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A Ledge Outside Time
Toshiro’s creation has come to life.
“It’s working!” Toshiro screams. “See, Eddie? It works, it works!”
The room lights continue to flicker. There is a pop as a lightbulb succumbs to the ebb and flow of power. A greenish glow emanates from the screens of the computers and from the edges of the transporter pad. The machines hum and vibrate. The vibration increases, creating an itch for which there is no scratch.
A reaction has begun, an interplay of subatomic particles that has never occurred before, a four-dimensional ripple in the pond that is the universe, little waves and eddies created that are moving not randomly, but in a pattern no one yet understands. The waves rise highest from the spot where the stone is dropped, creating ripples as they spread…
Toshiro Marconi is the Michelangelo of the Information age. It is 1999 and his invention, the Transporter Pad, has re-ordered society and made his employer, Hitek corporation, the world’s richest corporation. Working late one night to complete his latest project code named Da Vinci, he disappears, taking the company’s secrets with him.
Hitek dispatches their most up-and-coming young executive, Alex Dolby, to find both Toshiro and the information he took with him before the world discovers he has disappeared. From corporate HQ to casino floor, Alex quickly finds out he is not the only person hunting for Toshiro, and some of the others want Toshiro – dead or alive.
As the chase unfolds, Alex realizes he has to confront his past – and that something from that past is also chasing him.
“It’s working!” Toshiro screams. “See, Eddie? It works, it works!”
The room lights continue to flicker. There is a pop as a lightbulb succumbs to the ebb and flow of power. A greenish glow emanates from the screens of the computers and from the edges of the transporter pad. The machines hum and vibrate. The vibration increases, creating an itch for which there is no scratch.
A reaction has begun, an interplay of subatomic particles that has never occurred before, a four-dimensional ripple in the pond that is the universe, little waves and eddies created that are moving not randomly, but in a pattern no one yet understands. The waves rise highest from the spot where the stone is dropped, creating ripples as they spread…
Toshiro Marconi is the Michelangelo of the Information age. It is 1999 and his invention, the Transporter Pad, has re-ordered society and made his employer, Hitek corporation, the world’s richest corporation. Working late one night to complete his latest project code named Da Vinci, he disappears, taking the company’s secrets with him.
Hitek dispatches their most up-and-coming young executive, Alex Dolby, to find both Toshiro and the information he took with him before the world discovers he has disappeared. From corporate HQ to casino floor, Alex quickly finds out he is not the only person hunting for Toshiro, and some of the others want Toshiro – dead or alive.
As the chase unfolds, Alex realizes he has to confront his past – and that something from that past is also chasing him.
317 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
John Robert Larson
1 book2 followersJohn Robert Larson is an author fascinated by the collision of technology and humanity. Prior to becoming a writer he worked in finance and hi-tech, which fueled a fascination with the rise of technology, corporate power, and human politics. Drawing inspiration from the dawn of the Internet age, Larson brings a sharp, thrilling edge to speculative fiction. A Ledge Outside Time is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 16, 2025
A gripping sci-fi thriller where genius, greed, and ghosts of the past collide as a vanished inventor’s world-altering creation sparks a deadly global hunt.
October 23, 2025
Reading this made me so curious about what John Robert Larson will do next. If this is his debut (or early work) then wow his voice, his vision, his ability to blend deep ideas with compelling story make me very excited to explore his other work. I find myself hoping there’s more: whether it’s in the same genre, or something completely different, I trust his ability to tell a story that stays with you.
October 23, 2025
From the very first page of A Ledge Outside Time, I knew I was in for something special. The opening lines hooked me, pulled me gently yet irresistibly into a world that felt somehow both familiar and utterly new. Page by page I found myself leaning in, eagerly turning the pages, caught between the desire to slow down and simply savour each moment and the impulse to race ahead to see what happened next.
October 23, 2025
wow! A Ledge Outside Time absolutely blew my mind. Every page had me hooked, questioning reality, and falling deeper into Larson’s world. It’s smart, emotional, and so beautifully written. Definitely one of those books that stays with you long after you finish. I’ll be first in line for whatever he writes next! 💫
October 23, 2025
It’s one of those rare reads that feels both vast and intimate where science, time, and emotion blend into something unforgettable. Every page made me think and feel at the same time, and by the end, I just sat there stunned. John Robert Larson writes with such quiet brilliance, I can’t wait to read more of his work.
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October 21, 2025I really enjoyed The Da Vinci Protocol! It’s a smart, fast-paced thriller with great tension and a fascinating mix of science and mystery. Toshiro’s story pulled me in from the start,well done!
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October 19, 2025A sharp, high-tech thriller blending science, mystery, and moral tension Da Vinci Protocol is a fast, thought-provoking read that keeps you hooked to the end.
January 13, 2026
A Ledge Outside of Time by John Robert Larson is thrilling, suspenseful sci-fi novel. Toshiro is a reclusive inventor who develops a groundbreaking technology. His company, Hitek, is now the wealthiest company as a result. One night, Toshiro disappears with the technology and all the company information about the product. Alex Dolby a Hitek executive is tasked with finding him. However, there are others on the chase looking for Toshiro and the Transporter Pad.
The story includes suspense, mystery, and corporate intrigue. It’s not only a story of technology and science, but it’s also a story about how technology will impact humanity at the dawn of a new age. It raises philosophical questions about the cost of technology, its impact on humanity, and how will humanity adapt to these changes and innovations. Readers of speculative fiction and those who enjoy sci-fi / technology stories will like this book.
I found the use of second person point of view an interesting approach to the story. We get multiple points of view from the protagonists, but it’s not often that second person is used. Readers are no longer on the outside looking in, but also are part of the story. We have the opportunity to consider the questions that the characters also face. We feel the anticipation and suspense.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and John Robert Larson for the gifted copy and opportunity to read and review the book! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
The story includes suspense, mystery, and corporate intrigue. It’s not only a story of technology and science, but it’s also a story about how technology will impact humanity at the dawn of a new age. It raises philosophical questions about the cost of technology, its impact on humanity, and how will humanity adapt to these changes and innovations. Readers of speculative fiction and those who enjoy sci-fi / technology stories will like this book.
I found the use of second person point of view an interesting approach to the story. We get multiple points of view from the protagonists, but it’s not often that second person is used. Readers are no longer on the outside looking in, but also are part of the story. We have the opportunity to consider the questions that the characters also face. We feel the anticipation and suspense.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and John Robert Larson for the gifted copy and opportunity to read and review the book! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
January 14, 2026
I'm near speechless - or as near speechless as I can be. The author has written an absolute stunner! This is the kind of story that makes me wish my dad would read. If this were turned into a movie, he would watch it 100 times. It is action-packed from start to finish. Not a dull moment in the book. I love how it offered an alternative history to the recent past that I personally lived through. Not something I've seen much of yet in writing, so it was really neat to experience that close to real-world sci-fi slant to things.
Now, if you're a gentle soul (you probably aren't reading techno-thrillers, but if you are), this isn't the best fit for you. There is some serious violence. It also doesn't pass the Bechdel test, which is unfortunately a common problem in sci-fi books. But, adding in the fact that the book is about programmers, I can attest that this is a problem in the real world, since my spouse is part of it. I honestly can't remember a scene in the book where two women even talked to each other.
But the author does some really cool things with POV. Not only is the story told from different characters' points of view, but it is also told from different first, third, and, yes, even second person! I don't think I've read any book (maybe a short story) in second person before, and it was really cool!
I can't wait to see what comes next from this author! I'm hoping for a follow-up, personally!
CW: Graphic Violence, Death (Including Spousal Death), Alcohol Abuse, Medical Trauma (including Cancer)
Now, if you're a gentle soul (you probably aren't reading techno-thrillers, but if you are), this isn't the best fit for you. There is some serious violence. It also doesn't pass the Bechdel test, which is unfortunately a common problem in sci-fi books. But, adding in the fact that the book is about programmers, I can attest that this is a problem in the real world, since my spouse is part of it. I honestly can't remember a scene in the book where two women even talked to each other.
But the author does some really cool things with POV. Not only is the story told from different characters' points of view, but it is also told from different first, third, and, yes, even second person! I don't think I've read any book (maybe a short story) in second person before, and it was really cool!
I can't wait to see what comes next from this author! I'm hoping for a follow-up, personally!
CW: Graphic Violence, Death (Including Spousal Death), Alcohol Abuse, Medical Trauma (including Cancer)
January 12, 2026
Thank you to LBT and the author for the gifted copy. This does not affect my honest review and all words are my own.
This was truly a creative masterpiece. Where I have been used to political/courtly intrigue, I was supplemented corporate intrigue. That, in particular, was incredibly interesting because I work at a consulting firm that has this going on “upstairs,” and I’m not privy to those conversations. While the stakes have may been higher in this book than real life, it was still relatable. On top of this, we have the sci-fi elements such as time travel as well as time holes where characters may be stuck…
This was the first sci-fi book I read primarily set in the United States, though it was historical, I liked how easily I understood some concepts because of this. The scientific jargon was at times complicated but Larson does a good job explaining the meaning of everything, usually in fun ways. The prologue was a great example of this
Lastly, I found it most interesting that the story was told mostly in a second person point of view because I’m not used to it but it did add an element of “looking in on the situation” rather than being in it. Enjoy my favorite quote:
“All I can do is wait and hope and think. I have to believe I will get back home and when I do I will do greater things than I have ever done before. So that’s it. Patience is the key.”
This was truly a creative masterpiece. Where I have been used to political/courtly intrigue, I was supplemented corporate intrigue. That, in particular, was incredibly interesting because I work at a consulting firm that has this going on “upstairs,” and I’m not privy to those conversations. While the stakes have may been higher in this book than real life, it was still relatable. On top of this, we have the sci-fi elements such as time travel as well as time holes where characters may be stuck…
This was the first sci-fi book I read primarily set in the United States, though it was historical, I liked how easily I understood some concepts because of this. The scientific jargon was at times complicated but Larson does a good job explaining the meaning of everything, usually in fun ways. The prologue was a great example of this
Lastly, I found it most interesting that the story was told mostly in a second person point of view because I’m not used to it but it did add an element of “looking in on the situation” rather than being in it. Enjoy my favorite quote:
“All I can do is wait and hope and think. I have to believe I will get back home and when I do I will do greater things than I have ever done before. So that’s it. Patience is the key.”
October 23, 2025
From the very first page, A Ledge Outside Time pulled me into a world that felt both familiar and impossibly beyond reach a place where science, emotion, and imagination collide in ways I’ve never quite read before. Every chapter deepened my fascination; each scene unfolded like a layer of a mystery I didn’t even realize I was craving.
What I loved most is how John Robert Larson writes with precision and heart at once every sentence feels carefully designed, yet brimming with wonder. The ideas here aren’t just clever; they’re haunting, beautiful, and strangely human. There were moments that made me pause just to take it all in, and others that had me racing forward, desperate to know what happens next.
It’s one of those rare books that makes you think as much as it makes you feel. The fusion of science, philosophy, and story is breathtaking and honestly, I didn’t want it to end. I finished the last page feeling both satisfied and a little awed, the way you feel after stepping back from something vast and luminous.
I’m genuinely impressed by Larson’s vision and voice, and I can’t wait to explore whatever he writes next. If his future works carry even a fraction of this insight and energy, they’ll be instant reads for me.
What I loved most is how John Robert Larson writes with precision and heart at once every sentence feels carefully designed, yet brimming with wonder. The ideas here aren’t just clever; they’re haunting, beautiful, and strangely human. There were moments that made me pause just to take it all in, and others that had me racing forward, desperate to know what happens next.
It’s one of those rare books that makes you think as much as it makes you feel. The fusion of science, philosophy, and story is breathtaking and honestly, I didn’t want it to end. I finished the last page feeling both satisfied and a little awed, the way you feel after stepping back from something vast and luminous.
I’m genuinely impressed by Larson’s vision and voice, and I can’t wait to explore whatever he writes next. If his future works carry even a fraction of this insight and energy, they’ll be instant reads for me.
January 14, 2026
A Ledge Outside Time by John Robert Larson may read on the surface like a sci-fi/techno thriller, but beneath that lies a deeply philosophical layer. This is a story that leans into ideas over spectacle and it’s all the stronger for it. It’s about time, perception, and what happens when understanding reality too well becomes its own kind of tension.
One of the book’s most compelling elements is the way Larson plays with perspective, shifting between first, second, and third person. While it takes a little getting used to, each switch is deliberate, creating different relationships with the story. The second-person section in particular pulls you directly into the experience instead of letting you remain a passive observer.
Alex’s arc is especially heartbreaking. Through him, we see that time itself is our greatest commodity, and the personal cost of its passage is gripping.
This story refuses to neatly explain everything, and the suspense is philosophical rather than action-driven, allowing the meaning to emerge gradually, leaving questions and ideas lingering long after the final page.
It’s not an effortless read, but it’s a deeply engaging one. A strong four stars for anyone who loves sci-fi that challenges the mind while touching the heart.
One of the book’s most compelling elements is the way Larson plays with perspective, shifting between first, second, and third person. While it takes a little getting used to, each switch is deliberate, creating different relationships with the story. The second-person section in particular pulls you directly into the experience instead of letting you remain a passive observer.
Alex’s arc is especially heartbreaking. Through him, we see that time itself is our greatest commodity, and the personal cost of its passage is gripping.
This story refuses to neatly explain everything, and the suspense is philosophical rather than action-driven, allowing the meaning to emerge gradually, leaving questions and ideas lingering long after the final page.
It’s not an effortless read, but it’s a deeply engaging one. A strong four stars for anyone who loves sci-fi that challenges the mind while touching the heart.
January 14, 2026
Thank you so much to LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.
Ok so I’m still new to the sci fi world. I legit haven’t read very many books. Now I’ve read more through LBT than on my own that’s for sure.
This was such a good book. Wow did it take me on a ride that’s for sure. This was a gripper thriller that had so much to offer. I mean had everything from ghosts to mystery to everything in between !! I couldn’t put it down I sucked into this word and I couldn’t get out of it.
I loved that we had different POV that made the book so much better !! Couldn’t put this down ! I keep saying it but it’s so true.
Definitely a fast paced story. This book is very edge of your seat read we follow Toshiro who disappeared in 1999 and then the copy he worked for sends out Alex Dolby I mean it really is a race of time and to see if he can find Toshiro before everyone else does cause who knows if they want him dead or not.
Overall I am going to be looking for more reads by this author. This was a book I’m still going hmm. Oh ok. Yep that happened. And it definitely challenges the mind !! Definitely read this book !!
Ok so I’m still new to the sci fi world. I legit haven’t read very many books. Now I’ve read more through LBT than on my own that’s for sure.
This was such a good book. Wow did it take me on a ride that’s for sure. This was a gripper thriller that had so much to offer. I mean had everything from ghosts to mystery to everything in between !! I couldn’t put it down I sucked into this word and I couldn’t get out of it.
I loved that we had different POV that made the book so much better !! Couldn’t put this down ! I keep saying it but it’s so true.
Definitely a fast paced story. This book is very edge of your seat read we follow Toshiro who disappeared in 1999 and then the copy he worked for sends out Alex Dolby I mean it really is a race of time and to see if he can find Toshiro before everyone else does cause who knows if they want him dead or not.
Overall I am going to be looking for more reads by this author. This was a book I’m still going hmm. Oh ok. Yep that happened. And it definitely challenges the mind !! Definitely read this book !!
January 12, 2026
This book was very unique with multi POVs but also changing the style of point of view. I've never read anything like it. We follow Toshiro's journey toward his next big invention. When he is on the verge of a break through he goes missing.
When I first started I was confused by Toshiro's thoughts and quickly realized, that's the point! He's a slightly insane genius. I loved the tech talk and actually understood quite a bit of it! The author also does a great job at explaining it in other ways as well.
The characters were all unique in their own regard and I liked getting to see everything from multiple points of view.
This book was more than sci-fi, it brings you to question what is possible and at what lengths will you go to achieve the impossible. It also explores how far will people go to get what they want. There were a lot of layers to this book and I enjoyed the way it made me think. I was completely shocked by the ending. I'm looking forward to another book and to see what happens next!
E3 was probably my favorite character! He was hilarious and spunky.
When I first started I was confused by Toshiro's thoughts and quickly realized, that's the point! He's a slightly insane genius. I loved the tech talk and actually understood quite a bit of it! The author also does a great job at explaining it in other ways as well.
The characters were all unique in their own regard and I liked getting to see everything from multiple points of view.
This book was more than sci-fi, it brings you to question what is possible and at what lengths will you go to achieve the impossible. It also explores how far will people go to get what they want. There were a lot of layers to this book and I enjoyed the way it made me think. I was completely shocked by the ending. I'm looking forward to another book and to see what happens next!
E3 was probably my favorite character! He was hilarious and spunky.
January 14, 2026
This is a great blend of sci-fi, thriller, and corporate intrigue. The story takes place in 1999 and we get multiple POVs as the hunt for Toshiro and the information he disappeared with unfolds. The story is told using a mix of 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspective. As best I can tell, Toshiro's chapters are in 1st person, Alex's chapters are in 2nd person and all other characters' chapters are in 3rd person. It's an interesting and nuanced way to tell the story, engage the reader, and make the reader feel like we are part of the story.
💜 Thank you so much to author John Robert Larson and Love Books Tours for the gifted review copy!
💜 Thank you so much to author John Robert Larson and Love Books Tours for the gifted review copy!
October 23, 2025
What I loved most: the way Larson balances clarity with mystery. He writes scenes that are vivid and grounded so I could feel the weight of a character’s decision, the hum of tension, the almost-palpable under-current of possibility while all the time the story seems to be reaching outward, past the edges of what I expected. There were moments that made me stop and mark the page (I actually flagged a few!) simply because the sentences rang so true: emotions, science, wonder, hope, fear all interlaced.
January 14, 2026
A Ledge Outside Time is an interesting techno thriller. Told from multiple points of view, it gives us an inside look into the minds of the characters, not just the main character. I actually love when a story is told this way. I’m afraid I was a bit lost in all the technical jargon, but that didn’t take away too much from the story for me as I love science fiction and the concepts within the genre. This is a great first novel by Mr. Larson, and I look forward to reading more from him in the future.
January 20, 2026
This book is an engaging and thought provoking read that captures attention from the very first page. The author does a wonderful job of weaving together interesting ideas, relatable characters, and a strong sense of purpose. The writing is clear, the pacing is smooth, and the themes are meaningful, leaving readers with plenty to reflect on.
Whether you’re reading for entertainment, inspiration, or knowledge, this book offers something valuable. It’s well crafted and enjoyable, making it a great addition to any reader’s collection.
Whether you’re reading for entertainment, inspiration, or knowledge, this book offers something valuable. It’s well crafted and enjoyable, making it a great addition to any reader’s collection.
Read
January 19, 2026A truly gripping sci-fi thriller that blends bold ideas, sharp tension, and emotional depth. Your story is fast, smart, and unforgettable, and our readers were immediately drawn in. Thank you for sharing this incredible work with us at the Sydney Online Book Club we loved featuring it and look forward to seeing where your imagination takes us next.
October 21, 2025
This book pulled me in like a dream I didn’t want to wake from.
Every page of A Ledge Outside Time felt deliberate, alive, and unpredictable.
Larson crafts time, memory, and emotion into something stunningly human.
I can’t wait to see what he writes next.
Every page of A Ledge Outside Time felt deliberate, alive, and unpredictable.
Larson crafts time, memory, and emotion into something stunningly human.
I can’t wait to see what he writes next.
October 23, 2025
A Ledge Outside Time pulled me in from the first page and never let go. John Robert Larson blends science, mystery, and emotion so beautifully that I couldn’t stop thinking about it long after I finished. I’ll definitely be looking for more of his books!
February 1, 2026
🚂 LBT Book Tour Stop 🛑
🕰️ A Ledge Outside Time by John Robert Larson🕰️
📏 344 pages
🏷️ Sci-fi | Cyber Thriller | Techno Thriller
📂 eBook (KindleUnlimited)
✍️
The beginning of this book threw me for an absolute loop as I was reading the thoughts of what I assumed was a crazy man, that were all discombobulated and jumbled, but were also kind of hilarious and a little endearing. I soon learned that this was our genius inventor and scientist — Toshiro Marconi.
The story proceeds to be told in multiple POV and multiple types, meeting minute transcripts for example, making this book semi-epistolatory in nature. When Toshiro disappears one night in 1999, the company he works for sends Alex Dolby after him and what results is nothing short of an epic race against time as Alex tries to find Toshiro before others do; others that may want Toshiro dead.
The writing style of this story is fast-paced, thrilling and intense. Because of the multiple POV’s, we are always on the edge of our seat waiting to find out what is about to happen next. This is a very character driven novel as we watch Toshiro’s growth arc, from a man who didn’t care about what his creations were doing to the masses, become a man who questions the morality and ethics of his decisions. With Alex, we watch a man who’s used to obeying without question turn into a man who questions his orders and decides if that’s the type of man he wants to be. (Note: I hope that’s super green enough for you.)
You know I like my quotes so I’ll leave you with this:
“All I can do is wait and hope and think. I have to believe I will get back home and when I do I will do greater things than I have ever done before. So that’s it. Patience is the key.”
🕰️ A Ledge Outside Time by John Robert Larson🕰️
📏 344 pages
🏷️ Sci-fi | Cyber Thriller | Techno Thriller
📂 eBook (KindleUnlimited)
✍️
The beginning of this book threw me for an absolute loop as I was reading the thoughts of what I assumed was a crazy man, that were all discombobulated and jumbled, but were also kind of hilarious and a little endearing. I soon learned that this was our genius inventor and scientist — Toshiro Marconi.
The story proceeds to be told in multiple POV and multiple types, meeting minute transcripts for example, making this book semi-epistolatory in nature. When Toshiro disappears one night in 1999, the company he works for sends Alex Dolby after him and what results is nothing short of an epic race against time as Alex tries to find Toshiro before others do; others that may want Toshiro dead.
The writing style of this story is fast-paced, thrilling and intense. Because of the multiple POV’s, we are always on the edge of our seat waiting to find out what is about to happen next. This is a very character driven novel as we watch Toshiro’s growth arc, from a man who didn’t care about what his creations were doing to the masses, become a man who questions the morality and ethics of his decisions. With Alex, we watch a man who’s used to obeying without question turn into a man who questions his orders and decides if that’s the type of man he wants to be. (Note: I hope that’s super green enough for you.)
You know I like my quotes so I’ll leave you with this:
“All I can do is wait and hope and think. I have to believe I will get back home and when I do I will do greater things than I have ever done before. So that’s it. Patience is the key.”
January 14, 2026
We follow our main character Toshiro, a misunderstood genius, who is trying to finish his latest invention; something that could change the world forever! and if something like this actually existed I think I would be to scared to use it 😅 when he goes missing one night the chase to be the first to find him starts! I've got to admit though, I wasn't completely hooked by it. A part of me feels there's too much talking and over explaining of things, but having said that Toshiro is making a complex thing so I guess explaining everything in detail is needed. When we're first introduced to Toshiro he was a little all over the place with his thoughts but once I got to grips with him he was a likeable enough character. I also did get a little thrown when the chapters kept changing from 1st, 2nd and 2rd person but again once I got used to it it was fine. I did really enjoy the ending but I'm not sure this book was completely for me overall, personally I'm a hit or miss kinda gal when it comes to this genre, but if you fancy a techno thriller, cat and mouse game of chase then maybe this book would be for you!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews