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A Ripple in Time #3
The Punishers
The saga continues in this final chapter of survival.
Nearly three years have passed since Stephen Mason, former Federal Air Marshall, along with a plane load of passengers, was inexplicably hurled back through time. It's now 1723, Charles town, South Carolina Colony. Mason and the three other remaining survivors—his wife, Karen, and best friends, Jeremy and Lisa Jackson—have built their rice plantation into a thriving enterprise. For everyone on the plantation, life is good.
But when an opportunity arises to revisit an old adversary, Mason embarks on a simple fact-finding mission. The risks are minimal until an unforeseen sharp, right turn puts Mason and his families’ future in extreme jeopardy.
With so much at stake, can Mason adapt and achieve his ultimate goal? Can he even survive what was to be a simple plan?
Nearly three years have passed since Stephen Mason, former Federal Air Marshall, along with a plane load of passengers, was inexplicably hurled back through time. It's now 1723, Charles town, South Carolina Colony. Mason and the three other remaining survivors—his wife, Karen, and best friends, Jeremy and Lisa Jackson—have built their rice plantation into a thriving enterprise. For everyone on the plantation, life is good.
But when an opportunity arises to revisit an old adversary, Mason embarks on a simple fact-finding mission. The risks are minimal until an unforeseen sharp, right turn puts Mason and his families’ future in extreme jeopardy.
With so much at stake, can Mason adapt and achieve his ultimate goal? Can he even survive what was to be a simple plan?
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2020
266 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Victor Zugg
12 books66 followersVictor Zugg is a former US Air Force officer and OSI special agent who served and lived all over the world. Writing has always been a big part of his life, no matter what the job. While serving in the military most of his writing was job related. But he also found time to publish a number of nonfiction magazine articles, all historical in nature. He traveled great distances to research the material first hand. More recently he’s turned his writing skills to fiction, to the type he enjoys reading—largely dystopian and survival adventures. Given his extensive travels and opportunities to settle anywhere, it is ironic that he now resides in Florida, only a few miles from his hometown of Orlando. He credits the warm temperatures for that decision.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 16, 2025
TIME-TRAVEL, PIRATES, SMUGGLERS, A HISTORICAL FICTION ACTION ADVENTURE A LITTLE FOR ALL
☆☆☆☆☆
The Punishers: A Ripple In Time Book 3 by Victor Zugg is a well-written addictive trilogy that will hold your interest from the first page of the book to the last page of the third. The characters are ones that are not only well developed but ones that are easily to relate to and you'll feel a connection to the main characters right from the start.
Like I stated above, this book and series has just about something for all readers. The first book starts with a group of people on a flight from Miami to Charlotte, South Carolina in 2019. While on their way to Charlotte, the plane runs into a strange storm and the plane goes down off the coast of Myrtle Beach in 1720's.
Manson, the lead character, steps up to lead the survivors and with the help of a native tribal leader brings the group to Charles Town (later to become Charlotte) where they purchase and settle on a fairly large plantation on the outskirts of town. In this third book, Mason, Karen, Lisa, Jeremy, Mato, and the rest of the cast deal with making their lives more comfortable on the plantation and for their workers.
They have to deal with getting their crops to the markets, pirates who have been a huge hazard to not only Mason and his group but also any and all merchants on the Atlantic coast from Florida to New York. If the pirates weren't bad enough, they also run into issues with diseases that are easily curable in modern times, but the English are forcing their control over the plantation owners' goods and ruthless murdering thieving thugs.
The characters are strong men and women who are not only loyal to their small group but those who they call friends and family. Their willingness to help those who cannot at the risk of their own lives is beyond the norm for the new time period they find themselves in. The morals of Mason, Karen, Lisa, and Jeremy are those of the best of men and women.
This action adventure time travel series is the first one in which I have read of Victor Zugg and to be completely honest I truly enjoyed reading this book and series and plan to read more of Victor's works. I hope you too will enjoy reading this book and series as much as I have.
☆☆☆☆☆
The Punishers: A Ripple In Time Book 3 by Victor Zugg is a well-written addictive trilogy that will hold your interest from the first page of the book to the last page of the third. The characters are ones that are not only well developed but ones that are easily to relate to and you'll feel a connection to the main characters right from the start.
Like I stated above, this book and series has just about something for all readers. The first book starts with a group of people on a flight from Miami to Charlotte, South Carolina in 2019. While on their way to Charlotte, the plane runs into a strange storm and the plane goes down off the coast of Myrtle Beach in 1720's.
Manson, the lead character, steps up to lead the survivors and with the help of a native tribal leader brings the group to Charles Town (later to become Charlotte) where they purchase and settle on a fairly large plantation on the outskirts of town. In this third book, Mason, Karen, Lisa, Jeremy, Mato, and the rest of the cast deal with making their lives more comfortable on the plantation and for their workers.
They have to deal with getting their crops to the markets, pirates who have been a huge hazard to not only Mason and his group but also any and all merchants on the Atlantic coast from Florida to New York. If the pirates weren't bad enough, they also run into issues with diseases that are easily curable in modern times, but the English are forcing their control over the plantation owners' goods and ruthless murdering thieving thugs.
The characters are strong men and women who are not only loyal to their small group but those who they call friends and family. Their willingness to help those who cannot at the risk of their own lives is beyond the norm for the new time period they find themselves in. The morals of Mason, Karen, Lisa, and Jeremy are those of the best of men and women.
This action adventure time travel series is the first one in which I have read of Victor Zugg and to be completely honest I truly enjoyed reading this book and series and plan to read more of Victor's works. I hope you too will enjoy reading this book and series as much as I have.
May 19, 2021
Outstanding and "Sensible" (and a trigger)
What do I mean by sensible? The author has clearly thought through the impact of future travelers to the past history of America in early-mid 1700's.
What do I mean by a trigger? There is a scene of sexual violence - a very small one. The author treated it respectfully, not using horrible slang for the body parts, and without over stepping any real life boundaries. The details while not lurid or overly drawn out are a little too specific and made me shudder, a little. My response is because of my own personal history - so if anything I applaud the author for handling it realistically and gently. I'm just saying a warning of some kind would have made it less triggering.
What I really like about all three books is the author's handling of history, human nature, and heroic expectations. If you enjoy battles, he gives good ones but not so drawn out that the book has no plot and is just a showcase of the authors knowledge of weapons and battles, ugh I hate those books!
If you enjoy romance, you'll get it here, too. But not so sappy that you despair that one or the other characters may not have a unique identity. :-) No drawn out details of marriage consumptions and make-up sex. But lovely touches of true affection and respect.
I really enjoyed the series what made it so great is that he addresses issues, such as slavery, moralities from different era's, pre-knowledge of the future with great thoughtfulness!
What do I mean by sensible? The author has clearly thought through the impact of future travelers to the past history of America in early-mid 1700's.
What do I mean by a trigger? There is a scene of sexual violence - a very small one. The author treated it respectfully, not using horrible slang for the body parts, and without over stepping any real life boundaries. The details while not lurid or overly drawn out are a little too specific and made me shudder, a little. My response is because of my own personal history - so if anything I applaud the author for handling it realistically and gently. I'm just saying a warning of some kind would have made it less triggering.
What I really like about all three books is the author's handling of history, human nature, and heroic expectations. If you enjoy battles, he gives good ones but not so drawn out that the book has no plot and is just a showcase of the authors knowledge of weapons and battles, ugh I hate those books!
If you enjoy romance, you'll get it here, too. But not so sappy that you despair that one or the other characters may not have a unique identity. :-) No drawn out details of marriage consumptions and make-up sex. But lovely touches of true affection and respect.
I really enjoyed the series what made it so great is that he addresses issues, such as slavery, moralities from different era's, pre-knowledge of the future with great thoughtfulness!
August 31, 2020
The best time travel series ever!!
Victor Zugg very quickly became my most favored author with his ‘A Ripple In Time’ time travel series. It all started with the amazing first book.......but with this Book 3, he pulls together all three books with an excellent finale to the series. Do not expect your eyes to remain dry at the ending though, I’m just saying. This is an excellent book. To reach the ultimate reading satisfaction, please read the first two books prior to this one. You will not regret it. I promise. You will come to feel you personally know each character. I can’t speak highly enough of this authors style of writing and his storyline adventures. I have read every book he’s published and anxiously await to see where his next adventure leads. I have had a love of reading since I was a young child and greatly appreciate a good book that seems to consume me, drawing me into its pages. Author Victor Zugg is able to do that, he’s absolutely the best!! Thank you, Victor, for another fantastic book!
Victor Zugg very quickly became my most favored author with his ‘A Ripple In Time’ time travel series. It all started with the amazing first book.......but with this Book 3, he pulls together all three books with an excellent finale to the series. Do not expect your eyes to remain dry at the ending though, I’m just saying. This is an excellent book. To reach the ultimate reading satisfaction, please read the first two books prior to this one. You will not regret it. I promise. You will come to feel you personally know each character. I can’t speak highly enough of this authors style of writing and his storyline adventures. I have read every book he’s published and anxiously await to see where his next adventure leads. I have had a love of reading since I was a young child and greatly appreciate a good book that seems to consume me, drawing me into its pages. Author Victor Zugg is able to do that, he’s absolutely the best!! Thank you, Victor, for another fantastic book!
November 3, 2020
Incredibly Gripping Story!
I loved the suspense, humor, excitement, danger, survival and friendships the author wrote in the story. His description of each character brought them to life. Stranded on a pirate ship out in the middle of the ocean, Mason, the main character, had to figure out a way to pursue his target without getting himself killed. In the meantime, his wife, Karen, had to deal with a problem of her own. It's a heartwarming story where those from the future meets those from the past and how their lives intertwined with each other. The flow of the story was superb. This author has an excellent command of the English language. This is a MUST read to anyone who likes time travel stories.
I loved the suspense, humor, excitement, danger, survival and friendships the author wrote in the story. His description of each character brought them to life. Stranded on a pirate ship out in the middle of the ocean, Mason, the main character, had to figure out a way to pursue his target without getting himself killed. In the meantime, his wife, Karen, had to deal with a problem of her own. It's a heartwarming story where those from the future meets those from the past and how their lives intertwined with each other. The flow of the story was superb. This author has an excellent command of the English language. This is a MUST read to anyone who likes time travel stories.
November 3, 2022
Very good read!
February 13, 2024
Excellent Series Concludes
I greatly enjoyed this series from the first page. I was attracted by the story premise, and was thoroughly pleased with the development and execution of the story by the author. Time and place is expertly developed gradually through the observations and experiences of the survivors. Attention to details is top notch, and the many principle and supporting characters are interesting and well developed. I really liked the supporting plot of Mason's friend, Reeves. This set the background for the excellent ending! I will check out more of Mr. Aunt's books.
I greatly enjoyed this series from the first page. I was attracted by the story premise, and was thoroughly pleased with the development and execution of the story by the author. Time and place is expertly developed gradually through the observations and experiences of the survivors. Attention to details is top notch, and the many principle and supporting characters are interesting and well developed. I really liked the supporting plot of Mason's friend, Reeves. This set the background for the excellent ending! I will check out more of Mr. Aunt's books.
August 31, 2020
Great Continuation Of The Series!
Gets off to a fast and exciting start! Nice tie in with another traveler that briefly appeared in the last volume. Fun read throughout, just as the previous two books were. Great ending (although some wiggle room for future volumes if Mr. Zugg is so inclined), but if this is it, many thanks for the ride!
Gets off to a fast and exciting start! Nice tie in with another traveler that briefly appeared in the last volume. Fun read throughout, just as the previous two books were. Great ending (although some wiggle room for future volumes if Mr. Zugg is so inclined), but if this is it, many thanks for the ride!
September 14, 2020
Excellent Series
This is the third book in a unique series. Time travel is possible even if it's mostly accidental. Mason chases the pirates that killed most of the time traveling survivors. That's the simple version, the complicated version awaits in this book. Epic story. I highly recommend it.
This is the third book in a unique series. Time travel is possible even if it's mostly accidental. Mason chases the pirates that killed most of the time traveling survivors. That's the simple version, the complicated version awaits in this book. Epic story. I highly recommend it.
May 22, 2021
Amazing ending
There are some books that you read that the ending is just not satisfactory. That is not the case with this book or the series. The book ties up any loose ends that you may have wanted, and the last couple pages are both heartwarming and sad. Definitely finish this series you won't regret it.
There are some books that you read that the ending is just not satisfactory. That is not the case with this book or the series. The book ties up any loose ends that you may have wanted, and the last couple pages are both heartwarming and sad. Definitely finish this series you won't regret it.
August 29, 2020
Such a good finale
I learned so much about survival in the first two books, and about love and loyalty. In this book I learned a lot about history and piracy. The ending chapters blew me away and I will not forget the Masons and their friends for a long time.
I learned so much about survival in the first two books, and about love and loyalty. In this book I learned a lot about history and piracy. The ending chapters blew me away and I will not forget the Masons and their friends for a long time.
December 31, 2020
Strong finish
I was saddened by the end of this series. Mason had become our common man hero. Again, with a well developed story, detailed story telling, and approachable and likeable characters, the author creates a feel good tale, which is much needed in these times. Thank you.
I was saddened by the end of this series. Mason had become our common man hero. Again, with a well developed story, detailed story telling, and approachable and likeable characters, the author creates a feel good tale, which is much needed in these times. Thank you.
July 9, 2022
Exciting explanation of unsolved mysteries
After reading all three of the Ripple in Time books, I must heartily recommend these books to anyone who has questions about what is possible and impossible. Each book is full of action and life.
After reading all three of the Ripple in Time books, I must heartily recommend these books to anyone who has questions about what is possible and impossible. Each book is full of action and life.
October 3, 2020
Great book and a awesome series
Victor Zugg has done a marvelous job with this series. Very thoroughly researched and written to paint a very colorful picture.
Victor Zugg has done a marvelous job with this series. Very thoroughly researched and written to paint a very colorful picture.
March 17, 2024
nice trilogy
I like it when a story has an ending. This is a fun trilogy about time travel to the 1720s. I enjoyed the story and liked the characters.
I like it when a story has an ending. This is a fun trilogy about time travel to the 1720s. I enjoyed the story and liked the characters.
January 26, 2021
Audible Audiobook.
Plot. A Ripple in Time starts with a fairly routine passenger plane flight from Miami to Charlotte. Soon, the airplane enters a dark, lightning-filled storm. Upon entering smooth air again, the landscape has completely changed. No cities, no airports, a dead radio. The plane crash-lands in the Atlantic off the coast of Myrtle Beach and only about 30 passengers survive.
The main protagonist is Federal Air Marshal Stephen Mason. He and the survivors are in the early 1700s. Selfish and opportunistic passengers, friendly natives, evil pirates, and decent people aware of the future traverse the pages and carry the reader through the trials and desperate efforts to adapt to this new life ... or get home.
Written by Victor Zugg, nicely narrated by Sean Doyle, all voices male and female are well done, no problem discerning who's talking to who. Bumped the speed up to 1.3, but no real issues with production.
A Ripple in Time series consists of three novels, each in the area of 7 hours of listening. First novel was released in December 2019, The Planters, book 2 in May 2020, and finally The Punishers, book 3 in December 2020 - all by Tantor Audio which, I believe, is owned by Recorded Books.
Early American history and SciFi buffs should enjoy. Recommended.
Plot. A Ripple in Time starts with a fairly routine passenger plane flight from Miami to Charlotte. Soon, the airplane enters a dark, lightning-filled storm. Upon entering smooth air again, the landscape has completely changed. No cities, no airports, a dead radio. The plane crash-lands in the Atlantic off the coast of Myrtle Beach and only about 30 passengers survive.
The main protagonist is Federal Air Marshal Stephen Mason. He and the survivors are in the early 1700s. Selfish and opportunistic passengers, friendly natives, evil pirates, and decent people aware of the future traverse the pages and carry the reader through the trials and desperate efforts to adapt to this new life ... or get home.
Written by Victor Zugg, nicely narrated by Sean Doyle, all voices male and female are well done, no problem discerning who's talking to who. Bumped the speed up to 1.3, but no real issues with production.
A Ripple in Time series consists of three novels, each in the area of 7 hours of listening. First novel was released in December 2019, The Planters, book 2 in May 2020, and finally The Punishers, book 3 in December 2020 - all by Tantor Audio which, I believe, is owned by Recorded Books.
Early American history and SciFi buffs should enjoy. Recommended.
January 8, 2022
The Punishers is the final volume in Zugg’s time-travel trilogy, with the plane-crash survivors still living in 18th-century South Carolina. This was my least-favorite of the three volumes, as I get annoyed when someone in a story does something really stupid, but at least several particularly nasty characters do receive what they deserve. The story covered some interesting territory, such as life on a pirate ship (who knew pirates of this era could vote themselves a new captain?), and it revealed how these 21st century people dealt with the sticky issue of owning a plantation full of slaves. An interesting series.
January 5, 2023
All three books are well worth reading!
I didn't know there were three books in the series until after I had finished n the first one and written a short review of it. I just finished the third book. Sadly, there isn't a forth. Oh well, there are other books by Mr. Zugg.
Three days of great reading! Not often that happens. Great characters, a good premise which was well developed throughout the series. Could not have asked for more. Thank you again,, Mr Zugg for these stories. I am looking forward to reading other books from you.
I didn't know there were three books in the series until after I had finished n the first one and written a short review of it. I just finished the third book. Sadly, there isn't a forth. Oh well, there are other books by Mr. Zugg.
Three days of great reading! Not often that happens. Great characters, a good premise which was well developed throughout the series. Could not have asked for more. Thank you again,, Mr Zugg for these stories. I am looking forward to reading other books from you.
September 17, 2025
Time Travel Adventure
The book opens with an airliner entering a strange cloud over the ocean off the Caroline coast. The plane ditches in the water and takes the survivors back to the 1700s. The book is a rollicking adventure with the central character getting involved in all sorts of situations including pirates, native Indians and other characters It is a thoroughly good read especially if you enjoy time travel/history books. I read all three books one after the other. Recommended.
The book opens with an airliner entering a strange cloud over the ocean off the Caroline coast. The plane ditches in the water and takes the survivors back to the 1700s. The book is a rollicking adventure with the central character getting involved in all sorts of situations including pirates, native Indians and other characters It is a thoroughly good read especially if you enjoy time travel/history books. I read all three books one after the other. Recommended.
March 10, 2022
The dregs of the barrel! The author clearly didn’t put much effort in this pathetic sending to the series , the protracted chapters regarding the pirate was super boring, the rape scene contained explicit language that wasn’t used in the first book with the arc scene in that, obviously the author is a deviant who likes rape sex. This book was messy and shouldn’t have been published, utter bum fodder
November 5, 2024
The third installment of a Ripple in Time series concludes the trilogy satisfactorily. I had to google how the infamous pirate Edward “Ned” Low died while reading of Mason’s misadventures on the pirate’s ship. The author used the many contradictory historical facts of Low’s demise to his literary advantage.
All three books are quick reads. The characters come to life and as a reader you become invested in their adventures.
All three books are quick reads. The characters come to life and as a reader you become invested in their adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2025
It does have its interesting moments. If you're a die-hard fan of boats, you will love the verbiage the author uses in here when he describes different parts of the boat throughout the story. I'm not a boat guy so it did get annoying how he used the verbiage. For a final book in the series I would have liked to see more intense moments, more of a fight to survive, more struggle, but overall, not a bad read.
September 7, 2020
Book 3 of the Ripple in Time series really did wrap things up. I loved the characters and setting of 1720's South Carolina, with a bit of New York and La Florida thrown in. I was thankful for a long weekend to read all three back-to-back. Of course, now I am wishing there was a book 4 or that the author writes another equally enthralling time travel book.
November 11, 2020
Entertaining Trilogy
I read a lot of time travel stories, having been hooked on Sci-Fi over 50 years ago. These 3 books were very entertaining. My only criticism is the number of typos, misused words etc. I found that to be a bit distracting. All in all, a nice diversion during a pandemic.
I read a lot of time travel stories, having been hooked on Sci-Fi over 50 years ago. These 3 books were very entertaining. My only criticism is the number of typos, misused words etc. I found that to be a bit distracting. All in all, a nice diversion during a pandemic.
April 2, 2021
Better than book 2
More action in this one. Less detail about sailing...thank goodness. But great description of battles. Still gets a bit bogged down in extreme details such as just the action of buttoning pants. But it ends well by wrapping everything up well. Over all a good series.
More action in this one. Less detail about sailing...thank goodness. But great description of battles. Still gets a bit bogged down in extreme details such as just the action of buttoning pants. But it ends well by wrapping everything up well. Over all a good series.
June 28, 2021
YES ! WHAT A TRIP!
What a trip! I dearly !ove time travel books ,have for a long time theseo are the best I've ever read .on ce I started reading the first one I couldn't stop ,it was so incredibly interesting the people were so real ,I loved it thank you please write more ( I read all in one day and night )
What a trip! I dearly !ove time travel books ,have for a long time theseo are the best I've ever read .on ce I started reading the first one I couldn't stop ,it was so incredibly interesting the people were so real ,I loved it thank you please write more ( I read all in one day and night )
November 9, 2021
Summary for the whole series!
After finishing this historical time travel series, I feel as if I've lost a great fruend.
This is honestly the best well written, attention keeping series I have ever read.
The characters were very believeable and the settings very desrpcriptive.
Mr. Zugg.....thank you.
After finishing this historical time travel series, I feel as if I've lost a great fruend.
This is honestly the best well written, attention keeping series I have ever read.
The characters were very believeable and the settings very desrpcriptive.
Mr. Zugg.....thank you.
November 17, 2021
Not the best of the series but still very good.
Once again I was up half the night reading the book just to see how things turned out. An engrossing story. Not as good as the first two books but a fitting end. Gives you some perspective on life and time. I highly recommend this series.
Once again I was up half the night reading the book just to see how things turned out. An engrossing story. Not as good as the first two books but a fitting end. Gives you some perspective on life and time. I highly recommend this series.
March 20, 2022
Read all three books in the Ripple in Time series and loved them all. The characters were real and likeable.
Well written and the author drew mw along with the adventures of the four major characters. I now feel I know them well.
Often I am disappointed with the ending of the last book in a series but in this case it was perfect and tied everything together.
Well written and the author drew mw along with the adventures of the four major characters. I now feel I know them well.
Often I am disappointed with the ending of the last book in a series but in this case it was perfect and tied everything together.
May 12, 2022
Another great read from Mr. Zugg. I only recently realized there was a THIRD book in this series, what a treat. This book was just as good as the first two (really must be read in order). It was an engrossing story with all the usual people that I remembered so well. Looking forward to more from Mr. Zugg.
February 9, 2023
A gagyi-trilógia zárása pedig igazából semmi más, csak egy bosszantó kötelező kör. Az író behoz egy új időutazó szereplőt (egy floridai tanulórepülés során eltűnő teljes légikötelék egyik pilótája - ANNO kiskoromban olvastam erről az esetről a Bermuda-háromszöges könyvemben!), hogy aztán az ég egy adta világon semmit ne csináljon, csak egy hajón ülve nézzen egy másik hajót az egész könyv során.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews