Saving Harry Truman

by Steven R. Burt

Seventeen-year-old RICK BROWN vanished in 1948, victim of a horrific explosion that took the life of President Harry S Truman during a whistle-stop campaign speech in Salt Lake City. Sixteen years later, while tinkering with a broken desktop radio in his rented apartment, his still-grieving younger brother, FRANK accidentally discovers time travel.
Intrigued by both wealth and revenge possibilities, Frank learns to control the newfound device, but exposes his closest friends to danger at every turn, including CONNIE, the waitress he adores but met too late. Pursued by sleeper agents from a future where time travel is government business and tightly controlled, Frank narrowly escapes into the past and forever changes both their histories and ours. While Rick, it turns out, kept secrets of his own.

Genres: Time Travel, Fiction

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2022

About the author

Steven R. Burt is a product of Utah in the 1950's. He grew up reading cereal boxes and the funny papers at the breakfast table and all his favorite books at night, hiding under his bedspread with a flashlight. He continuously read from three different publications of the 'A' encyclopedia, because the $0.98 introductory copies sold in grocery stores were the only books that fit into the family budget. Eventually he grew up and became an Architect, a profession described in the 'A' volumes, but always felt books were his true passion so, he wrote one: HINT OF COPPER, which tells the story of a young detective, his kidnapped girlfriend, Cold War spies in 1948, and quite possibly the best idea Nikola Tesla ever had.
SAVING HARRY TRUMAN is his second novel; a time-travel thriller based on an actual event: the 1948 visit of the President to Salt Lake City. It builds on the world and many of the personalities introduced in his first book.
He is an Affiliate Member of Mystery Writers of America.  He and his wife Janet reside near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't sleep on this Author, Steven R. Burt has one heck of a story to tell.


Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the Author, Steven R. Burt for this "OUTSTANDING" read.

[Courtney Oppel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid but picky reader. If I don’t like a book, I won’t keep reading. But after reading Burt’s last book, Hint of Copper, which turned me into an aficionado of noir detective novels, I was eager to see what he would do with time travel. I couldn’t put this one down! Burt has created a storyline that not only keeps a reader engaged but is full of mesmerizing twists and turns that had my mind working to (unsuccessfully) figure out what direction it would take next. Burt writes with intelligence and humor and an incredible mind for detail. If you love surprises, you’ll love this book—it’ll keep you wondering till the very end (and beyond!).

[Craig Kingsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Frank Brown accidentally discovers time travel, he uses it to get rich and see his lost love, Connie. But he also discovers that he can see his long lost brother, Rick, who was killed in the explosion that took the life of Harry S. Truman during a whistle stop tour in Salt Lake City. As Frank learns to control the time travel device, he begins to wonder if he can save his brother. But he soon learns there are agents after him and there other dangers that threaten him. Can Frank save his brother, a task that at the same time will change history for all of us? And what about Frank's secret? How does that play into the plot to kill Truman?

Author Steven Burt has written a great, fast-paced time travel thriller that is sure to please.

[Malinka Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book right from the very first page. The story is so engaging, I had a hard time putting it down. The characters are interesting and relatable. There are plenty of twists and turns in the story that really kept me guessing, but I guessed wrong every time, especially the ending, which I never saw coming. If you love time travel, mysteries or historical fiction, this read by Steven R. Burt is a must. I enjoyed his first book, Hint of Copper earlier this year; his second was even better.

[Joe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The concept had a lot of potential and there are a lot of nods towards a good story. But it ultimately didn't do very much with them. Feels like it stuck a little too closely to the idea that we were seeing a time travel story strictly through the eyes of someone unfamiliar with time travel stories, so we spent a lot of time getting into the details of things that usually happen between scenes and not nearly enough engaging with the mysteries and the repercussions of Frankie's journey.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story is a well-known one, Burt has done a decent job of presenting it. I didn't expect to see humor mixed in well with the somber topic being dealt with. Author comes across as an experienced storyteller despite leaning on slow buildup technique every now and then. The plot itself is pretty complex and didn't so much structuring.
Fiction reading always brings out the critique in me. Still, I found this one an overall engaging read.

[Teena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different...but not sure that's a good thing. As I read, I went from saying, "Okay, this is a good book" to saying, "This book is awful" and back again. It's worth reading, but keep that in mind as you choose it. It will frustrate you. It needs a smoother storyline, but overall the concept is solid.

[Bill Sorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written. I’ve read a lot of time travel books and this ranks in the top 3 or 4. Great pace, fell in love with the characters, lots of action from the very beginning and twists & turns that you won’t see coming. Highly recommend for any fan of time travel books and sci-fi fans in general.

[debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow… breathtakingly awesome and unique!

I love time travel stories, the science like ones, the romance ones, the teachable moment ones. This one is different. My head is still spinning in a great way! Fun read!

[Summer Ehrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating!

Once again, Steve Burt has crafted a tale filled with well I formed characters, intrigue, and color set in Salt Lake City's past. I thoroughly reading Saving Harry Truman, and eagerly await Steve's next novel.

[SCOTT ARCHBOLD · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story grabs you from the first paragraph and doesn’t let up. Interesting do concept with a surprise ending. Very entertaining read

[Helen Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story was interesting but dragged in places, like

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of a man who discovers a time travel device. His choices lead to unexpected outcomes. There were some unique plot twists. I look forward to reading more by this author

[Katie Ninivaggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really entertaining and engrossing — I couldn’t put it down. I love a good time travel novel and this one was right in my sweet spot with a bit of historical fiction thrown in. A fun book!

[Victor Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing Premise!

A bit difficult to follow without steadfast concentration. ‘Frankie’ is a character you want to know more about. Do enjoy!

[James C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Quite the page turner and plot twister.Still trying to put it all together. Highly recommended and will be looking for Steven’s next book.