-- K. David Goss, Author of
Maritime Salem in the Age of Sail
History Department, Gordon College


"Maxwell Blessing led an ordinary life as a run-of-the-mill therapist, at least until he moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts. In the Time of Worms tells the remarkable story of Max who, through a series of strange and mysterious events, ends up time-traveling with two companions to the year 1704. One would think that dealing with pirates and smugglers would be the most trying thing for Max and his friends, but their individual struggles to find out who they are and in which world they truly belong are chilling to the bone.   

Based on a collection of papers and book chapters found buried in the author’s Marblehead attic, this first-person narrative is an excellent blending of past and present. The line between the two is so fine that it becomes hard to distinguish 18th-century Marblehead from the Marblehead of today. The author also uses the foreword and afterword to verify the accuracy of the characters and places found in the book.  While clearly historical fiction, this novel reads like a mystery novel, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. It is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys their historicals mixed with mystery, adventure, and science fiction."
-- Joey Nicholson
Historical Novels Review


"In the Time of Worms is a riveting mystery, not only of time travel and a quest for buried treasure, but also for Max Blessing. The author found Max’s strange account while renovating his house, but his search to learn more about Max turned up nothing. The story captivates the reader, weaving an almost imperceptible cocoon until it’s too late to escape. You are as compelled as Max and Burrage to follow the path they took to discover what happens. There are times, though, that you won’t want to read this at night, for the creepiness that Max feels when Welkie visits is so tangible, you find yourself experiencing it, too.

...Max Blessing’s tale and the characters he encounters will leave you spellbound. You’ll find yourself wanting to turn the page, yet reluctant to discover what happens next. Like Max and Burrage, you become “Time Folk” (as the pirates call them) and their struggle for identity becomes yours. In the Time of Worms is laced with imagery that astounds you, yet at the same time they are perfect depictions. For example, Bartholomew de L’Hiver, a pirate captain who employed a more ominous technique to capture his prey than l’Ollonois, Rackham, or Blackbeard, sailed aboard a ship intended to instill fear and despair.

'He purposely allowed his ship to weather like the bones of a great fish bleaching in the sun. The sails he left to molder in dank holds until stained with mildew. He then hauled them up to be scrubbed with a special solution of hog bile, sulfur and resins which killed the rot and saturated the fibers with an ethereal, gray/green pigment, leaving them streaked like shrouds in a crypt. Where practical, he had them cleverly slit or gaffed in ways that made them appear shredded, yet left them undiminished in strength and performance. Above the water line, the hull was smeared with tars and oil to resemble rotting wood. The overall effect was exactly what he sought: a ghost ship dredged up from the nether world; a vision that would cause the stoutest sailor’s heart to sink to the bottom of his boots.'

Venture aboard this tale of pirates, sea battles, and terror if you dare, but beware! Lest you find yourself In the Time of Worms."

-- Cindy Villar