A Chase in Time

Alex and Ruby discover an antique mirror that transports them back to 1912 England. The siblings find themselves at Applecott House, where they must help two children prevent a theft. The adventure involves chasing potential thieves through the countryside and navigating the social norms of Edwardian society. They work against time to stop the crime while figuring out how to return to their own era. The story connects past and present through parallel family histories and explores themes of sibling bonds and courage. This tale combines historical elements with classic time travel narrative devices to examine how choices echo through generations.

Readers describe this time-travel adventure as fast-paced and engaging for ages 7-11. Parents report their children finish it in one or two sittings. Positives from reviews: - Clear, accessible writing style - Historical details woven naturally into the story - Strong sibling relationship between main characters - Educational without feeling didactic - Illustrations help bring the Victorian era to life Common criticisms: - Plot feels predictable for adult readers - Some find the resolution too convenient - Historical elements could be more detailed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (83 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (47 ratings) Amazon US: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) One parent reviewer noted: "My 8-year-old learned more about Victorian life from this book than from school lessons." Another mentioned: "The mystery kept my daughter guessing but wasn't too scary." The book has become popular with UK primary school teachers for supporting Victorian history units.

The House in Time by Christiane Duchesne Two siblings step through a door in their house and find themselves transported back to the same building in 1890, where they must uncover a mystery.

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher A girl moves to a Welsh manor house and discovers a mechanical bird that leads her through time to find a missing boy.

Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce A boy discovers a garden that exists in a different time period and forms a friendship with a girl from the past.

The Castle of Inside Out by David Henry Wilson A child passes through a hedge into a parallel world where she must help servants fight against their cruel masters in a mysterious castle.

The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange A young girl moves to a new house in 1919 and becomes entangled in the mysteries of the nearby woods that connect past and present.

🕰️ Though the book features time travel to 1925, author Sally Nicholls meticulously researched the period, including details about clothing, transportation, and social customs of the era. 💎 The story's central plot about stolen jewels was inspired by real cases of jewelry theft from English country houses during the 1920s. 📚 Sally Nicholls wrote this book as part of a series that includes "A Chase in Time," "A Christmas in Time," and "An Escape in Time," each featuring the same time-traveling siblings. 🏰 The setting of Applecott House in the book is based on several real English manor houses that the author visited during her research. 🎭 The character of Alex is partially inspired by the "flapper" movement of the 1920s, when young women began challenging traditional social norms and embracing more independent lifestyles.