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In Miles in Time, Lee Matthew Goldberg crafts a fast-paced, gripping adventure that blends mystery, time travel, and the quest for truth, all seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Miles Hardy. A self-proclaimed amateur detective in the sleepy town of Frontier, Iowa, Miles spends his days solving small cases, like missing pets, until the shocking death of his genius older brother, Simon, turns his world upside down.
As Miles delves deeper into Simon’s secret life, he uncovers a hidden time machine and a video from Simon revealing the ultimate mission: to stop a shadowy force from exploiting the machine and altering the future. Miles navigates the complexities of time travel, trying to solve the mystery while avoiding catastrophic changes to the timeline—most notably, by avoiding running into his past self. It’s a journey filled with suspense, heartbreak, and the thrill of discovery.
Goldberg’s writing is dynamic, making Miles in Time an incredibly fun read. The twists and turns are unpredictable, and the suspense builds steadily as Miles uncovers more about his brother’s secret life and the ominous forces at play.
At its core, the story is also about family—Miles’ strained relationship with his father, his idealization of his brilliant but distant brother, and the deep loss he feels after Simon’s death. This emotional depth makes the book stand out from other time-travel mysteries, giving readers more than just an adventure. Goldberg’s exploration of the bond between siblings is both poignant and realistic, with Miles’ grief and determination making him a relatable protagonist.
The setting, though simple and small-town, is brought to life with vivid descriptions that make Frontier, Iowa feel real and lived-in, juxtaposed against the mysterious and high-tech elements of Simon’s time machine. The underlying tension between the mundane world and the high-concept idea of time travel serves as the perfect backdrop for Miles’ thrilling investigation.
If you love thrilling mysteries, complex characters, and a dash of sci-fi, Miles in Time is a must-read. Goldberg successfully captures the excitement of a time-travel adventure while weaving in emotional stakes that resonate with readers of all ages.
Miles in Time
By Lee Matthew Goldberg
Solve the mystery, save the future…
14-year-old Miles Hardy spends most of his time as an amateur Sherlock Holmes and running his detective agency with his good friend and loyal assistant, Kevin. However, in sleepy Frontier, Iowa, it’s been hard to snag a case bigger than finding some old lady’s missing cat—until Miles’ genius older brother, Simon the inventor, winds up dead.
Using his knack for uncovering hidden truths, Miles stumbles upon a secret lab where his late brother, Simon, created a groundbreaking time machine. Among the discoveries is a chilling video Simon recorded before his death, revealing his fear of being followed and a dire warning: if anything happens to him, Miles must use the time machine to uncover who is after the invention and stop them. The stakes couldn’t be higher—if the device falls into the wrong hands, the future itself could be at risk. From suspicious classmates to shadowy corporations, no one is above suspicion as Miles races against time to solve his first real case. But one wrong move could change everything—and running into his past self is strictly off-limits.
Article originally Published in the Summer 2025 Issue.