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The World Behind Us: A Novella
A futuristic crime thriller set in the past. Think Casablanca remade by Tarantino, with the occasional disturbance in the space/time continuum. Ray Ranglin thought he was done with The Corporation, but it turns out they weren’t done with him. So when his old boss makes him an offer he can’t refuse, Ranglin finds himself in Paris for the art heist of the century.Last century, that is. This is the Paris of smoky jazz clubs and black market politics, a city where people move in the shadows of Nazi occupation. Django Reinhardt and Hermann Göring make brief appearances.This is the story of time-travelling thieves and assassins who have quietly shaped the course of history, plus the CIA agents hot on their trail. This is . . .The World Behind Us.A 5-star review on Readers' Favorite . . . a splendid meld of crime and time travel . . . written with a good dose of humor . . . "Thomas Trang is a great storyteller and did his research well to include relevant elements of the setting. I enjoyed the way he weaves the soul and heart of Paris during the period of WWII into the narrative, giving readers powerful and vivid images of places as well as the culture."
133 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 12, 2025
I recently read Thomas Trang’s debut novel, Dark Neon and Dirt, which I thoroughly recommend and while researching him I came upon this novella which he had previously written.
Again this is a heist novel but with a unique premise, in that the participants travel back in time to commit the crime. Ray Raglin is recruited by The Corporation to travel back in time to occupied Paris during WW2 to steal some artwork before the Nazis destroy the pieces. However not only have they got to outwit the Germans but there is a CIA team in Paris whose mission is to intercept them and the artwork.
This is a brilliant fast paced novella involving a clever heist, plenty of action and also a great cast of characters. The writing is taught and is filled with historical detail and the overall concept is pretty original too.
Thomas Trang is certainly on my radar now and I’m keen to see what he publishes in the future.
Again this is a heist novel but with a unique premise, in that the participants travel back in time to commit the crime. Ray Raglin is recruited by The Corporation to travel back in time to occupied Paris during WW2 to steal some artwork before the Nazis destroy the pieces. However not only have they got to outwit the Germans but there is a CIA team in Paris whose mission is to intercept them and the artwork.
This is a brilliant fast paced novella involving a clever heist, plenty of action and also a great cast of characters. The writing is taught and is filled with historical detail and the overall concept is pretty original too.
Thomas Trang is certainly on my radar now and I’m keen to see what he publishes in the future.
January 3, 2024
Art heist plus time travel with a touch of romance and plenty of action.
June 16, 2017
This book introduces you to Ray Ranglin who is once again contacted by The Corporation - to travel back in time and "obtain" some pieces of art.
With The World Behind Us, Thomas Trang has created an interesting mix of time travel and crime. It took me the first chapters to get into the story; Ranglin is of sufficient depth, quite likeable. Thomas Trang created a story mainly focussed on Ranglin and Paris during WWII, therefore the other characters do not require the same depth. The plot turns slowly but surely into a thrilling story, comprising some interesting turns, and developing a good flow.
This is a book for you if you like the combination of time travel and crime in novella length, and stories which might one day be filmed.
With The World Behind Us, Thomas Trang has created an interesting mix of time travel and crime. It took me the first chapters to get into the story; Ranglin is of sufficient depth, quite likeable. Thomas Trang created a story mainly focussed on Ranglin and Paris during WWII, therefore the other characters do not require the same depth. The plot turns slowly but surely into a thrilling story, comprising some interesting turns, and developing a good flow.
This is a book for you if you like the combination of time travel and crime in novella length, and stories which might one day be filmed.
July 31, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful genre-blended bit of Noir and Sci-Fi.
The story and the characters had me both engaged in what was going, but also invested in the outcome. Feels like there are more tales here to be told.
This is my first foray into Thomas Trang's writing, and I'm happy to say I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.
I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The World Behind Us and dive right in!
The story and the characters had me both engaged in what was going, but also invested in the outcome. Feels like there are more tales here to be told.
This is my first foray into Thomas Trang's writing, and I'm happy to say I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.
I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The World Behind Us and dive right in!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews