In his latest novel Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton explores what happen if the past and the present meet, when four historians are catapulted back to the 14th century.

Timeline opens on the threshold of the 21st century, when a secretive American company makes a monumental advance in the field of quantum technology, which, for the uninitiated, means time travel.

But when a history professor, who travelled back to 14th century feudal France to see the site he was excavating, fails to return, his three graduate students go back to find him. They have only 36 hours to complete their task.

In an alien world of horrifying violence, the so-called experts quickly realise how little they know. And when a local war-lord decides he wants their blood things go from bad to worse. Their seemingly simple task turns into a nightmare, and things are not helped when one of their nubmber falls in love with the mysterious Lady Claire.

Meanwhile, back in the present, an explosion has destroyed the technology needed to bring them back. A race against time is on to rebuild it before it is too late.

Timeline is a pacey adventure story, packed with danger and twists in the plot, creating uncertainty and suspence.

Crichton resists the temptation to lecture the reader on quantum physics and instead explains succinctly, and almost plausibly, how the technology works.

It is a brilliant read that will have you on the edge of your seat. No doubt the script for another blockbuster.

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