Nick of Time

Nick of Time is the first young reader's book written by bestselling author Ted Bell.

In the grand tradition of epic novels like Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" comes a wondrous tale of time travel, adventure, and riches, in which twelve-year-old Nick McIver sets out to become "the hero of his own life."
The setting is England, 1939, on the eve of war. Nick and his younger sister, Kate, live in a lighthouse on the smallest of the Channel Islands. Nick and Kate come to the aid of their father who is engaged in a desperate war of espionage with German U-boat wolf packs that are circling the islands. The information they provide to Winston Churchill is vital as he tries to warn England of the imminent Nazi invasion.
One day Nick discovers an old sea chest, left for him by his ancestor, Captain Nicholas McIver of the Royal Navy. Inside, he finds a time machine and a desperate plea for help from the captain. He uses the machine to return to the year 1805. Captain McIver and, indeed, Admiral Nelson's entire fleet are threatened by the treachery of the French and the mutinous Captain Billy Blood. Nick must reach deep inside, using his wits, courage, and daring to rescue the imperiled British sailors.
His sister, Kate, meanwhile, has enlisted the aid of two of England's most brilliant "scientific detectives," Lord Hawke and Commander Hobbes, to thwart the invading Nazis. She and Nick must face England's underwater enemies, a challenge made all the more difficult when they discover the existence of Germany's supersecret submarine.
In this striking adventure for readers of all ages, Nick must fight ruthless enemies across two different centuries, on land and sea, to help defeat those determined to destroy his home and his family.

Ted Bell is the former Vice-Chairman of the Board and World-Wide Creative Director of Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest advertising agencies. He is the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Hawke," "Assassin," "Pirate," "Spy," and "Tsar." "Nick of Time" is his first novel for young adults.

A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book
It's on the eve of war in England, 1939, that twelve-year-old Nick McIver sets out to become "the hero of his own life." Nick and his younger sister, Kate, live in a lighthouse on the smallest of the Channel Islands. Nick and Kate come to the aid of their father who is engaged in a war of espionage with German U-boat wolf packs that are circling the islands. The information they provide to Winston Churchill is vital as he tries to warn England of the imminent Nazi invasion.
One day Nick discovers an old sea chest, left for him by his ancestor, Captain Nicholas McIver of the Royal Navy. The chest contains a time machine and a desperate plea for help from the captain. Nick uses the machine to return to the year 1805. Captain McIver and, indeed, Admiral Nelson's entire fleet are threatened by the treachery of the French and the mutinous Captain Billy Blood. Nick must use his wits, courage, and daring to rescue the imperiled British sailors.
His sister, Kate, meanwhile, has enlisted the aid of two of England's most brilliant "scientific detectives," Lord Hawke and Commander Hobbes, to thwart the invading Nazis. She and Nick must face England's underwater enemies, a challenge made all the more difficult when they discover the existence of Germany's supersecret submarine.
In this adventure, written in the tradition of epic novels like Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island," Nick must fight ruthless enemies across two different centuries, on land and sea, to help defeat those determined to destroy his home and his family. ""Nick of Time" is a blast--the best of Robert Louis Stevenson, Horatio Hornblower, and Harry Potter. The kid in me loved it, and so did the adult."--James Patterson ""Nick of Time" is a blast--the best of Robert Louis Stevenson, Horatio Hornblower, and Harry Potter. The kid in me loved it, and so did the adult."--James Patterson ""Nick of Time" takes young readers on a thrilling historical voyage. There is an undeniable attraction for boys to the figure of the heroic Englishman (though Nick's spunky younger sister will seem to girls the true hero of the novel), and Nick's mantra in times of stress--'Nelson the strong, Nelson the brave, Nelson, the lord of the sea'--gets him through the most grueling of moments, when a boy might otherwise give up. The descriptions of the sea battles here are definitely not for the faint of heart."--Sonja Bolle, "Los Angeles Times" "A brilliant adventure, hidden within a rolling saga, tucked inside an intriguing mystery. That's "Nick of Time." Ted Bell proves that he's the master of swashbuckling for both young and old."--Steve Berry, author of "The Venetian Betrayal"
"Wow Some books sweep you away. Nick of Time amazed me, dazzled me, and swept my imagination off to sea . . . I've been craving an adventure story with a good mystery and this arrived in the nick of time to rescue me."--Diane Chen, SchoolLibraryJournal.com
"This old-fashioned adventure adds a new twist to elements of Treasure Island, Horatio Hornblower, and 'Indiana Jones' . . . Every middle school boy (and many girls, too) will relish joining Nick on his heroic adventures. Charming and thrilling, this book could become a classic with its good, clean, swashbuckling fun."--VOYA"Nick of Time reminded me of Brian Jacques, one of my favorite authors. Everything clicks together perfectly . . . I really like the era and technology of World War II, especially the 'secret weapons' . . . the whole pirate thing really appeals to me . . . The time travel idea is cool, and what's even better is that da Vinci created it "--Henry Willshire, age 13
"This is an immensely appealing book about 12-year-old Nick McIver, son of a lighthouse owner, who lives on Greybeard Island off the coast of Great Britain in 1939. Opening with a thrilling near-fatal sailboat excursion, t