The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong is the second book in A Rip Through Time series. Homicide detective Mallory Atkinson time-traveled back in time to Edinburgh 1869, and now she's stuck there. So while there, why not help solve a murder? The only problem is that she is in the body of a very young housemaid, and women are not exactly appreciated during the Victorian Scotland time period. This is a really fun mystery series, by one of my favorite authors. Definitely recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

In the first Rip Through Time episode, Armstrong sent modern homicide detective Mallory Atkinson back in time to Victorian Scotland (in the body of housemaid Catriona Mitchell) after both were strangled in the same spot.

She found herself in the home of undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray in 1869 Edinburgh. This time, men are dying from poison, including the husband of Duncan's oldest sister Annis.

She naturally comes under suspicion, but Mallory solves the case, though at great personal risk.

I like the premise of this duology and I hope it will keep going into a series. Mallory is ENTIRELY unbelievable as a 19-yo maid in Victorian Edinburgh, and I cared not one bit; it works. I slammed through this.

The Poisoner's Ring is the second book in A Rip Through Time series. It is important that you read the first book as it gives all the background of what happened and how Mallory Atkinson ended up in 1869. Mallory is now officially Dr. Duncan Gray's undertaker’s assistant. Dr. Gray also moonlights as a medical examiner, so Mallory's skills as a detective in the present day, help him to determine cause of death and catch those responsible. The case he is working on now are the poisoning of several men. It seems that their widows may be responsible, as all the men are terrible husbands, but with Duncan's sister being the most recent widow, he can't believe she is a killer.

Although I enjoyed this second book in the series, it didn't have the same gripping feel as the A Rip Through Time. There was suspense, as the family was being watched and they had to be careful, but I didn't find it as gripping. I love the characters in this series though. Kelley Armstrong includes characters who are bi-racial, women who identify mostly as men, lesbians, and gay men. The idea that Mallory's story is so well accepted by Duncan, his sister and the chief inspector is done well. The historical aspect is also well done, at least for me, and I love how Duncan is learning so much from Mallory and her knowledge of the future. Some things are funny, such as Mallory running in layers of skirts and trying to catch her breath while wearing a corset corset, but there's also how poorly women are treated in that era, especially the restrictions on their lives by their husbands. The mystery was well-written and plotted with plenty of suspects and high stakes as the murderer might be related to the Gray household. I was kept guessing to the end. There is a bit of a cliff hangar in this one, so I need the next book to come out soon.

This second entry in Kelley Armstrong's series about a detective who accidentally swaps times and bodies with a housemaid in 19th century Scotland is a fun read. With the preliminaries out of the way and some in the household knowing the truth about her, heroine Mallory can now concentrate on solving a string of poisonings alongside her employer, wealthy undertaker-coroner-investigator Duncan Gray. Like the first in the series, "The Poisoner's Ring" feels a bit too long, but the mystery is twisty, and I failed to solve it before Mallory did.

The 1st book in the series, A Rip Through Time, was one of my favorite books of 2022. I've read it multiple times because I love all the characters, the setting and the mystery. When I saw a second book was coming out, it quickly became one of my most anticipated books this year. It did not disappoint. I preferred the mystery in the first book (Armstrong outdid herself with the Jack the Ripper storyline) but this was still solid and enjoyable. I liked the addition of the eldest sister and thought this added an interesting dynamic between the characters. I enjoyed the relationship development and have high hopes Mallory will stay in that time. I am looking forward to more in the series. .

Mallory Atkinson has been transported to 1869 Edinburgh, Scotland from 21st century Canada. She was fortunate to end up in the household of Duncan Gray, a surgeon and undertaker, who is fascinated by crime and murder. Dr. Gray's oldest sister appears at his house to tell him her husband has been murdered and she is going to be arrested. Duncan, Mallory, Duncan's friend, Hugh McReadie and Duncan's sister, Isla, must figure out who is poisoning men all around Edinburgh before Annis is tried and convicted. Who stands to gain the most? An interesting plot, but the time travel ploy is tiresome. I usually like Kelley Armstrong quite a lot, but will not read anymore of this series.

This book is awarded 5 stars, as I did with the earlier first book in the series, for the pure imagination needed to write these books! This is fiction, so here goes! Modern day Mallory is adjusting to her new body, a young housemaid, Catriona in the 19th century in Victorian Scotland. She has confided in Dr. Gray, an undertaker, and his chemist sister. They all work together to discover who murdered 4 men. Was it a ring of housewives who used poison to punish their husbands? How Mallory shows her personality, occupation, clever thinking and adjustments to her accidental time travel is fascinating with its unexpected turns and twists and touch of romance!
I appreciate being able to read this advanced reader's copy of the book, and my thoughts are my own.

This series just keeps getting better and better with each book! The story line is so fascinating and keeps you turning the pages way past bedtime! I love that Mallory is discovering how thinks worked in forensic science before her time and how she is overcoming the disadvantages of her current Victorian times. Duncan, Isla and Mallory are amazing and well-developed characters. I can't wait for more! Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC! Thanks for another wonderful escape!

I was very late to the Kelley Armstrong game, having only read my first book by her in 2020 - a whopping 19 years after her first published book. Since then, I’ve devoured her Rockton series and have been thoroughly enjoying her latest series which began with A Rip Through Time, published last year. (Review here.) The Poisoner’s Ring is the next book in that series and just published this week. I was so glad to be back with Mallory, Gray, Isla, and McCreadie and, dare I say it, I think I liked this one more than the first!

Here’s the book’s description:
Edinburgh, 1869: Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to her new life in Victorian Scotland. Her employers know she’s not housemaid Catriona Mitchell―even though Mallory is in Catriona’s body―and Mallory is now officially an undertaker’s assistant. Dr. Duncan Gray moonlights as a medical examiner, and their latest case hits close to home. Men are dropping dead from a powerful poison, and all signs point to the grieving widows… the latest of which is Gray’s oldest sister.
Poison is said to be a woman’s weapon, though Mallory has to wonder if it’s as simple as that. But she must tread carefully. Every move the household makes is being watched, and who knows where the investigation will lead.
This is a mystery novel first, historical novel second. I think Armstrong recognized some of her missteps in book one and took pains to do more research to make the setting more believable and accurate. As a huge historical fiction reader, I appreciated that. But as a mystery reader, I cared a wee bit more about the whodunit. And by cared I mean I was totally addicted and had no idea how the case would be resolved. Armstrong had me guessing right to the end and I loved it.

I think I liked this one more than the first because Mallory was already in the past and wasn’t actively trying to get back to the present. Oh, she wants to return home, of course. But she does enjoy her new life, even with all the weirdness. I was able to get to know the characters and the setting more in this book, rather than focusing on said weirdness that was how Mallory ended up in the past.



The novel was really fast-paced, as you’d expect from a mystery. I love how smart all the main characters are and yet never felt like an idiot for not picking up on the clues they were seeing. I am but a mere library staffer, not a homicide detective. Shouting about how great the library is is more up my alley than sniffing out clues to find out who murdered someone. But the point is, the clues are there and I was perfectly happy not understanding how they all worked together until the big reveal at the end. The resolution of the case was satisfying - though I wish the court of public opinion was kinder.

Kelley Armstrong’s latest book, The Poisoner’s Ring, was an entertaining read that kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s not perfect but it’s incredibly enjoyable and that makes it a win in my books. I’m really loving this series and cannot wait until the next book!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Minotaur Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

This is the second book in the Rip Through Time novel, I think you could read this book before the first one, but I think get a full grasp of Mallory and the relationships in the book you should read the first book A Rip Through Time.

In the next book in Kelley Armstong's Rip Through Time series, Poison is the weapon of choice:

Modern day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is starting to adjust to her new life as a house maid in Edinburgh. Her employers now know that she is not their original housemaid Catriona and that she is not from their time, making it easier for Mallory to exist in this world and assist Dr. Gray with his medical examinations but their latest case hits close to home. Men from all classes are being murdered, killed by a mysterious poison and the most obvious suspect is the grieving or not so grieving widows, the most recent suspect is Gray's older sister.

I really enjoyed this one more than the first book which i was a little bit on the fence with, but i found this one was much more entertaining, more focus on a whodunit murder mystery story/plot and less about Mallory trying to get back to her time. The Poisoner's Ring feels very different from the first book and does not have the same type of murders either. I like the idea of poison being used, you don’t see that as often these days, and poisons tend to be associated with certain people in society so there are many suspects right away that Mallory and Gray need to work through. I was able to figure out the murder part of the mystery, but why the individuals were murdered was interesting and i think on point for the time. You can tell that Armstrong has done her research in this era for what had been discovered, what has not and even the schemes of the time.

I really enjoy the interplay between Victorian era characters as Mallory tries to fit in at times and be herself. I applaud Mallory for not wanting to change or affect history as much as she can and choosing what she tells the police and Gray. Mallory is very aware of her speech and ideas really affect how people see her, and she is not beyond using some of these

I do wonder where Armstrong is going to take this series. Mallory can only stay in the Victorian era for so long before the story becomes stagnate. Maybe there will be a case where Gray ends up in her time, that would be quite a trip. As there seems to be a possible growing relationship between Gray and Mallory that you want them to be together, but I appreciate that Armstrong is taking the slower route to get there.

This is a case where the second book was better than the first, in my opinion. It is a well thought out, fast paced and interesting mystery with characters and time period that are intriguing, I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Enjoy!!!!

THE POISONER’S RING is the second instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s adult A RIP THROUGH TIME time travel, mystery series focusing on thirty year old, Vancouver, Canada Police Detective Mallory Atkinson, and undertaker/investigator Dr. Duncan Gray. THE POISONER’S RING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one for back story and cohesion. If you have not read book one A RIP THROUGH TIME there may be spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2019 while visiting her ailing grandmother in Edinburgh Scotland, thirty year old, Vancouver British Columbia, Canada police detective Mallory Atkinson is attacked in an alley only to wake up as a nineteen year old housemaid in the year 1869, a housemaid who was also attacked and left for dead in the same alley where Mallory was found. Not only has our heroine time travelled back one-hundred and fifty years but she is no longer physically the same woman she was just minutes before. Working as a housemaid for Dr. Duncan Gray and his sister Isla, realizing life as she knew it was no longer under her control, Mallory must assume the position of nineteen year old Catriona Mitchell, a young woman whose history is questionable and dark.

Told from first person perspective (Mallory) THE POISONER’S RING follows in the wake of the death and suspected poisoning of a several men including Dr. Duncan Gray’s brother-in-law Lord Leslie. Believing there may be a ‘ring’ of women trying to ‘off’ their husbands, Duncan and Mallory go searching for the truth, using Mallory’s twenty-first century expertise, and nineteenth century clues but all is not as it appears to be as Duncan and Mallory become suspicious when the dead are connected by a common thread.

THE POISONER’S RING is another story of murder, mystery and suspense wherein Detective Mallory Atkinson, under the guise of nineteen year old Catriona Mitchell, is able to do what she does best. Duncan, his sister Isla, and Detective McCreadie are well aware of Mallory’s predicament, having barely questioned the reality of what is, and take the opportunity to learn how to ply their trade with the help of our heroine. The premise is detailed,puzzling and thought-provoking; the characters are dynamic and determined. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters, some of whom we have met in the introductory story line. Once again, there is no romance between the leading characters- Duncan and Mallory know that Mallory’s life is no longer her own.



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This book was fantastic, as always! Another detective from current day stuck in the past mystery, as Mallory hasn't figured out how to get home yet and is still stuck in Catriona's body. Everyone is adjusting quite well, and Mallory is now officially an undertaker's assistant. Now men are dying from poisoning, and Mallory and Gray need to solve the case before his oldest sister gets arrested for the crime.

I liked this book. The mystery wasn't easy to solve but the answer wasn't outlandish. The mystery was good and the romance is developing nicely. All in all I really like this story and will definitely keep reading! 4 stars.

I devoured the first of this series, delighted by a fresh take on time travel mashed up with a fun Victorian mystery. Book 2 follows the same path with fairly equal results. It's interesting seeing the relationships evolve now that some people know that Mallory is from the future. The mystery is fun and has some twists and turns. I loved the diversity that Armstrong brings into the story. All in all, a great follow-up to a 5-star first novel.

I have been a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong, for as long as I can remember. I often read her novels with my dad, as he is a huge fan as well. This book did not disappoint. A dark serial killer novel that keeps you full of suspence until the very end.

This is a mystery first and foremost. It's about 50 pages too long and drags in parts. The romance between Mallory and Dr. Grey is SUPER slow burn, but I have hope. They are starting to get the feels for each other! By the third book maybe we'll get a kiss?

Mallory got on my nerves with her cursing and lack of awareness/appropriateness several times. I wanted her to just shut up several times. The beauty of a historical time-travel romances is the manners, and she has none. The mystery took a little too long to solve.

I liked this one better than the first and hope they just keep getting better and more romantic as we go.

Kelley Armstrong never disappoints! I was enthralled with this mystery and the growing tension between Mallory and Dr Gray. The setting is also absolutely fabulous and so well captured. It feels like Edinburgh but back in the day (it already feels a little back in the day here with the architecture). I can’t wait to see where this goes next.

I loved the first book so ofcourse I couldn't wait to read this one.

I liked The Poisoner's Ring but not as much as I did the first book. Don't get me wrong it was a good book but I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one at first.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I really love this series! i am so pumped for the next one!!

Mallory Atkinson is slowly adjusting to her life in 1869 Edinburgh. She's still stuck as Catriona Mitchell, but she's got her friendship with Isla Ballantyne, and though Duncan Gray, Isla's brother and the medical examiner, is a little frosty after Mallory's time travel revelation, Mallory is still important in the household.

A new case is brought to them after a few men die of poisoning. Their wives are immediately seen as the murderers, and Mallory and Duncan begin investigating. Everything becomes that much more serious when the latest death is the Grays' brother-in-law, the husband of the eldest Gray sibling, Annis.

Kelley Armstrong's work has always been brilliant at drawing me in and keeping me rapidly turning pages to find out what happens next with her well drawn characters. That's definitely the case again with this second "A Rip Through Time" installment. Mallory, though deeply missing her life, is trying to make the best of her situation, and she applies her insight, humour, toughness and intellect to the problems that arrive on the Gary doorstep. She also gains a much better picture of the attitudes and beliefs of the time with respect to women, diversity, same sex relationships, class, policing and medicine, sometimes confirming, but also challenging her understanding of the past.

Since 1969 lacks a lot of the conveniences and technologies of our time, Mallory must use and suggest basic police and forensic techniques, as we saw in book one, when she and Duncan investigate. Gray remains an interesting person; he's super focused and passionate about his work, respectful of others, curious, and able to handle himself in a brawl, which comes in handy during the course of he and Mallory are checking out a leads.

I tore through this book; the characters are terrifically portrayed, and Mallory's wry humour comes through so well, as well as her deep homesickness. At the same time that this is a fun mystery, it's also got a hint of romance, with plenty of action thrown in to keep the story moving at a fast pace to a satisfying conclusion. I was left wanting more sleuthing adventures with Mallory and the Gray siblings.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.