gesch's review against another edition
2.0
Richard Doetsch’s “The 13th Hour” delivers exactly what you’d expect from reading the book’s sinopsis – fun, light, forgettable.
sandeestarlite's review against another edition
1.0
Could not get into this one. There were 2 fairly large plot holes within the first 80 pages that I couldn't get past, and I found myself being distracted looking for more ways the characters did stupid things to set up the plot, which sounded so interesting.
imzadirose's review against another edition
5.0
FANTASTIC book. Absoluetly sooooo freaking good. Probably one of my favorite books ever. It was so great, and writen so differently and well. LOVED it!!
stacyb27's review against another edition
4.0
Not my normal genre, but it was good. It had you thinking.
travelinkiki's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's not great literature, and it probably won't hold up over time. However, as a book to help ease the commute - this was perfect. (Note: I listened to it, so no worries on reading and driving!) The plot is quite original and very intriguing. I would have liked to see more exploration of the implications of Nick's actions, but I understand why Doetsch did not dwell on that.
The characters were pretty two-dimensional and quite predictable. They all seemed to fit into stereotypes. I particularly did not like the repetition of Julia and the pregnancy. It was a bit much. Also, much of the dialogue seems forced and unnatural. It helped to propel the story along, but it was not the type of dialogue that normal people have.
And finally - the ending was very predictable and trite. Too much tied up. I'd still listen to it again. It's light and entertaining, and sometimes that's exactly what I need.
The characters were pretty two-dimensional and quite predictable. They all seemed to fit into stereotypes. I particularly did not like the repetition of Julia and the pregnancy. It was a bit much. Also, much of the dialogue seems forced and unnatural. It helped to propel the story along, but it was not the type of dialogue that normal people have.
And finally - the ending was very predictable and trite. Too much tied up. I'd still listen to it again. It's light and entertaining, and sometimes that's exactly what I need.
nymfan86's review against another edition
4.0
***Slight Spoilers***
Despite some cliched characters (mysterious rich guy, crooked cop, reluctant hero) the plot of the 13th Hour was interesting enough to keep me reading. A man's wonderful, beautiful, loving, successful wife is murdered. A mysterious stranger visits him in jail and gives him a watch that will enable him to go back in time in one-hour increments to save his wife. The author is more concerned with the plotting than the logistics of time travel (how does the watch work etc) and, quite honestly, that was fine. If he had spent any more time explaining time travel than he did, it would have detracted from the plot. As it was, the story zipped right along with interesting twists as the reader keeps jumping back in time with the hero. It only gets four stars because it was a very fast, fun read but not the greatest book ever.
Despite some cliched characters (mysterious rich guy, crooked cop, reluctant hero) the plot of the 13th Hour was interesting enough to keep me reading. A man's wonderful, beautiful, loving, successful wife is murdered. A mysterious stranger visits him in jail and gives him a watch that will enable him to go back in time in one-hour increments to save his wife. The author is more concerned with the plotting than the logistics of time travel (how does the watch work etc) and, quite honestly, that was fine. If he had spent any more time explaining time travel than he did, it would have detracted from the plot. As it was, the story zipped right along with interesting twists as the reader keeps jumping back in time with the hero. It only gets four stars because it was a very fast, fun read but not the greatest book ever.
danlewisfw's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent book with a few minor issues. First you do not cock a glock, thats now how they work. I am sure someone has pointed this out to the author so I wont dwell on it. I did think the protagonist took an incredibly stupid risk near the end of the book with who he told about the time travel. I just do not buy that he would risk that person taking it and using it. I am trying to be vague here on purpose to not spoil the story for anyone wanting to read the book.
I am on a quest to read pretty much every time travel book and came across this when its sequel came out. The concept here is that the protagonist travels back one hour before the hour he just lived through so a total of two hours back each time. He has to unravel a mystery that lead to the death of his wife and of course save his life. The author is able to do some things because of the mechanics of this time travel story that they cant often do and I really enjoyed the various things that happen throughout the book. There is one particular close call that had I not known there was a lot of book left I really would have felt danger to the protagonist.
This is definitely a book you should read if you like the time travel genre. Lots of edge of the seat thriller action too where things can happen that can not happen in non time travel thrillers! #timetravel #thriller #the13thhour
I am on a quest to read pretty much every time travel book and came across this when its sequel came out. The concept here is that the protagonist travels back one hour before the hour he just lived through so a total of two hours back each time. He has to unravel a mystery that lead to the death of his wife and of course save his life. The author is able to do some things because of the mechanics of this time travel story that they cant often do and I really enjoyed the various things that happen throughout the book. There is one particular close call that had I not known there was a lot of book left I really would have felt danger to the protagonist.
This is definitely a book you should read if you like the time travel genre. Lots of edge of the seat thriller action too where things can happen that can not happen in non time travel thrillers! #timetravel #thriller #the13thhour
katdjz's review against another edition
3.0
With a really interesting premise, this book held my attention and kept me guessing with each jump through time. It did seem to drag on a bit long, but I kept wanting to come back and find out what would happen with each changing hour. Time travel always does my head in a bit, but luckily Nick was able to keep track of events better than I was.
jfranco77's review against another edition
4.0
5 stars for the concept... 3, maybe 3.5 for the execution. Nick Quinn finds his wife murdered and then finds himself unexpectedly arrested for the crime. A mysterious stranger rescues him from the police station and hands him a watch that will take him back in time, an hour at a time, for 12 hours.
Each time Nick goes back in time, he learns more about the murder of his wife, its link to a horrific plane crash that happened in his hometown, and just how difficult it can be to change the future. He needs to use the clues to unravel the mystery and ultimately fix things, because the last time he goes backwards, he stays in that timeline forever.
The writing can be a little cliched at times. Nick is soooooooo in love with his wife. The bad guys are soooooo bad. His friends are soooooo loyal. Every emotion is turned up to 11. Nick knows his limits and keeps things relatively realistic - he's not a superhero, not all his plans work, and sometimes he does stupid things. Really stupid things. Aside from those two quibbles, the book is really enjoyable. The plot is a really interesting twist on time travel. (shades of Hermione and the time turner?) The plot keeps you guessing.
Each time Nick goes back in time, he learns more about the murder of his wife, its link to a horrific plane crash that happened in his hometown, and just how difficult it can be to change the future. He needs to use the clues to unravel the mystery and ultimately fix things, because the last time he goes backwards, he stays in that timeline forever.
The writing can be a little cliched at times. Nick is soooooooo in love with his wife. The bad guys are soooooo bad. His friends are soooooo loyal. Every emotion is turned up to 11. Nick knows his limits and keeps things relatively realistic - he's not a superhero, not all his plans work, and sometimes he does stupid things. Really stupid things. Aside from those two quibbles, the book is really enjoyable. The plot is a really interesting twist on time travel. (shades of Hermione and the time turner?) The plot keeps you guessing.