The book Nick of Time by Ted Bell was a long, nautical story about a teenage boy traveling across space and time. The story takes place on an island off England, where Nick’s father is the lighthouse keeper of Greybeard Light. The father is also a “birdwatcher” by hobby, which means he spies on the Nazi activity for Winston Churchill.

The story begins with our hero, Nick McIver, barely escaping a collision into dangerous reefs in his sailboat. The plot develops when his sister and he discover a sea-chest in the cove. It turns out that a very dangerous pirate, Billy Blood, is also looking for this chest, because it contains a time-machine. So Billy Blood kidnaps Nick’s dog Jip as ransom.

Their parents have to travel to England, so Nick and his sister Katie are left in the care of Gunner. The trio embark on a mission to save the kidnapped dog Jip. On their way to exchange the chest for their dog, they make what was supposed to be a short stop at Lord Hawke’s castle, as the mysterious Hawke might know how to open the chest. In fact, Hawke knows more than that, he knows what Billy Blood is up to, for his children were kidnapped seven years prior by the same villain.

Lord Hawke and his “butler” Admiral Hobbes, manage to open the chest, setting a couple different things in motion. The duo had been spying for Winston Churchhill as well, and upon hearing about the nearby Nazi sub, Hobbes and Katie head to alert England of the impending danger. Gunner, Lord Hawke and Nick go back in time according to a message they find in the chest. The captain Nick McIver, from 130 years ago, needs junior Nick McIver’s help to defeat Billy Blood in a battle at sea. When they arrive 130 years ago to the battle, it isn’t looking good. Also Katie and Hobbes never reach England with their information. They are captured by the Nazis.

Will Nick save the battle? Will he get his dog back? Will Lord Hawke ever see his kids again? Will Hobbes and Katie be killed by the Nazis?

While I am sure that many young men may enjoy this tale full of adventure, honor and revenge, I was somewhat bored by it. It was very detailed regarding boats, and I am not all that interested in sailing. Also, it felt very very long. I am not sure if any of the story actually could have been cut out, but maybe with less sub plots it would have done better for me. Aside from the nautical terms, it was a fairly easy read in terms of vocab and structure though. The violence is really tame and non-graphic. And the story is from a younger “non-adult” voice, which will help draw young adults in.

Nick of Time by Ted Bell
(c) 2008, St. Martins
Publisher Reading Level: Ages 9-12
ISBN: 0-312-38068-2
434 pages