Perfect for fans of Naomi Alderman's The Power and Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures comes The Psychology of Time Travel, a mind-bending, time-travel debut.
In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world's first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project--and future of time travel--in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team--erasing her contributions from history.
Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother, Granny Bee, was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more. But when Bee receives a mysterious newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman, Ruby becomes obsessed: could it be Bee? Who would want her dead? And most importantly of all: can her murder be stopped?
Traversing the decades and told from alternating perspectives, The Psychology of Time Travel introduces a fabulous new voice in fiction and a new must-read for fans of speculative fiction and women's fiction alike.
"An equally astonishing debut, simultaneously a science fiction novel, historical drama, locked-room murder mystery and magnificent meditation on how human beings experience and adapt to mortality."
--The New York Times
"A genre-breaking book combining time travel, science fiction, a 'locked room' mystery, with touches of romance...[and] female characters who are competent [and] capable."
--Midwest Book Review
"Mascarenhas is fully aware of the rich history of the genre, and to this end, she provides the reader with a puzzle box plot, a whodun-nit told out of chronological order...The Psychology of Time Travel is a surprising novel not because of its temporal shenanigans--as entertaining as they are--but because it goes beyond those familiar hijinks and explores the human cost of a non-linear existence."
--Locus Magazine
"A fascinating meditation on the many ways traveling through time can change a person."
--HelloGiggles
"This genre-bending, time-bending debut will appeal to fans of Doctor Who, dystopian fiction, and life's great joy: friend groups...A tightly plotted novel about the potential hazards of time travel on a person's sense of self, not to mention world events."
--Refinery29
"A fun and twisty read."
--MindBodyGreen
"[A] superb debut novel...The Psychology of Time Travel heralds the arrival of a master storyteller."
--BookPage
"Intricately plotted...The story unfolds in a captivating way, and fascinating suggestions are made about the effects of time travel."
--Publisher's Weekly
"With plenty of twists and turns, The Psychology of Time Travel is a provocative thought experiment."
--Foreword Reviews
"A dazzling genre-defying debut...witty, inventive and unflashily wise about human hearts; Mascarenhas's future promises to be an exciting one."
--The Guardian
"Mascarenhas' writing is clear and strong, making this a good choice for readers who want to be immersed in a story."
--Booklist
"The narrative moves back and forth through time with its almost all-female cast meeting their future and past selves in an intriguing, multi-layered mystery that is ingeniously plotted."
--The Daily Mail
"[A] compelling, confident debut...wrapping the psychological exploration around a diverse, real set of characters and a thrilling murder mystery."
--SFX Magazine, 4 1/2 stars
"A surprising, mysterious, and sometimes unsettling novel, threaded with off-kilter ideas and wonderful insights."
--Elan Mastai, author of All Our Wrong Todays
"An elegant braid of a narrative, delivering queer joy and time-traveling women...Fans of Jo Walton will feel very much at home in this gorgeous, nested tale."
--Meg Elison, author of The Book of the Unnamed Midwife
"The Psychology of Time Travel is the most imaginative thriller I've read in ages: captivating, delightful, and thoroughly original. Ms. Mascarenhas' genius is in patiently exploring the small, fascinating details of a world in which time travel is possible...an all-around wonderful novel."
--Jennie Melamed, author of Gather the Daughters
"Kate Mascarenhas deftly weaves an innovative tale with The Psychology of Time Travel--part mystery; part time travel. Entirely entertaining!"
--Julie McElwain, author of A Murder In Time