The Time Traveler Professor, Book One: Silent Meridian

The Time Traveler Professor #1

by Elizabeth Crowens

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is obsessed with a legendary red book. Its peculiar stories have come to life, and rumors claim that it has rewritten its own endings. Convinced that possessing this book will help him write his ever-popular Sherlock Holmes stories, he takes on an unlikely partner, John Patrick Scott, known to most as a concert pianist, but a paranormal investigator and a time traveler professor to a select few. Like Holmes and Watson trying to solve a mystery, together they explore lost worlds and their friendship is tested to the limits when they go back in time to find it. Both discover that karmic ties and unconscionable crimes have followed them like ghosts from the past, wreaking havoc on the present and possibly the future. The Time Traveler Professor, Book SILENT MERIDIAN reveals the alternate histories of Conan Doyle, H.G. Wells, Houdini, Jung, and other luminaries in the secret diaries of John Patrick Scott, in an X Files for the 19th century. First Prize winner of Chanticleer Review's Goethe Award for Turn-of-the-Century Historical Fiction and First Prize in the Independent Press Awards.

Genres: Time Travel, Mystery

360 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2016

About the author

Elizabeth Crowens has worn many hats in the entertainment industry, contributed stories to Black Belt, Black Gate, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazines, Hell’s Heart, and the Bram Stoker-nominated A New York State of Fright, and has a popular Caption Contest on Facebook.

Awards include: Lefty Coast Crime Lefty nominee for Best Humorous Mystery Novel, Malice Domestic's Agatha Award nominee- multiple categories, Leo B. Burstein Scholarship from the MWA-NY Chapter, NYFA grant to publish New York: Give Me Your Best or Your Worst, Eric Hoffer Award, Glimmer Train Awards Honorable Mention, two Grand prize, and five First prize Chanticleer Awards. Crowens writes Golden Age of Hollywood Mysteries and multi-genre alternate history.

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Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very unusual novel. It is part alternative historical fiction, part science fiction time travel and perhaps even part fantasy dream world. This is not a genre combination I usually read so I was not surprised that I found it a bit confusing. John, the main character, does time travel but also has dreams in which he goes to different places and times. I was sometimes unclear as to how those adventures related to John's current life. I also found some repetition of information being told as if it was for the first time.

Crowens certainly has am amazing imagination. To include so many historical characters in alternative history scenes and present them in a way that agrees with or as an extension of what is known about them is quite a feat. Readers who enjoy alternative history novels will want to take a look at this one.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having glanced through some reviews for The Time Traveler Professor: Book One: Silent Meridian by Elizabeth Crowens, I was both intrigued and curious. While quite a few people were fulsome in their praise there were also those who mentioned grammatical and punctuational errors. I did note some instances of both but they did not detract from the story for me. Perhaps that is because the majority of books today contain both of them in addition to spelling errors. It is more of a distraction when there are awkwardly phrased sentences, which are common today and of which I found several. It interrupts the reading flow when one must re-read a sentence in order to try to discern the author's intent. Another circumstance I found off-putting was finding sections that appeared to be a repeat of previously written/read content. I found it confusing when I encountered it and still do. Perhaps I misunderstood but I don't know why it was repeated.

I originally thought I would read this book to our son but I am very glad that he turned me down! There are numerous references to sex in this book and we both would have been embarrassed to say the least. There was no indication in the description nor in any of the reviews I saw. I don't know that it contributed to the story at all, I suppose it is used to "flesh" out the character and is intended to make him more realistic. It was not necessary in my opinion but I realize that there are many who would disagree.

You might think by the issues I have raised regarding this book that I did not like it. On the contrary, I did enjoy it. I enjoy reading historical fiction (the traditional historical fiction, not the romance ones common now) and this book has many of the same elements. I like it when actual people and events are mixed with fictional elements because it really sparks my imagination and, let's face it, it's fun! There is a lot to like in this book and it is easy to get caught up in any of the stories/timelines. Sometimes I was unsure when I was even though the chapters list the time and location. I think that may happen only when a character themself may have traveled in time or when they are recalling a trip in time. It is resolved with further reading of the chapter in question.

The author, Elizabeth Crowens, has created many worlds to visit in this book and they are intriguing. I look forward to visiting them in her future endeavors.

[Harold E Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel is a fun journey through space, time culture and custom featuring vignettes with some great names of the period. It has a slightly "Whovian" flavor and brings some R.Douglas Adams elements as well.
This is the first in a series which I feel is promising.

[Elena Gaillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing take on the concept of time travel, treated more as fantasy than science fiction, with a goodly peek at intellectual movers and shakers of the late 19th/early 20th century. The protagonist is John Scott, a classical musician with deep interest in the spirit world and hidden realms, immersed in mysteries (literally so as a friend of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). The main story brings Scott many encounters with people who may aid his journey of discovery as he explores his own immediate past and what are possibly past lives revealed as stories within the story. Remains to be seen what he is able to do with his knowledge, or what price he pays for it all...book 2!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soulmates by Mike Renick and Lezli Robyn is a collection of short stories that express life through a slightly different lens. The opening story, "Benchwarmer" tells of children's toys and pretend friends. Boy and Mr. Paloobi are a wonderful pair. The reader views the world from the perspective of the imaginary toys. The Boy as Old Man needs Mr. Paloobi again to play chess and keep him company. The slightly tilted lens of these stories includes aliens, monsters, and talking cats. Readers of science fiction, short stories, and of "Twilight-Zone" style fiction will be delighted with this collection. Fine writing and good characters provide an entertaining reading opportunity.

[Melisende · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the storytelling very disjointed; I wasn't sure there was any real structure apart from positing the narrator into various historical scenarios strung together on some invisible thread that at various times flirted with past-life regression and astral travel. Too many themes crammed together. that the narrative felt like it was tripping over itself.

I have the second in the series and won't be reading or reviewing it.

[Paul Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silent Meridian by Elizabeth Crowens (MX Publishing, 2016) contains absolutely everything occult: Time travel, past lives, reincarnation, secret societies, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Great Houdini, H. G. Wells, and guardian angels, to name just a few. It's an ambitious novel with lots of literary references that should please Sherlock Holmes fans as well as fans of fantasy and science fiction.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried so many different times to get into this book - and I finally gave up. It sounded so good, but for some reason I could not get into the rhythm of the writing or something. So decided to move on.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I hadn't finished this because it wasn't worth it. The plot made little sense. There was too much jumping around and gaps and holes. I had high hopes for this. Besides the beautiful and vivid descriptions, this was not a good read.

[Katreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

SILENT MERIDIAN by Elizabeth Crowens
The Time Travel Professor Book 1

John Patrick Scott is studying to be a musician in Victorian Scotland, but music is just one part of his life. John has invented a time machine in which he travels back to an unremembered childhood and into the future where he sees himself as a young woman enrolled in a mystical school. In addition to his time travel experiments he has developed a friendship with noted Spiritualist and Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The two devotees of psychic phenomena practice telepathy and perform other psychic experiments, but does Doyle have a less friendly agenda? With an impish spirit guide and some ne’er do well friends John meets noted luminaries of the time including J. M. Barrie, H. G. Wells, and George Bernard Shaw. He even runs into a young Houdini in his travels. Will his experiments lead him to find the connection between his past, present, future and a mysterious red book?

SILENT MERIDIAN is the story of John Patrick Scott. Kind of. It's also a story about arcane knowledge and the ramifications for those that study esoteric mystical things. It's a story of time travel, astral projection, past lives, Spiritualism, and more. It's a story about a mysterious red book. A variety of famous people make appearances, some brief, some an intrinsic part of the story. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a good friend and psychical partner to our main character and a major player in his own right. There are so many famous people thrown in, it's almost a who's who of every literary notable who was alive at the time. While I know that many of them were acquainted with each other and belonged to the same societies, there were so many found in this book that it seemed the author was merely name dropping! Some seemed to have a greater purpose and I thought would play a vital part of the storyline (Erik Weisz and Aleister Crowley), but their importance was never fully actualized.

The first Time Travel Professor book is extraordinarily well researched and I did enjoy reading about the famous Victorians mentioned. As John traveled in time we read very interesting stories about his younger self in the magical school, the adventures of the woman whose eyes he saw things through in the future, and and intriguing Japanese storyline. However, there is such a hodge podge of subplots I continually wondered what was the actual point of the book. Yet, there a mystical theme that ties things together.

Ultimately, SILENT MERIDIAN is a look at self discovery, the importance of life lessons, and what one must give up in order to pursue one's dreams. It looks at morality, appearances, and the risks inherent in pursuing a metaphysical life.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Book One in the Time Traveling Professor Series

Images from his dreams create a ‘Silent Meridian’ for young music student John Patrick Scott, a contemporary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the year 1898. The phrase refers to a fine, nearly imperceptible separation between Scott’s subconscious and waking reality. He travels between both, and into the past and future, too. Therefore Scott is trying desperately to maintain his equilibrium while pursuing studies outside of his regular (in other words, boring) curriculum at the University of Edinburgh. His choice of associates might be leading him astray, since he chooses to walk on the wild side in the world of paranormal investigations under the mentorship of the famous creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Together the young adventurer and Sir Arthur engage in a surreal labyrinth of adventures that explore all aspects of the strange and impossible. Doyle never doubts that his younger protégé has been gifted with talents for just this point in time. Telekinesis, telepathic communication, attempts to impose mind over matter, the two push the boundaries of their age as they investigate the outlandish and controversial. The book will remind fans of Harry Potter of certain aspects of that series, for instance a bookstore of rare antiquities that serves as a portal to the Secret Library of all knowledge.
This is the first novel by British author Elizabeth Crowens. It is compelling and maintains interest to the very end, with a sequel to follow soon. The author is published by MX Publishing, a house dedicated to promoting fiction and non-fiction of concern to fans of Sherlock Holmes. This alternate history book has been nominated for and won multiple awards.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Patrick Scott is a music student in Scotland. He is bored and learns to travel through time to entertain himself. He meets Arthur Conan Doyle in 1898 and they start working together to explore the paranormal and Spiritualism. What follows is John traveling through time to meet various characters through time. When he travels into the future he has a whole new set of problems.

I have mixed opinions on this book. I liked the spiritualism and the traveling through time. It was fascinating to meet the different characters in time. Even John’s adventures in the future were interesting. This part kept me reading the book. I was curious who John was going to meet next and what situations he would find himself in.

On the other hand the story felt disjointed. I didn’t really get a cohesive feeling about what the story was about. John’s all over, meeting people, and then off again. I know it is the first in a series but I was left confused.

I’m on the fence about this book. Parts were really good and kept me reading while other parts left me not really wanting to read the next book. So, I suggest that you give it a try. You may like it or not. But this is one of those books you have a try to decide.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Leoma Retan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest--I'm a sucker for time travel novels, TV shows, films, whatever. So I've seen so many variations on the theme that I'm genuinely surprised when someone comes up with a new wrinkle on the sub-genre. Elizabeth Crowens surprised me in SILENT MERIDIAN.

Based on the time period and the characters, who include Arthur Conan Doyle, Houdini, and even Carl Jung, I was intrigued enough to order the book. But the escapades of English university music student John Patrick Scott, the main character, were what kept me reading despite a little bit of a slow start (a trait which it shares with some of my favorite novels). The more I saw of John Scott, the less inclined I was to put the book down.

One of my favorite scenes was set in a pub in Germany, where he and his friends engaged in an operatic singing contest that got a wee bit out of hand. All in all, SILENT MERIDIAN is an engaging read for fans of the Victorian era and music--even if science/speculative fiction isn't your usual choice in literature.

[Myreadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Atomic Alchemist Production LLC and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

Being a fan of books about time travel: Kerstin Gier's "Ruby Red" series for example, I had to read this book.

It features Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who absolutely wants to find a red book that is legendary. He is convinced that if he has this book it will help him to write the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He is going to be helped by a concert musician and investigator on the paranormal John Patrick Scott who considers himself more like an archaeologist who is Celestial in nature and a professor who travels in time. The two of them will travel through time to try to find this famous red book. Except that by travelling in time they will take ghosts from the past with them.

I immediately fell in love with the captivating, addictive story full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters. The second book is in my pile for another reading.

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

What drew me to Silent Meridian is its time travel aspect and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Readers have called it steampunk or alternate history, and the book's press release adds fictional memoir to the list. This may have presented a formula reader such as myself with challenges in fully appreciating the novel. Crowens wove together a unique story that introduced alternate histories for several well-known characters, like Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, Houdini, Jung and others, which I found rather fascinating. Scott's dreams and his initiation in to a secret society that led him to come into possession of the red book were also elements I enjoyed. I just felt confused a good part of the time. That said, I gave the second book in the series a shot, because Silent Meridian is well written, and a reader appreciates that.

[Laurel Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Patrick Scott, a student of music in Scotland, meets the famous Arthur Conan Doyle in 1898. The two discuss the transmigration of souls, then agree to try communicating through telepathy. But afterward, John—a fan of H.G. Wells—is inspired to build a time machine. He succeeds.

Now the problem arises. When John travels into the future, he becomes a woman. Holy transmogrification! What is going on? Also, John learns to travel in time without even using his time machine.

Come join John in an adventurous romp through a steampunk nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as he navigates life and his sexual attraction to men. “Silent Meridian” has a bit of an uneven momentum, but author Elizabeth Crowens has an amazing imagination. A book well worth reading.

[Carol Keen · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH YES! This is good folks! Let's back up to 1898. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who gave us Sherlock Holmes, meets John Patrick Scott. John is in Scotland studying music. Doyle and Scott hit it off and have some fun banter. Then, as it happens, John is an H.G. Well's fan, and so he makes... a time machine! Ah what fun. One glitch, John travels into the future and now he is a... woman! What? Call *the* Doctor because this time machine might need some tweaks. I love the secret library, and I love all the British aspects of this story. It has a good bit of history as John time travels and I think this was a good start to the series.

Thank you, NetGalley for my digital copy of this book. This review is mine, and a positive review is never required.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the Time Traveler Professor and you may find this title listed under the series. It lays a great background for future books. With a cast of characters that includes, H.G. Well, Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle it offers an alternative history. Narrated by John Scott it delves into mind reading, magic and of course Time travel. The story revolves around a little red book that young John is given. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent way to start a series. Anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes will know of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We get to meet quite a few characters who are well known by name even today, and go on adventures through time with Doyle and John Patrick Scott. I greatly enjoyed the time-hopping, and getting to visit and see different eras and people in the process. A great read for sci-fi and time-travel lovers!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been fascinating. I have no other words to describe it. It’s a bit of everything, and has been thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you, Ms Crowens, for this story. I’m looking forward to the next book in The Time Traveler Professor series. I don’t want this series to ever end.

***Book provided at no charge by PICT.***

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t finish. Read about half. If an author is going to explore bisexual relations, she should make that plain at the beginning and not wait until halfway through the story to spring it on the reader.

There is everything but the kitchen sink in here and if I had finished the book I might have found that, too.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not really enjoy this book. It's well written and I did finish it, but there is nothing to truly recommend it. It didn't have a particular plot, even. There was no mystery and nothing overly interesting. Nothing actually happens, except a random guy who knows a bunch of famous people can time travel, in a sense anyway.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good plot, a lot of intrigue, and characters you happen to know ... This is very well written, gripping,
and fantastic. Time to enjoy all the atmosphere and clever plot.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK. The premise is interesting and the action kept my attention. A new way to look at time travel.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Time Traveler Professor has all of the elements needed to make this an amazing historical mystery. A must-read story that captivating and inviting.

[Gary Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an intriguing plot and story. A must for anyone wanting to experience nineteenth century realism mixed with magic and time-shift. This novel sheds an interesting light on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and his approach to life, writing Sherlock Holmes from the character of John Patrick Scott, a typified downtrodden poor student.

However, spelling mistakes and type setting, things that should have been picked up at the copy editing stage, at times become glaringly obvious. I know I'm a perfectionist.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme]

The blurb to this book caught my attention when it was offered to review. I have to admit; I should have passed on the review offer. I am leaving the star rating off for this book because I do not believe this is a book that meets my reading style or abilities. This book I stop started about 5 times. It was grueling for me to get through this book. I had to start at the beginning several times to orient myself. Some writing styles and stories just don't do it for me. This is one of them.

What I can say is that Ms. Crowens creates a complex story with convoluted subplots criss-crossing time and characters. Let's start with the characters - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes as it was required reading in my 7th grade Reading class. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's biography was also required reading. So I figured I would be able to follow this story. I could not. Or it could just be that I couldn't get into it and it did not capture my attention. It wasn't even the lack of familiarity with the different historical characters - Houdini, H.G. Wells and Jung to note a few that I can remember. Watson coming in and out of the story was a bit confusing.

Based on blurb and my little experience with Doctor Who, I think this book is more for Whovian than Trekkies. Not to say that Trekkies wouldn't enjoy this book. If a Trekkie is also a Whovian, this book may make more sense. Or perhaps someone who enjoy literature more than I do.

*I reviewed a copy of this book. A review was requested.

[Jena Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, 1898. The main character of this book, John Patrick Scott is meeting Arthur Conan Doyle at a pub. “Can I assume you believe in the transmigration of souls?” asks Arthur.

And so begins this unusual book, filled with the flavor of Victorian literature and the fascinating studies of the time. Arthur Conan Doyle is mentoring John Patrick, a student studying music. They share a passion to explore the realms of Spiritualism and related paranormal phenomena. Their first project is to develop their telepathic communication skills.

John Patrick is also building his own time travel device, consisting of bands with moving magnetized parts that he wears on his head. He has succeeded in traveling to the past and the future. He frequently visits times and places that have to do with magic.

Flavored with Victorian literature, Arthur Conan Doyle likes to quote his own works, this book will appeal to those who are fascinated and familiar with elements of “the beyond” and with time travel. I am not drawn to these topics and I found this book to be confusing and arcane. However, other reviewers seem to enjoy it. Thanks to NetGalley and Atomic Alchemist Productions for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

[Gábor L. Hajba · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.

The book's title and summary seemed interesting but somehow I did not get what I expected. It seemed to me that the story was sewn together from various patches which very cumbersome strings which sometimes seemed not to fit.

The concept itself was very delight: a spiritualist fellow in the end of the 19th century meets A.C. Doyle and other known personalities who all (ok most of them) share the same occultist thoughts and are in diverse clubs together. Then J.P. Scott travels in time to the past and the future to find out the upcomings and their reasons rooted in the past.

However I do not think that in 200 years from now someone would use an Apple mobile phone. I would have expected more imagination about stories in the future. Imho there will be no mobile phones as we know them now.

Anyway: this book was OK, although I did not get some parts' connection. And there are some typos too but I left them out from my rating.

[Carole Moleti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most steampunk/time travel stories, it takes a little time to get oriented but once you're there, this is a fantastic read. The writing is amazing, the historical underpinnings fascinating, and I was sorry when it ended. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Hint: Read The Witch of Lime Street, which is non fiction, as well. It gave me some context and grounding in the history of Conan Doyle vis a vis spiritism.