Flash Back

by John Turiano

What if you could change the past... save a life and in doing so, alter history?


"Flash Back is beautifully written with a seamless plot, and had something for mystery, SciFi, action, history, humor and more." —Amazon review

The time is 1942, the place is Chicago, a key scientist is brutally murdered. While in the midst of a world at war, nations are racing to harness the power of the atom and the University of Chicago is at the center of the research for the United States.

Sam Reilly plunges into a mystery taking him back to another era. After discovering a pattern of scientists who died or disappeared dating back to 1942, he travels back in time to investigate. But history is against him as he finds himself trapped in another time, alone, and hunted by a killer.

With so many twists and turns, FLASH BACK is a scifi thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the last page.

Genres: Science Fiction

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2020

About the author

Just released, DARK PRESENCE, a paranormal thriller with a hint of scifi.
"A book that keeps you guessing to the point that even you question what is real!" -Instagram reviewer

Blending science fiction with real world events. John has woven the two together in his debut novel FLASH BACK. Sam travels back in time to 1942 to investigate a brutal murder, but can he stop it? Should he?

EXTREME PERIL is the story of an American soldier stationed overseas and charged with a crime he denies. Caught in a legal system corrupted by a fascist regime, he fights for his life.

PAST PARADOX is a stand-alone novel and exciting conclusion to the mind-blowing time travel trilogy. Strange events occur in the New Mexico desert. A seven year old child disappears, unknown creatures are mutilating livestock, and giant wormholes appear in the sky.

John lives in western New York with his wife Sue. When not writing he enjoys camping, hiking, and biking.

Follow John at:
Author website: jturiano.com/author.htm
Twitter: twitter.com/jturiano_author
Instagram: instagram.com/jturiano_author
Facebook: facebook.com/jturianobooks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEl...

Reviews

[Nora Wolfenbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed this book. A little slow in the beginning, but to be expected while the author does his world building. The author quickly draws the reader into the idea of changing history through time travel. Excellent action scenes as things don't go according to plan. The characters are well developed and I fell in love with Sam, whose goal is to save his son's life. The ending was a surprise I never saw coming.
Great read.

[Tabitha Womack]

Old school scifi

This author has an old school writing style that took me back. This is a cranial read with an interesting plot. I think my Dad would really like it. The dialog is stiff but the story was good. Nice blend of past and future. Well done.

[Kayla C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flash Back by John Turiano was a stimulating sci-fi novel that included varying degrees of murder mystery, action, and espionage elements. The plot itself was multi-faceted and well-structured, and I especially loved how Turiano explored the consequences of his characters’ actions. I enjoyed how fleshed-out the characters were, and I appreciated the research that must have gone into this work. Some information felt superfluous to the point of occasionally causing the narrative to lag. This was what hindered my enjoyment of the novel the most. Despite this, the story eventually picked up and finished strong. I would not say this work is ideal for those looking for soft sci-fi, but the more technical concepts within were explained simply enough. I encourage sci-fi lovers looking for a good time travel story with a unique focus to check out Flash Back by John Turiano.

(Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from the author for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and are honest and unbiased.)

[Naethan Pais · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the premise has been done before, the entire book flashes by with a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement, coupled with mysteries that blast you through the words.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's writing style is descriptive and engaging, with vivid imagery that transports the you through different eras and locations. The historical elements of the story are well-researched and add depth and authenticity to the plot.
“Flash Back" is a well-crafted and engaging science fiction thriller that will appeal you for sure. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed and intriguing. Whether you're a fan of time travel stories or just looking for an exciting and suspenseful read, "Flash Back" is definitely worth checking out

The book kept me gripped throughout, so i give it a 5 star

[Mabearbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This page turner held my attention and captivated my senses with its amazing character plot and writing . I was on the edge of my seat throughout this story with all of its twists and turns, I definitely found it a provocative read and I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Nedda Kennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read, good plot, read in one day,could not put it down

[Catherine Keegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down. So glad there are more books from this author to look forward to

[Stephen]

Learned of this book this morning, finished it this evening. Make of that what you will. Interesting SF/alt-history novel in which it's revealed that the Chinese in the future invented a time machine and used it to begin meddling in the early 20th century. The story begins with a mysterious flash drive, gets super confusing, then wraps up. Although I had issues with worldbuilding and dialogue (too much showing versus telling), I enjoyed it. Longer review to follow for those who have attention spans longer than a toddler's.

Fuller review:

Sam is a cybersecurity expert in the employ of DARPA, who discovers an envelope marked with a general’s name sitting on his dresser. Spooked by the idea of someone invading his home, Sam delivers the envelope to his higher-up and — within the week — finds himself sitting in a conference room. He’s being invited to join a top secret project…or leave DARPA altogether. With no real choice in the matter, and very curious as to what was in that envelope — Sam agrees. He soon learns that DARPA has been investigating the prospects of time travel, and the contents of that envelope were greatly helpful in locking in a few missing pieces. Soon a machine is ready for testing. China may be the world’s leading superpower and sole possessor of nuclear weapons, but now Uncle Sam has time on his side. The result is an interesting alt-history SF novel with some weaknesses, but generally enjoyable.

The book has the fun twist of beginning in the middle of things without the characters realizing it: the reader will almost immediately pick up on the fact that this isn’t our reality, and suspect that DC has not quite stolen the time-march on China as it thinks it has. Soon enough, Sam and his coworkers also realize something is off, as they begin investigating a series of murders clustered in the 1940s that derailed the American nuclear program. Is it possible that China has a time machine and has been manipulating events in the past? After an exploratory jaunt to 1942 Chicago, DARPA forms a military contingent to begin investigating possible incursions, but things get increasingly complicated as future-China begins countermeasures. It started to reminded me a bit of the plot-chaos of the Red Alert games, the first of which begins with a time-travel assassination of Hitler, and every succeeding game happening because of time-travel efforts to undermine the effects of the preceding games, ultimately leading to robot bears and George Takei as emperor of Japan.

Story-wise, it was certainly compelling: I began reading at lunch and continued after work, finishing the novel in the same day I began it. The premise alone made things fun, as did — for me — the constant study of his worldbuilding and efforts to understand what was leading to what. This is one of my favorite part of alt-history novels, sussing out the different changes. In this case, I suspect the author was a little negligent, as the world of the novel is our world but with China being the only ones having nuclear arms: this leads to odd things like the Green Zone existing in Afghanistan, which seems at odds with the other worldbuilding. If China is the sole superpower, I can’t imagine it being happy with Americans invading Central Asia — and frankly, if China is the sole superpower, that should have consequences for both Russia and American involvement in say, Afghanistan, and all the sorry fruit it bore, especially bin Laden. The writing was fairly servicable, if tending to tell more than show. I can see trying the other novels in this series, especially as this was a debut novel and the author’s craft may improve with ‘time’. (Ho-ho.)

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing sci-fi story takes the reader on a journey that leaves their head spinning! Exciting plot, personable characters, great description, this story has it all. For me, who does not understand science well, the story did get off to a slow start. I had trouble following the technical discussion. Just a couple chapters in, tho, and I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down! I’m excited to read book two in this series!

[Exclusively_Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. This was a first for me in sci-fi and a first with a time travel story line. The author John Turiano writes in such a simple yet detailed way. The characters are portrayed perfectly in a lot of detail that marks it is easy to visualise them. This detail in character also helps you relate to them and for some you feel heartbroken for. There where so many twists and turns and so many what if moments that you keep on turning and turning to try and figure out what happens next. The chapters are short with a maximum of 10 pages and that helps with the flow of the story. The first five chapters however did have a bit of science talk that was a little confusing however once you get pass this, the story keeps you on your feet. I highly recommend this book

[Cody Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very-well written time travel book is packed with excitement. Great character development and excellent plot. The story pulled me in and did not let go, a definite page-turner right to the end.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished it! Thank you to the author and Voracious Readers Only for a copy to review. I did so voluntarily.

I am a big fan of sci-fi and time travel so this book really appealed to me (though yes it did take me awhile to read it due to RL issues). So, meet Sam whose life has been turned upside down before the book really begins by the death of Charlie. As he and his wife Beth struggle with the loss he's just trying to get through life, but the grief is crushing them both. One day he finds an envelope with a flash drive in it, and from there the world as he knows it changes drastically. After he turns in the drive, he is moved to a project that is tied to the disappearance of the director. Some things about this job made no sense to me. For example, who would make someone lose his job before he accepted the other job offer? They gave him no choice, but to accept the job with limited details. That is sketchy beyond reason. Another part that doesn't make sense is Sam was able to leave his job early for no reason and didn't need to check in with anyone before leaving? Granted I know most jobs are 9-5 with little micromanagement, but this....book or not, this isn't realistic. I realize as a time travel book it isn't based in reality, but the way things were set up it just didn't make sense. The first half of the book kind of bored me with all the scientific jargon. I didn't understand most, if any of it, and I really did not care. I understand why it is there, but I skipped over bits and pieces of it because it just did not hold my interest. As far as character personality goes I wanted to like Sam, in fact I did, but every time he and Danielle were together it made me cringe hard-core. He is married for pete sakes! Yes, they are struggling, but the flirtation almost from the get go...just no. I realize with everything he has to do he can't really be a completely moral character, but in this one instance I wanted him to at least be the good guy. I wanted them to change that every time it came up! The overall writing was really good. There were definitely parts I could visualize really well. The shout out to Harry Potter was great! Some parts were really predictable. An example of this is how do they not write notes before the jumps so they have an idea of what might have changed? Common sense! They call themselves scientists... I really enjoyed this book even if the ending made me roll my eyes. I do plan on reading more in the series if/when they come out. I would recommend this overall to adult readers, but if you are like me and get easily irritated with certain things you might want to make a list of pros and cons to see if the irritation would outweigh the enjoyment. Luckily for me it did, but I tried to remind myself that these weren't real people. However, that should also give readers a hint at how well the author made me feel for/not feel for the characters. So, in reality I guess he did his job. If you read this, have fun! If not, just take this away from this entire review: do not mess with history, just don't do it because we can't fix it! 😂

[Alisha Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3BtLOIr.












After after the loss of Charlie Sam and his wife begin to drift apart. Work is a monotonous distraction at the military base where he works as a civilian. That is until he receives a mysterious envelope addressed to the General. When he turns it in he is given a new assignment: Project Eight Ball. A group of scientists have developed what was previously considered impossible: the ability to travel in time. However, the Americans are not the only ones with this technology, but how far have the butterfly affects rippled from changes made?
I received an eBook copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book is very well written and will have you drawn in from the first page. We start by following a melancholy man plagued by nightmares to his job where he is a civilian contractor on a military site. Not uncommon. Soon we find that he has submitted a mysterious envelope he found in his house to his higher ups without opening it. Man has more self control than I do, but I've never been in a high stress or security job. When he is brought into the secret project on his base he isn't given a lot of choices, but I don't think he would have turned it down anyways. Especially knowing what happens in this book.

It is interesting to see how timelines change throughout the story and the back and forth between past and present. Especially when we see how something could play out then that timeline is essentially removed like it never happened. But, it adds a certain amount of intrigue to the story seeing if the events in the past are going to remain in the timeline. Sometimes they do sometimes they don't. While this is a science fiction book it doesn't go overly hard into the details of how something works. Because of this I feel like the story takes the fore-front, which is my personal preference.

There are sad bits in the book and points where I was annoyed with the main character and his actions, however he's only human and I can't hold that against him. Well, I could if I was a certain character in the book, but as a reader, no. I don't know that I have a favorite character in this book. Which is fine. I enjoyed the read and have no complaints. While this is book one in a series I feel like this book ends in a good place. We resolved all major points of the book, established a base group of characters, and left a trail for future books without taking away from what happened in this story.

[Alan Bayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flash Back is a story set on a world where the it was China and not the USA who developed the atomic bomb, a world where it is the only nuclear superpower... a world that is also on the brink of destruction.

But it is not this bleak world which this story is about. No, this story about Sam Reilly who has strange dreams, of a world where China did not win the arms race, but the USA. But Sam's dreams soon become a nightmare after he finds a flash drive in his bedroom, and it is then his life thrown into turmoil when he soon finds himself working for a mysterious agency researching time travel. Things take a turn for the worst when he travels to the past, only to be arrested and then executed for murder.

But that is only the beginning of his story, as soon he finds himself embroiled in a sinister conspiracy, deadly assassins from the future and a race against time to reset history before his world is annihilated.

I am big fan of What If stories and it was the premise of this story which drew me to it. The story is fast-paced and well-written, full of action, intrigue and suspense, along with mysterious characters it is a story which left me on the edge of my seat. But that doesn't mean to say it does not have it faults, I found half-way through the book, the story dragged a bit, but I wasn't to worry as it soon picked up towards the latter half of the book, leading to thrilling finale.

I could tell the author had fun writing this story, developing an intricate parallel world full of danger and intrigue. I can assume he must have done a lot research into certain aspect of time travel, especially relating to parallel realities, because there is one scene in particular, where Sam is discussing "The Grand-Father Paradox" with his colleagues, which left me with a huge headache!

I understand this is the first book in a trilogy, and if that is the case, sign me for the journey because I am in it for the long haul!

If you like What If stories, that are also full action, intrigue, suspense, with lots and lots of time travel chucked in for good measure, then this is the book for you.

Great Scott and not a Delorian in sight!

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Flash Back” is the first in a trilogy: Project Eight Ball, but was reviewed as a stand alone story. The tale introduces Sam Reilly, a civilian security systems engineer who is transferred to work on a secret project after a flash drive mysteriously shows up in his house.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. As in every time travel book, the author spends a little time explaining this story’s time travel rules. The author makes reference to multiverses and the “grandfather paradox” in an attempt to explain the time travel theorem of the book. I was glad he decided to spend more time on the tech and research into things like the development of the atom bomb than on the “science” behind the time travel. The author also does a really nice job in giving background details into Sam through interactions with those around him, including his wife, and through his dreams. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read Flash Back by John Turiano.

Good depth of character & a very interesting story-line. It kept me wanting to keep reading even when I knew I really needed to get some sleep.

[Jo Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less of a time travel story and more about military strikes and the mechanics of nuclear power.

[Betty Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have great respect for this writer. I love his brilliant way of telling a tale. Flash Back drew me in from the beginning and never let me down. This book is a fascinating read from cover to cover. You will love this story if you are into time traveling and all the possibilities it offers. Will the forces of good or evil win out? Only time will tell!