I have an issue with time travel in narratives. It always feels too convenient (see Season 7 of "Game of a Thrones" and the cave-of-convenience) or too riddled with flaws (see "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"). As a result, I approached this novel with trepidation and low expectations. Both were ill-founded.

Ryan Graudin is a plot wizard. Sure, the characters and description are vivid, too, but what leaves a lasting impression is an ability to stitch together a storyline over plains of time and space. Some aspects lock together with predictable ease which, in turn, lure you into a false sense of security so that you're blindsided by the twists. "Hashing" clever.