The Fold by Peter Clines

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

“Well," Mike said. "That was disturbing.”

Leeland “Mike” Erikson has no clue what he’s getting himself into when he accepts what he’s told is a temporary job to evaluate a science project that’s on the verge of changing the future of humanity. His curiosity piqued by the premise, he takes a leave of absence from his job as a teacher to use his gift/curse of an eidetic memory to learn about the machine. Termed the “Albuquerque Door,” the machine transports people across distances by folding space. As Mike learns more about the door, he’ll help the team of scientists discover properties and dangers about it even they didn’t know were possible. 

One of the elements about Peter Clines’ writing I love is his ability make the science of science fiction understandable for us laymen through his characters. Just like in his book 14, it was thrilling and exciting to uncover clues and secrets right along with the characters. Having experienced the story through audiobook, it’s really more like a cast of a movie as narrator Ray Porter breathes a unique and individual life into the people involved with the storyline. 

I have to agree with a few other reviewers when I say my opinion of the book changes as the climax approaches. The discovery of things unknown throughout the story is so fascinating that it, in a way, leaves the end falling short that makes it sort of lackluster. It’s hard to describe, but it may be the feeling that there are no more surprises to unearth. I did enjoy, though, the connections back to 14with a few characters and concepts.