New time travel novel questions what make us what and who we are

The desire to write a novel teamed with a fascination for time travel led Richard, who now lives in Northumberland but grew up in Watford, to find his unique voice in the creation of his first book.

The story focusses on the protagonist's journey of discovery into the possibilities of time travel and the restrictions on those who choose to slip between times.

Suffering with numerous personal losses, including the death of his beloved wife, Azarias Tor is a man with one foot in the past and one foot in many possible futures. The plot explores complex and fascinating paradoxes, posing questions about the impact of changing our future by travelling to the past and the potential consequences of doing so.

The plot takes a literary tour around the north-east but also features locations in Watford, such as St Albans Road, Bushey Mill Lane, Hazeltree Road, Beechwood Rise and Leggatts Rise, along with Watford Football Club and the North Watford Cemetery in North Western Avenue.

Azarias Tor: The History Maker is a story that spans Spain in the 1970s, taking in our region in the present day and travelling to Belgium in 2198. The sub-plot twists and blends around the time travel theme and deals with the reality of loss, consequence and desire to change events passed.

Richard says: "I've always been fascinated by time travel, right back to the concepts explored when I watched William Hartnell as Dr Who. It was important for me to write a story based in an area I know and love whilst posing questions that span time and space.

“The main character is a broken man who wrestles with the implications of manipulating time itself. I hope that readers will consider what their choices may be in similar circumstances. What are the possibilities and what could be the potential impact on the human race itself?" 

Azarias Tor: The History Maker is available online, from Waterstones and other bookshops.