The Chronicle

Insights & Reflections

Thoughts on the craft of storytelling, the science behind the fiction, and the journey of a writer’s life.

Steel BloodDrop Dead Cadillac Death Leaves a ShadowParadox EffectBeholdenGet the Boy, Own the FutureNo Escaping the StormAnd Come Day's End

Alright, so Steel Blood messed with my head—in a good way. It’s part gritty sci-fi, part medieval chaos, and all wrapped around a guy who’s basically fighting extinction—his own, specifically. I liked that twist. James Cancilleri isn’t some shiny sci-fi genius. He’s stubborn, way too impulsive, and completely not ready to handle the time-travel mess he’s thrown into. I felt that—especially when he's trying to save people who, technically, haven’t even made him yet. It’s weird and kind of brilliant. What really hit me was how the story shifts between clinical future tech and dusty, brutal old-world grit. One chapter you’re inside a sleek lab, the next you’re watching someone try not to get impaled by a sword. Enjoyed a lot of the themes—legacy, time, identity, all tangled up with some solid character work. And look, there’s a woman knight. She’s everything. More of that, always. One person found this helpful
Nads
Love a book that makes you think
The book Steel Blood by Gabriel F.W. Koch pulls you into a thrilling story that’s as emotional as it is imaginative. If you’re a fan of stories with time travel, medieval drama, and interesting characters you’ll root for until the very end. The story weaves together two worlds, the high-tech lab of the Gate Project and the rich, dangerous medieval era. The main character, Dr. James Cancilleri, is a genius who invented time travel. Sounds cool, right? But here’s the twist: he finds out his ancestors, the very people his existence depends on, are dying off before they can continue his family line. And that’s when he has to make an impossible decision, jump back 600 years into the past to save them or risk disappearing from existence altogether. Can you even imagine the pressure? So if you’re into sci-fi with a historical twist, or you just want a book that’s going to grab your attention and not let go, this is it.
Tanu
Refreshing read!
Steel Blood by Gabriel F. W. Koch Love this book because it has a lot of difference time frames. The lab-the men have discovered that something that happened or didn't happen in the past makes a difference to the world today. One goes back and disguises himself as a monk who travels from castle to castle. He hopes to change things so his life will have a meaning. The lab project is the Gate Project. The boss is not too happy about why the man left to go back in time. Love hearing that there is communication between the men and the boss doesn't know. Back in time is a great place, the Templars are involved. Love hearing about the noble men and so loyal. There is a backstory there as well. The ruler of the castle, Thomas must revenge his fathers death once and for all and leaves with his knights. He has loyal knights. Love that they allow a woman to be a knight as well as she has proven herself. Reminds me of Covington Cross series on tv many years ago. Detailed descriptions are so precise and I can smell, see, feel things in the past as if I am there with them. Love how the castle was built, how each floor was placed for safeguarding the occupants. I feel as if I am getting two stories for the price of one as they alternate chapters throughout the book. Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Jbarr5
Steel Blood
This book is very different to my usual read, but I was very surprised and impressed by the way this book was written. The thought and detail came through, Dr James Canceller is the pioneer of time travel, and he has only gone to discover that his ancestors are at risk so he makes the big decision of going back in time to change this. This was enough to keep me reading. The thing I found most interesting was how Koch managed to bring history, drama, and science fiction into one book. The writing style was entertaining rather than science-heavy, the way some sci-fi books can be. And it didn’t try to be overly clever with the science either, the way some time-travel books can get. Overall I’d say this is a great read for fans of the genre, and also newbies as well.
Revuerr
A Great Combo of Science Fiction, History, and Drama
Steel Blood by Gabriel Koch is a fantasy, science fiction mix drama. The author has a way of creating an experience as you follow along the alternate universe with themes of morality and loyalty. The survival against technology is heavy as our main characters journey through the novel. For those you love time travel and well developed sci-fi this is the novel for you!
Dee
Justice worth fighting for
Gabriel F.W. Koch created a fascinating novel in Steel Blood that combines time travel with medieval drama. Dr. James Cancilleri developed a device that allowed him to observe the past. Of course, he would follow his genealogy, which baffled him when he observed that his ancestor died before they could marry. With his assistant's help, he went back in time to save him before Dr. Cancilleri vanished from existence. Will this small trickle cause a title wave in his time? I found Steel Blood mesmerizing. I loved how Dr. James Cancilleri maneuvered through medieval times to correct the timeline. Michael, his assistant, worries as things begin to change around him. Gabriel F.W. Koch keeps you guessing as the story twists. I couldn't help but smile as the story ended. Everything fell into place.
JoJo Maxson
Very mesmerizing!
Steel Blood by Gabriel F.W. Koch is an exciting combination of time travel, medieval drama, and solid characters. The plot effortlessly switches between the Gate Project's high-tech lab and a perilous medieval environment. Dr. James Cancilleri, the brain of time travel, is faced with an unthinkable choice: preserve his ancestors 600 years in the past or risk removing himself from existence. With colorful descriptions, loyal knights, and a female knight, this novel transports readers into a fascinating, creative story. Recommended.
Beachfront Books
Fun Read
This opens with a bloody scene with vivid imagery, and soon shifts into an unforgettable story. Koch does an amazing job bringing everything to life before your eyes, but be warned, it can also get a bit gory at times. The descriptions can get quite in-depth, and at times disrupted the flow a bit for me. I love that the premise brings up the paradox of time travel - how the past and changing it can affect the future. Taking that to the level of the inventor of time travel now racing to prevent himself from ceasing to exist added a nice level of tension to the entire story. Cancilleri is an interesting and complex character in his own right, and I enjoyed following along on his quest. If you’re looking for a book that mixes a bit of sci-fi, mystery, and historical fiction all in one, then this needs to be your next read!
Lily @TheFaerieReview
A bit of sci-fi, mystery, and historical fiction

This was so good! I absolutely love Marlowe. I loved the writer. I love the mystery, the thrill, the characters. Mac made it very interesting as well lol. I really do hope that this is not a one time book. I loved the old man. He's so eccentric. But I love that he became something for Marlowe. That man was carrying a very heavy load and I'm glad the old man was there. I'd love to see more from these two. They make a great pair. And Mac. I wholeheartedly recommend this. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Becca
I hope there will be more

Steel Blood by Gabriel F.W. Koch is an exciting combination of time travel, medieval drama, and solid characters. The plot effortlessly switches between the Gate Project's high-tech lab and a perilous medieval environment. Dr. James Cancilleri, the brain of time travel, is faced with an unthinkable choice: preserve his ancestors 600 years in the past or risk removing himself from existence. With colorful descriptions, loyal knights, and a female knight, this novel transports readers into a fascinating, creative story. Recommended.
Amazon Customer
Marlowe Black is back!
Multiple award winning writer and photographer Gabriel F.W. Koch has published six books to date – the WOMEN WHO DEFY TIME MAKE HISTORY SET (PARADOX EFFECT and EMMA AND THE DRAGON TOOTH SWORD), NO ESCAPING THE STORM, and AND COME DAY’S END of his MICHAEL MCKAYBEES Mystery set, and BEHOLDEN and this novel, DEATH LEAVES A SHADOW, of his MARLOWE BLACK MYSTERY series. Of interest, the Michael McKaybees character is the son of his Marlowe Black character – suggesting the positive impact Marlowe Black created on Koch’s audience! For readers unfamiliar with the lead character, the following is shared: Marlowe Black, a WWII combat veteran, walks the streets of New York with a PI license to serve justice, a .45 automatic and his fists to enforce it, and a steely determination to solve a case…regardless of the consequences in a grim picture of American city life, corruption, and death. And given that retrace, Koch opens this volume poetically: “June 1951 – A 32 caliber round robbed Lois of her life and me her. I stared numbly at Detective Paul Dunbar, while something my father said years earlier ran through my head: Death rides on all of our shoulders from the day we are born as if to inform us that only it knows its appointment. The abrupt end of Lois’ life burned like flames under my skin. The worst feeling since I first experienced death during war. Seeing someone die will never get easier. For some reason the thought surprised me. I’d come to believe that untrue after years of being a private cop.’ Where that event takes us is well explained in Koch’s terse synopsis: ‘Then comes the brutal announcement that his pregnant fiancée has committed suicide. Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.’ Once again Koch blends romance – and its myriad effects of emotional commitment – with impressive mystery weaving, and the result is a memorable, involving story that grows even after finishing the book. Writing of this quality is a treasure: combining keen storyline with philosophical overtones makes it a true gem. Very highly recommended!!! Grady Harp, August 21
Grady Harp
‘Mourning her will have to wait until I can find her murderer’
Death Leaves a Shadow by Gabriel F. W. Koch is a book that will keep its reader hooked on a ride full of suspense, mystery, and many killing attempts. Marlow Black, a private cop, enters a dangerous path when it is announced that his pregnant fiancée, Lois, has committed suicide. In a bid to find and punish the killer, Marlow sets out to find him. From the few enemies that he had made, who is targeting him and those close to him? My favorite aspect of the book was the fast pace and the new clues and accidents that kept occurring as I read the book. This made me more eager to figure out who the real culprit was. I was impressed by the author’s elaborate way of thinking and developing the story. Mystery, suspense, and a lot of kidnapping and killing attempts are what keep the plot going and my attention focused and eager for more. The author also finds ways to give its characters, like Marlow, the opportunity to start over and reconnect with stranded relationships, like his friendship with his old comrade, Paul Dunbar, despite the tragic events in the story.
Ana
My honest assessment of the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Death Leaves a Shadow. It was a variation on the typical detective story and as such would (in my opinion) be enjoyable for anyone liking this genre. I found the characters quite relatable and the plot was easy to follow. I did find myself really feeling bad for the main character a few times. Also being interested in World War 2, I found some of the back story intriguing as well. All in all a really good story. I would happily read other books by Gabriel Koch and highly recommend him to readers everywhere.
Jeffrey A Webber
Very well written

Author/photographer Gabriel FW Koch opened his award winning literary career in 2015 with this debut novel PARADOX EFFECT and has subsequently published BEHOLDEN, EMMA AND THE DRAGON TOOTH SWORD, and his most recent AND COME DAY’S END. His creative abilities are well displayed in this fascinating science fiction time travel story. As he has stated, ‘Imagine returning to that one moment you think about at 3 a.m. and changing the outcome (of time travel)? If you succeeded, every event directly related to the original outcome would be erased.’ And with that intriguing concept he opens a story that, while ‘sci-fi in genre, offers insights about how we think and the choices and decisions we face – a fine story, and a fine dose of philosophy. Appreciating the need to capture the reader’s attention with a grounding in reality, Gabriel opens his story not in space arenas but in New York in1954: “Peter Hersh knelt in the front pew a the priest said, “Let us pray.” His mind resisted the man’s words and returned to three days earlier, when he entered the morgue to identify his last remaining family member’s body. The accident made it nearly impossible for him to recognize his brother. The fall from scaffolding had ruined his facial features, shattering his skull when he hit the pavement. As the priest continued with the service, Peter recalled thinking, ‘I don’t know if it’s him,’ while hoping there was an error. Some overlooked detail that caused the medical examiner to claim the dead man was Jimmy…’ A mystery laced with pain is set and a speck of light is cast about the coming story. Gabriel has distilled the multifaceted time travel adventure well: ‘In 2554, the World is Coming to its End, unless an impossible mission through 600 years of time travel succeeds. Maternal instinct knows no boundaries, including the nano-neural-net intravenously installed in Dannia Weston’s mind to repress her identity, allowing her to perform a mission 300 years before her time. Transported to the year 1954, Dannia becomes a woman with a mid-twentieth century persona, college educated with an aptitude for mechanical invention. Due to her work during the war, she is employed by the U.S. government on a secret project. But what no one knows—including Dannia or those who sent her back to tinker with the mechanical past to reduce future pollution—is what might happen should she become emotionally involved in 1954. The 2254 science team programmed the nano-net to prevent the possibility of pregnancy, but each person reacts to strong emotional stimuli differently, and using birth control not available in 1954 is out of the question. When Dannia falls in love with Peter Hersh and becomes pregnant, her hormones erode a small section of the nano-chained network that stabilizes her new identity, triggering a mild memory rebirth…and threatening her mission and the fate of the world.’ Keen knowledge of medical concepts as well as a very polished appreciation of future possibilities add to Gabriel’s sensitive and immersing drama. This is a fine debut novel and served as a launching pad for his subsequent literary contributions. Recommended. Grady Harp, March 20 I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Grady Harp
A fine ‘what if’ tale
Manhattan, 1954. During his brother's funeral, Peter meets Dannia, an intelligent woman with whom he begins a romantic relationship. A short time later, Dannia begins to experience severe headaches, accompanied by auditory and visual hallucinations. Three hundred years later, General Buckwalder has sent Agent 476 into the past on a special mission. Given the possibility that 476 is recovering memories of the future, another agent, 989-9, is sent to monitor 476. Everything gets complicated when Buckwalder loses track of both agents and a very serious error made by 476 threatens the fragile stability of the future. In the future as told in this story (year 2254) there are no metals, wood, books or cats, but technology has evolved from the resources that are still available after two exhaustive wars against an enemy of which not many details are given to us; and travel through time is already possible, within the theoretical and ethical limitations that obey the logic of the story. As it is typical of this genre’s speculative fiction, the theme revolves around the potentially catastrophic implications of mistakes made by the time travelers, not only for those directly involved but for the entire history of humankind. This novel poses the problem in a compelling way and successfully develops it to the end. The plot, full of streams of thoughts that reveal the feelings and thoughts of the characters, is warm, deep and human while containing a good dose of danger and action. The motivations of the characters are realistic and provide them with a solid background that gives them body and multidimensionality, while the dialogues and descriptions are broad and perfectly set, so the realism and the general rhythm of the novel keeps fluent. I recommend this book to lovers of science fiction and time travel. I loved the combination of these two epochs: one in which plastic was the great novelty and another in which the same material is practically ubiquitous and indispensable.
Hessen
A great story about the implications of time travel!
Gabriel Koch is a writer I first discovered last year (with book “And Come Day’s End). This book is much older but I can see in the few years between books that much of my praise for Koch’s other book I’ve read applies from the start. What I found most impressive is how Koch manages to write so well across multiple genres. I love a good mystery, but Paradox Effect suited my 2021 palette quite well as a time-traveling sci-fi piece. This book does feel like there’s more passion behind the writing than the others I’ve read, but that could also be because of the theme/genre shift. It’s definitely a good thing. The characters here are developed with care, and even though they are in remarkable positions we can only imagine they still seem grounded and relatable. The concept of coming back in time to the infantile stages of tech development as we know it today is a novel idea. It’s eerie to think that the catalyst that would save us all or put us in the path of destruction over 6 centuries ahead has already passed. That being said, the focus on Dannia and her story here really is a hopeful and positive one, with the stakes as high as humanity's continued existence. This book is just fantastic, there’s so much to get out of it. This is a great author who has already written some good books. Koch is someone to keep an eye on!
Grymm
What a fantastic read!
I'm picky about science fiction, but this time travel novel does three things that won me over. It willingly faces the question of whether changing history is an absolute wrong. The plot and the characters are complex. And the heroine is awesome. In the year 2254 CE humanity has had a brush with near-destruction. The surviving remnant of political order decides it's not only right, but vital, to develop time travel and use it to tweak history. Carefully chosen people with skills that can nudge humanity toward a better end are sent back to various times in history where they can make a difference. One of those people is Dannia Weston, a government researcher working a top secret technology project in 1950's America, and thank heaven the novel does NOT dredge up cliches about gender roles in the 'fifties. Dannia, and the people she encounters and works with, are still the generation that worked together during World War II and earned each other's respect. Transplanting people from 2254 CE to the extinct culture of 1954 is tricky business. Their own memories are suppressed and replaced with personal histories that fit in the historic period to which they're sent, and their knowledge is tailored to the period as well, advanced enough to dial back the doomsday clock, but not spectacular enough to draw dangerous attention. Dannia's particular assignment is an invention that will advance energy efficiency. If it can be implemented in the 1950s, the benefits for both environment and world peace are huge. But a glitch occurs in this little interference with history. Dannia's suppressed memory begins to awaken. Why? The answer - her unplanned pregnancy - comes early in the book, but produces more dangerous paradoxes that need delicate handling. Can this child be born? Can Dannia be extracted and brought back to 2254? Can her child? The passage in which the project directors talk about the paradox that would create was a mind-bender. The other thing I liked is that the story doesn't build its plot on stock-character bad guys. At worst, the man sent to hunt her is overzealous and ill-equipped to make the judgements he has to make, and his commanders are naive. What seems like a simple question of conflict between Dannia's two lives in different centuries is actually a multi-layered, multi-century problem in which authorities are flying blind. The book raises questions about fate and choice, about how many of the cards we deal ourselves and how many are dealt by an unseen hand. The story is exciting, mind-expanding, and often funny, with some amusing cameo appearances by historic figures, and the secondary characters are as unpredictable and interesting as the main ones. It's a fun read.
faience
Exciting, complex, and human
I'm not even sure where to start with this review. There’s so much I want to say, but I also don’t want to give too much away. I wouldn’t say this book grabbed me from the start, but it did intrigue me. I’m not sure when I got completely wrapped up in the story, but the next thing I knew I was halfway through the book and hours had passed. Although this is science-fiction, it felt like it almost bordered on reality. It feels so plausible, and the characters are richly developed, and I could swear they’re real people. Not what I typically think of as sci-fi, but WOW what a great story!
Lily @TheFaerieReview
WOW

Multiple award winning writer and photographer Gabriel F.W. Koch has published six books to date – the WOMEN WHO DEFY TIME MAKE HISTORY Box Set (PARADOX EFFECT and EMMA AND THE DRAGON TOOTH SWORD), NO ESCAPING THE STORM, and AND COME DAY’S END of his MICHAEL MCKAYBEES Mystery set, and his MARLOWE BLACK MYSTERY series - BEHOLDEN is volume 1 and DEATH LEAVES A SHADOW, volume 2. W. Of interest, the Michael McKaybees character is the son of his Marlowe Black character – suggesting the positive impact Marlowe Black created on Koch’s audience! The new series takes off like a lightning strike - ‘Marlowe Black, a WWII combat veteran, walks the streets of New York with a PI license to serve justice, a .45 automatic and his fists to enforce it, and a steely determination to solve a case...regardless of the consequences. When a stranger's body mysteriously lands in his office after a long Fourth of July weekend, Black is determined to learn why, regardless of what New York City cops say or do. As bullets fly, he hunts the killer through a maze of government agents, missing Russian gold coins, Nazi SS fugitives, dangerous greed, and women worth fighting for and knowing intimately. But to succeed, Black must right an old mistake, make a heart-wrenching discovery, and wrestle with a decision to adhere to personal principles of honor that will force him to look beyond love and death. Beholden paints a grim picture of American city life, corruption, and death. And with a morally insecure protagonist and an irresistible love interest, this hard-boiled detective novel promises to be darkly satisfying.’ Koch blends romance – and its myriad effects of emotional commitment – with impressive mystery weaving, and the result is a memorable, involving story that grows even after finishing the book. Writing of this quality is a treasure: combining keen storyline with philosophical overtones makes it a true gem. Very highly recommended!!!
Grady Harp
An edge of the seat thriller!
Beholden: A Marlowe Black Mystery by Gabriel F.W. Koch is a detective piece of work that follows the story of Marlowe Black, a private investigator, whose new case involves the body of an unknown person that he found in his office on the weekend of the Fourth of July. Little did Marlowe know that finding the killer would take him on a dangerous and full of surprises journey that would change his life. What will Marlowe discover as he navigates the corrupt, dangerous, and full of secrets road of New York in his search for the killer? How will Lois change his life? What I liked about Koch’s novel is the combination of the opposite themes of death and corruption with love and hope. The intercalation of these two opposite worlds in Koch’s book gets the best of his characters, especially Marlowe Black. In a gray-painted world, we can see colors as the heart of Marlowe finds love. I also liked the fast pace of the story, which was full of questions and collisions with new dangers in the process of catching the killer. Past, present, and future all come together, shaping the characters and plot in an unforgettable novel. I was also kept hooked in the story as numerous attempts on Marlowe’s life were made, trying to guess who may be responsible and the connection with the case. Was it the SS or the mob?
Ana
My honest assessment of the book.
Beholden: A Marlowe Black Mystery by Gabriel FW Koch is a great post-World War II detective novel, following a veteran who turns into a private investigator, Marlowe Black, as he uncovers a deadly conspiracy with corruption in the government, gold coins, Nazi fugitives, and dangerous greed. What sets this book apart is Koch's skillful blend of hard-boiled detective fiction with emotional romance, creating a compelling story full of twists and turns. With clear writing and a darkly intriguing storyline, Beholden is an amazing read. You will love this book as you become immersed in the plot and action. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Recommended.
Beachfront Books
Fun Read
If you enjoy hard-boiled PIs set in the world before modern technology took over, you’re going to fall in love with Marlowe Black. This was a promising start to a new detective series, and I enjoyed getting to know Marlowe as the story unfolded. Koch did an excellent job of bring the post-WWII world to life, really drawing the reader in with a fast-paced plot and more twists than a country back road. There is a smidge of romance woven in, but it blended well with the mystery side of the plot, and didn’t feel forced or gratuitous at all. Highly recommend, especially for those who enjoy the old pulp mysteries.
Lily @TheFaerieReview
Great for anyone who likes pulp mysteries

"Get the Boy, Own the Future," by Gabriel F.W. Koch, Is set in a future that is ravaged by climate catastrophes and pole shifts, the story hinges on a daring attempt by time-traveling scientists to alter history and save humanity, centring around a critical event from the 1800s: the death of a young boy. This seemingly minor historical detail becomes the lynchpin in a desperate strategy to reshape the future. A formidable military leader from the 23rd century, tasked with this mission, travels back to the 19th century, facing a dilemma that intertwines personal sacrifice with the greater good. The novel was compelling and edgy, immersing me in a world where the stakes couldn't be higher. It weaved through different time periods, maintaining a gripping pace that kept me turning the pages. As the plot unfolded, there were elements of mystery, fantasy, history, and science fiction, so it did demand my full attention. The characters had layers, they were interesting and human, having to deal with many different emotions, whilst contemplating the ethical side of altering history and trying to save humanity. Koch's depiction of a future Earth is both imaginative and alarmingly plausible, reflecting current environmental concerns and the potential ramifications of our actions. This is an engaging and thought-provoking read that covers multiple genres, and I would highly recommended for fans of science fiction and historical adventures alike, as well as anyone looking for a story that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
Jeffrey A Webber
A great story
I’ve read many books by Koch and always praise how well they are done. This one is no different. Though the Marlow Black stories are my favorites, this is one of the better sci-fi books I’ve read this year (by any author). The concept is creative; I enjoy the old-timey feel coupled with sci-fi and future elements. The story does start a bit slower, building a foundation and explaining some of the finer details of the mission expected of our Commander of Commanders and the “current” world state. We jump quickly into the past with the Commander to save the dire state of the future. As expected, Koch handles the topic of race and historical accuracy deftly. Once the foundation is set the story really picks up. I found myself through the book way faster than I thought I’d be. It only took a couple of days to get through. Highly recommend, as always. Can't wait until the next one!
Grymm
Very creative sci-fi!
Spanning centuries, this sci-fi adventure is both imaginative and captivating. We begin in the future, when technology has advanced far beyond what we have now, and the world is no longer the same. We get to see only a small piece of it, but it gives a decent starting place. We then jump backwards in time a few centuries, with a serious quest - change the past to try and create a better future. I loved the contrast between the two eras, and it was interesting to see how the time travelers (there’s more than one), adapt to the old ways, when the information available before their jump into the past was incomplete at best. Koch did an amazing job building the worlds and keeping up tension in the plot, moving everything along at a smooth pace. A must-read for all sci-fi lovers!
Lily @TheFaerieReview
Excellent sci-fi time travel adventure
Journey back in time from the 23rd to the 19th century in Gabriel F.W. Koch's enthralling and captivating science-fiction novel, "Get the Boy, Own the Future". Pole shifts and climate change have destroyed life on Earth as we know it. Time travel scientists have determined to scan historical events from the distant past to ensure their survival in the present by altering a major event. A brave military leader is sent back to the 1800s to ensure the survival of a boy whose presence will alter the shape of the future but will result in the loss of the person he holds dear. Will this deter him from completing his mission and returning to the 23rd century? Confronted by a ruthless and cunning adversary intent on ensuring his demise at every turn, our protagonist is supported by his mighty allies but this may still not be enough to protect him from the evil he encounters. If compassion cannot be woven into bloody conflict and women and children cannot be protected, then all is lost to mankind. This intriguing, page-turner, spans mystery, fantasy, history, sci-fi and more and will keep you invested till the very end.
Lorna M Enslin
Enthralling and Unputdownable Sci-Fi, steeped in History.
Get the Boy, Own the Future by Gabriel FW Koch is well-written and entertaining, as you journey from the 23rd century back to the 19th. In a world shattered by pole shifts and climate catastrophes, time-travel scientists seek to reshape the present by revisiting pivotal historical moments. A valiant military boss is dispatched to the 1800s to safeguard a young boy whose existence holds the key to a new future but at a personal cost. Faced with ruthless aggressors and uncertain allies, he must overcome a dangerous scenario. This riveting tale blends many different genres and keeps you reading as the plot unfolds. Recommend.
Beachfront Books
Exciting Read

This book keeps You wanting more. It’s a great read with historical references throughout. Bringing you to the edge of your seat. Enjoy!
Amazon Customer
What is the storm.

Great mystery novel!! Couldn’t put it down. Well written and documented. I look forward to the next book.
Amazon Customer
If you like mysteries you’ll love “And Come Day’s End”
Gabriel F W Koch clearly knows how to write. From what I can see the awards Koch has won are justified. The most interesting part of this story is the writing, and it Koch reminded me why I love mystery stories (even if I abandoned them for true-crime podcasts). He’s definitely bringing me back to the genre with this book. My only gripe here is that the story starts off with too many compounded action sentences and it takes a minute to get immersed because of that (for example the second paragraph is literally just one sentence of Michael opening the door, this can be broken up into a few sentences). I really do enjoy the first-person perspective being done well in this story, too. I’m often disappointed when authors use this POV because it almost always gets broken. It works best in mystery stories, and Koch really did a fantastic job using it properly. Koch hops right into the action, before we even get a chance to get to know Michael the inciting moment kicks off, and the story gets moving. Michael is forced to face his demons before his morning coffee. I think that any fiction reader should grab this book and give it a shot. It’s not a long read (you can get through it in a day if you wanted to, though I spread it over a few days), but it’ll sit on your mind long after you close the final page.
Grymm
A fantastic mystery that brings me back to the genre!
And Come Day’s End: A Michael MacKaybees Mystery by Gabriel F W Koch is another amazing novel from this award-winning author. It brings private Investigator Michael MacKaybees face to face with his past when his best friend Lenny is murdered. Michael’s estranged father, Marlowe Black, is accused of killing Lenny and setting up the hit for the police officer assigned to protect him. While Michael searches for clues to clear his father, Lenny’s missing wife falls dead in his arms. This looks like a father/son killing spree and the NYPD chief is hunting them down. Gabriel F W Koch has a unique way of presenting a story that leaves the reader hanging on his every word. And Come Day’s End is no different. The characters speak to you through their hopes and disappointments as Michael and Marlowe meet and settle their differences in why Marlowe was an absentee in Michael’s life. This well-written novel focuses on the mystery of who the killer is and why Michael is singled out, but also the reconciliation of a father and son. If only they can stay out of prison long enough.
JoJo Maxson
Another great mystery from this author.
Multiple award winning writer and photographer Gabriel F.W. Koch has published six books to date – the WOMEN WHO DEFY TIME MAKE HISTORY SET (PARADOX EFFECT and EMMA AND THE DRAGON TOOTH SWORD), BEHOLDEN and DEATH LEAVES A SHADOW of his MARLOWE BLACK MYSTERY series, NO ESCAPING THE STORM, and AND COME DAY’S END of his MICHAEL MCKAYBEES Mystery set. Of note, the Michael McKaybees character is the son of his Marlowe Black character! And the mysteries roll on. Finishing the last pages of this novel left one major question: How has this superb book been with the public since 2018 and not sailed to the top of the Best Book charts? Gabriel’s gifts as writer are as impressive as those of his extraordinary nature photography. Perhaps there is a reason for the lack of notice…maybe writing a mystery about the son of his excellent Marlowe Black character needed gestation time. But now the novel is here and deserves our attention – in a major manner! Piquing our interest about the core character Lenny happens as Prologue opens: “It’ll work out if you stay calm and don’t let him know what you’ve got. This is only a first meeting, so relax, dude.” Lenny Oliver muttered nervously as he turned into an alley in lower Manhattan. His lights slashed a battered green dumpster. Three cats jumped from inside, balanced on its rim, and then waited for him to leave. At first glance, he saw their eyes, and then their tiger stripe markings. The cats continued staring like Giza goddesses. Oliver switched off the lights and blinked against the afterimage. [expletive], they’re bolder than rats, he thought with a nervous chuckle, and wiped sweat from his forehead with the edge of his sleeve…”Damn stupid location for a clandestine meeting…” This degree of animated tension and raw scenic painting suffuses this story. To share where Gabriel will take us is suggested in the synopsis: ‘Lenny Oliver's secrets ended his life--lies he dressed up in detailed and occasionally elaborate finery. But only the secret holder is fooled in the long run, as Lenny discovered in a dark alley in the Wall Street neighborhood. Michael McKaybees is a private investigator working in New York's five boroughs. He specializes in money crimes like insurance fraud, with the occasional cheating spouse (his partner's favorite since she thinks all cheaters should be flogged in public). Now, however, he has been forced to expand his investigative work to include homicide. Implicated in his best friend Lenny's death, Michael finds himself entangled in a web carefully woven by someone who wants to destroy him--and there's no doubt he's up to his neck in shit. Then there's his father, Marlowe Black, who has decided now is the right time to show up after an absence of more than three decades. Hell, Michael didn't even know he was still alive. Marlowe's reputation as a combat-hardened PI is well known among the City's criminal element, making him a hated man. And he, too, is a suspect in Lenny's murder. When McKaybees discovers the body of Lenny's wife, Jill--Michael's childhood sweetheart--hidden in his apartment, murder becomes seriously personal and the need for vengeance demanding.’ Writing of this quality is a treasure: combining keen storyline with philosophical overtones makes it a true gem. Very highly recommended!!! Grady Harp, September 20
Grady Harp
‘Time is the master of good and evil'
And Come Day's End by Gabriel F W Koch Story of Michael and he's all over town learning of how deals go down and how he and his father have been implemented in the many deaths over a period of time. Lots of action in this one, first one I've read and feel just a bit lost as the characters are brand new to me and not a lot of back story to go on. Good story, plot, travel, clues and love Ray and his high tech rooms and what he has to offer. Makes Michael's job more easier to solve. Can't wait to read more, wish I read them from the first one. I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Jbarr5
Mystery and crime solving