Time Enough for Murder

BookLife Prize - 2025

Plot/Idea: 7 out of 10

Originality: 7 out of 10

Prose: 6 out of 10

Character/Execution: 8 out of 10

Overall: 7.00 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Nathan Harris, desperate to avenge his wife and daughter's murders, employs his time machine in a drastic attempt to remedy the past. In doing so, he uncovers shocking truths and changes the outcome of his own life-in ways he never sees coming. The combination of time travel and murder mysteries intrigues, and Rose capably weaves sci-fi elements into the story's central themes. 

Prose: Rose builds tension quite well, and his prose is clear and straightforward. Some repetitive phrasing detracts from the story's momentum, however, and the characters' reactions to shocking events sometimes fall flat.

Originality: Rose adds complexity to this engaging story by introducing time travel as the main character's method of choice to solve the chief mystery.  

Character/Execution: Overall, Time Enough for Murder is engaging and easy to follow, with an ending that delivers adequate closure. Nathan is a character whose motives are distinct and relatable; his sister-in-law, Nancy, initially feels clich©d, though she gains depth as the novel progresses.