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The Windy City Files #2
No Time Like the Present
A year and a half ago, River St. Clair would never have guessed that she’d come to appreciate, even prefer, the unpolished Victorian-era Chicago over the same gleaming metropolis three centuries into the future. But there is something extraordinary about watching a phoenix rise from the ashes before your eyes.
And she can relate. She has carved a place for herself in this strange world too, a man’s world; never mind that she has had to disguise herself as one. Now, a solid sense of purpose and new-found friendships buffer the day-to-day inanities as well as the necessary farce that is her life. Even a few ghosts, while not laid to rest, have been pacified. That’s right. River is doing fine. Or was. Her careful construction begins to crumble when a very familiar face from the past reignites the womanly heart beneath her coroner’s frock coat.
Just eight days might see her undone. The week of their father’s birthday is shrouded in personal drama, family intrigue, the undeniably peculiar death of Birdie Day, and several schemes—some nefarious, others potentially so.
And she can relate. She has carved a place for herself in this strange world too, a man’s world; never mind that she has had to disguise herself as one. Now, a solid sense of purpose and new-found friendships buffer the day-to-day inanities as well as the necessary farce that is her life. Even a few ghosts, while not laid to rest, have been pacified. That’s right. River is doing fine. Or was. Her careful construction begins to crumble when a very familiar face from the past reignites the womanly heart beneath her coroner’s frock coat.
Just eight days might see her undone. The week of their father’s birthday is shrouded in personal drama, family intrigue, the undeniably peculiar death of Birdie Day, and several schemes—some nefarious, others potentially so.
Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2019
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Ellison Blackburn
12 books87 followersAn early interest in the soft sciences, together with a career in information technology, ignited Ellison Blackburn's curiosity in singularities. Among her published stories are "Flash Back," the literary, slow-burn book one of The Fountain post-apocalyptic trilogy; "If There Be Giants," book one of The Watchers urban fantasy duology; "An Untimely End," the first book in the time-travel mystery series the Windy City Files; and the dystopian, cyberpunk novella "Virtue Us, The Future of Love."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 16, 2019
The St Clair family has been sent back in time from 2159 to 1871. They’re now 18 months in Victorian Chicago and oldest brother Archer is the police chief. River, posing as a man Reid, is the medical examiner/coroner.
While both previous books focused on criminal investigations, this one is much more centred on the inter familiar relations between the various time travellers. As the ex-boyfriend of River also turns up, several complications -dating back from their future problems- make their lives even more difficult. The cherry on the pie: distant relatives from the actual period also arrive and one of them is a fortune teller/psychic who knows not only that River is a woman but also that they’re from the future.
Then there’s also a mysterious complicated case involving missing babies and possible baby-trafficking by a women’s doctor;
There are some very beautiful descriptions of everyday ordinary life in the Victorian age up to the very smells.
The story remains interesting and it’s good that I finally find out, as the story proceeds, how and why they became in the positions they find themselves in. I only read the short story prior to this book, so I don’t know how much was already revealed in the first full-length story. I think it’s better to read that one first because it was at times difficult to follow all the characters and their underlying relations without prior knowledge. I was a bit disappointed that there was no real big case to solve in this book and hope that the next one will again focus more on that side of things.
While both previous books focused on criminal investigations, this one is much more centred on the inter familiar relations between the various time travellers. As the ex-boyfriend of River also turns up, several complications -dating back from their future problems- make their lives even more difficult. The cherry on the pie: distant relatives from the actual period also arrive and one of them is a fortune teller/psychic who knows not only that River is a woman but also that they’re from the future.
Then there’s also a mysterious complicated case involving missing babies and possible baby-trafficking by a women’s doctor;
There are some very beautiful descriptions of everyday ordinary life in the Victorian age up to the very smells.
The story remains interesting and it’s good that I finally find out, as the story proceeds, how and why they became in the positions they find themselves in. I only read the short story prior to this book, so I don’t know how much was already revealed in the first full-length story. I think it’s better to read that one first because it was at times difficult to follow all the characters and their underlying relations without prior knowledge. I was a bit disappointed that there was no real big case to solve in this book and hope that the next one will again focus more on that side of things.
December 24, 2019
Loved this book
This series keeps getting better with each new book. The background history is complex and unusual. Characters are diverse and full of life. Please write another soon.
This series keeps getting better with each new book. The background history is complex and unusual. Characters are diverse and full of life. Please write another soon.
December 6, 2019
When your Past lies in your Future, Every Moment is a Mystery
A young medical examiner arrived in 1870’s Chicago with secrets. Arrival was not so much from where. Rather from when. And the future holds the real key to his past. Or is it ‘her’ past?
Ellison Blackburn spins a whirlwind of a tale featuring Time Travel, The Great Chicago Fire and a host of characters who are not what they seem. This second installment in the Windy City Files adds more pieces to the time puzzle of a group of involuntary travelers.
River St. Clair masquerades as a man who died in the Chicago Fire more than a year ago. Her brother. In a society where women are diminished, she works as a medical examiner. Piecing together mysterious deaths. But these aren’t the only mysteries in her life. The Past, Present and Future collide as others threaten to unravel her secrets. Will they help or harm? Time will tell.
September 29, 2019
No Time Like The Present is Book 2 in The Windy City Files series. This is my first experience reading an Ellison Blackburn book. This storyline is expertly developed and the character development is extremely well done. Ellison's excellent use of prose places you in the story with the characters. River, our MFC, is having a difficult time continuing her posing as a man, especially in her investigation of the missing babies. Will River and her brothers and friends find out who is doing this and why? As River's brother is close to finding a way back to the future (2157), will River want to leave 1873 Chicago for the very dehumanizing 2157? If you want a fast paced, intriguing, steampunk with twists and turns, some romance page turning read then I highly recommend this book. Even though this can be read as a stand alone, it will make this series more relatable to read the first book and I now plan to read Book 1 - An Untimely Ending -- to be fully updated for Book 3. Received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 5, 2019
Convoluted, confusing but nevertheless enthralling
What a strange read. Took me a bit of time to get what was going on and to make sense of it. A family working in the future for the good of all suddenly have some members throw back in time to the Victorian era after a massive house fire in their time machine mansion. Several members have died but one finds herself back in the fold. However not happy to play the woman in polite society she dons the disguise of a male to work as a coroner attached to the police station that her 'brother' (she is actually a cousin who after the death of her mother was taken in by her aunt and uncle) is the Chief at. Add in a scheme of baby snatching and blackmail, the reemergence of a former lover, a psychic new family member and the way society with it's restrictions affect the lives of our inadvertent time travellers.
Terrific portrayal of life during this period with all the limitations placed on it's members especially the women. The characters are vibrant, somewhat quirky and lend a stable environment to the tale.
What a strange read. Took me a bit of time to get what was going on and to make sense of it. A family working in the future for the good of all suddenly have some members throw back in time to the Victorian era after a massive house fire in their time machine mansion. Several members have died but one finds herself back in the fold. However not happy to play the woman in polite society she dons the disguise of a male to work as a coroner attached to the police station that her 'brother' (she is actually a cousin who after the death of her mother was taken in by her aunt and uncle) is the Chief at. Add in a scheme of baby snatching and blackmail, the reemergence of a former lover, a psychic new family member and the way society with it's restrictions affect the lives of our inadvertent time travellers.
Terrific portrayal of life during this period with all the limitations placed on it's members especially the women. The characters are vibrant, somewhat quirky and lend a stable environment to the tale.
October 1, 2019
This is Ellison Blackburns' second book in this series and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I really enjoyed the dialogue in this book it was interesting, snarky at times and enjoyable. It held my interest all the way through. There is good depth of character in each individual. I love the setting in Chicago again her detail in description is very good. A wonderful combination of betrayal, mystery and intrigue continues in No Time Like The Present. f you haven't started the series pick it up, even if you are new to the time travel genre it's fits perfect with mystery.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
September 28, 2019
Well worth the wait!
September 26, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
River St Claire makes a very welcome return in this, the second of a series. I have been eagerly awaiting this book and it certainly didn't disappoint. The characters
are strong and believable personalities. With her skilful handling of the descriptions and well researched timeslip details the author creates a totally authentic setting both in the future and the past. With more than one plot deftly intertwined this is a book which is hard to put down. Highly recommended for all historical as well as steam punk genre fans, it also has something to offer those who enjoy a bit of romance in the mix.
Read as a free ARC but this review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
September 26, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
River St Claire makes a very welcome return in this, the second of a series. I have been eagerly awaiting this book and it certainly didn't disappoint. The characters
are strong and believable personalities. With her skilful handling of the descriptions and well researched timeslip details the author creates a totally authentic setting both in the future and the past. With more than one plot deftly intertwined this is a book which is hard to put down. Highly recommended for all historical as well as steam punk genre fans, it also has something to offer those who enjoy a bit of romance in the mix.
Read as a free ARC but this review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
September 25, 2019
This is the second book in the Windy City Files series, and equally as good. Reading the books in order might make more sense but there's a lot of backstory in this one so that you won't feel clueless. The writing style is easier to read also. The descriptions made me feel like I was there but without the awful stench. The story line weaves the mystery of the missing baby with River's own mystery of how the family got there and will they be able to get back to the future. I look forward to the next one.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 27, 2019
Likeable characters and easy to follow.Really enjoyed this book.. can't wait to read the series. Good plot twists and turns. Some heart breaking incidents with in the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews