Review: "Timeline" by Micheal Crichton

Timeline is another well-written work by Micheal Crichton, this time in a more traditional area of SF: Time Travel. Micheal has obviously done extensive research into the medieval age, making it seem more real than any "honorable knights and fair maidens" story. He shows extensive knowledge of the economics of the age: the importance of water-wheel mills, the reasons for villages, and the rich Church.
The book starts with the appearance of mysterious man in the Arizona desert clutching a map of a monastery that was burnt down in the 14th century, who shortly thereafter dies from a mysterious circulatory problem. It quickly switches to an archeological dig in France, where they are excavating that very monastery, with the support of the same company that employed the strange man. In a few chapters, the archeologists travel to Arizona and then to 14th century France to rescue the dig leader, who has become trapped in the 14th century. One thing that Micheal Crichton's books work at is making the start of the book and the character intros, which could be fairly boring, actually very interesting.
This book has less depth than "Prey" because of its multiple protagonists: their are three primary ones, as well as a few others who intersperse the text. The protagonists are still well-written, but their personalities are not as well grounded and deep as the protagonist from "Prey". The book still has an entertaining plot and well written action scenes, qualifying it for 8/10 stars.
Rating: 8/10