Regardless, given that man makes the correct choices, the next few centuries probably will be the last in which what mankind sees in the mirror will be totally recognizable. Soon he will learn to transfer his mind into whatever form and substance may be required to survive cataclysmic events, endure the rigors of space travel, and colonize other worlds, all of which are now hostile to him.

In "Time Does Not Exist," scientist and 24th Century 'Sabertop,' Shaoping Chen, makes mankind's first successful attempt at time travel. Ping, as she is known by friends and colleagues, arrives in the 21st Century, but before she can return to her own era, she becomes involved in a murder and the disappearance of someone important to her mission. Catching the killer and rectifying a mistake depend on the nonexistence of time.

In addition to an excellent mystery, the reader gets a fresh perspective in regard to a number of legal and social issues society must soon confront.