Time Camera

by Terence Lee

Texan Zak Endecott, a mathematical whiz who's into computers, discovers a way to penetrate the time curtain using a laser beamed into the ether from a secretly modified video camera. He cannot look forward, only back into history, and there is no audio. Initially, he catches Jack the Ripper on video, then with his girlfriend Lucy Bart records the Mutiny on the Bounty, all as part of a money-making venture. But then things change. Zak and Lucy record Leon Trotsky present at the murder of Rasputin, "the mad monk," but this is a historical anachronism. Next, they find and record the mysterious founder of the Bavarian Illuminati, Adam Weishaupt, conferring at the Palace of Versailles with Benjamin Franklin. What they don't know is that they've just stumbled onto the shadowy AA. Founded by Weishaupt, this is the secret organization that calls the shots in the Western World from an address in Washington, D.C. Also aiming at ruling the world is the Brotherhood, an equally shadowy organization founded in Egypt and dedicated to the destruction of the West. Accompanied by a man who calls himself Eric Simmonds, a British historian and assassin employed by AA, Zak and Lucy are pressed into service by their country to use the camera to expose the Brotherhood and destroy its leadership. The Vatican is planning something big in August-the disclosure of a hitherto missing document concerning the third secret revealed at Fatima in 1917. But the Brotherhood is planning something even bigger. While Zak, Lucy, and Eric are trying to stop the Brotherhood, AA makes a decision they know nothing about. AA wants them to video the greatest event in history, which will be flashed around the world at the same time the Pope makes his announcement. Time is running out, and they are still unable to discover the Brotherhood's plan...

Paperback

First published April 30, 2005

About the author

Terence Lee is a practising litigation lawyer in Sydney Australia who in a previous career was a construction engineer engaged in building railways, wharves and bridges in the Australian outback. He sometimes finds time to write, and for relaxation reads the poets of the Victorian era, including Alfred Lord Tennyson and Rudyard Kipling. His book Tomlinson was inspired by Kipling's poem of the same name.

Reviews

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of Focus!

I was really looking forward to this one. The blurb was well laid out and enticing. I hate to say I was let down—magnificently!

What in the world was this all about? Was it supposed to be a lesson in World History? Perhaps it was a work to expose how a small group of Free Mason are masterminding world economies and conquests? No, it’s about the Catholic Church and the illuminati trying to keep the truth of the crucifixion a secret? Wait, it’s about three people: Zak Endecott, inventor of the camera, Lucy Bart, an editor/publisher and Eric Simmonds, a trained assassin.

Confused? So was I. I love history. I’ve studied it for over forty years and I’m always looking to broaden my knowledge on world events. That is the plus and minus of this book. I wasn’t looking for a non-fiction book on World History, rather, I wanted a face paced, heart pounding thriller that would have me on the edge of my seat. It never happened. The information dumps absolutely killed this potential blockbuster. Instead of concentrating on the adventures of Zak, Lucy and Eric, I found myself cross-referencing the movements of Napoleon in his bid for world domination, or rechecking the facts concerning the Spanish Inquisition or the Rulers of Ancient Rome. This is NOT what the book was supposed to be about.

Mr. Lee makes reference there will be a book two. Why? Until this one is sorted out and a definitive path is established, I can’t see myself reading the second one. That is a shame.

As it stands, the only thing making this a three star work is the meticulous research Mr. Lee performed. That was a five star effort.

As for the rest of it, no. The characters are choppy and uninteresting. The underlying, and I mean underlying intrigue is completely overshadowed. The ending is so anti-climatic, it was laughable.

Please send this to an editor. You have an excellent and fascinating concept, but one must stay on point without overburdening the reader with filler.

[Chloe]

Oy. I don't know what to say about this book. I'm a sucker for time travel plots and even though this wasn't exactly time TRAVEL, it was close enough to be right up my alley. However, I thought the writing was amateurish, although clearly the author had done his research into the historical stuff. And although this made those parts of the book pretty interesting, I'd say that the author also never met a fact he didn't like (i.e., he tried to cram in every little thing he learned).

The whole first part of the book is completely unbelievable, but I suppose the concept of a time camera is pretty unbelievable too. In the end, I guess I enjoyed it, but I also kind of wanted to throw it across the room.

[Ubik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike any other book I've read before, this one has left me with a memory of smell: that of ozone. Once you read it, you'll understand what I mean. As the other reviewer pointed out, it is more like a tour through history than a novel, but still fun. Also, quite predictable (who *wouldn't* immediately think of Jack the Ripper followed by JFK as top "destinations"?), but, again, quite fun.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is crazy, so disappointed.