The Shadows of London

Joseph Bridgeman #2

by Nick Jones

A time traveler's work is never done.

Likable antiques dealer Joseph Bridgeman is back in the present and dreaming of a quiet life. But when a mysterious and enigmatic time traveler arrives in his shop, Joe learns that his first trip was just the beginning and this time, the rules of the game have changed.

Blackmailed into accepting a new mission, Joe is flung back to 1960s London where he comes face-to-face with a ruthless gangster and witnesses the brutal murder of an innocent woman. Joe knows better than most that death can be reversed and the final chapter is sometimes where the story actually begins. Emotionally involved, he has no choice but to act, and quickly. With the help of Vinny, his vinyl-loving sidekick, Joe once again sets out to change the course of history. Sounds simple enough ... but when it comes to time travel, nothing is ever as it seems. Who is the old time traveler working for? And who decides what can and can't be changed? In a thrilling twist, Joe discovers that the victim is critically important to the future and what starts out as a straightforward mission soon becomes a race to unravel a mystery--one that threatens the very timeline he fought so hard to protect. Joe must dig deeper than ever, master his newfound skills, and save the woman before the past catches up with him for good.

Turns out time doesn't heal after all. It just adds salt.

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

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

Author of the Joseph Bridgeman series. Page-turning time travel mysteries.

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Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sequel to ‘And Then She Vanished,’ in which Joe, an ordinary man discovers that he can not only time travel but can also go back in time to prevent his seven year old sister, Amy, from mysteriously disappearing. Now Joe is back in the present, but it’s a very different present to the one he knew before he saved Amy. Not only is Amy present and grown up but his parents are both alive and well (unlike in his previous world). The Joe he has now replaced (who he refers to as ‘Other Joe’) was also very different. Growing up in an intact, happy family, Other Joe is more successful, but also has a sense of entitlement and treats women badly, including the woman Joe loved in his previous existence. Since Amy is the only one who knows what has happened to them, Joe has to pretend he had an accident that caused amnesia, so he can explain why he can’t remember anything for the last twenty years.

Although Joe had promised Amy that he would not time travel anymore, he finds himself being blackmailed by a time travellers society to return to the 1960s to prevent a death someone who is important to his current world. Joe soon finds himself in the shadowy underbelly of 1960s London. An exciting time in London with Carnaby Street changing the fashion scene, rock and roll and new dance styles on the rise but also a world of criminal gangs, thugs and corruption.

I enjoyed this fun time travel mystery into the heady atmosphere of 1960s London. Although I had not read the first book (not realising this was a sequel), there was sufficient backstory that this could be read as a stand-alone, although I would have preferred to have read the initial book first. The author has some interesting thoughts about time travel and the effects it can have on lives. Joe is a wonderful character forged by his difficult childhood after Amy vanished, a much kinder and responsible person than 'Other Joe' who had a happy, care-free upbringing. His best friend and wingman Vinny is delightful in his approach to life and dealing with difficult problems. The author has indicated that we will learn more of the society of time travellers in further time travel adventures, so I am looking forward to meeting Joe and Vinny again in the next book in the series.

With thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for a copy to read

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant to start book 2 because it seemed like the storyline was going to move into a corny and typical time travel series, but I was wrong! Yes, Joe has his missions, but the depth of character development that goes along with it takes the series to a whole new level of interesting.

books 1 and 2 are included in audible membership but 3 and 4 are not. dare I say I like the series so much I'm willing to use my precious credits to see how this all shapes up for Joe, Amy, Alexia, and Vinny.

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Shadows of London
Series: Joseph Bridgeman #2
Author: Nick Jones
Release date: June 1, 2021
Cliffhanger: yes
Genre: sci-fi, time travel

After reading and loving And Then She Vanished, I knew I had no other option but to continue with this exciting time travel series. I'm a huge fan of the genre, but unfortunately, it's been difficult for me to find a lot of quality series to enjoy. The first book in the series was my first read by the author Nick Jones, and I was very impressed with his skill in creating a detailed, suspenseful, and flawless plot. With time travel stories it's very easy for plot holes to occur, but once again he managed to wrote a seamless story that my analytical mind could not find fault with. Book one was centered around the protagonist Joseph Bridgeman discovering his abilities and using them to save his sister. The Shadows of London focused on the aftermath of the events in book one as well as a new time traveling adventure in 1960s London. He's still the same lovable guy that appeared previously-Joe couldn't have asked for a more loyal friend to support him as he navigates his new life and mission.

Joseph was desperate to save his sister Amy who disappeared when he was a teenager. Her disappearance was the catalyst that destroyed the happy life his family once knew. He always believed that if he could just rewind time and change history that everything would be perfect again. It seemed that it would be at first. Then he realized that altering time has consequences. Changed events change the trajectory of people's life, people's personality, and so many other small things.

All these huge changes and it’s sometimes the smallest details that are the hardest to get your head around.

When Joseph changed history, his family consequently lived a happy life free of tragedy. After jumping back to present time he replaced the version of himself that lived that happy life with his parents and sister. This is something that he finds difficult to accept-that he virtually erased who he calls "Other Joe." It's hard to imagine the guilt you would feel erasing someone from existence. Even if it's yourself and you still exist in another version. Rather than jumping into the perfect life, Joseph must now learn to adjust to his altered reality. Other Joe was adventurous, wealthy, self-absorbed, and athletic. Joseph is none of those things and now must walk in his new shoes convincingly.

We all rode the same train until I was fourteen, and then the track split violently in two.

I enjoyed discovering the many various changes along with him. One of the most interesting developments for me was how he altered his relationship with the love interest Alexia. At the end of book one, he discovers that Alexia has no memory of the developing relationship they once shared. Instead of sharing a budding romance, she now can't stand the sight of him. He must discover what caused her animosity and hopefully make amends to form a new relationship. I was rooting for him to make things right once again because even though his sister was returned to him, he lost the woman who was just starting to mean something very special to him. His friend Mark did not make an appearance in this new installment, but his best friend Vinny returned to make Joe's new mission a little bit lighter. You couldn't ask for a more loyal and fun sidekick than Vinny, and he brings some much needed levity to some life or death situations.

There is new pivotal character introduced by the name of William P. Brown. (side note: I couldn't help but wonder if his name was a nod to Doc Brown from Back to the Future.) Bill is a man with intentions that you can't quite pin down. He forces Joe's hand in time time traveling once again and randomly pops up to give him advice and guidance. Joe despises him with a passion for entangling him in a mess that he wants no part of, but not everything is always black and white. Sometimes things must be done for the greater good. The question is, who will benefit if Joe manages to save Lucy in the 60s? Will it alter his own future for the worse either way?

Nick Jones did a great job setting the scene in the past for the reader. The clothing, language, and London's sights and sounds were all there in vivid detail. When Joe travels, he has new tools and knowledge to guide him on his path. He's not quite as green as he used to be, and there isn't that fear underlying his jumps because he has a better control over how and when to go home. That may have affected the level of suspense somewhat for me, but I did enjoy seeing Joe gain his new skills. He even got to enjoy himself a little in the past, more so than the first time when he was terrified that he wouldn't be able to get home.

The end sets us up a little bit with what's to come. After another successful read, I'm really looking forward to continuing on to see where the news twists lead Joseph Bridgerton. There are still plenty of questions unanswered-especially in relation to Amy in the past and future. She seems to be a troubled person and she didn't get a huge amount of page time in this installment, so I look forward to discovering some of her secrets. If you're like me, and you love a time travel book with plenty of twists and turns, there's a good chance you will love this series! I'm solidly hooked now and there's no looking back.

“The future is in the past,” Vinny says conspiratorially, “and it’s waiting to be rewritten.”

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[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadows Of London is the second book in the Joseph Bridgeman series by British author, Nick Jones. Having managed to save his little sister by going back in time, Joe Bridgeman is relieved to return to 2020 where Amy is now almost thirty with a career, and his parents are alive and well.

It’s a little disconcerting living in this version of his future, stepping into what he calls “Other Joe’s life”, where he’s having to fake amnesia to cover for the fact that he knows virtually nothing about himself. He is almost suffering a form of survivor guilt. The worst thing is that his budding relationship with hypnotherapist Alexia Finch isn’t. He is dismayed to learn what Other Joe has been up to…

At least he doesn’t have to time travel anymore. That’s what he thinks until one William P Brown turns up at Bridgeman Antiques, knowing way more about him and Amy than anyone should, offering to train him, to hone his time-travelling and psychometry skills. No thank you!!

But someone has other ideas. Soon enough, Joe finds himself further in the past than he’s ever been. It’s June 1963, and he is the unwilling witness to the murder of Lucy Romano. He’s grateful to evaporate from the police cell back to 2020, but not at all happy to learn that he has to save Lucy from dying, or face unacceptable consequences. Brown equips him with a very special Silver Hunter pocket watch.

When he re-establishes (with some difficulty) his relationship with his previously-best-friend Vinny, that man is enthusiastic about being time-travelling Joe’s sidekick. Afterall, he knows the sixties intimately. Will Joe be able to save Lucy? And why is that so important?

Despite the fact that the story is riddled with continuity issues, (perhaps because this is the heavily-edited, and maybe poorly checked, version of the second book in the Downstream Diaries series, Joseph Bridgeman and the Silver Hunter) and also the odd anachronism, the plot is excellent, and more of this time-travelling cast is eagerly anticipated in The Observer Effect.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow of London is another competent entry in Joseph Bridgerman's time-travel shenanigans. It's simple, easy to understand, and not perfect. But it has a good emotional core and a tight plot.

Ray Porter's narration is brilliant.

It's fun, especially as an audiobook.

[Shernell Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book was way better, but it's still a great read

I was a bit disappointed with how this was developed. I did not feel any emotions except when he was interacting with his sister and his best friend. There's so many more unanswered questions.However, they did answer a few questions I had in the first book.

I still enjoy the world building and look forward to reading book three.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 19, 2025 update:
I have to admit that Joe having an American accent is no longer as distracting for me as it was when I originally listened to the book. I like that Joe's voice is distinct from the rest of the characters, and maybe that's purposeful. It was obviously an artist's choice. But I enjoyed this listen a lot more than the first time around and I am diving into the third book immediately.

June 2022 review:
I enjoyed this story just as much as the first book, but I still have to take off for the narration because of the choice to do Joe's voice with an American accent. So weird. The story begins with the ramifications that occur after the events of the first book, and if you haven't read the first book, then you definitely need to go back and read that first, or you'll end up with spoilers. I liked the character development of Joe in this book. In the first book, he basically stopped living after his sister was taken and as a result, the person he was in the first book was very different from the what-if person he could have been. But was that necessarily a bad thing? I don't want to risk any spoilers, so I'll just say that he learned more about the rules of time travel in this story, and there was more action and danger in this one. His friend Vinnie was awesome in this story and I loved the epilogue blurb about something that Vinnie did. The police box was a fun little nod to Doctor Who, and while parts of it were more predictable, I still very much enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I was on a road trip when I listened to this and it turned out to be the perfect listen. If you enjoyed the first book, you should definitely check this one out. With the oddity of the American accent, I can't give this 5 stars, but I can still recommend it as a solid second book in the series.

[Chrissie]

This is the second book in a series, and I enjoyed that first book, but I enjoyed this even more, due to the introduction of Vinny! Hopefully, the only way is up. I neglected to mention in my brief review of the first book that the book is set in England, with English characters, but the narrator is American, and the main (English!) character is portrayed with an American accent, and the rest of the cast with passable English accents... It begs the question "Why?" 🤔

[Mahayana Dugast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying the series, the narrator Ray Porter add a fantastic characterization. Onto the next...

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 3.5 stars rounded up. It's a good time travel adventure, but the main character is a bit of a whiner. Vinnie the sidekick is a lot of fun.

This is set in the UK and the characters for the most part have British accents. But Ray Porter does the main character in a far more American accent. It works because there's a slight bit of British in there along with British expressions. It probably wouldn't bother most people, me included, but it is of note.

The series is interesting and I'm continuing with it, but I'm finding the main character to be more and more and more (and more and more) annoying with his constant carrying on about how tired he is and how banged up he is and how his heart is broken. Jeesh dude, get over yourself!

[Chloe Frizzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly good book.
Don't think about the time travel plot holes too hard. Just think about the poignant moments of Joe reuniting with his family.

[Amanda Mateer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unremarkable. I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the first book however predictable they were. There was much more emotion in book 1 than book 2. I just didn't care that much about what happened to the characters in this 2nd installment, so I won't be reading on.
Also the narrator did a fab job in the first book even though his accent was just wrong (narrator is American and the main character is british) but in this book it felt like he was trying to put a tiny British spin on the main characters accent and it didn't work. It just felt disjointed. Bummer.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was better in book 1; not the best written but fun.

still not sure how Vinny remembers some stuff after a time travel happens…

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Shadows of London is a humorous and engaging time travel mystery by Nick Jones. Released 1st June 2021 by Blackstone, it's 350 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

Although it's the second book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. The author does a great job of providing the necessary backstory (although there *are* abundant spoilers for the first book covered in the second, so if readers wish to read the first book before diving into the second, they should read them in order). In fact, that's one of the things which struck me throughout - the author is very adept at his craft. The narrative is very well plotted (time travel is *tricky* to write) and although told in back and forth time hops between current and 1960s London, I never felt disoriented or confused about what was happening at any point.

I loved the take on time travel that nothing in the past is fixed and that watershed moments have quite profound effects on future timelines. I also enjoyed the ramifications of making a profound jump in time and "fixing" something to find that you're suddenly thrust into the life of the "not-you" whom you've displaced with your meddling. Protagonist Joe faces this exact problem, popping into the timeline and displacing "other Joe" and trying to convince everyone that he just had a bump on the head (mountain biking "accident") and figuring it out on the fly. His new life throws him even more complications in the form of a group of "fixers" who intend to recruit him into service whether he wants to join them or not (he doesn't).

There are some genuinely funny moments and the whole has a quaint and very British vibe. There's a surprising amount of dramatic tension and a frisson of danger. I found Joe likable (if hapless) and easy to relate to. The plot, denouement, and resolution are quite cleverly constructed and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series with anticipation.

Four and a half stars. Fun, clever, and entertaining.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Perm Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is my personal 5 star rating system because I’m too lazy to write a review for every book.

5 stars -> OMFG. I couldn’t stop listening. I was engaged from beginning to end. The story & narrator was amazing. I 100% recommend this book & author. I was able to clearly follow each and every character.

4 stars -> It was pretty good. I would’ve rated 5 stars, But either the ending was lacking, I struggled to keep up with characters, or the story didn’t keep me fully engaged. The narrator was pretty good as well. I’m on the fence about recommending this book, It could go either way.

3 Stars -> It was boring at times & I missed chunks of the story. I most likely struggled to keep up with character developments. The only way I would recommend this book is if it was part of a series. The narrator was most likely average or just couldn’t fix a mediocre book.

2 Stars -> It was pretty horrible. I used it as background noise because I hadn’t had a chance to search for another book. The book either had a bad narrator, The character development was non existent, or the story was hot garbage. I would not recommend this book.

1 Star -> The absolute only reason I listened to this book was because i had no time to search for another one & I needed background noise. It was 1 step up from listening to the radio. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. Everything about this book was terrible. This is only recommended for people on death row and have absolutely nothing else to read.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sequel. I think I enjoyed it more than And Then She Vanished

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph Bridgeman thought he had figured out how to change the world, his world, back to how he thought it should be, and then he could live his happily-ever-after. If only. Readers of fairy tales, horror movies and fans of any type of science fiction know that nothing ever works out in the ‘happily ever after’ scheme, nor do we want it to; where is the fun in that? THE SHADOWS OF LONDON is the second in a series that author Nick Jones has created with our time traveling hero, Joseph Bridgeman. Our Everyman with the strange desire to be average when he’s got fantastic skills. This installment has a definite Back to the Future vibe, as Joseph learns he has returned to a present that is not a world he fits into well. His beloved can’t stand him, his parents, while now alert and alive, are...demanding, and well, the others have their own quirks. He finds he has duties he couldn’t possibly have imagined in the first book. I can’t wait for the third so we’ll get to see how he really comes into his own. This tale is good, juicy and filled with new characters and great schemes. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just wasn't it. The plot is all over the place it doesn't know whether or not it wants to focus on Joe's life after the events of the first movie or if it wants to focus on this new found knowledge of a time travel organisation. The plot point with Alexia seems so pointless and no real consequences with the main plot. Joe on the otherhand is very unlikable, super naive and incompetent. Knowing what he knows from the events from the first book, you would think he'd behave a lot smarter however he's just as dumb and dull as it can get. The book takes itself way too seriously devoid of any humour of any sort. The only highlight of the story is the character of Vinnie. There's also question about the consequences of what changing the past means, when he saved Amy there were big changes in the future however this time around there isn't much change. It's quite inconsistent. I'll still try the third book, but not in a rush to do so.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about halfway through this book before I had to stop. The writing is okay and though not his best work, I'm always a Ray Porter (narrator) fan. The first book wasn't perfect, but it mostly made sense and was enjoyable, even if I'm not the biggest fan of the main character. I get that the narrator is trying to make Joe relatable but I just found him a little too anxious and negative in general. My biggest problem with this story is that there's no plausible reason why "other Joe" would disappear and be replaced by the main character, other than the fact that he is the main character; the timelines are not consistent. I love time travel stories, but this one is just not fun. I kept waiting for there to be a reveal about the sister or the parents or the other time travelers that would open up this world a bit, but it never came and I got tired of the book.

[Timelord Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Changed alot of the time-travel rules, and introduced mysterious characters/organizations... alot of setup for future books...

2025 Re-read: this one is such a mess... feels like a transition piece between the 2 books Nick Jones wrote pre-contract, and the 2 new books he wrote post-contract... luckily, the ending gets you excited for future books, and being late in writing the review I can say that book 3 is alot better for it...

[Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I get into the review, I have to say thank you to both NetGalley and the Publishers over at Blackstone Publishing for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Joseph Bridgeman series about an antique’s dealer who discovers he’s a time traveler when he goes back in time to save his sister from going missing as a child. Book number two pretty much picks up where the last one left off and the world is expanded on. The Shadows of London comes out on June 1st and is available for pre-order now.

I feel like most of the reason this book was middle of the road for me (good, not great) is because I feel like my expectations weren’t met. In the end of book 1, we’re basically led to believe that in book 2 Joe is going to explore an organization that manipulates and controls time. But instead he is manipulated by the organization and doesn’t get to interact with them any more than that. I enjoyed the characters but felt like the growth between the characters was less than in the first book because of the many time jumps. I really enjoyed the twist at the end of this one in a way that I didn’t with the first book. I think the shocker there at the end gives a lot of depth to a character that has felt pretty flat up to this point. I’m exciting to see how they grow and develop in the next book.

My main struggle with this one (outside of expectations) was the same issue that I had with the first book. I feel like a lot of time travel books account for a lot of the time-y wimey issues that can pop up, but it seems like they always miss something. And for me the something was that when Joe comes back from one of his time jumps he meets up with someone and decompresses about the trip, but that person should have been effect by the changes made in Joe’s trip and that he shouldn’t remember what Joe is talking about. Maybe I didn’t fully understand what was going on there, but for me it didn’t make sense.

But overall I’m enjoying this series and I’m excited to see where it goes. It’s a little average for me right now but I see so much potential in the rest of the series. Especially after that twist at the end.

[Anselm Patey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came into this book with a little reservation. In my review of the last book, I remarked of the ending that it felt almost as though the final scene - in which Joseph is approached by a gentleman trying to enlist him into a society of time travellers - was tacked on at the request of the acquiring editor to create the possibility of a series. "And Then She Vanished" was absolutely fantastic as a stand-alone book, and the open to a sequel felt so contrived that I was wary about whether I wanted to proceed. Nevertheless, I took the chance.

Fortunately, Nick Jones is a great writer and brought much of the same charm to this second book as was there in the first. There is a clever linking together of the past and the present which drives a satisfying plot, and I enjoyed the unfolding mystery, and especially the final showdown in which Joe resorts to making some amusingly creative claims in order to prevail over the antagonist.

But I didn't love it as much as the first book, for a few reasons. Far too much of the middle section of the book is bloated up with Joe's contemplations of how he's getting used to his new life in which his sister is alive, and it gets a little grating. His parents, who are both alive an well thanks to his adventure in the first book, are very difficult to warm to, being the sort of parents who TELL their ADULT children what is best for them. Amy, by contrast, is portrayed as angelicly too-good-to-be-true, up to and including being someone who pains but it too shy to show off her own painting so she runs a business selling other people's paintings. I also didn't like that, rather than becoming very involved in Joe's next adventure, she is once again the one Joe is trying to save, even if she doesn't realise it. I guess Nick Jones was going to consistency and realism on this point, which I get.

My final complaint is with the audiobook version, and it's the same complaint I had about the audiobook of And Then She Vanished. Ray Porter is a fantastic narrator, and I've enjoyed a number of his recordings. But he's American. This is a book set in England with English characters. Porter reads for Joseph's speech and narration in an American accent, even when he's using Britishism's like "loo" and "mate". Other characters are voiced with an English accept, which is absolutely passable most of the time (I especially liked Vinny's characterisation). Unfortunately, his voicing of the British female characters is deeply unattractive, especially the love interest, Alexia, who comes across with a cold, clipped Lady Penelope sort of accent. Ray Porter: fantastic narrator, but not the right choice for this series.

So yeah, I liked it well enough. I think I would have preferred the first book as a stand-alone without the final scene, but I may eventually pick up the third book to find out how the final loose threads tie together.

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise that this was the second book in this series but have to say the author did a fabulous job of recapping and bringing the reader up to speed. I was immediately aware that Joe had previously travelled back in time to 'save' his sister Amy. That act has brought consequences though as not only are people who in his previous timeline were deceased or ill but Joe himself had a life that took an unexpected course. The Joe we follow is completely different to the one he refers to as " other Joe " and he struggles to fit in and convince people that he has lost memories due to hitting his head. All Joe wants to do is resume his life but sadly "other Joe " has definitely messed up any romantic plans that Joe has. You would think that is enough to deal with but no Joe hasn't quite finished time traveling and he finds himself blackmailed into returning to the swinging sixties and for Joe it's definitely not groovy man !
I had enormous sympathy for Joe right from the start as he came across as a good man trying to do the right thing. However at times he didn't feel very contemporary or modern. His best friend Vinny is an absolute hoot though and I'd really like to see more from his funny sidekick. No Tardis here but Joe does learn about his abilities and as he tries to fulfil his mission in the past he starts to learn much more about the mysterious group who contacted him.
This kept me thoroughly entertained with a very interesting plot. I just struggled at times to see Joe as a modern, young guy and wanted more of what I can only call emotion from him. He was undoubtedly likeable but for me perhaps a little weak but he definitely thought on his feet and I would be very interested in reading more about his exploits.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Nitin Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick Jones’ The Shadow of London, the second book in the Joseph Bridgeman series following And Then She Vanishes, is another remarkable entry into the world of time travel and suspense. While it builds on the concepts introduced in the first book, revealing more about the intricacies of time travel and its consequences, it does so with a sense of familiarity that slightly reduces the edge-of-your-seat excitement of the first installment.

What made And Then She Vanishes so captivating was its layer-by-layer unraveling of the mechanics and stakes of time travel. In The Shadow of London, much of that groundwork has already been laid, which makes the story feel more straightforward. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall experience—Nick Jones' storytelling remains engaging, with twists, emotional stakes, and complex characters that keep readers invested.

The novel maintains the emotional depth of Joseph Bridgeman’s journey, blending adventure with introspection as he navigates the challenges of his gift (or curse). While it may not have the same groundbreaking impact as the first book, it is a strong continuation that deepens the series' lore and keeps the reader eager for more.

As part of a trilogy, The Shadow of London is a great middle chapter, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting conclusion. Another solid effort by Nick Jones and a must-read for fans of time travel fiction!

[D.G. Driver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I continued with the second book in this series. This story didn't grab my heart as much as the first one. His goal with the time trave wasn't as personal, and so I wasn't as invested in the outcome. However, I loved the scenes in the 1960s, and I found all the changes that had happened to his life very interesting. Now that I know there are multiple books in this series, I'll find time to listen to the rest of them. I still feel like I missed something in the first book that explains why the main character has an American accent when everyone else, including his family, have English accents. I did notice that in this book, when he played recordings on his phone featuring "the Joe before the time travel changed him" he had more of an English accent. It's probably me having missed an explanation while listening to the audiobook, but it does bug me a little. Otherwise, I enjoy this narrator very much.

[Samyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Joseph Bridgeman Series, at this writing, consists of three novels from 9-12 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format released from February 2021 through March 2022 - a fourth book is to be released in October 2022, written by Nick Jones, narrated by Ray Porter - Blackstone Publishing.

Series plot. While using a relaxation technique, Joseph Bridgeman accidentally jumps back in time. Jumps get longer. Bridgeman learns of a Continuum of individuals who police time. The Continuum members are "good guys" that correct wrongs and redirect events without interfering with any devastating butterfly events. Owner of an antique store, Bridgeman has always been able to see the story of an item, like a fountain pen or an old radio, a talent unique to the Continuum.

Liked - everything. It's a great series. Narration by Porter, production, all fine. You found a good one if you're looking for a paranormal/Time Travel/SciFi type series! Each novel has a beginning-middle-ending; however, you'll miss some relative continuity and character development without starting at book one, And Then She Vanished.

Enjoy!

[Pam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man this book had all the things.

I felt sorry for Joe for a good chunk of this book not because of any one thing. It was a compilation of things. Coming back and having both his parents alive, having his sister which is great but he whole life isn’t the way it was before he saved her.

Other Joe is how he describes it and that is pretty accurate this other Joe has been living a life a when This Joe comes in to the picture the other Joe is just gone. But that other Joe is pretty different than the Joe of today. That sound really confusing but I think it’s suppose to be because time travel is confusing.

I can see why Joe was so reluctant to continue to travel, but once the bigger picture come into focus we see just how important his journey is.

I can’t wait to dive in too book 3 and see how its going to start to come together.

[Buggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this almost as much as the first in the series ‘And Then She Vanished,’ where ordinary antique's dealer Joe discovers that he can time travel and goes back in time to prevent the abduction of his seven year old sister Amy, thus changing his own future.

Now Joe's adjusting to his new normal with no intention of ever time travelling again, until a mysterious stranger arrives in his shop and blackmails him into accepting a new mission, Joe is cast back to 1960s London where he witnesses a murder and comes face-to-face with a ruthless gangster. A fair amount of humour in this sequel thanks to Joe's best pal Vinnie (who is awesome) along with some fun action scenes. Ray Porter does an excellent job with the narration via Audible.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure with Joe and Vinnie. Joe is done with time travel, at least that’s what he think! To bad he’s being blackmailed to travel back to the groove 1960’s to save the life of a young mom deemed of historical significance. This book is scifi fun, Joe had to fit into the life of the old Joe in this new reality. Old Joe wasn’t a nice guy so new Joe has to mend a lot of fences all while pretending g to fit in. Relationships are fractured, secrets abound but Vinnie is there for comic relief. Joe as a reluctant time traveller expresses his displeasure with these new found powered as well as the moral ambiguity of it all. Even though he time traveled to benefit himself. The book has a lot of action but also a lot of conversations about the morality of the changing history.

[David Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is easily 4.5 stars. Nick Jones does a masterful job of creating a world, and lives, that can be changed by time travel. The Shadow of London picks up where his first Joe Bridgeman book left off, with satisfaction and tension. A life was saved by changing the past, but that change affects everyone Joe knows.

As Joe struggles to deal with the changes, he is grudgingly drawn into a second time travel adventure. And the race against time begins again.

If you are a fan of mystery and are not averse to a little sci-fi fantasy, I believe you will love this book. Begin with book one, and you will easily be ready to begin book two.