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Who Stole My Life?
The story: When James Quinn arrives at work one morning, he finds that his entire office building, all his work colleagues and the company where he worked for many years… do not exist.
When the phone in his pocket rings, he answers it, and he’s instructed to take a taxi to a strange meeting in the centre of the city.
Confused, scared, and feeling very alone, he agrees, and so starts a mind-bending journey into a different world that compels James to act out everything that’s expected of him by those who demand it.
But where is his wife? And who has his daughters?
Who are the people now living in his house and occupying his home?
And who is the man pretending to be his father, now alive, but who James buried several years before?
Is this real? Has James gone mad? ...Or is something even stranger happening?
For James Quinn, every day becomes an adventure into a new world, a world which until now was only in his dreams. But which is now real.
How can he make it stop, and find his family?
Who has stolen his life?
And why?
[Please note: this book was originally published in two parts of a popular series called 'London 2012 What If?' This book contains that whole series, now rebranded with a fresh new look!]
PLEASE NOTE: This book is written in a fresh and exciting style which makes it easy to read, and which, for some reason now being investigated, makes the book easy to read by those who have dyslexia. If you know someone or have a family member who has dyslexia, after you have read and enjoyed the story, you may wish to recommend it to them too! It may be the first book they have ever read and you will have gifted that pleasure to them!
When the phone in his pocket rings, he answers it, and he’s instructed to take a taxi to a strange meeting in the centre of the city.
Confused, scared, and feeling very alone, he agrees, and so starts a mind-bending journey into a different world that compels James to act out everything that’s expected of him by those who demand it.
But where is his wife? And who has his daughters?
Who are the people now living in his house and occupying his home?
And who is the man pretending to be his father, now alive, but who James buried several years before?
Is this real? Has James gone mad? ...Or is something even stranger happening?
For James Quinn, every day becomes an adventure into a new world, a world which until now was only in his dreams. But which is now real.
How can he make it stop, and find his family?
Who has stolen his life?
And why?
[Please note: this book was originally published in two parts of a popular series called 'London 2012 What If?' This book contains that whole series, now rebranded with a fresh new look!]
PLEASE NOTE: This book is written in a fresh and exciting style which makes it easy to read, and which, for some reason now being investigated, makes the book easy to read by those who have dyslexia. If you know someone or have a family member who has dyslexia, after you have read and enjoyed the story, you may wish to recommend it to them too! It may be the first book they have ever read and you will have gifted that pleasure to them!
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2021
478 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Ian C.P. Irvine
64 books144 followersIan Irvine was brought up in Scotland, and studied Physics for far too many years, before travelling the world working for high-technology companies. Ian has spent a career helping build the internet and delivering its benefits to users throughout the world,...as well as helping to bring up a family. Ian enjoys writing, painting and composing in his spare time. His particular joy is found in taking scientific fact and creating a thrilling story around it in such a way that readers learn science whilst enjoying the thrill of the ride. It is Ian's hope that everyone who reads an I.C.P.Irvine novel will come away learning something interesting that they would never otherwise have found an interest in. Never Science fiction. Always science fact. With a twist.
The first of Ian's novels is a Genetic Conspiracy Thriller which explores the world of Stem Cell Research and encourages us all to ask some very searching questions about the advances that science is making, and how much we, or others, should let it affect society. A contemporary adventure, "The Orlando File" takes the reader around the world and back, and creates a unique moral dilemma that the reader cannot help but get embroiled in: at the end, the reader must ask themself, what would they do in that situation?
His second novel "The Crown of Thorns" explores the power of genetics, explores the questions that the potential to clone humans will raise, and asks the ultimate question...what would happen if a scientist found a way to clone Jesus Christ?
Ian's third novel "London 2012 : What If?" departs from the world of genetics and explores an interesting possibility that Quantum Physics raises:the possibility for parallel worlds to exist alongside each other...and what would happen if a man who wondered what other types of lives he could be living had he made other choices, where unexpectedly to step from one world into another parallel world. "What If" is also an interesting voyage through human emotions, and many readers will find themselves asking themselves similar questions that the lead character does as they read the book. As with both "The Crown of Thorns" and "The Orlando File", at the end of the book the reader is left thinking...and different readers may take away different views on how the novels did, or should have ended... It is hoped that in this way, the novels will make themselves ideal subjects for reading clubs or book clubs.
Ian hopes that if you honour him by spending the time reading one his novels, that you will find it a positive experience, and enjoy it. He also invites you to email him and let him know if you did or did not enjoy the novel. And if you did, what were your favourite parts?
Happy Reading!
The first of Ian's novels is a Genetic Conspiracy Thriller which explores the world of Stem Cell Research and encourages us all to ask some very searching questions about the advances that science is making, and how much we, or others, should let it affect society. A contemporary adventure, "The Orlando File" takes the reader around the world and back, and creates a unique moral dilemma that the reader cannot help but get embroiled in: at the end, the reader must ask themself, what would they do in that situation?
His second novel "The Crown of Thorns" explores the power of genetics, explores the questions that the potential to clone humans will raise, and asks the ultimate question...what would happen if a scientist found a way to clone Jesus Christ?
Ian's third novel "London 2012 : What If?" departs from the world of genetics and explores an interesting possibility that Quantum Physics raises:the possibility for parallel worlds to exist alongside each other...and what would happen if a man who wondered what other types of lives he could be living had he made other choices, where unexpectedly to step from one world into another parallel world. "What If" is also an interesting voyage through human emotions, and many readers will find themselves asking themselves similar questions that the lead character does as they read the book. As with both "The Crown of Thorns" and "The Orlando File", at the end of the book the reader is left thinking...and different readers may take away different views on how the novels did, or should have ended... It is hoped that in this way, the novels will make themselves ideal subjects for reading clubs or book clubs.
Ian hopes that if you honour him by spending the time reading one his novels, that you will find it a positive experience, and enjoy it. He also invites you to email him and let him know if you did or did not enjoy the novel. And if you did, what were your favourite parts?
Happy Reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 6, 2021
Amazing
Anyone who hasn't read a Ian C P Irvine book must read this.
From the 1st page it draws you into the gripping story.
I have experienced the loss that James and Sarah did and can understand wanting to disappear into another version of life without the pain. Only to realise that the pain is part of the healing process.
Excellently written
Anyone who hasn't read a Ian C P Irvine book must read this.
From the 1st page it draws you into the gripping story.
I have experienced the loss that James and Sarah did and can understand wanting to disappear into another version of life without the pain. Only to realise that the pain is part of the healing process.
Excellently written
September 22, 2021
I thought the story had an interesting premise & I did keep reading to find out what happened. However, I felt it was as a bit dragged out & repetitive. In some of the areas with descriptions of the character’s surroundings I found myself thinking “ok let’s get to the point.” I will, however, read part 2 simply out of curiosity.
March 20, 2022
I loved this book! I have always been intrigued by time travel stories. Can't wait to read more of Ian C.P. Irvine's work. Definitely one to read! I immediately started Am I Dead? As soon as I finished this book. Definitely a page turner for me.
December 1, 2021
Why is there so much detail with the London Underground?
Just been back from a week in London, and I didn't pay that much attention to it.
Just been back from a week in London, and I didn't pay that much attention to it.
July 27, 2021
.
A thought-out but BORING and sophomoric-seeming (to me) romp through alleged time-travel (or whatever.)
An incomprehensible obsession with “Sarah” does NOT carry this story. The “hero” to me seems negatively womanish although portrayed as a straight male apparently meant to be engaging.
An incomprehensible obsession with detailed “tube” history and structure serves no purpose for me and only adds to my ennui.
I really don’t care how this ends.
I do NOT like this tale. Any mention of the Wonders Of fricking “Sarah” just make me fricking ill. I am TIRED hearing about Sarah!!
“Washed down.” How many times must he say “washed down with….?”
What? For me, like a bucket of fish guts? You toss it and then you wash down the deck with sea-water??
I do NOT like this book.
For me, bad writing and a worse “story.”
For me, boring and sophomoric.
BTW: there are a dozen of ways top “find” Sarah. For instance: she would have a phone bill, electric, gas, water, bank, credit cards, and other. Someone with money would have access to it.
CHECKING UNDER HER MAIDEN NAME AND/OR HER MOTHER’S NAME WOULD BE EL BASICO STEPO NUMERO TWO!!!
So this is all just Make-believe, phony, ABSURD, UFO, Hollywood bullsht to me.
I started skipping entire sections. Probably 4% of the total pages. It did not seem to make a difference, to me.
To me it was just extraneous bullsht to skip.
A LONGGGGGGGGGGGGgggggggggg, BORRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrring runup to the ENDDDDDdddddddddddddinnnnggggggggggg…..
More skipping entire swatches of bullsht, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skippity, skip, skip, skipping ….!!!!
Annnnnndddddd More skipping entire swathes of bullsht, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skippity, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skippity, skip, skip, skipping….
Wow! To me the ending and most of the book really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really STUNK!!!
.
A thought-out but BORING and sophomoric-seeming (to me) romp through alleged time-travel (or whatever.)
An incomprehensible obsession with “Sarah” does NOT carry this story. The “hero” to me seems negatively womanish although portrayed as a straight male apparently meant to be engaging.
An incomprehensible obsession with detailed “tube” history and structure serves no purpose for me and only adds to my ennui.
I really don’t care how this ends.
I do NOT like this tale. Any mention of the Wonders Of fricking “Sarah” just make me fricking ill. I am TIRED hearing about Sarah!!
“Washed down.” How many times must he say “washed down with….?”
What? For me, like a bucket of fish guts? You toss it and then you wash down the deck with sea-water??
I do NOT like this book.
For me, bad writing and a worse “story.”
For me, boring and sophomoric.
BTW: there are a dozen of ways top “find” Sarah. For instance: she would have a phone bill, electric, gas, water, bank, credit cards, and other. Someone with money would have access to it.
CHECKING UNDER HER MAIDEN NAME AND/OR HER MOTHER’S NAME WOULD BE EL BASICO STEPO NUMERO TWO!!!
So this is all just Make-believe, phony, ABSURD, UFO, Hollywood bullsht to me.
I started skipping entire sections. Probably 4% of the total pages. It did not seem to make a difference, to me.
To me it was just extraneous bullsht to skip.
A LONGGGGGGGGGGGGgggggggggg, BORRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrring runup to the ENDDDDDdddddddddddddinnnnggggggggggg…..
More skipping entire swatches of bullsht, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skippity, skip, skip, skipping ….!!!!
Annnnnndddddd More skipping entire swathes of bullsht, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skippity, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skipping, skip, skip, skip, skippity, skip, skip, skipping….
Wow! To me the ending and most of the book really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really STUNK!!!
.
July 28, 2021
No
If I read this years ago I would be extremely disappointed.I gave IT 4 stars simply because you created a character I despise from the beginning otherwise it would be 1 star because the readers invested a lot of time for a crappy ending.
If I read this years ago I would be extremely disappointed.I gave IT 4 stars simply because you created a character I despise from the beginning otherwise it would be 1 star because the readers invested a lot of time for a crappy ending.
August 1, 2021
One of the best
I think that this is of the most gripping book I have ever read. Too hard to put down, even though the story is familiar and the character makes the same decisions I would, except at the end.
I think that this is of the most gripping book I have ever read. Too hard to put down, even though the story is familiar and the character makes the same decisions I would, except at the end.
August 26, 2021
The story kept me curious as to what has happened to the main character. But it dragged on too long in my opinion.
September 9, 2021
It's was an okay book for me
Dragged in places
Dragged in places
October 6, 2021
Good read.
It was a good story. Easy to read and intriguing. I just did not care for the ending. Will read more
It was a good story. Easy to read and intriguing. I just did not care for the ending. Will read more
April 29, 2022
I would have to say this is one of the best books I've read in quite a while, and I read constantly. Ok, I have to admit that Mr Irvine does go on quite a bit too long in various chapters of "Who Stole My Life" in fact it could almost have the title "Who Stole My Wife" but the story really got to me and I found it hard to put down. James literally walks from one life to another finding many changes from how and who he was even though he's the same person. The ending will mystify the reader as it did to me which prompted me to start reading the next installment straight away. I'd add another star to this one if I could.
September 2, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
This read was a weird great one!!!. I have to say, it was very gripping and interesting. I couldn't put this book down until the end, where I do have to say I was little disappointed that it ended in a cliffhanger. So I guess I will need to get book 2, so I can know what ends up happening. Anyways, I will say the story could have been a little more shorter since it is very repetitive, but the overl plot of this story was very good!!!
This read was a weird great one!!!. I have to say, it was very gripping and interesting. I couldn't put this book down until the end, where I do have to say I was little disappointed that it ended in a cliffhanger. So I guess I will need to get book 2, so I can know what ends up happening. Anyways, I will say the story could have been a little more shorter since it is very repetitive, but the overl plot of this story was very good!!!
March 19, 2023
Totally Believable Fantasy of Time Travel
Ian C P Irvine has me in his grip. I cannot put his story down. This fantasy of time travel is believable to the point that I can't decide how the book ends. I am transfixed and stunned into immobility. You must read it. Irvine delivers a fantasy that I wish was reality. And just maybe, it is!
Ian C P Irvine has me in his grip. I cannot put his story down. This fantasy of time travel is believable to the point that I can't decide how the book ends. I am transfixed and stunned into immobility. You must read it. Irvine delivers a fantasy that I wish was reality. And just maybe, it is!
November 7, 2024
I loved this book more than I can put into words. I found it by browsing through kindle unlimited books and it will go down as one of my favourite books ever. The premise, the plot and the characters were fantastic. I was gobsmacked by the end and have downloaded the sequel and am starting that right now. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
December 23, 2024
A thriller like none I have read before.
“Who Stole My Life” is unlike any book I have read. As described it is a gripping, psychological thriller. The author perpetuates the thrill from beginning to end. It is a very long book, but you’ll find yourself reading faster and turning the pages looking for the finish.
“Who Stole My Life” is unlike any book I have read. As described it is a gripping, psychological thriller. The author perpetuates the thrill from beginning to end. It is a very long book, but you’ll find yourself reading faster and turning the pages looking for the finish.
July 27, 2021
wonderful confusing,strange.
A beautifully written amazing tale,with noend as such cant waittoread the sequel. This unputdownable novel istruly thought provoking. Excellent , cNt praise highly enough.
A beautifully written amazing tale,with noend as such cant waittoread the sequel. This unputdownable novel istruly thought provoking. Excellent , cNt praise highly enough.
August 24, 2021
Couldn’t put it down
James somehow travels to a different time. His father is still alive and his mistress is now his wife. But he realizes he doesn’t love her and wants his wife and children back. He has to find a way to travel back to his world and time. Spellbinding!
James somehow travels to a different time. His father is still alive and his mistress is now his wife. But he realizes he doesn’t love her and wants his wife and children back. He has to find a way to travel back to his world and time. Spellbinding!
September 7, 2021
And I wasn't expecting that!
As a great fan of the series Quantum Leap, that used to be on TV. I found Who Stole my Life, exhilarating and totally absorbing, that the next page, couldn't come quick enough. Brilliant Mr Irvine, I can't wait to read the next book.
As a great fan of the series Quantum Leap, that used to be on TV. I found Who Stole my Life, exhilarating and totally absorbing, that the next page, couldn't come quick enough. Brilliant Mr Irvine, I can't wait to read the next book.
September 13, 2021
Enjoyed!
This is the 4th book I've read by this author and they are each so imaginative! To be able to ask the question of "what would I do?" The question lingers long after you read his books. Love it because with a bit of imagination why couldn't something so bizarre happen?
This is the 4th book I've read by this author and they are each so imaginative! To be able to ask the question of "what would I do?" The question lingers long after you read his books. Love it because with a bit of imagination why couldn't something so bizarre happen?
October 16, 2021
I found this so gripping!
To be honest, I hadn’t read what the story was about when I downloaded it but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The parallel timelines really got me thinking, and I love a book that makes me think like that.
To be honest, I hadn’t read what the story was about when I downloaded it but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The parallel timelines really got me thinking, and I love a book that makes me think like that.
August 9, 2023
A really good book
What if you are on the wrong timeline. What happens if something happens and you slip through the cracks into your alternate reality? What if that one is better…. Or not.
What if you are on the wrong timeline. What happens if something happens and you slip through the cracks into your alternate reality? What if that one is better…. Or not.
September 18, 2023
Who Stole My life ??
Unusual read with good characters.
Only problem was unless you understand physics you are rather lost.
Interesting to wonder what James left behind and what he went back to apart from his family ?
Unusual read with good characters.
Only problem was unless you understand physics you are rather lost.
Interesting to wonder what James left behind and what he went back to apart from his family ?
June 15, 2024
I really liked the premise of the story and the characters, but the author really needs better proofreading and editors. His clear dislike of using commas means that sentences can easily get confusing and there are some other mistakes here and there that a good editor would have fixed.
December 28, 2024
I had never read anything by Ian C.P. Irvine before but this one sounded interesting. I was sucked in straight away and couldn't wait to finish to see how it ended. I was planning on reading something else next but now I HAVE to read the next one!
December 31, 2024
This book for me was boring, huge focus on the underground! Slightly predictable, in terms of he will go back to his life that started at the beginning of the book....was half way through when I wanted to stop reading but I can't leave a book unfinished, that's the only reason I read it all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2025
I enjoyed it because it was a totally different type of story to read but felt it was very repetitive at times and dragged out. The characters were good, it was well written and thought through but I wish it had a little more pizazz and go to get it moving at a faster pace overall.
May 24, 2025
FANTASTIC story ..Had me glued to it for weeks. When I visited London I rode the "tube" I am an American (Massachusetts) This book had me in tears at the end. Wow ! Highly recommend this to all ! George F here Cheers !!
June 8, 2025
Ive just finished this and honestly dont sure what to write , i finished the full book but found it confusing at times, not sure which was jame's real word in the end and the fact he found sarah and they had a connection kind of think he should have stayed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
good read
I absolutely loved this book, it is so different from what I normally read, which is murder mystery. can't wait to read the follow up.well done.
I absolutely loved this book, it is so different from what I normally read, which is murder mystery. can't wait to read the follow up.well done.
August 28, 2021
A real page turner
Grips you from the very first chapter and you want to keep reading to find out the next step in his new life and how it ends.
Grips you from the very first chapter and you want to keep reading to find out the next step in his new life and how it ends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews