Catapulted back in time by a mysterious machine, Eric joins forces with a young Ada Lovelace to find a way home in this atmospheric fusion of science-fiction and Victorian history from acclaimed author Lindsay Galvin. When Eric Finch discovers a mysterious machine hidden in his attic, he realises that his mother has been keeping a huge secret. A brilliant mathematician, Eric's mother has used designs from an old journal belonging to her ancestor Ada Lovelace to build the machine, but Eric has no idea how it works or what it does. Unable to resist tinkering with the machine, Eric finds himself thrust into an unforgettable adventure. But his actions have also threatened the very fabric of time, with possibly terrifying consequences . Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8. - "Galvin is a terrific writer of historical fiction for children" - The Times on The Elixir, which was picked as one of their Best Children's Books of 2025 and has been one of Barrington Stoke's best reviewed books of the year - Renowned for her unique style, blending the scientific with the historical and the mysterious, Lindsay Galvin delivers an atmospheric time-travel adventure that is sure to hook young readers from the very start - Perfect for any young science or maths enthusiasts, featuring the brilliant female mathematician Ada Lovelace, and containing important reminders about the difficulties women have faced in securing recognition for their mathematical and scientific achievements.