Simon Says: Tips for the Intrepid Time Traveler

The CHRONOS Files, Book 3.5

By: Rysa Walker

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

A CHRONOS Files Novella

Simon Rand's life isn't exactly linear, but he's okay with that. He was older than his mother when they first met, and he's traveled pretty much everywhere the CHRONOS key can take him. Much of his childhood was spent in the 1890s on the Cyrist Farm with his friend, Kiernan Dunne, but summer vacations meant hanging out with his grandfather in the 2020s, training to be Saul Rand's right-hand man, and fixing bits of history to help build Cyrist International.

But that's just Simon's day job. His true passion is time tourism - jumping right smack into the middle of historical events to see what really happened. Sometimes, however, simply witnessing an event can change it, and when Simon and Kiernan investigate the death of Simon's teenage obsession, Marilyn Monroe, it may just unravel the history he knows and loves.

©2015 Rysa Enterprises, Inc (P)2016 Rysa Enterprises, Inc

Chronos Files Side Story

Yes this is a brief detour from the Chronos Files series main storyline, but for fans it is an interesting diversion.

Nick Podehl doesn’t have much to work with here being a short first person narrative. If you want to hear him at his best try The Kingkiller Chronicles.

Good Simon background

This does explain better about Simons' connection to Saul and Kiernan. A little short though.

It's ok.

It's ok. Not great, but ok. A very short work going into the backstory of one of the characters. Not nearly as entertaining as other novels.
I'm not sure what's with the title. The opening of the book made it sound like the protagonist might describe humorous and practical time travel tips to the listener, explaining each one with a story about some mishap or other. Then the opening is thrown out the window and the rest of the book is a typical story structure, describing events in Simon's life as he becomes a fledgling time traveler.
This work is only for CHRONOS Files superfans. If you're new to the series, then absolutely don't start with this one.

I hate Simon a little less...

and the narrator was spot on with Simon's attitude and tone. I loved it. Exactly how I imagined.

A Peak at Simon

Any additional comments?

Simon is a bit of a mystery in the entire book series. Is he good or evil? Will he kill you or save your life? This is the Novella you read at the end of your journey that lets you in on the story of Simon.

nice

I think it is pretty neat the way you get to know all the characters. even the rat basterds side of the story.

Did she or didn't she? Simon plans to find out.

Simon, one of Rysa Walker's less than cuddly characters from The Chronos Files, gets to tell his story. He reminisces about his rather innocent beginnings and his rise to power. He also shares his obsession with a famous celebrity whose death has been a mystery for decades. Because of his time traveling abilities, he's in a position to learn the truth. Did she die the way history says? Simon goes there to see, and takes us along.
Rysa Walker gives us a great story and Nick Podehl IS Simon. So much fun!

Simon... go figure

Surprising how much I enjoyed the story from Simon's point of view. It explains a bit.

I liked it

Though I have read the other novellas in this series I was a bit surprised that this one covers such a short period of Simon's lifespan. Each of the other novellas covered a broader reach of how the main protagonist lived the majority of their life, but this one only extends over a single decade. Other than brevity it is a good read and serves the purpose of filling in some blanks in the main story well. The audible version is well done and made up a little for the short format of the story.