Linda Buckley-Archer

Linda Buckley-Archer is a British writer. She was born in Sussex but spent most of her childhood in rural Staffordshire. Originally trained as a linguist, she lectured in French for some years before becoming a full-time novelist and scriptwriter. She has written original drama for both BBC Radio (most recently, Pearls in the Tate) and TV (One Night in White Satin) but is best known for The Gideon series of novels.

Linda Buckley-Archer, a scriptwriter and journalist, began writing Gideon as a radio drama. As she read Gideon aloud to her children and they refused to let her stop for supper, she began to see its potential as a novel.

There are a couple of websites for this series, www.thegideontrilogy.com and www.the-time-travelers.com. The first is the UK and Australia themed site, and the second is the American and Canadian themed site. Of the two, www.the-time-travelers.com is a much more informative website. This dichotomy between countries carries over into the titles of the books themselves, with books being titled one thing in one locale and something else elsewhere. Here is a breakdown of the titles:

Since the first book was originally released in all locations with the title Gideon The Cutpurse, and that was the title of the book I read, I have included that title below, but have used the American titles for the other books in the series.

Books I've Read by Linda Buckley-Archer

The Gideon Trilogy

1. Gideon The Cutpurse (Hardcover edition)

   1763. Gideon Seymour, cutpurse and gentleman, hides from the villainous Tar Man. Suddenly the sky peels away like fabric and from the gaping hole fall two curious-looking children. Peter Schock and Kate Dyer have fallen straight from the twenty-first century, thanks to an experiment with an antigravity machine. Before Gideon and the children have a chance to gather their wits, the Tar Man takes off with the machine—and Kate and Peter’s only chance of getting home. Soon Gideon, Kate, and Peter are swept into a journey through eighteenth-century London and form a bond that, they hope, will stand strong in the face of unfathomable treachery. Historical detail comes alive as debut author Linda Buckley-Archer weaves the eighteenth-century trials of Gideon, Kate, and Peter with the modern-day worries of their parents and the wily investigator trying to piece together the children’s disappearance. A time-travel tale, the first book of the Gideon Trilogy introudces readers to a modern genre all its own. (book description) Personal note: I found this book in the Junior section at the library. It's described as a book for ages 10 and up. The "and up" portion is very reasonable, as I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading the continuing saga.

   The Time Travelers (Paperback edition)

   For whatever reason, they changed the title of this book when they released it in paperback. So this is the paperback edition of Gideon The Cutpurse.

2. The Time Thief (Hardcover edition)

   In his years as Lord Luxon’s henchman the Tar Man had earned a fearsome reputation. Few dared say no to him and if they did they soon changed their mind. But here, wherever here was, he was alone and unknown and understood nothing. He clutched instinctively at the scar where the noose had seared into his flesh so long ago. What I need, he thought, is sanctuary. And a guide in this new world. In The Time Travelers, an accident with an anti-gravity machine catapulted Peter Schock and Kate Dyer back to 1763. Now a bungled rescue attempt leaves Peter stranded in the 18th century whilst a terrifying villain, The Tar Man, takes his place and explodes onto 21st century London. Concerned about the potentially catastrophic effects of time travel, the NASA scientists responsible for the situation question whether it is right to rescue Peter. Kate decides to take matters into her own hands, and contacts Peter’s father for help. But things don’t go as planned, and soon the physical effects of time travel begin to have a disturbing effect on Kate. Meanwhile, in our century, The Tar Man wreaks havoc in a city whose police force are powerless to stop him. Set against a background of contemporary London and revolutionary France, The Time Thief is the eagerly awaited sequel to The Time Travelers. (book description)

3. The Splintering of Time

   No information is currently available on this book.