The Time Engine

Catapulted back in time by a mysterious machine, Eric joins forces with a young Ada Lovelace to find a way home in this atmospheric fusion of science-fiction and Victorian history from acclaimed author Lindsay Galvin.

When Eric Finch discovers a mysterious machine hidden in his attic, he realises that his mother has been keeping a huge secret.

A brilliant mathematician, Eric’s mother has used designs from an old journal belonging to her ancestor Ada Lovelace to build the machine, but Eric has no idea how it works or what it does.

Unable to resist tinkering with the machine, Eric finds himself thrust into an unforgettable adventure. But his actions have also threatened the very fabric of time, with possibly terrifying consequences …

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Reviews

"Set during the Second World War, it’s about Eric, the son of mathematicians, who goes back in time to meet his ancestor Ada Lovelace … In a flash he is back in the 1830s, having conversations with teenage Ada about maths, power and very bad dads." – The Times, Children's Book of the Week

"Classic Lindsay Galvin: pacey, page-turny – and pure magic!" – Lucy Strange

"Engaging and dramatic; Eric Finch discovers a Time Engine in his attic designed by his ancestor, Ada Lovelace, and built by his equally gifted mother. A thrilling adventure ensues which leads to new beginnings." — UKLA Teacher Judge 2025/2026

"Galvin’s richly descriptive writing, her vibrant imagination and her ability to deliver adventures full of peril, pathos and powerful messages have made her a go-to author. Add on Kristina Kister’s atmospheric illustrations, fascinating science and history facts wrapped up in a high-stakes adventure, and Barrington Stoke’s trademark, dyslexia-friendly reading format, and you have the perfect book for both homes and classrooms." – Yorkshire Evening Post

"An exciting time-travel adventure inspired by science" – The Week Junior, Book of the Month

"Another engaging, thought-provoking and absorbing story by an author who knows just how to wring adventure and enlightenment from the past." — LoveReading4Kids

"The Time Engine is a perfect book for Key Stage Two, linking history, science and computing. Raising as many questions as it answers, it will inspire curiosity, creativity and a sense of wonder in its readers." — Scope for Imagination, blog

"The perfect combination of adventure, fantasy, history and emotion … Lindsay Galvin's exceptional wordsmithing, keeping the pace and content but the language digestible." — From Pen and Page, blogger