Trying to find a book title

[PrincessofEuphrania]

Hope you might be able to help me find a book I read years ago. It features a man who find an old Roman coin and every time he holds the coin it time travels him back to Emperor Nero times. It was a scary read (but then I’m very easily scared!). I read this book in the late 80’s. I thought it might have been Stephen King or James Herbert but I’ve drawn a blank. Any ideas?

Chat gpt didn't seem to know :(

Thank you for trying. It was such a good read and I would love to see if I found it so unsettling second time around!

I think it may be: A Sesterce For Her Thoughts by Susanne Marie Knight

2019 so perhaps too recent?

It couldn't be one of Barbara Erskine's novels could it? The time-slip narrative is a specialty of hers. None of the synopses on Amazon mention a man with a coin, but she tends to write fat doorsteps with loads of characters and plot-lines and a synopsis can't/shouldn't spill all the beans.

The Book of Time by Guillaume Prévost? Not that old though. Lest darkness fall? No coin there though.

Unfortunately none of the suggestions are the book. However, looking up Barbara Erskine I had totally forgotten about The Lady of Hay which I loved. Definitely purchasing that!

Could it be The Book of Time trilogy by Guillaume Prévost?

Edit - someone already suggested it, sorry.

I feel like I've read this but maybe as a child. Was it a child's book? Or maybe I read it when staying with my aunt who let me read anything. But that doesnt help you with the title, sorry. I would read it again if we find the name.

I thought it might be The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub if I remember correctly, but the Nero connection isn't there.

Definitely not a child’s book. It’s so infuriating not to be able to remember the title or the author given it was such a good read!

Try Goodreads 'What's the name of that book' discussion group. Or Loganberry Books, they have a 'Stump the bookseller' page. I feel like I've read about your coin book on one or the other...