Splinter Effect: A Novel

by Andrew Ludington Narrated by Roger Wayne

Overview

In Splinter Effect, an action-packed debut by Andrew Ludington, time traveling archaeologist Rabbit Ward maneuvers through the past to recover a long-lost, precious menorah hidden in ancient Rome.

Smithsonian archaeologist Rabbit Ward travels through time on sponsored expeditions to the past to secure precious artifacts moments before they are lost to history. Although exceptional at his job, Rabbit is not without faults. In a spectacular failure twenty years ago, he lost both the menorah of the second temple and his hot-headed mentee, Aaron. So, when new evidence reveals the menorah's reappearance in 6th century Constantinople, Rabbit seizes the chance for redemption.

But from the moment he arrives in the past, things start to go wrong. Rabbit quickly finds out that his prime competition, an unlicensed and annoyingly appealing “stringer” named Helen, is also in Constantinople hunting the menorah. And that's only the beginning. The oppressed Jewish population of the city is primed for revolution, Constantinople's leading gang seems to have it out for Rabbit personally, and someone local is interested enough in the menorah to kill for it.

As the past closes in on him and his previous failures compound, will Rabbit be able to recover the menorah before it's once again lost in time? With new and old dangers alike hiding behind every corner, time might just be up for Rabbit's redemption-and possibly his life.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

*One of Google Books' Best Books of 2025 So Far*

"Ludington debuts with a rip-roaring thriller.... Rabbit’s quick wit and fast fists make him a winning protagonist... [and] Ludington demonstrates a knack for fleet action sequences. Readers will be eager for the sequel." —Publishers Weekly

"Readers who love adventure, time travel, sf, and history will find a new favorite series here." —Booklist

"A splash of sci-fi pulp, Ludington’s time-travelling jaunt evokes the fun of Indiana Jones adventures. ... Genre fans who need something light will be happy to spend the afternoon on this trip." —Variety

"Propulsive... Splinter Effect reads like a great Michael Crichton book, only not written by Crichton, a mantle Ludington appears prepared to claim for himself. Supremely effective storytelling that never lets up or lets us down." —BookTrib

"A smart, inventive, wildly original adventure featuring a chrono-archeologist who is tasked with going back in time to save a famed menorah from ancient Rome, Splinter Effect combines time travel, archeology, history, and a dash of romance to great effect. Fans of Indiana Jones will flock to this rollicking story. A superb debut!" —J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of A Very Bad Thing

"Imaginative, fast-paced, and clever, Andrew Ludington’s Splinter Effect is a first-rate time-traveling thriller. Rabbit Ward, a present-day archaeologist with a well-honed and intuitive grasp of the past, must navigate the fraught political landscape of sixth century Constantinople, using all his wits, some humor, and a bit of luck to retrieve a long-lost artifact. Already perfect for history buffs and time travel enthusiasts, a splash of romance adds to the intriguing start of this promising new series." —Susanna Calkins, author of the award-winning Lucy Campion historical mysteries and the Speakeasy Mysteries

“Splinter Effect has all the fun of Indiana Jones and the rapid-fire thriller pacing of James Rollins... Read this now!” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Cave 13 and Kagen the Damned

“A smart, action-packed thriller with a clever time-travel twist. Exactly the literary vacation I needed." —Kelley Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author

MAY 2025 - AudioFile

Indiana Jones meets "Quantum Leap" in this thrilling new science fiction series, splendidly performed by Roger Wayne. Twenty years after a failed attempt at going back in time to retrieve a long-lost gold menorah and leaving behind his mentee/partner, Aaron, Dr. Rabbit Ward tries again--this time in 535 C.E. Constantinople. Once there, he establishes some connections in the community and becomes a temporary partner with Helen, another time traveler who is also seeking the menorah. Wayne makes Rabbit crackle in his delivery of this compelling adventure. He captures the tension between Rabbit and Helen while also delivering the goods as Rabbit outsmarts Roman soldiers, cleverly saves a new friend's life, and confronts a powerful enemy--all without changing events in the future. S.D.B. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192564660
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	03/18/2025
Series:	A Splinter Effect Book , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged

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