Goodreads Review: ★★★★★

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"A Brilliant Blend of History, Art, and Imagination — Tim deserves a place alongside classics like The Invention of Wings and Girl with a Pearl Earring.."

By Scotlite's Book Review

Tim by Daniel A. Sheridan is one of those rare debut novels that quietly pulls you into a forgotten time and makes you feel like you’ve stepped right into history. Set in mid-19th century New York, the story follows young Timothy O’Sullivan, an apprentice at Mathew Brady’s legendary daguerreotype studio. What begins as a boy’s coming-of-age journey quickly turns into a vivid exploration of art, ambition, and the birth of modern photography.

Sheridan’s background in photojournalism shines through every page. The descriptions of Brady’s studio, the camera equipment, and the early struggles between photographic processes are incredibly immersive — it’s like watching history develop in a darkroom. But beyond the technical beauty, there’s a deeply human story here: a curious young boy discovering his purpose through art and mentorship.

The relationship between Tim and Brady feels authentic and layered part teacher and student, part artist and dreamer. Their dialogue captures both the tension and tenderness of creative growth, reminding readers how innovation often comes from patience, curiosity, and courage. Sheridan’s writing is clean, visual, and emotionally resonant. You can almost smell the chemicals, hear the shutters, and sense the pulse of a rapidly changing America. Tim doesn’t just tell a story it preserves a piece of photographic history with heart and grace.

A must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, art, or stories about creative discovery. Tim deserves a place alongside classics like The Invention of Wings and Girl with a Pearl Earring. ❏

Click here to read Tim book review on GoodReads.com

Goodreads Review: ★★★★★

Book Trailer: Click here to view YouTube Book Trailer:
"This is more than just a coming-of-age story—it’s a tribute to the pioneers of photography and a love letter to 19th-century New York."

By Nikita's Booktique Hub

Step back into the bustling streets of 1850s New York with Tim, a vivid and immersive historical novel that blends the wonder of Willy Wonka with the grit of Gangs of New York. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Timothy O’Sullivan, we experience the magic of early photography, the spectacle of Barnum’s Museum, and the frenzy surrounding Swedish singing sensation Jenny Lind. Sheridan masterfully transports readers to a time when ambition, art, and showmanship collided in fascinating ways.

As Tim apprentices at Mathew Brady’s renowned daguerreotype studio, he becomes entangled in the city’s vibrant yet cutthroat world. From shadowing Brady in his quest to photograph Jenny Lind to discovering the oddities inside Barnum’s Museum, every moment is filled with historical richness and intrigue. The detailed storytelling captures the textures, smells, and energy of a rapidly evolving New York, making readers feel like they are truly there.

Sheridan’s writing balances the innocence of a young boy’s journey with the stark realities of an era shaped by industrial progress and social change. Tim’s curiosity and resilience make him a compelling protagonist, while real-life figures like Brady and Barnum add depth to the narrative. This is more than just a coming-of-age story—it’s a tribute to the pioneers of photography and a love letter to 19th-century New York.

A must-read for history buffs, photography enthusiasts, and lovers of atmospheric storytelling. Tim is a beautifully woven tale where ambition meets artistry, and where a single photograph has the power to change everything. Don’t miss this gem! ❏

Click here to read Tim book review on GoodReads.com

GoodReads Review: ★★★★★

‘I am looking for that indefinable something which conveys my artistic vision’ – History comes alive!
By Grady Harp - GoodReads.com

Author Daniel A. Sheridan studied photojournalism and the history of photography at New York University and served as a darkroom technician at The Photography Workshop, as editor and photographer at Low-RANGE magazine, and as a drummer in the band The Immigrants.

TIM is his debut novel – and who better to write this book than Daniel?! For those unfamiliar, Timothy H. O’Sullivan (1840 – 1882) was a photographer widely known for his photographs of the US Civil War and the American West.

Bringing to our attention the special gifts of the often-overlooked Timothy H. O’Sullivan, the apprentice to the famous photographer Matthew Brady, this immensely entertaining novel recreates the mid-nineteenth century and an important overview of the history of photography.

The interaction between Tim and Brady is beautifully rendered, offering insights into the development from daguerreotype to photograph – or in Brady’s advice to Tim, ‘The war over photography... The French process versus the English process. We must choose our allies carefully and know our enemy. You see, we’ve been working with the daguerreotype process for these last ten years…’

By inserting his own progress in photography alongside Tim’s progress, Daniel makes this book ring true and even more accessible in honoring the art and history of photography. This is a fascinating and beautifully written book – one that deserves a very wide audience. Highly recommended.❏

Click here to read book review by Grady Harp on GoodReads.com

Goodreads Review: ★★★★★

By Naveen Santwani

"The novel’s themes—curiosity, ambition, and the pursuit of capturing fleeting moments—resonate deeply, reminding us of photography’s power in preserving history."

Daniel A. Sheridan’s Tim immediately captivates with its rich historical setting and an intriguing premise. The story transports us to 1850s New York, a world filled with the early wonders of photography, bustling city streets, and the spectacle of Jenny Lind’s American debut. The first impression is that of stepping into a time machine, where history and fiction blend seamlessly. Author’s meticulous attention to period details makes the setting feel alive, immersing readers in the era’s sights, sounds, and even its ambitions.

The story follows young Tim O’Sullivan, who apprentices at Mathew Brady’s daguerreotype studio and finds himself swept up in the high-stakes world of celebrity photography. His encounters with P.T. Barnum, Jenny Lind, and the gritty realities of19th-century New York make for a compelling coming-of-age story. Thewriting is immersive and cinematic, evoking a sense of adventure while maintaining historical authenticity. The novel’s themes—curiosity, ambition, and the pursuit of capturing fleeting moments—resonate deeply, reminding us of photography’s power in preserving history.

Author masterfully balances history and storytelling, making Tim both educational and entertaining. The book highlights how determination and keen observation can shape destiny, a message that lingers beyond the last page. As a lover of history and storytelling, I found this journey through old New York fascinating, and Tim’s perspective made it all the more engaging. For readers who enjoy historical fiction with a mix of adventure and artistry, this book is a must-read! ❏

Click here to read Tim book review on GoodReads.com

Bookstagram Review: ★★★★★

By Anjali Bookreviews

"Through Tim’s eyes, we don’t just observe 1850s New York—we step inside it, feeling the hum of Broadway, the allure of Barnum’s Museum, and the raw energy of a city on the verge of modernity."

Some books tell a story. Others develop a photograph, layer by layer, until an entire world is illuminated. *Tim* by Daniel A. Sheridan is one such novel—a literary daguerreotype that captures not just a moment in time but the spirit of a city, an art form, and a young boy’s awakening to ambition and possibility.

At its core, *Tim* is about vision—not just the vision required to compose a perfect photograph, but the vision to see beyond what is immediately visible. Young Timothy O’Sullivan, an ordinary boy from Staten Island, is thrust into an extraordinary world when he is sent to apprentice under Mathew Brady, the legendary pioneer of American photography. Through Tim’s eyes, we don’t just observe 1850s New York—we step inside it, feeling the hum of Broadway, the allure of Barnum’s Museum, and the raw energy of a city on the verge of modernity.

The novel opens on September 11, 1850, as Jenny Lind, the “Swedish Nightingale,” prepares for her historic American debut. The entire city is bewitched by her presence, yet one man—Mathew Brady—cannot capture her likeness. P.T. Barnum, the master showman, guards her image with the same fervor that modern celebrities fight to control their own narratives. This battle over visibility, access, and artistry becomes the novel’s undercurrent, mirroring photography’s own struggle to establish itself as a serious art form.

Sheridan’s writing is almost photographic in its detail—he doesn’t just describe the world, he develops it like an image emerging from a chemical bath. The glow of gas lamps on rain-slicked streets, the metallic scent of the daguerreotype studio, the nervous energy of an apprentice hoping to prove himself—all of it is vivid, tangible, alive.

But what makes *Tim* remarkable is its deeper question: What does it mean to capture a moment? Is a photograph merely a reflection, or is it a form of immortality? Tim’s journey is not just about mastering a craft; it’s about understanding the power of perspective. ❏

Click here to read Tim book review on GoodReads.com

Instagram Review: ★★★★★

Mansi Ramwani's Book Blog

"Daniel A. Sheridan masterfully combines historical facts with an engaging, almost cinematic narrative. Tim is a charming protagonist, and through his eyes, we get a front-row seat to the magic and chaos of 19th-century New York."

Witness history through the eyes of a young apprentice in Tim: The Story of Timothy H. O’Sullivan. This book is a fascinating blend of adventure, history, and photography, perfect for anyone who loves a rich historical setting with a touch of wonder.

Tim, a ten-year-old boy from Staten Island, finds himself thrown into the world of Mathew Brady’s famous daguerreotype studio. As he navigates his apprenticeship, the story takes us deep into old New York—where photography, curiosity, and ambition collide. From Barnum’s American Museum to the electric atmosphere surrounding Jenny Lind’s arrival, the book paints a vivid picture of a time when celebrity, innovation, and storytelling were reshaping the world.

Daniel A. Sheridan masterfully combines historical facts with an engaging, almost cinematic narrative. Tim is a charming protagonist, and through his eyes, we get a front-row seat to the magic and chaos of 19th-century New York.

If you love historical fiction that brings the past to life with heart and adventure, Tim is a must-read! ❏

Click here to read Tim book review on GoodReads.com

Goodreads Review: ★★★★★

By Janvi Santwani

From the very first page, Tim by Daniel A. Sheridan transports readers to a world of wonder, ambition, and history. Set in 1850, the story follows young Timothy O’Sullivan as he embarks on an apprenticeship at Mathew Brady’s famous daguerreotype studio. The novel feels like a mix of Willy Wonka, Gangs of New York, and Let the Great World Spin—blending curiosity, grit, and historical intrigue. The backdrop of a bustling New York, filled with Barnum’s American Museum and the excitement surrounding Jenny Lind’s arrival, immediately pulls you in.

Sheridan’s writing is vivid and immersive, bringing the city’s streets and early photography studios to life. The book is more than just a historical tale—it’s a story of perseverance, artistry, and ambition. Through Tim’s eyes, we witness a worldwhere photography is still in its infancy, and where access to fame is carefully guarded, as seen in the subplot involving P.T. Barnum and Jenny Lind. The balance between real historical events and fictionalized storytelling makes this book both educational and deeply engaging.

Overall, this book is a must-read for history lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a compelling coming-of-age story. The novel captures the magic of discovery—whether it’s through a camera lens or navigating a new world. Tim’s journey is one of growth, observation, and determination, making this book a rewarding and immersive read! ❏

Click here to read Tim book review on GoodReads.com