Time travel doesn't help plot

Time travel has always held a fascination for writers and in Julius and the Watchmaker, Tim Hehir takes a Victorian lad, Julius Caesar Higgins, and plonks him into the company of a couple of villains.

The baddies are after the diary of a watchmaker, John Harrison, believing it holds the secret to time travel.

Julius has the misfortune to become involved because his grandfather, with whom he lives, has a second-hand book shop in London.

Some interesting material, but rather repetitive and the plot drags a bit.

- Gillian Vine