Agent of Time

In Times Like These #1.5

by Nathan Van Coops

How do you race a clock that runs backward?
Special Agent Stella York watched a man die in the middle of the Interstate. But he didn’t stay dead for long...

When a rookie FBI agent is tasked with solving a series of bizarre murders, her case is going nowhere. The evidence is contradictory, the timeline is impossible, and if she doesn’t solve it now, the killer will become unstoppable.

Agent of Time is a mind-bending multiverse thriller. If you like twisting time travel and heroes who won’t quit, you’ll love this novella length adventure in the world of In Times Like These.

*Caution: This novella contains spoilers for the novel In Times Like These and is best enjoyed as the second book of the series.

Genres: Time Travel, Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2020

About the author

Nathan 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

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short novel Agent of Time is a quick-paced, time-bending tale from the Nathan Van Coops’ multiverse series called In Times Like These. Although it serves as a part of a series that I have not been privy to in the past, the story works as a standalone narrative. I never felt lost or as if I was missing some necessary ingredient that would be revelatory. Stella York is a federal agent beginning her career with a misogynistic partner who is dubious of what a female agent can accomplish. It is for that reason that she is tasked with the paper and grunt work in their current murder investigation, but when the timeline fails to make logical sense, she is forced to investigate things on her own. The story is not a bad one. It is just that time travel stories tend to be similar in scope and execution. As always there is the over-stated concern for paradox and the migraine-inducing, expositional technobabble that overanalyzes alternate possibilities. Overall, I think this is a middle of the road read. Not bad, but just another one in the line of time-altering, alternate reality stories with little to no originality.

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nathan Van Coops has a real talent for world building, which comes in handy when the potential for countless time streams becomes possible in the "In Times Like These" series. I was excited to see a book inserted between books 1 and 2 in the series, and hope there will be more! My only complaint is that this audiobook was 4 hours. Why not 8? 10? I'll take all I can get in this wacky universe.

In this betweener story, we aren't experiencing time travel alongside a character. We get to view the idea of time travel and futuristic ideas through the observant eyes of an ambitious FBI Special Agent, investigating impossible happenings. As if she didn't already have a whole bucket of crazy and misogyny to deal with -- this is happening back in the 1980s-90s -- now she needs to accept the improbable and then convince others of the same. In a not-so-distant time when women were still being told to smile, because it makes them look prettier (such the priority!), Stella York carries the burden of proof of time crimes on her feminine shoulders, where most "manly" men would only see hysteria.

Watching, in bits and pieces, the wild ride of time travelers popping in and out of various times past was fun. Plus, I'm glad to have the perspective that comes with remembering that era. I was in tech as early as the late 1980s, still am today, but it's been a long time since anyone called me "sweetheart" in the office.

For the audiobook, narration by Kylah Williams was all right, not great but definitely not bad. She left me wondering in which part of the US people pronounce it "eee-mediately".

[D.S. Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update October 2024! Audiobook

I'm so biased towards this series 😅 absolutely brilliant.



“It’s rare for someone to be consciously aware of a paradox, but it’s possible that because you were so close to the epicenter of the change that your consciousness was able to perceive both of the diverging realities simultaneously.”

What happened to the normal people during In Times Like These. Well for FBI Agent Stella, her world got strange!
With a Serial killer seemingly popping up everywhere, a confusing time loop and a Paradox she shouldn't have been able to see. Will Stella ever see the world the same way again. I think not.

This was a Brilliant little story and I'm so glad it was written.
Stella is a very likeable character trying to prove herself as a woman in the FBI with her piers disrespecting her and a time travel conundrum making her look crazy.

Can she prove her theories and catch a Serial killer?

“It’s about time.”

[Maarja Kruusmets · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first fell in love with this author's writing when I read the first book of his In Times Like These time travel series. Agent of Time is a story that belongs into the same world and is similarly fast paced, captivating and witty, bringing back fond memories of the rest of the series.
What I especially like about this book is the strong and fully capable female protagonist, who is definitely someone I would like to personally know in real life. The struggles she faces in the male-dominated and masculine work environment are something that women everywhere can relate to. And as always, in between all the action you can find a slowly blossoming romance no woman can do without.
I have read every book by Nathan Van Coops and I've loved every one of them. This one is no different. Fully recommend it.

[Ginelle Blanch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fast paced and so action packed.

Female Special Agent Stella York is just starting her FBI career and, given it's 1985 (end of the year, almost '86), she has a lot of chauvinism to deal with. But, through it all, she goes about her job in a professional way with a more open mind than most would.

I enjoyed the different angle to the book In Times Like These. Looking at it from the perspective of someone who had absolutely NO idea what was going on. I could really empathize with Special Agent Stella! It was really great to see the original crew "together" again as well.

A real seat of your pants, heart in throat read. I gotta say, the last line of the book was the best! Really good read!

[Bethany Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The In Times Like These universe has been so well crafted that the potential for new stories and adventures within it is limitless. Nathan Van Coops showcases this once again in Agent of Time by giving the reader a totally new perspective on some of the major events from the first book in the original series.
Special Agent Stella York finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery, with the odds already against her as one of the few female agents in the industry at that time, and one who now has the seemingly impossible concept of time travel to complicate the resolution of the case. Along this fast-paced adventure the reader is treated to a few original character run-ins, as well as a more behind-the-scenes look at the chaos that the FBI and other departments found themselves in as a result of those first significant happenings.
From the first page to the last line, as always, the writing is riveting and brilliant. Agent of Time was easy to follow along with and so exciting to read, even if the other books in the series haven't been read yet. There are just the right amounts of action, mystery, danger and heroism to keep any science fiction adventure enthusiast enthralled.

[Paul Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent saga worthy of your time

An FBI agent finds herself in over her head when events don't happen the way she expects. Time traveling crazy crook makes a mistake when he tries to take her on. This saga is a refreshing gift being clean and PG-13 rated, it will be a wonderful movie someday.

[Ejayen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was great.
The third quarter was slow.
And the last one had a naked man in it.

[Fila Trece (Liantener) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó la aventura en paralelo a la primera novela. Muy buen manejo del suspenso, y del drama criminal. Definitivamente una historia para los fans, puesto que vamos conectando los hechos que ya conocemos con los nuevos. Como cereza en el pastel, Van Coops abre la puerta para tener nuevas aventuras dentro del universo de "In Times Like This" pero con nuevos personajes.
Sin ser espectacular, es una buena adición a la serie.

[LTC Larry Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tightly written, captivating tale

Although the author provides a little prologue that says this is a companion book to another he has written, it's definitely an standalone novel! While the characters aren't developed in depth, there is enough to make them believable, and the interplay of dialogue doesn't waste words. The premise is an unexplainable accident where the victims have been electrocuted inside a vehicle that has crashed into a power pole. However, there is no evidence of high voltage electricity in the vehicle and the power pole is undamaged. Add to this, one of the victims has fingerprints and other factors that are identical to a guard at a nearby state prison - not similar fingerprints; identical fingerprints. Things become more confusing as the investigation progresses, complicated by the male dominant culture of the FBI and their absolute reluctance to entertain the possibilities raised by novice female agent Stella York (it is the mid-80s, after all). Ultimately, Special Agent York ties the collision to an actual time traveler. And of course, the entire file ultimately disappears from FBI records because time travel is just too farfetched to be the answer. But Special Agent York knows the truth because she experiences the side effects of time travel, effects that leave her wondering about her own sanity and judgment.

I really didn't expect much from the book, but was pleasantly surprised by the fast pace and well conceived plot line. I recommend this selection to anyone who has read H.G. Wells or Jules Vern novels. While not a classic like their works, this one is just as fun.

[RBSProds · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Agent of Time” is another fast-paced, excellent time-travel novel by Nathan Van Coops. I had previously read “Time of Death” and was looking for a follow-up piece set in this same universe. Although warned to read “In Times Like These” first and already owning “Clockwise & Gone”, I charged ahead with “Agent of Time” and loved it. FBI Special Agent Stella York is one of the first female agents and in her first assignment, she assists an experienced agent who is skeptical of the positive precedent she might set in the Bureau. The ‘putdown’ sessions keep coming, but she presses on. The case at hand is perplexing and while her partner looks beyond the obvious, she is in position to realize what is happening, if not why and how it is occurring. As the plot progresses, she begins to see more of the truth, in this page-turner story by Van Coops. Highly Recommended. Five MYSTIFYING Stars. Apple Books. 166 pages.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Time Travel Story

I’ve read many of the books in the In Times Like These series. This story fits well into the convoluted time line but views it from a very different perspective. Stella’s story fits her time as she struggles to be accepted as an FBI agent while trying to solve a time travel mystery.

I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two stories as well as the great character development and story telling that surrounds Stella.

Well done! You’ll enjoy reading this.

[Yohan (요한) Yukiya (雪矢) Sese (사・謝) Cuneta (ᜃᜓᜈᜒᜆ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A great story from that timeline which was only hinted at in the originals. I've always wondered what happened to that timeline, the stories it can tell, and I'm glad to finally see one from it. Great job as always!

[Uma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exhilarating, mind boggling , stimulating adventure!

FBI Special Agent Stella York witnesses an incident that has occurred in a timeline that has changed. When she submits her report, no one believes her, her partner agent refuses to work with her and she is taken off her case and moved to Las Vegas.

She hasn't given up on trying to resolve the paradox incident and has been adding information to it. When she gets a call from the detective Danny Briggs whom she had met all those years ago when she was investigating the mysterious disappearance of a psychopath criminal, she decides to go to California in pursuit of the criminal and to work with detective Briggs.

What follows is a never imagined twist of events that combines characters from different timelines unbeknownst to Stella and needs to be read to be enjoyed in its entirety. The narrative keeps the reader totally engrossed and glued to the book until the end.

A big thank you to the author for a brilliant and outstanding adventure! I am now off to check if there are more Stella York adventures available!!!

[Mark Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read from Nathan Van Coops, an author who focuses on one of my favorite Sci-Fi sub-genres - time travel. While the characters from his series are all present in this book, it follows a female FBI officer in the 1970s who is working on a case that doesn't seem possible. Fighting sexism and questioning her own sanity and reality eventually lead her down the path that time travelers are involved. Van Coops tells a good stand alone story, but it might be helpful to know the basics and people before starting the book. At just over 4 hrs, I listened to it on audible while exercising, and I found it easy to follow and an engaging plot. His descriptions of each scene are so thorough that you can picture them in detail, but perhaps they are so over described that it leaves less room for imagination. The author does handle time travel consistently, has credible challenges associated with time travel, and presents the logistical problems if a traveler is a criminal or murderer. Good listen, I suspect I'll do some more from this series.

[Michelle Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wanted to write an adventure story where time travel wasn’t just a way to get a character to a different time once or twice, but it was able to be used constantly to solve problems.”
Nathan Van Coops

Agent of Time is a science fiction novel that is apart of the In Times Like These series by Nathan Van Coops. The author has created strong characters that readers will be able to identify with if put in the same situations. The main character, Agent Stella York, is trying to prove herself as an FBI agent in 1985. Her first case involves time travel events and evidence, but no one will believe her. Thirteen years later, she is able to solve the case and finds her life’s purpose. She accepts a new job as an agent with Time Crimes. Readers will enjoy discovering how time travel is accomplished in Agent of Time. If you love time travel and mystery stories, this book is for you!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agent of Time is a novella set in the world of Nathan Van Coops’ In Times Like These series. The storyline runs parallel to the first book in the series (In Times Like These), so it really helps to have read book one first. I kind of wish I’d reread it before reading this one.

The story centers on FBI Special Agent Stella York who ends up investigating a case where the facts, and the timelines, just aren’t adding up. Stella is a well-developed character given the short length of the story and I genuinely liked her. I hope Van Coops continues to include her in future storylines for this series.

Agent of Time is very plot-driven and moves along quickly. I read it in four days because I only read a little before bed, but could have easily read it all on a lazy Sunday… I think it heavily relies on book one, so I would have been very confused had I not read that. But, because of that, part of the story which would require drawn-out explanations can be skipped over. Either you’ve read the first book and you get it, or you haven’t and really understand the way Stella feels.

Solid four stars. I’ve liked every book (full-length and novella) in this series and I can’t wait for more!

[Warren Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough book to review, because it involves a single character watching the events of a book I haven't read. Still, while the story is short, the characters are well drawn out. The crime is set in the 1980s, and the author makes reference to the styles of that era, which brings some realism to it. The two characters of note, Stella and Detective Briggs, have enough substance to make them feel real, too. My favorite parts of the book involved the time paradoxes, where effect preceded cause. The highway accident that killed one of the perpetrators was really nicely written. The continuous reference to her status as a woman was annoying, but I think that was done on purpose, to highlight how things have changed in the intervening years (though I suspect a lot has stayed the same below the surface).

[Roy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Time Mystery

Nathan an Coops has written an excellent time travel series (3 books). This book is a parallel story to the first book. I highly recommend reading that series, but I do not think it matters if you have or have not read it. The author’s synopsis of it is rather confusing.

This book is an excellent mystery that eventually requires the time travel explanation, but as with so many great mysteries, you get as wrapped up in understanding and solving it as the main character.

If you enjoy this book, definitely follow up by reading the first book of the trilogy, “ In Times Like These”.

As the author notes: “This story takes place concurrently with the events of In Times Like These and relates to them directly.”

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice addition to the series

This book is sort of an aside, not about one of the main characters we've seen previously although they do make appearances in this story. Stella is an FBI agent on the 1980s when women were just becom9ng part of the bureau. She's treated rather poorly by her sexist partner who tends to put down anything she has to say. Her job, in his opinion is to make the coffee, keep her mouth shut, and not do anything that will make him look bad. I know, right? Despicable! So in spite of him, she gets involved in the Elton Spenger case in St. Petersburg, FL that our friends Ben, Carson, Robbie, and Francesca were involved with. It's a fun story that provides some behind the scenes action on a story we've already read. Nicely done!

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI Agent Stella is just getting her feet wet with the FBI when she and he partner stumble on an accident . The local police have asked for assistence from the FBI. Her partner is pig headed and does not like female agents and does all he can to make her look. She starts investigating one her own but things don't work out and she is demoted. No one believes her when she insists that there may be time travel involve nor does she full believe it. Things get worse and the former detective she was working with called and said more strange things had occurred and she should join him in California. She travels there and things turn out bad for her as she is captured by the person she was hoping to catch. Can she work her way out of the situation?

[Jo Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read. FBI agent Stella confronts 2 murders of one person who does not exist and the other that is 20 years younger and still very much alive. Then she witnesses a terrible crash and death of a man on top of a truck trailer and stops to render aid. But of course he is dead. The next day no one saw the crash and no one investigated what didn't happen. Something peculiar seems to be going on. Then the dead crash victim is alive the next day. Now it's just gone to weird land. Stella's FBI career hinges on her ability to figure this whole mystery out. Or maybe she's just gone round the bend.

[Daniel Deitch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfinished

I’m really sorry but this piece of writing is not a book but an unfinished episode that could be a full novel with some editing. I’m getting tired of authors who can obviously write well but have forgotten that the difference between a novel and an episode of a story is that a novel is a complete work with a definite beginning and end which can also be read on it’s own . This author,like many other modern writers, broke this rule with a rushed ending which left too many unanswered questions and no real sense of completion. The writing and ideas are all fine but the writer needs a good editor.

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting novella

I like the how Van Coops explored what happened in one of the alternate timelines that was created by Stenger's actions. The story was OK, but suffered from a weak protagonist. FBI Agent Stella York, who spent month in intensive training, marksmanship, hand to hand combat, evasion techniques, plus an addition +2 years of training prior to be getting a field duty assignment, and despite all of this, she's practically a push over. Stenger, a half ass tug managed to get the better of her no less than three times. It was disappointing to see such a weak female protagonist.

[Dana Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously don't know how anyone writes time travel books that go back and forth in time and then mention parallel universes and paradoxes. Makes my mind spin. Anyway, this was a good story about an FBI agent who stumbles upon this time traveling group in the 80's and it spans a couple decades. There is one psycho path in the group that the detective is determined to catch. Of course no one believes her when she mentions time travel. Oh and events that she sees seem to disappear. Yet she keeps searching.

[Norma Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long awaited follow on from the In times Like these series. I really enjoyed the way that the author came at the story from a different angle.
I loved the little ‘nods’ to the characters from previous novels - it was like meeting up with old friends!

I have also just finished Electric Midnight. Thoroughly enjoyed this second book in what I hope will be a looooong series! And another appearance of an ‘old’ friend. Literally couldn’t put it down!
I love the way this Author subtly links his charectors and thoughly enjoyed this.
It will be released later this month -don’t miss it!
Norma

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agent of time-the continuing temporal adventures.

As always another great book by Nathan van Coops.
Concurrent with the storyline of the times like these books. This book focuses on a police detective that becomes aware of the events going on with the characters from the temporal accident in the " times like these " series and How she attempts to reconcile those events with how she perceives reality. It is a very good fast paced read.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting idea to show the initial time travel events from the perspective of someone now time traveling, but being great impacted by all the time travelers. Admittedly, I didn't remember the first book in great detail since it had been a while since I read it. In a way maybe that helped because sometimes, like Stella, I was a little confused about what was happening. But it all comes together nicely in the end and it was very creative.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy listening 🔰

Due to eye issues and damage from shingles Alexa reads to me.
An amazing will written fantasy Sci-Fi time travel adventure novella with interesting will developed characters. The story line starts in Florida and ends in Las Angeles where the main character solves a thirteen year old mystery. I would recommend this novella to readers of fantasy mystery adventure. Enjoy the adventure of reading 📚2021 😆

[Daniel Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, The first book took a while to get through the first part then from there I consumed them, I waited a bit to get this one because its a short story but then there was a publishers pack that had this and two small books with it so I jumped on it. If you are into time travel books then you want to pick this series up. I will warn you that the first book does take a while to get into the story, keep going its worth it. Once you do you will want to read the entire series.