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In Times Like These #0.5
Clockwise & Gone
Would You Murder Your Past To Save Your Future?
Emily Davis is living a night to celebrate, but before the champagne can be finished, she finds herself facing strange and unsettling realities. When her new fiancé returns from a crisis at the power plant and begins acting strangely, Emily is dragged into a whirlwind of events that make her question everything she knows about the future, and even the nature of time itself.
With a glimpse of a reality yet to be, Emily must fight the darkness inside the people she thought she knew best.
Fun, fast-paced, and thought-provoking—fans of twisting time travel, The Twilight Zone, and Black Mirror will enjoy this stand-alone, novella-length adventure in the world of In Times Like These. Frequently enjoyed by readers of Douglas E Richards, Jodi Taylor, and Robert Heinlein.
Shake up your reality today!
Emily Davis is living a night to celebrate, but before the champagne can be finished, she finds herself facing strange and unsettling realities. When her new fiancé returns from a crisis at the power plant and begins acting strangely, Emily is dragged into a whirlwind of events that make her question everything she knows about the future, and even the nature of time itself.
With a glimpse of a reality yet to be, Emily must fight the darkness inside the people she thought she knew best.
Fun, fast-paced, and thought-provoking—fans of twisting time travel, The Twilight Zone, and Black Mirror will enjoy this stand-alone, novella-length adventure in the world of In Times Like These. Frequently enjoyed by readers of Douglas E Richards, Jodi Taylor, and Robert Heinlein.
Shake up your reality today!
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
223 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Van Coops
28 books506 followersNathan Van Coops lives in St. Petersburg, Florida on a diet comprised mainly of tacos. When not tinkering on old airplanes, he writes heroic adventure stories that explore imaginative new worlds. He is the author of the time travel adventure series In Times Like These, the time travel detective series Paradox PI, and The Skylighter Adventures. His recent series, Kingdom of Engines explores a swashbuckling alternate history where the modern and medieval collide. He also writes aviation mystery thrillers under the name Nate Van Coops. Learn more at www.nathanvancoops.com or www.natevancoops.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
May 27, 2020
For when you just want one chocolate-covered almond instead of the whole box of chocolates.
This is a sampler of Nathan's In Times Like These. It's worth taking the hour (or two) to knock it over. After all, you can always just dial your "watch/chronathon thingy" to get that hour (or two) back after you finish.
This is a sampler of Nathan's In Times Like These. It's worth taking the hour (or two) to knock it over. After all, you can always just dial your "watch/chronathon thingy" to get that hour (or two) back after you finish.
August 12, 2019
Set in 2043, the story starts off on jubilant note for Emily Davis who was recently promoted as the new head of Gammatech's Safety Division. But the rhapsody soon wears off for her when she notices an oddity in her new fiancé's behavior. Before she could cogitate on the matter, he shanghais Emily and intends to do something really vile. But things go shambolic as a result of which she time travels to the future where she meets a couple of allies who apprise her of the bizarre turn of events.
She then embarks on a quest to save the future by fixing the past. Something that is sure to drain her not only physically but also emotionally.
5 times out of 10, when an author plays the 'Time Travel' card, it ends up being abstruse and equivocal. But here, Nathan Van Coops played it so deftly making it easy for readers to envisage the rapid developments in the plot.
The characterization was so good. Emily's actions were so natural and she took quite a lot of time to process what was going around her. I loved that subtle trait. Had she quickly accepted and moved on with the new-laid reality, it would've been so ersatz.
I finished this book in one sitting as the plot was progressing in a breakneck speed leaving no lacuna or gaps. I was able to cognize the gravity of her situation and the vigor of the nefarious gang who she was dealing with.
I just couldn't get enough of the book. I looked up the author's name in the kindle store and downloaded almost all of his books promptly. This novella clearly demonstrates his narration prowess and gives us a taste of how the 'In Times Like These' series would be. If anyone asks me for a starter in the science fiction genre, I'd recommend them this.
She then embarks on a quest to save the future by fixing the past. Something that is sure to drain her not only physically but also emotionally.
5 times out of 10, when an author plays the 'Time Travel' card, it ends up being abstruse and equivocal. But here, Nathan Van Coops played it so deftly making it easy for readers to envisage the rapid developments in the plot.
The characterization was so good. Emily's actions were so natural and she took quite a lot of time to process what was going around her. I loved that subtle trait. Had she quickly accepted and moved on with the new-laid reality, it would've been so ersatz.
I finished this book in one sitting as the plot was progressing in a breakneck speed leaving no lacuna or gaps. I was able to cognize the gravity of her situation and the vigor of the nefarious gang who she was dealing with.
I just couldn't get enough of the book. I looked up the author's name in the kindle store and downloaded almost all of his books promptly. This novella clearly demonstrates his narration prowess and gives us a taste of how the 'In Times Like These' series would be. If anyone asks me for a starter in the science fiction genre, I'd recommend them this.
December 9, 2019
A quick novella in the series. It can be read as prequel or simply in publication order. It was fun to read, however, now that I'm thinking, maybe it shouldn't be read as a prequel. The first book in the series takes a lot of time explaining the time-travel rules, and without those, you might be lost in this. As a shorter novella, it doesn't go all too deep in the nitty-gritty of how to jump to other timelines.
January 4, 2018
A tightly-written novella from the In Times Like These series. Gripping and enjoyable.
April 19, 2020
Emily's newly engaged fiance leaves the apartment for a few minutes, but when he returns with stubble and smelling of new after shave, she's sure something strange is up. He says she is in danger, but who is the real danger here?
A mysterious and intriguing story. Short, but with enough detail to get really into it. The time travel system is well thought through.
A mysterious and intriguing story. Short, but with enough detail to get really into it. The time travel system is well thought through.
January 2, 2021
“Clockwise & Gone” by Nathan van Coops is a prequel to his “In Times Like This” series, which mixes time travel and mystery into an entertaining short tale (barely over eighty pages). The novella can be read as a stand-alone or at any point into the series.
Set in a near future the story begins on a high note, Emily Davis has just been promoted to Head of the Safety Division at Gammatech, her BF company, and to put the cherry on top, Dominic just proposed, the night could get better…. Wrong it goes very wrong and catapults Emily into a version of her own reality she couldn’t expect.
A fast-paced, easy to read, short story with twist and turns along the way that work an appetite for the main series.
Set in a near future the story begins on a high note, Emily Davis has just been promoted to Head of the Safety Division at Gammatech, her BF company, and to put the cherry on top, Dominic just proposed, the night could get better…. Wrong it goes very wrong and catapults Emily into a version of her own reality she couldn’t expect.
A fast-paced, easy to read, short story with twist and turns along the way that work an appetite for the main series.
January 8, 2019
A Carson Adventure
Nice to see a Carson adventure and another glimpse into the Time Travel Community.
Now, I really think this isn't fiction… I remember hearing about this operation once… 🤔🤔
Nice to see a Carson adventure and another glimpse into the Time Travel Community.
Now, I really think this isn't fiction… I remember hearing about this operation once… 🤔🤔
January 1, 2018
A Welcome Addition
Nice, quick read. Familiar characters, well written, and just enough to keep me going until the next, full length offering. If you're a fan of the series, it's money well spent.
Nice, quick read. Familiar characters, well written, and just enough to keep me going until the next, full length offering. If you're a fan of the series, it's money well spent.
August 8, 2021
Surprisingly good for a short story (note I am not the biggest fans of short stories - or at least prefer longer ones - so they don't often get 5 stars from me). And a prequel written, I believe, 5 years after the 1st primary novel in the series. I couldn't get rolling on my reading at ALL last night (note I am a serious night owl save for often being awake til 10 or even noon+). Tried a few which SHOULD have been able to grab my attention. No luck til this. But by that point couldn't get too far in book 01. I've been thinking about reading this series (finally) the past few months. Just always ended up elsewhere. Part of that is that it starts with this 2-hour prequel. In some ways that can be good. But it always still "throws me off" in some odd way. I wonder if Angela Dawe narrates the other novella(?) in the series (book 01.5). I noticed with her finally, or at least stated solidly to myself within my head, that when she narrates many male voices she sounds a GREAT deal like a bunch of other female narrators. That's no offense to her by any means. And could be reasons to acquire that voice to use aside from the obvious. Whatever. I really don't know how much of a "spoiler" this prequel could be. And too, had the author actually written the prequel prior to book 01? Or did it simply get published in this order because of the publisher's preferences? (money probably factoring in). Well, check out this book. And even if you read no more in the series (you will likely wish to read more) it can kind of stand as a stand-alone short story (novella). The 2 hours this book lasts is worth it. Check it out!
March 26, 2018
Enjoyable, but a missed opportunity
I love Nathan's time travel series, but feel that this was a lost opportunity. This was an entertaining story that could, nay should have been stretched into a full book length adventure. Maybe, I'm just being greedy.
I love Nathan's time travel series, but feel that this was a lost opportunity. This was an entertaining story that could, nay should have been stretched into a full book length adventure. Maybe, I'm just being greedy.
January 8, 2019
How it feels to meet yourself
A really thought provoking read. Time travel - real or a figment of imagination? Great characters from the never say die heroine with an overwhelming thirst for life to the unlikely hero (a very laid back time traveller who still manages to get things done in double quick time).
Today had started out well with a promotion and now dinner out with her boyfriend. An engagement ring was a surprise but it looked good on her finger. Calls from the plant inspectors couldn't be ignored for long and he has to rush off to see what the problem was. However when he came rushing back in she didn't expect him to rush her to the plant, force a drink down her and handcuff her to a chair. When she tries to fight and two figures suddenly appear, he chair is shoved through a glowing doorway. To find herself faced with a doctor that wants to start carving her up. Using skills she didn't know she had, she gets out, is rescued by a red headed her and taken to meet someone. Someone who is Her! But the woman is dying. The plant problems were worse then thought and her new fiance wants an another her for a transplant to save her life. Can the events be stopped? Can the fiance be stopped from killing her or another version of her?
A really thought provoking read. Time travel - real or a figment of imagination? Great characters from the never say die heroine with an overwhelming thirst for life to the unlikely hero (a very laid back time traveller who still manages to get things done in double quick time).
Today had started out well with a promotion and now dinner out with her boyfriend. An engagement ring was a surprise but it looked good on her finger. Calls from the plant inspectors couldn't be ignored for long and he has to rush off to see what the problem was. However when he came rushing back in she didn't expect him to rush her to the plant, force a drink down her and handcuff her to a chair. When she tries to fight and two figures suddenly appear, he chair is shoved through a glowing doorway. To find herself faced with a doctor that wants to start carving her up. Using skills she didn't know she had, she gets out, is rescued by a red headed her and taken to meet someone. Someone who is Her! But the woman is dying. The plant problems were worse then thought and her new fiance wants an another her for a transplant to save her life. Can the events be stopped? Can the fiance be stopped from killing her or another version of her?
October 26, 2021
Had I started reading Van Coops' time travel books for # 1 In times like these, it is more than likely that I would never have read this short story. It's a quick, intriguing novelette, not very explicit enough to keep you wanting to finish it and find out more. The ellipsis of information and context favors the narrative. It's somehow better than just ok. It seems to announce that the full-length novels will be endless Saturday page-turners.
Absolutely wrong. # 1 In times like these is unnecessarily loooong, inconsequential, sometimes more like Enyd Blyton's famous five than like a fun, intense, adventurous techno-thriller. Characters are, errr, well, ok. Period. The unravelling of the story is unnecessarily slow, neverending, verbose, confusing at times... it promises but... And the educational part about time travel... ain't it a bit too much?
And the writing... uffff...
Go read my review of In Times Like These Boxed Set: A Time Travel Adventure Series for details.
Absolutely wrong. # 1 In times like these is unnecessarily loooong, inconsequential, sometimes more like Enyd Blyton's famous five than like a fun, intense, adventurous techno-thriller. Characters are, errr, well, ok. Period. The unravelling of the story is unnecessarily slow, neverending, verbose, confusing at times... it promises but... And the educational part about time travel... ain't it a bit too much?
And the writing... uffff...
Go read my review of In Times Like These Boxed Set: A Time Travel Adventure Series for details.
July 29, 2021
~Good story – Worth the time to read it
~As with any story involving Time Travel, one must suspend a certain amount of reality…it is science-FICTION. And with that statement, I enjoyed this book.
~It was very fast paced…and at times it was almost hard to recognize who the good guys really were, because things were changing so fast. We all know that going back and forward in time can cause changes in the timeline, in reality itself. Someone who might have been a good guy in one reality…has a different point of view, as their reality changes. And then there is the person who is exposed to some event and that changes their whole outlook on reality. In this story not everyone is exactly who they present themselves to be…and that discovery is part of the ride that the author takes his readers on.
~This story does offer some moral dilemma that the main characters have to work through…is it acceptable to kill someone in the past to save that same person in the future?
~This is a good sci-fi story, well worth reading.
~As with any story involving Time Travel, one must suspend a certain amount of reality…it is science-FICTION. And with that statement, I enjoyed this book.
~It was very fast paced…and at times it was almost hard to recognize who the good guys really were, because things were changing so fast. We all know that going back and forward in time can cause changes in the timeline, in reality itself. Someone who might have been a good guy in one reality…has a different point of view, as their reality changes. And then there is the person who is exposed to some event and that changes their whole outlook on reality. In this story not everyone is exactly who they present themselves to be…and that discovery is part of the ride that the author takes his readers on.
~This story does offer some moral dilemma that the main characters have to work through…is it acceptable to kill someone in the past to save that same person in the future?
~This is a good sci-fi story, well worth reading.
June 2, 2018
kindle unlimited, just something or things bit 'off', and confusing {and read time travel stuff all the time so it just being that wouldn't be the issue}
Would You Murder Your Past To Save Your Future?
Emily Davis is living a night to celebrate, but before the champagne can be finished, she finds herself facing strange and unsettling realities. When her new fiancé returns from a crisis at the power plant and begins acting strangely, Emily is dragged into a whirlwind of events that make her question everything she knows about the future, and even the nature of time itself.
With a glimpse of a reality yet to be, Emily must fight to survive the new threats to her existence and confront the darkness inside the people she thought she knew best.
1 In Times Like These
2 The Chronothon
3 The Day After Never
In Times Like These (3 Book Set)
Clockwise & Gone: A Time Travel Adventure (In Times Like These)
next one out soonish
Would You Murder Your Past To Save Your Future?
Emily Davis is living a night to celebrate, but before the champagne can be finished, she finds herself facing strange and unsettling realities. When her new fiancé returns from a crisis at the power plant and begins acting strangely, Emily is dragged into a whirlwind of events that make her question everything she knows about the future, and even the nature of time itself.
With a glimpse of a reality yet to be, Emily must fight to survive the new threats to her existence and confront the darkness inside the people she thought she knew best.
1 In Times Like These
2 The Chronothon
3 The Day After Never
In Times Like These (3 Book Set)
Clockwise & Gone: A Time Travel Adventure (In Times Like These)
next one out soonish
January 27, 2018
This novella read like a prelude to the series that has been so well received. I am also a fan of the series, they were creative, fun and engrossing. Though this book continues (if you've read the series) with the now familiar themes and one character from the series, this was an inadequate appetizer to the main course.
Where the previous books felt fresh and inventive, this book is fluff and exploitative. I felt cheated after reading this and was asking myself why it was even written?! I think I know why though, to introduce people to the universe. My verdict, for those of us who have already read the series, you would not gain a thing from reading this and if you bypass it, it would be no big deal.
Where the previous books felt fresh and inventive, this book is fluff and exploitative. I felt cheated after reading this and was asking myself why it was even written?! I think I know why though, to introduce people to the universe. My verdict, for those of us who have already read the series, you would not gain a thing from reading this and if you bypass it, it would be no big deal.
January 18, 2021
This worked well as a novella. I especially enjoyed that it was a Carson story since all the novels reference that he basically has a full time job as a time traveler but we hadn't really experience that until now. It was good to keep the overall story relatively simple. Depending on where in the series you read this, it could have been too confusing if they made too many time jumps. I loved the little call out to Ben with the CD under the door trick. The creative ways that Ben figured out how to time travel, especially during the Chronothon, were some of the best parts of the early books. This story did make me wonder if we ever found out who Carson's wife was, because now we certainly have a contender.
April 26, 2021
I was given a copy of this short story by the author.
This story had me hooked from the start even although at first I thought it was going to turn out to be a slushy romance, which I’m not keen on, as well as a time travel one.
Not so. Yes, a love story but one with a twist that I didn’t see coming.
It begins with a romantic dinner between Emily and Dom but by the end of the evening things have taken quite a turn.
With a lot of help from Carter, Emily learns about her future possibilities
I’m not going to say any more as I don’t want to give too much away. Enough to advise you that if you enjoy a time travel story then this is for you.
It took me just over two hours as I couldn’t put it down.
This story had me hooked from the start even although at first I thought it was going to turn out to be a slushy romance, which I’m not keen on, as well as a time travel one.
Not so. Yes, a love story but one with a twist that I didn’t see coming.
It begins with a romantic dinner between Emily and Dom but by the end of the evening things have taken quite a turn.
With a lot of help from Carter, Emily learns about her future possibilities
I’m not going to say any more as I don’t want to give too much away. Enough to advise you that if you enjoy a time travel story then this is for you.
It took me just over two hours as I couldn’t put it down.
October 6, 2024
A beautiful and poignant time travel adventure that begins in a very ordinary way: as Emily and Dom are celebrating becoming an engaged couple... before things become very strange. Strange as Emily finds herself plunged into an alternate universe, saved by a quirky man named Carson that can time travel and turns into something off both an ally and mentor so Emily can make sense of things as her sanity struggles to comprehends her new reality. Even more insane a version of own herself Emily finds and both she and Carson help Emily understand why she's here in their world and change what would have been a very dark fate for Emily... and altering the futures of both women.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 11, 2018
Exciting, mysterious, thrilling are just a few words that come to mind when I think about this fast paced novella.
I love short stories where a lot happens in a short amount of time. You will love the wild and curious adventure our protagonist has.
Nathan is a master at creating ingenious stories. If you like unique time travel stories you’ll love this one which is a great intro into the In Times Like These series.
This was a great read from start to finish.
I love short stories where a lot happens in a short amount of time. You will love the wild and curious adventure our protagonist has.
Nathan is a master at creating ingenious stories. If you like unique time travel stories you’ll love this one which is a great intro into the In Times Like These series.
This was a great read from start to finish.
March 12, 2018
Explosive
When a women becomes engaged to a millionaire, she just wants to have fun. Blue he leaves her to take care of his company anyway and when he returns he is a different man entirely. This guy wants her to leave with him right now, but she figures out why and she no longer wants to stay with him no matter what.
I would recommend this short story to anyone who has read the last 3 books first so they understand the rules of time travel.
When a women becomes engaged to a millionaire, she just wants to have fun. Blue he leaves her to take care of his company anyway and when he returns he is a different man entirely. This guy wants her to leave with him right now, but she figures out why and she no longer wants to stay with him no matter what.
I would recommend this short story to anyone who has read the last 3 books first so they understand the rules of time travel.
April 23, 2019
No cooling rods
I have a doctor's degree in experimental nuclear physics . I have not heard of cooling rods in nuclear reactors. Reactors do have cadmium control rods. Cadmium absorbs neutrons and thereby diminishes the chain reaction and hence the power produced by the reactor. This is a glaring flaw in an otherwise excellent story. Change "cooling rods" to "control rods" and I will be happy.
Charles W Rogers
I have a doctor's degree in experimental nuclear physics . I have not heard of cooling rods in nuclear reactors. Reactors do have cadmium control rods. Cadmium absorbs neutrons and thereby diminishes the chain reaction and hence the power produced by the reactor. This is a glaring flaw in an otherwise excellent story. Change "cooling rods" to "control rods" and I will be happy.
Charles W Rogers
April 6, 2020
There's more to the world than Emily knows but, she's about to get a first-hand look at it all!
Dangerous, exciting, and full of action. Was so excited to see more of one of my favorite characters from In Times Like These.
This gives a really good look I to how or choices can directly, and sometimes adversely, effect our reality. Cutting corners is never a very good idea
I enjoyed hearing how the narrator brought this story to life.
Dangerous, exciting, and full of action. Was so excited to see more of one of my favorite characters from In Times Like These.
This gives a really good look I to how or choices can directly, and sometimes adversely, effect our reality. Cutting corners is never a very good idea
I enjoyed hearing how the narrator brought this story to life.
January 1, 2021
I’m a sucker for time travel, and the In Times LIke These series is a densely considered, plot based series that’s a bit light on characterization but knows the rules of how time travel works backwards and forwards and makes nothing simple. This quick short takes advantage of the idiosyncratic methods of travel I recall from past books, and ties the characters in just enough of a knot to make it interesting. Nicely done.
April 13, 2021
This was a fun short story featuring Carson, one of the main characters from the first book in this series. The story revolves around Emily wingers into a life threatening jam and needs a little bit of help. Carson is her knight in shining armor, more or less. I received this book for free from the author's link in "The Chronothon" book that uses Bookfunnel to send out downloadable books. It worked rather nicely.
July 13, 2021
A strange and wonderful novella. Going back and forth through time and having conversations with yourself made the story even better. I did like Dom so it made me sad what happened to him. I really liked Emily, and her new friend Carson. I think you'd like this if you took a chance on it.
No sex and no swearing.
As for the narration: The only reason I really bought this was because of Angela Dawe. She's one talented narrator.
No sex and no swearing.
As for the narration: The only reason I really bought this was because of Angela Dawe. She's one talented narrator.
June 26, 2023
An enjoyable amuse bouche or after dinner mint, depending on where you are in Van Coops' oeuvre. A quick read that incorporates all the rules and gimmicks of the Chronoverse and gives a fan a bit of Carson's adventures in the time patrol. Easy to recommend a reading of this story, but hard to say where. I read it after completing the In Times Like These tetralogy. But, it could fall anywhere in the series, though I would recommend reading In Times Like These to get the ground rules down.
January 11, 2018
Great page turner from the new master of time travel!
This is a novella, not a full length novel.
Another gripping story from the new master of time travel. Although it stands on it own you would be well served by reading In Times Like These first. It will help you understand the mechanics of time travel and introduce one of the important characters i. This story.
This is a novella, not a full length novel.
Another gripping story from the new master of time travel. Although it stands on it own you would be well served by reading In Times Like These first. It will help you understand the mechanics of time travel and introduce one of the important characters i. This story.
June 13, 2018
Snacklike
Having read the whole in times like this series, this was a nice small bite of the same, it touched on a good concept enabled by the branching universe, but didn't have nearly enough to satisfy. If you've not read the trilogy, and you like time travel stories - do it now!
Having read the whole in times like this series, this was a nice small bite of the same, it touched on a good concept enabled by the branching universe, but didn't have nearly enough to satisfy. If you've not read the trilogy, and you like time travel stories - do it now!
June 20, 2018
Always worth reading an ITLT novel, this was a short novelette in that universe. I'm not totally sure why, though. It gives a very light intro to the mechanics of the series but at the same time spoils one of the coolest tricks used in Chronothon.
Recommendation: read it, but read it after all of the others - at least after Chronothon.
Recommendation: read it, but read it after all of the others - at least after Chronothon.
June 30, 2018
Great Short Story About Carson
This story takes us back to one of Ben’s companions on his first time traveling adventure. It was a quick read-an hour plus. It still had time for some good character development and a great story. nathan proves that time travel can be exciting in small scoops as well as large bowls.
This story takes us back to one of Ben’s companions on his first time traveling adventure. It was a quick read-an hour plus. It still had time for some good character development and a great story. nathan proves that time travel can be exciting in small scoops as well as large bowls.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews