Timeline, by Michael Crichton, is about a group of historians and explorers who go on a rescue mission into the past to save a team member. The book starts out with the team on an archaeological dig while in France. They uncover the ruins of a medieval castle and monastery that show signs of a great battle. Meanwhile, in another part of the world the CAL-TECH Corporation is in desperate need of a historian for their research, as they call it.
Their research is actually time travel, and they need a medieval historian to guide their team of mercenaries on their exploration of the unforgiving land during this time. Marek is the name of the historian who they kidnap. While in the past, a mercenary unintentionally sends a grenade back through the time portal and blows up the lab; consequently the mercenaries and the historian are now stuck. The rest of the book is on how the rest of the team goes back to save their friend and any survivors. Timeline has a multitude of settings including an archaeological dig site, a research laboratory and a medieval castle.
Having more than one main character enhances readers experiences and keeps them guessing. This book is action-packed and has surprises around every corner. One-moment readers think the team is about to go home and then disaster strikes again. This book is for anyone who enjoys action, adventure, and suspense.