short story, a literary snack that has you hungering for more. Gosh, there are so many things that I want to say about this story, but I dare not whisper a word in fear of spoiling the intricate plot. What I will say is: I loved how Mumford created a meaningful introduction to the Timeblink series with hidden messages that readers will unearth as they make their way through each installment of the saga.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy of Talisman, the prequal to The Syd Brixton TimeBlink Series. A set of time-travel novels that I love dearly. Mumford’s creativity knows no bounds. This time, readers get a look at the story from Dr. Morley Scott’s point of view. He’s simply my favorite character, so I couldn’t wait to dive into the book. Talisman is a short story, a literary snack that has you hungering for more. Gosh, there are so many things that I want to say about this story, but I dare not whisper a word in fear of spoiling the intricate plot. What I will say is: I loved how Mumford created a meaningful introduction to the Timeblink series with hidden messages that readers will unearth as they make their way through each installment of the saga.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews