The Time Collector

Though its discussion of psychometry is an intriguing one, this supernatural story from Womack (The Memory Painter) is held back by clichéd characters and an uninspired romance. A gifted psychometrist, antiques dealer Roan West has the ability to touch an object and relive the memories it contains. A secret delivery from Stuart, a fellow psychometrist, alerts Roan to a collection of ooparts, or out-of-place artifacts, that carry fearsome powers somehow related to crop circles. But before Roan can investigate further, Stuart disappears, and other psychometrists around the world are reported dead. Having seen Melicent Tilpin and her psychometric talents via a YouTube video, Roan decides to find and warn her before searching for Stuart. Melicent is only beginning to realize her talents, but when she and her brother are also attacked, she resolves to help Roan on his quest. The hunt brings Roan and Melicent face to face with the power of the ooparts and the selfish quest of one man to unleash their power, whatever the consequences. Roan is a handsome loner with superpowers, and Melicent is a young innocent with talents that only he can unleash; these archetypes and their inevitable romantic connection feels all too familiar. This adventure offers flashes of brilliance, but they inevitably fizzle out. Agent: Bri Johnson, Writers House. (Apr.)