Curious Notions, Tor, 2004, is the second novel in the Crosstime Traffic Series. In it, Paul Gomes and his father, Lawrence, both Crosstime employees, travel to an alternate where the German Empire swiftly won what would have been World War I, and eventually conquered the world, including the United States, and still maintains strict control over conquered areas. The store that Crosstime runs, Curious Notions, specializes in technology that, while present in this alternate, is jealously guarded by the ruling German government. Thus, the store attracts unwanted attention from the occupying authorities, eventually ending in with Lawrence being arrested and causing Paul to go on the run.
The store also attracts the notice of Lucy Woo, a denizen of the alternate, whose father runs an electronics shop of his own. It also attracts the attention of the ChineseTriads, who see the store as an opportunity to overthrow the Germans.
