– Historical Time Travel Fiction

For those who long to step into the past…

To explore its streets, enter its castles, and experience history as if you were really there.

start the journey

↓

EXPLORE THE BOOKS

JOIN MY COMMUNITY

Logo with the text "Helen Pilz Author" and initials "H P" in a stylish font.
Historical street scene with horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians, and early 20th-century buildings with signs, including a theatre marquee advertising Charles Wyndham and Bellamy the Magnificent. 
“intelligent, thoughtful”

Through time, together we live, together we love.

If you’ve ever wished you could saunter the gaslit streets of Victorian London… stand in the court of Henry VIII… or feel the ache and hope of being out of place in time or culture, you’re in the right place.

Explore My Work
Explore My Work
A medieval castle on a hill with lush green trees and mountains in the background, overcast weather
A woman dressed in a vintage black lace dress standing outdoors in a natural setting, possibly in autumn or late fall, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Coastal cliffs with green vegetation and rocks, partially covered in fog, meeting the ocean.
Dark, foggy street scene at night with a man in a top hat and long coat walking away from the viewer, illuminated by vintage street lamps. 
"rooted in history, shaped by courage"

Dark Night of the Ripper

Book One in The Costume Shop Time Travel Series

Book cover for 'Dark Night of the Ripper' by Helen Pilz. The cover features a silhouette of a man in a suit and hat walking down a foggy, rainy street at night, with a lit streetlamp overhead. 
– coming fall 2026

A concealed gateway.
A different century.
An adventure.

The series begins in 1888 London with Dark Night of the Ripper, and continues across time, exploring eras shaped by courage, loyalty, and shared resolve.

Each novel stands on its own, but together they form a larger journey through history.

Discover the series
Discover the series 
“history is closer than you think…”
Historical time travel fiction author Helen Pilz, wearing earrings and a dark coat with a scarf, is standing in front of a wooden bookshelf filled with books.
Vintage pocket watch with Roman numerals and chain on a black background.

Hi, I’m Helen

Born into a U.S. Air Force family, I grew up moving across countries and cultures (from Dublin to London to the Philippines), which may explain why I’m drawn to stories about outsiders finding their place.

I hold a degree in Wildlife Biology with a minor in history, and I’ve always loved the intersection of research and imagination. Whether writing about Victorian London or Tudor England, I believe history is not distant facts – and it’s alive for us to discover.

When I’m not writing, you’ll likely find me reading, listening to sweeping film scores, or planning my next fictional journey through time.

Read More About Helen
Read More About Helen

Kind words –

"Helen has captured the importance of human connection at Christmas time in a wonderful story of the beginnings of a romance at Christmas. Hopefully, she will continue Rose’s and Brian’s story, and we’ll be able to witness love unfold."

— Lorraine

"This story was such an enjoyable read. I loved the imagery, the sensory details of the walk from the cab to Brian's apartment, watching old movies on the couch, waking up Christmas morning. So romantic!"

— K.M.

"Two 21st-century Americans unwittingly time-travel to King Henry VIII's England. Plot twists, danger, historical accuracy, and romance grace this captivating story."

— Karen

More Stories Through Time

Explore more of my published novels of history, time travel, and heartfelt connection.

Book cover featuring a young woman looking at a mobile phone, with the title 'Helen Pilz With Love, King Henry VIII' and an outdoor background with a clocktower and a nighttime sky.
Book cover for 'Dark Night of the Ripper' by Helen Pilz. The cover features a silhouette of a man in a coat and top hat walking on a dark, foggy street illuminated by a vintage lantern.
Book cover titled 'New York Snow and Turquoise: A Sweet Christmas Romance' by Helen Pilz, featuring a snowy New York City scene with a decorated Christmas tree illuminated with yellow lights.

Second Edition Coming 2027

Coming Fall 2026

Available Now

on the blog

The Story Behind the Story

Here, you’ll discover the historical revelations, nuances, and compelling personalities that shape my novels, along with reflections on writing, time travel, and the courage required to venture into the unknown.

Featured
Ten Things I Consider Before Choosing a Time Period to Write About.
Historical Fiction, Time Travel
Ten Things I Consider Before Choosing a Time Period to Write About.
Historical Fiction, Time Travel

What inspires a historical novelist to choose one era, place, or famous figure over another? From medieval Ireland to royal scandals and unsolved mysteries, here are ten ways history captures the imagination and becomes fiction.

Historical Fiction, Time Travel
Why the Jack the Ripper Case Still Matters
Jack the Ripper, Victorian London
Why the Jack the Ripper Case Still Matters
Jack the Ripper, Victorian London

More than a century after the Whitechapel murders, the mystery of Jack the Ripper still captivates historians and storytellers. Beyond the legend lies a fascinating glimpse into Victorian society, early detective work, and the endless “what ifs” that inspire historical time-travel fiction.

Jack the Ripper, Victorian London
Whitechapel 1888
Whitechapel 1888

A look at daily life beyond the headlines.

Read More →

go ahead,

Step into the Story

Join my reader community for behind-the-scenes research notes, historical discoveries and curiosities, early looks at upcoming releases, and exclusive subscriber-only perks.