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A New Chapel Mystery #1
Untimely Deaths: A Time-Traveling Mystery
Dan Parker never meant to rewrite history.
When he uncovers a hidden room beneath Harrington House, he expects dust and forgotten relics—not a glowing brass machine that defies reality itself. But one moment of curiosity changes everything… and strands him in the 1940s.
In the quiet town of New Chapel, Dan builds a new life from the past. A job in a cozy bookstore. Nights filled with laughter. Friendships that feel more real than anything he left behind. Jack and Lucy become his anchor—his reason to stay.
For the first time in his life… he belongs.
Until people start dying. Not accidents. Not coincidence. Murder.
Worse—these deaths were never supposed to happen.
As the killings ripple through the town, Dan begins to see the horrifying truth: his presence has changed the timeline. Every connection he’s made, every moment he’s lived, may be unraveling history itself. And the closer he grows to Lucy, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
Because saving the people he loves might mean destroying the future he came from.
Or becoming the reason it never exists.
With a chilling atmosphere, deeply human stakes, and a slow-burning sense of dread, Untimely Deaths explores the fragile line between fate and choice—and the terrifying cost of changing the past.
If you could go back in time… would you risk everything to stay?
Step into the past. Uncover the truth. And discover whether some lives are meant to be lost… before time runs out.
When he uncovers a hidden room beneath Harrington House, he expects dust and forgotten relics—not a glowing brass machine that defies reality itself. But one moment of curiosity changes everything… and strands him in the 1940s.
In the quiet town of New Chapel, Dan builds a new life from the past. A job in a cozy bookstore. Nights filled with laughter. Friendships that feel more real than anything he left behind. Jack and Lucy become his anchor—his reason to stay.
For the first time in his life… he belongs.
Until people start dying. Not accidents. Not coincidence. Murder.
Worse—these deaths were never supposed to happen.
As the killings ripple through the town, Dan begins to see the horrifying truth: his presence has changed the timeline. Every connection he’s made, every moment he’s lived, may be unraveling history itself. And the closer he grows to Lucy, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
Because saving the people he loves might mean destroying the future he came from.
Or becoming the reason it never exists.
With a chilling atmosphere, deeply human stakes, and a slow-burning sense of dread, Untimely Deaths explores the fragile line between fate and choice—and the terrifying cost of changing the past.
If you could go back in time… would you risk everything to stay?
Step into the past. Uncover the truth. And discover whether some lives are meant to be lost… before time runs out.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Chris Stevens
132 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 25, 2026
Time travel can be deadly!
And that is true in the first book of the New Chapel Mysteries series by Chris Stevens.
Time travel is always an interesting plot to a story. I loved how it was a slow start that let you get that cozy small town setting while getting to know all the characters and really enjoyed jumping from different POV’s which allowed you to see the cracks behind the perfect picture setting that was originally shown.
And then it was very fast paced in the 3rd half of the book, which was perfect for the story, showing the panic/chaos that was happening. I ended up not being able to put the book down as I needed to know what would happen next!
It is a great first book in a series and I can't wait to see what book 2 will bring!
And that is true in the first book of the New Chapel Mysteries series by Chris Stevens.
Time travel is always an interesting plot to a story. I loved how it was a slow start that let you get that cozy small town setting while getting to know all the characters and really enjoyed jumping from different POV’s which allowed you to see the cracks behind the perfect picture setting that was originally shown.
And then it was very fast paced in the 3rd half of the book, which was perfect for the story, showing the panic/chaos that was happening. I ended up not being able to put the book down as I needed to know what would happen next!
It is a great first book in a series and I can't wait to see what book 2 will bring!
June 14, 2026
Untimely Deaths by Chris Stevens, Danny is a history teacher in Chapel Hill Ohio and he also works part time for the local museum this is how he comes to be in the basement of a historical home when he runs into a Time Machine that sends him back to 1947.. he’s been there for two years and on this day Danny is making new friends with a couple name Lucy and Jack. The three of them are supposed to go to the local fair that night but unfortunately under daress Jack makes his excuses and says he’ll meet them there. Needless to say they’re both shocked when Jack is found dead in his car in the barn at Mrs. Morris’s house. this will not be the last murders in the seems Danny is a suspect. How could a man from 60 years in the future be the serial killer for people in the past? I really at first thought I wasn’t going to like this book because it seems he was a history teacher and loved history and I like a more fish out of water type book but the whole tourist analogy swayed me and I kept reading and it turns out I really enjoyed this book. It was well done and it stayed interesting throughout and OMG what an ending. Now I’m left waiting for book 2 I just want to thank booktrevert. I am reviewing this book because I read it and liked it it was under no agreement with the publisher or Booktrevert it’s just a great book that I feel others will enjoy and wanted to tell people exactly that. #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
April 24, 2026
I watched Quantum Leap for many years. The cover synopsis intrigued me with the similarities to a TV show I loved. You might call UNTIMELY DEATHS a version of the show with a few twists. This is the first book in the New Chapel mystery series.
Dan has discovered a hidden room in Harrington Hall. He expects to find a lot of old junk that he'll have to clear out. Instead, there's a machine....a time machine. With no hesitation or intent, Dan is now living in the 1940s. A loner for most of his life, there's no one to miss him, so he decides to make the best of the situation. Funny thing, Dan seems to fit this era much better than the old one. But we all know that for every action, there's a consequence. When he recognizes that his experiences in this time are disturbing the history that was, he must decide if his actions are for the good or if he is placing all of his new friends in danger. The answer? You'll have to read for yourself.
This was a great storyline that promises a series I will enjoy. The writing is skilled and the MC a man who could easily be comfortable in any time period. It will be very interesting to see how book #2 will follow Dan.
Dan has discovered a hidden room in Harrington Hall. He expects to find a lot of old junk that he'll have to clear out. Instead, there's a machine....a time machine. With no hesitation or intent, Dan is now living in the 1940s. A loner for most of his life, there's no one to miss him, so he decides to make the best of the situation. Funny thing, Dan seems to fit this era much better than the old one. But we all know that for every action, there's a consequence. When he recognizes that his experiences in this time are disturbing the history that was, he must decide if his actions are for the good or if he is placing all of his new friends in danger. The answer? You'll have to read for yourself.
This was a great storyline that promises a series I will enjoy. The writing is skilled and the MC a man who could easily be comfortable in any time period. It will be very interesting to see how book #2 will follow Dan.
October 5, 2026
Untimely Deaths was an example off time travel done well and with a twist. The setting in this story was atmospheric and true to that period in time.
In terms of the characters I really felt for the main character Daniel and the struggles he had to overcome from a past relationship to time travelling and coming to terms with starting his life over.
I really enjoyed the romance and the overall banter between Daniel and his newfound lady love which was a sweet and profoundly genuine connection and added substance to the story along with the intense suspense with the murders in that past era and how Daniel had to deal with the local authorities.
A memorable read in this genre.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Warrington Publishers for an arc.
In terms of the characters I really felt for the main character Daniel and the struggles he had to overcome from a past relationship to time travelling and coming to terms with starting his life over.
I really enjoyed the romance and the overall banter between Daniel and his newfound lady love which was a sweet and profoundly genuine connection and added substance to the story along with the intense suspense with the murders in that past era and how Daniel had to deal with the local authorities.
A memorable read in this genre.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Warrington Publishers for an arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2026
Dan Parker surprised he had an unplanned destination, not toward a place but through time. I never ask how the time machine works. It is a good question that if it radioactive or not. The character being a history teacher is very satisfying because you can feel the person relish the time travel. The way how the murdered victim got killed was brutal. It was a man, then woman. Both in a vehicle, it wasn't a bludgeoning weapon, and the murder weapon is at or near the body. It was a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews