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The Time Tourists
Imogen was four the first time it happened. As she flipped through her grandma's dusty photo album gazing into the faded, monochrome faces of her grandma's somber family--relatives with funny names like Aunt Ada and Uncle Paul and Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Gordy, and second cousins Percy and Viola from Missoula--suddenly, the universe tilted, and for a brief instant Imogen found herself inside of one of the pictures.
One of only a handful of individuals who can time travel through photos, she establishes an investigative business to help people recover lost items and unearth the stories and secrets of friends and relatives from the past.
Step into time with Imogen Oliver in this first book in the Time Tourists Trilogy as she investigates a teenage girl who disappeared to 1967 San Francisco with her boyfriend, then journeys back to 1912 to locate a set of missing stereoscopic glass plates that hold a curious connection to her own life.
One of only a handful of individuals who can time travel through photos, she establishes an investigative business to help people recover lost items and unearth the stories and secrets of friends and relatives from the past.
Step into time with Imogen Oliver in this first book in the Time Tourists Trilogy as she investigates a teenage girl who disappeared to 1967 San Francisco with her boyfriend, then journeys back to 1912 to locate a set of missing stereoscopic glass plates that hold a curious connection to her own life.
- GenresTime Travel
396 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2018
About the author
Sharleen Nelson
12 books43 followersSharleen Nelson is an accomplished writer and award-winning photographer. Over the course of her 30+ year career as a journalist, she has written hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles on a vast range of topics.
She has also served as an editor on a number of magazines in the travel, entertainment, education, science, and technology fields.
She is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication and recently retired from her position as an editor and writer at the UO.
She is the author of the Time Tourists Trilogy that includes The Time Tourists, The Yesterday Girl, and The End of Time, and co-author, with her partner Jeff Bolkan, of Dye. Run. Don't Die: A Love Story.
She has also served as an editor on a number of magazines in the travel, entertainment, education, science, and technology fields.
She is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication and recently retired from her position as an editor and writer at the UO.
She is the author of the Time Tourists Trilogy that includes The Time Tourists, The Yesterday Girl, and The End of Time, and co-author, with her partner Jeff Bolkan, of Dye. Run. Don't Die: A Love Story.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 12, 2018
I am a sucker for time travel books. They just fascinate me. This one in particular was very unique. I love that the main character Imogen, could time travel through old photographs. Such a creative idea. There was a ton of information in the beginning that made the start to the book a bit long but you needed the info in order to know how or why certain things happened the way they do. Once imogen started time traveling I was hooked and had to read every chance I could. Had to find out what happens. I love the "love story" in this book. It makes my heart happy. I definately recommend this book! Go read it!
March 5, 2018
I loved it! Even though it is nearly 400 pages, I wanted it to keep going! Imogen is the type of heroine that I'd follow in whatever comes next, and it looks like Sharleen Nelson has set this up to be a series (Dead Relatives, Inc.). I like this take on time travel, although the device is integral to the plot, the SF/Fantasy aspects take a back seat to the characters and story.
A strong female protaganist, complex secondary characters, and a truly messed up "villain" make this a very enjoyable read!
A strong female protaganist, complex secondary characters, and a truly messed up "villain" make this a very enjoyable read!
June 15, 2023
I'm a big sci-fi / time travel fan and The Time Tourists checked all the boxes for me.
Nelson literally did her home work.
When I actually learn things from a sci-fi book, I know the author did actual, substantial research.
In this case, that research involves everything from architecture and history to physics and photography. Nelson's research helps propel the narrative rather than delivering technical information lectures within the framework of the story.
I even picked up a few new vocabulary words. The research and background work is comparable with more established sci-fi authors such as Kim Stanley Robinson, only not ponderous as Robinson's can sometimes be.
The female protagonist is well-developed and relatable. I found myself really hating the bad guy, especially since the author builds some good background as to why the bad guy is bad.
Some secondary characters sort of get lost along the way. Some of the twists and turns may be a little predicable, but who cares? That's the case with plenty of other fun-to-read books in lots of genres.
This is a compelling read, a page turner, fit for a beach read or long winter evenings.
Overall, this a laudable effort from a first-time novelist.
I will definitely read the sequel - The Yesterday Girl.
Nelson literally did her home work.
When I actually learn things from a sci-fi book, I know the author did actual, substantial research.
In this case, that research involves everything from architecture and history to physics and photography. Nelson's research helps propel the narrative rather than delivering technical information lectures within the framework of the story.
I even picked up a few new vocabulary words. The research and background work is comparable with more established sci-fi authors such as Kim Stanley Robinson, only not ponderous as Robinson's can sometimes be.
The female protagonist is well-developed and relatable. I found myself really hating the bad guy, especially since the author builds some good background as to why the bad guy is bad.
Some secondary characters sort of get lost along the way. Some of the twists and turns may be a little predicable, but who cares? That's the case with plenty of other fun-to-read books in lots of genres.
This is a compelling read, a page turner, fit for a beach read or long winter evenings.
Overall, this a laudable effort from a first-time novelist.
I will definitely read the sequel - The Yesterday Girl.
March 18, 2018
I loved the Time Tourists...well written and such a unique idea to travel through photographs. Would love to see this made into a movie.
July 10, 2018
I was hooked on the book just by reading the back description (above). I love the writing style of Nelson. She really has a way with words and brings something as confusing as time travel down to a level that is understandable and so entertaining. I found myself hanging onto every word. Nelson does such an incredible job of capturing the feelings of loss and heartbreak that Imogen has to handle throughout the story. She ends the book perfectly I think. I have so many questions I want answered and I want to know so much more about all the characters, yet I was left feeling content at where life was for Imogen, but eager to find out where Sharleen will take these characters.
April 8, 2018
The Time Tourists is a top notch story that involves time travel, but is more magical than scientific. If you love sci-fi time travel it might not be as fun for you, but I love that it has an amazing and compelling story that is enhanced by the magic of time travel, rather than overshadowed by it. There are a number of great characters including a strong female protagonist, a sociopathic villain, and some quirky supporting characters as well! It has mystery, humor, romance, and action...so really a little bit of everything!
March 5, 2018
I think you'll like it!
October 27, 2023
The Time Tourists by Sharleen Nelson is a story of time traveling, love, and mystery with a bit of science and history mixed in to the plot. Sci-fiction and time traveling tend to be a crowd favorite, but not everyone can pull it together like this. The character building is detailed and done with love. The scenery is well researched and described well enough you can almost see the scenes playing out in front of you on a screen.
Imogen Oliver is not a pushover. Her parents and grandmother helped shape her into a strong, educated woman who can adapt to whatever situation in which she finds herself. She also discovers that she has a secret talent, one that her parents shared but told her nothing about: She can time travel through photos. Imogen must use everything she has learned up to this point to survive situations that we in present day may take for granted: like the proper way for a lady in the early 1900s to cross a street, taking a photograph in that same time period (it's not as easy as a click of a button), or how to carry a conversation using the proper vocabulary of the era.
Imogen creates a private detective business and calls it Dead Relatives, Inc. She uses her various talents to help solve mysteries of the past for people of the present. What she doesn't expect is that she'll end up working on a few mysteries of her own.
The Time Tourists is a wonderful new take on the subject of time travel and the complications that may arise.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.
Imogen Oliver is not a pushover. Her parents and grandmother helped shape her into a strong, educated woman who can adapt to whatever situation in which she finds herself. She also discovers that she has a secret talent, one that her parents shared but told her nothing about: She can time travel through photos. Imogen must use everything she has learned up to this point to survive situations that we in present day may take for granted: like the proper way for a lady in the early 1900s to cross a street, taking a photograph in that same time period (it's not as easy as a click of a button), or how to carry a conversation using the proper vocabulary of the era.
Imogen creates a private detective business and calls it Dead Relatives, Inc. She uses her various talents to help solve mysteries of the past for people of the present. What she doesn't expect is that she'll end up working on a few mysteries of her own.
The Time Tourists is a wonderful new take on the subject of time travel and the complications that may arise.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.
February 4, 2022
What a neat idea - time traveling through photographs. Throw in some mysteries and romance and you have this delightful story. There were some things that took me out of the story that could have been fixed by a good editor. Despite that, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. If only I could time travel and have it now!
January 24, 2020
This book sucks you in from the very first page. If you love sci fi and time travel shows like Doctor Who, you'll enjoy this book.
July 21, 2021
The Time Tourists hooked me from page one. The writing is excellent, the characters are spot-on and the page-turner plot is unique, clear and compelling. Really well done.
September 25, 2023
I am thrilled to be reading and reviewing a novel written and published by a local PNW author and independent press. This is a backlist book from GladEye Press, having come out in 2018, but The Time Tourists deserves another round in the limelight.
Readers of speculative historical fiction in the vein of Dr Who, and especially those who delight in time travel, with all its peculiar possibilities, will enjoy this novel. The Time Tourists centers on the concept of time travel through photographs, revolving around a particular set of individuals who have discovered how to both profit from this and use the skill to provide closure for descendants living in the present. Specifics about the process of time travel are murky; this is not purely science fiction, the novel leans toward historical fiction and mystery over the former genre. At the core of the novel is a young woman, Imogen Oliver, who discovers she possesses this rare ability. Through her adventures into the past, she assists people in finding out about their ancestors, retrieves items lost to them and their families — and, perhaps most importantly, learns that her parents’ disappearance is not all it seemed to be. Indeed, the novel ends on a cliffhanger, encouraging the reader to seek out Nelson's second book, The Yesterday Girl.
Readers should allow the novel time to unwind; it does lead to a very exciting mystery. But, perhaps because The Time Tourists is the first novel in the series, readers may find the first eight chapters, fifty-odd pages, a little more heavy on exposition and slow-paced than expected. In these chapters, Nelson provides a thorough, but sometimes plodding, outline of Imogen’s personal history and life. I found this section of the novel somewhat confusing: Is this a Young Adult novel? A Coming of Age bildungsroman? When do we get to the time travel part? As a lover of historical fiction, the contemporary focus lost me periodically. Indeed, it was not until page 92, the beginning of Chapter 14 that I began to find the novel intriguing. And, to be honest, it wasn’t until the last line on Page 147: “Leeroy Jenkins, my ass,” that it gripped me. The novel comes off as episodic; it reads as two separate novels rolled into one, which a significant chunk of the beginning serving as prologue.
The reader will be quickly introduced to Imogen’s friends and family, parents Niles and Francis, her Grammy, friends Fletcher and Jade, but also others within her orbit who have less kindly motives and personalities. Theodore Diamond and his mother, Mimi Pinky, are neighbors who have lived nearby for several years. As the novel progresses, readers will become abundantly aware this is not a juvenile novel; it borders on the cusp between Young Adult and Adult. Similarly, readers should be aware the novel also raises and explores toxic masculinity, incel "male-rights", sexual abuse, child abuse, mental health, and death. Should these be your triggers, this novel may not be for you. That said, Nelson weaves these dark ideas into the narrative arc of the story exceedingly well, and they are central to understanding the characters, their motives, and behavior.
On that note, Nelson’s characters are well-crafted and possess depth, though in several parts of the novel, expository details run long and sometimes derail its flow and pace. As a consequence, the novel sags in some parts, requiring the reader to push on to pick back up the story’s arc. (Non-American readers may find the pop culture references do not add to the characters’ development in ways that American readers might.) Historical references, on the other hand, do provide the novice historical reader with plenty of context. Nelson’s handling of the disparities in cultural differences and historicity are especially appreciated by this reader, though as noted previously, historical exposition slows the progress of the story. Just as readers should not expect a heavy dose of science in this fiction, readers should not expect scholarly content, though it is clear Nelson has done a significant amount of historical research.
The final third of the novel is where the real excitement begins, and Nelson maximizes the mystery that has brewed in the first two-thirds. All the threads that have begun earlier come to an explosive, emotional ending, one which — I think — will satisfy most readers and leave them wanting more.
Readers of speculative historical fiction in the vein of Dr Who, and especially those who delight in time travel, with all its peculiar possibilities, will enjoy this novel. The Time Tourists centers on the concept of time travel through photographs, revolving around a particular set of individuals who have discovered how to both profit from this and use the skill to provide closure for descendants living in the present. Specifics about the process of time travel are murky; this is not purely science fiction, the novel leans toward historical fiction and mystery over the former genre. At the core of the novel is a young woman, Imogen Oliver, who discovers she possesses this rare ability. Through her adventures into the past, she assists people in finding out about their ancestors, retrieves items lost to them and their families — and, perhaps most importantly, learns that her parents’ disappearance is not all it seemed to be. Indeed, the novel ends on a cliffhanger, encouraging the reader to seek out Nelson's second book, The Yesterday Girl.
Readers should allow the novel time to unwind; it does lead to a very exciting mystery. But, perhaps because The Time Tourists is the first novel in the series, readers may find the first eight chapters, fifty-odd pages, a little more heavy on exposition and slow-paced than expected. In these chapters, Nelson provides a thorough, but sometimes plodding, outline of Imogen’s personal history and life. I found this section of the novel somewhat confusing: Is this a Young Adult novel? A Coming of Age bildungsroman? When do we get to the time travel part? As a lover of historical fiction, the contemporary focus lost me periodically. Indeed, it was not until page 92, the beginning of Chapter 14 that I began to find the novel intriguing. And, to be honest, it wasn’t until the last line on Page 147: “Leeroy Jenkins, my ass,” that it gripped me. The novel comes off as episodic; it reads as two separate novels rolled into one, which a significant chunk of the beginning serving as prologue.
The reader will be quickly introduced to Imogen’s friends and family, parents Niles and Francis, her Grammy, friends Fletcher and Jade, but also others within her orbit who have less kindly motives and personalities. Theodore Diamond and his mother, Mimi Pinky, are neighbors who have lived nearby for several years. As the novel progresses, readers will become abundantly aware this is not a juvenile novel; it borders on the cusp between Young Adult and Adult. Similarly, readers should be aware the novel also raises and explores toxic masculinity, incel "male-rights", sexual abuse, child abuse, mental health, and death. Should these be your triggers, this novel may not be for you. That said, Nelson weaves these dark ideas into the narrative arc of the story exceedingly well, and they are central to understanding the characters, their motives, and behavior.
On that note, Nelson’s characters are well-crafted and possess depth, though in several parts of the novel, expository details run long and sometimes derail its flow and pace. As a consequence, the novel sags in some parts, requiring the reader to push on to pick back up the story’s arc. (Non-American readers may find the pop culture references do not add to the characters’ development in ways that American readers might.) Historical references, on the other hand, do provide the novice historical reader with plenty of context. Nelson’s handling of the disparities in cultural differences and historicity are especially appreciated by this reader, though as noted previously, historical exposition slows the progress of the story. Just as readers should not expect a heavy dose of science in this fiction, readers should not expect scholarly content, though it is clear Nelson has done a significant amount of historical research.
The final third of the novel is where the real excitement begins, and Nelson maximizes the mystery that has brewed in the first two-thirds. All the threads that have begun earlier come to an explosive, emotional ending, one which — I think — will satisfy most readers and leave them wanting more.
September 30, 2024
I wanted to read this book because the story's premise seemed remarkably similar to a show I loved. Going into it I knew it was more like a general fiction than sci-fi but still, the reviews were good and I was looking forward to it. After reading it, I'm honestly baffled as to why the rating was so high.
The story itself was entertaining enough, but it was less about time travel and more about a girl in her early 20s going through life. Despite it being time-related the story was written in a very linear fashion that made every possible twist predictable. There were no thrilling moments that I can recall or moments that made me want to read more.
The biggest problem of all, however, lies in the way the book was written. The writing was mediocre at best. It felt more like an unsophisticated draft in progress than a final draft. Some of the sentences were so weirdly structured that they took me out of the story immediately. Second of all, information about the main character kept repeating, especially at the start of the story, with no importance or particular goals to achieve. It was clear that the author wanted to remind us something about the character but couldn't figure out what is the best way other than to 'tell'. While I do agree that the 'show don't tell' rule is sometimes unnecessary, this book suffers because it was all 'tell' and no 'show'. The readers were forcibly 'told' about the characteristics of the characters but their actions never showed. This has made me believe that the author didn't acquaint herself with the characters enough in the writing process, and so, the characters lacked the depth and complexity that you'd think a human would possess after what they had gone through. At times I forgot the main character was someone in their 20s and not an adolescent, or that the antagonist had a 'reason' to be the way he was and not just because that was how the story was set up to be. I couldn't emotionally connect or invest with these characters because all I could hear was the author's voice through the characters' thoughts, dialogues, and decisions. The author got in the way of character development and ultimately made the novel fall short.
The story itself was entertaining enough, but it was less about time travel and more about a girl in her early 20s going through life. Despite it being time-related the story was written in a very linear fashion that made every possible twist predictable. There were no thrilling moments that I can recall or moments that made me want to read more.
The biggest problem of all, however, lies in the way the book was written. The writing was mediocre at best. It felt more like an unsophisticated draft in progress than a final draft. Some of the sentences were so weirdly structured that they took me out of the story immediately. Second of all, information about the main character kept repeating, especially at the start of the story, with no importance or particular goals to achieve. It was clear that the author wanted to remind us something about the character but couldn't figure out what is the best way other than to 'tell'. While I do agree that the 'show don't tell' rule is sometimes unnecessary, this book suffers because it was all 'tell' and no 'show'. The readers were forcibly 'told' about the characteristics of the characters but their actions never showed. This has made me believe that the author didn't acquaint herself with the characters enough in the writing process, and so, the characters lacked the depth and complexity that you'd think a human would possess after what they had gone through. At times I forgot the main character was someone in their 20s and not an adolescent, or that the antagonist had a 'reason' to be the way he was and not just because that was how the story was set up to be. I couldn't emotionally connect or invest with these characters because all I could hear was the author's voice through the characters' thoughts, dialogues, and decisions. The author got in the way of character development and ultimately made the novel fall short.
September 19, 2023
It is interesting to see another twist added to the well-worn time travel trope, where author Sharleen Nelson Bolkan has used a quote by famous American astrophysicist Neil Grasse Tyson to underpin her novel ‘The Time Tourists’.
Using the quote “Photography is a form of time travel”, she posits that it is possible for certain select individuals to travel to the time and location where a certain photograph was taken. Because these individuals can stay for extended periods in the other time and always return seconds after leaving present day, they can effectively enjoy several separate lifetimes.
This book’s focus on one of those lifetimes, weaving in a romantic premise amid several challenges faced by the main character Imogen. It’s a pleasant enough read that resolves one main mystery with its unique take of time travel using photographs. Because it is also positioned as the first in what could be an open-ended series, ‘The Time Tourists’ doesn’t delve too much on the detective aspect of the story.
The main strength of this author’s work would be the inter-personal relationships with the grandmother and other characters who form the foundation for time travel hijinks, the reader shouldn’t expect sci-fi jargon to pepper the text.
Using the quote “Photography is a form of time travel”, she posits that it is possible for certain select individuals to travel to the time and location where a certain photograph was taken. Because these individuals can stay for extended periods in the other time and always return seconds after leaving present day, they can effectively enjoy several separate lifetimes.
This book’s focus on one of those lifetimes, weaving in a romantic premise amid several challenges faced by the main character Imogen. It’s a pleasant enough read that resolves one main mystery with its unique take of time travel using photographs. Because it is also positioned as the first in what could be an open-ended series, ‘The Time Tourists’ doesn’t delve too much on the detective aspect of the story.
The main strength of this author’s work would be the inter-personal relationships with the grandmother and other characters who form the foundation for time travel hijinks, the reader shouldn’t expect sci-fi jargon to pepper the text.
December 22, 2022
An intriguing story about a young woman who can travel through time using photographs. A gift she inherited without knowing and has to learn how to use without coaching after the loss of all her family members. The story is smart and invites you to dive right into it. I was seriously rooting for some of the main characters, and got anxious about another.
There is a bit of a dark twist, with serious topics described, but not in a way that they are hard to digest. In contrary, actually, it provides insight in why some characters have developed to be as dark as they are.
Truthfully, the book could have done with a better editor. Twice something was repeated, which was unnecessary. Also, I disliked how the death of important figures was unannounced and passed by superfast, as if it was squashed in later. I needed a bit of build-up there. Putting that aside, this book is a labour of love! The scenes themselves are described beautifully and gives exactly the right amount of info for me to dream up what being in that time would be like.
There are some open ends left to think about when finishing this book. There is a part two... and I am ready for it!
There is a bit of a dark twist, with serious topics described, but not in a way that they are hard to digest. In contrary, actually, it provides insight in why some characters have developed to be as dark as they are.
Truthfully, the book could have done with a better editor. Twice something was repeated, which was unnecessary. Also, I disliked how the death of important figures was unannounced and passed by superfast, as if it was squashed in later. I needed a bit of build-up there. Putting that aside, this book is a labour of love! The scenes themselves are described beautifully and gives exactly the right amount of info for me to dream up what being in that time would be like.
There are some open ends left to think about when finishing this book. There is a part two... and I am ready for it!
February 7, 2024
I so wanted to love this novel. There were so many good things happening in it. Clever time travel. Interesting story. Yet, it never pulled me in. I never felt a connection with the main character. I can’t say exactly why. This gets a lot of good reviews and I understand why but for me it just didn’t click.
September 16, 2023
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book. It drew me in and kept me guessing till the very end. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
March 18, 2025
Slow start but great plot twists by the end of it!
June 22, 2023
A must read!!
When I first started to read this book I did think it was going into a different direction but I'm so glad how the book turned out!
The main character Imogen goes through so much from a young age, and she makes her way through, from finding out what really happened to her parents, losing her grandmother, and trying to work out how to embrace her 'gift.
This book straight away got my attention and I struggled to put it down, i wanted to know what happened next, what happened to Imogens parents, what about jade? What does Imogen do next? I had so many questions and I got my answers the more I read.
I didn't want this book to end and I can't wait for another!
I definitely recommend others read this, and it will be a book I read again!!
I will definitely be getting the next book and I can't wait!
When I first started to read this book I did think it was going into a different direction but I'm so glad how the book turned out!
The main character Imogen goes through so much from a young age, and she makes her way through, from finding out what really happened to her parents, losing her grandmother, and trying to work out how to embrace her 'gift.
This book straight away got my attention and I struggled to put it down, i wanted to know what happened next, what happened to Imogens parents, what about jade? What does Imogen do next? I had so many questions and I got my answers the more I read.
I didn't want this book to end and I can't wait for another!
I definitely recommend others read this, and it will be a book I read again!!
I will definitely be getting the next book and I can't wait!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews