I like this series much more overall than I enjoyed this particular entry. I love the premise and the characters, the Victorian Scotland setting and the traditional mystery structure. This entry in particular was a little slow. It didn’t feel like it quite had “stakes” given the people who were accused of the murders. I didn’t buy that Mallory was super motivated to solve the murders, and it felt like a lot of paperwork investigation. I would still recommend this series, including this entry, to historical fiction readers.

THank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Poisoner’s Ring is the second in Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip in Time Series. In the first book, Vancouver detective Mallory Atkinson is visiting her dying grandmother in Edinburgh when she is attacked in alley. She wakes up to find herself in the body of a 19 year old maid in 1869 Edinburgh who’d been attacked in same alley on same night 150 years earlier. Hoping that solving the case will send her back to her own time/body, she does that just that…only to find herself stuck in the past.

PR picks up several weeks later. The bad news is that Mallory is still in Edinburgh, still stuck in the body of a pretty but untrustworthy chambermaid that everyone hates. The good news is that her employers—Duncan Gray, a wealthy undertaker with an interest in forensics who consults with the local police, and his widowed sister Isla who happens to be a chemist—learned the truth about Mallory’s situation/believe her. Gray has taken Mallory on as his assistant when she’s not acting as part-time maid. When several men are poisoned and their wives stand accused they are asked to investigate. Shortly thereafter Gray and Isla’s older sister is also accused of poisoning her husband—by her husband before he dies. They must find out if there is a connection to the other murders and prove her innocence.

One of the things that is so unique about this series (aside from time travel) is the focus on forensic history which I found really interesting. I like that Mallory got to be more herself in this book now that she’s no longer hiding her true identify from everyone and it was fun to see them interact with her 21st century humor. We also got to see more of Gray and the professional and personal relationship between he and Mallory develop. Despite the times, Gray appreciates and looks to Mallory’s expertise, viewing her as true partner; perhaps because he himself faces challenges as biracial man of illegitimate birth. But it is clear that there is more than just professional respect between them. It will be interesting to see how that plays out given she is temporarily (?) in 1869 and in a body not her own. Looking forward to next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for an advanced readers copy—all thoughts/opinions are my own.

A delightful and well-researched cozy mystery, where a modern day homicide detective finds herself in Victorian England, in the body of a maid. That time traveling happened in the previous book of this series, and in book two, she helps solve a string of poisoning murders, still stuck in time.
I really enjoyed the writing style, and the narration was fabulous. I read part of the book (e-galley) but mostly listened, and actually preferred the audio because the narrator brought the world alive.
The potential romantic interest, Dr. Gray, was lovely and I wished their relationship had progressed more. Guess I’ll have to read the next book! I hadn’t read the first book, but I’m intrigued enough to go check it out.
Thanks to Minotaur books and Macmillan Audio for the advance copies.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Poisoner’s Ring, A Rip Through Time Novel by Kelley Armstrong from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

…Fast-paced, well-written and filled with a wonderful cast of captivating characters, a touch of romance, and a thrilling mystery….…

Being a fan of Kelley Armstrong I was thrilled to be given the honour of reading and reviewing the second in her, A Rip Through Time series, and like the first, I absolutely loved it!

We pick up the story of modern-day Canadian police detective, Mallory Atkinson, who is trapped in the body of Catriona Mitchell in 1869 Edinburgh. Catriona an assistant to Dr. Duncan Gray, an undertaker and medical examiner, is doing what she can to cope until she can find a way back home.

Dr. Gray and his sister Isla are aware of Mallory’s secret and although homesick, she is making the best of the situation by helping Dr. Gray with his cases as they arise. When a string of fatal poisonings hits too close to home, implicating Duncan’s sisters Isla and Annis, the race is on to stop before the poisoner strikes again and to clear his family’s name. Assisting Detective McCreadie, both Mallory and Duncan dive into the seedy streets of Edinburgh to find clues but the more they dig the more it appears that Annis is the guilty party. Is Annis guilty or is she being framed?

I love this series in particular the way the author creates such vivid and authentic characters. Mallory is an intelligent, strong, and independent female character but we also see her vulnerable and afraid. Armstrong’s prose feels authentic as she doesn’t shy away from tough topics such as racism, transgender, homosexuality, and misogyny which has made her one of my favorite authors.

Fast-paced, well-written and filled with a wonderful cast of captivating characters, a touch of romance, and a thrilling mystery, The Poisoner’s Ring is a page-turning historical mystery that I highly recommend.

I just finished The Poisoner’s ring by Kelley Armstrong @kelleyarmstrong, book two of a Rip through time and here are my musings..

Picking up where we left off with Homicide detective Mallory Atkinson still stuck back in 1869 with no obvious way of making it back to the modern day. She is still adjusting to the body she landed herself in and her employment as housemaid Catriona Mitchell. As luck would have it, her employers know about her and she has taken on a secondary role as an undertaker's assistant. Dr. Gray also moonlights as a medical examiner which puts Mallorys detective skills to good use.

Their latest case brings a whole new level of attention to Dr. Gray and his family. Women appear to be poisoning their husbands and the trail is leading them down an unexpected path.

Was so excited to get a copy of this one. I loved a rip through time and desperately needed to know what was happening to Mallory.

I love Kelley Armstrong's writing style. It’s lucid and she paces her books brilliantly. This one is no exception. The storyline is exciting and I was turning the pages like a mad woman. The character development is second to none and I love all the attention to details this book covers. The plot is incredibly detailed and held together with consistently clever quips. Sometimes for me, books with a lot going on tend to get messy but that never once happened here.

The ending was really well done and I need book three already! This might be the best series I have read in a very long time. I love a solid mystery and this is the gift that keeps on giving. We still don’t know why Mallory ended up in 1869 or whether there is a purpose to her being there and all these questions I have built up with the hope that something more happens with her and Duncan…. The hopeless romantic in me is aching to know whether she stays or ends up back home. Either is heartbreaking for her and you can feel that mild desperation in Mallory the whole way through.

You know you need a new series in your life so grab your coat and get to the store now and grab books 1 and 2 and come chat to me about it. I need to talk it out!

5 stars. Thank you @minotaur_books for my gifted copy

#aripthroughtime #thepoisonersring #kelleyarmstrong #minotaurinfluencer #bookreview #5starseries

When I read the first book in the series A Rip in Time. I loved it and I could simply not wait to read the next one in the series. Luckily for me I was able to get my hands on The Poisoner’s Ring. The second book in the series which picks up almost right after the events in the first; and like the first it’s a book you can’t miss. Once you get invested in Mallory’s (the main character) story and in that of her friends who all have relatable stories despite the fact that they live in Victorian Edinburg a time we can imagine but only know so much about. Whether it’s awful husbands, alienating family for the sake of love, or being forced to leave your dreams behind for the sake of a family business. All this and more are things the characters in The Poisoner’s Ring by Kelly Armstrong had to deal with.
Now, usually the second novel like second movie in the series is never as good as the first. Except, with all the action in the beginning and the continued building of Mallory’s new world it was a little more like the author put down her pen and then continued writing her story with another mystery for Mallory and friends to work through. With the advantage that now that everyone pertinent knows that Catriona the maid is Mallory from the future. Due to this Mallory is able to be in large part herself.
Here is where I might release some spoilers or legs thereof. The title of the book might lead someone to believe that this book’s mystery has something to do with a ring filled with poison. A notion that Mallory is quickly dispelled of in the beginning along with the audience. From there we dive into a mystery that starts of with the theory the there is a ring of women with knowledge that helps them kill their husbands. A way to be rid of their biggest problem for a lot of women in the Victorian era.
There was only one thing that disappointed me about this book. That is that while Mallory’s struggle with living in a body not her no own in a time not her is discussed. As well as Gray’s (Mallory’s boss and possible love interest) difficulty with getting to know Mallory and then possibly losing her. There is not even a smidgen of development on the front of how Mallory can get back home in this novel. Well … unless you take into account that the new character introduced in this novel Annis, Gray and Isla’s, older sister with an inclination towards alchemy might eventually provide answers to that question.

I've loved every single book I've read by Kelley Armstrong. She is so versatile in her writing and just plain fun to read.

The neat thing is that I read The Poisoner's Ring when I was going to Edinburgh on vacation which made it interesting to walk the streets and imagine what it was like a over a hundred years ago. This continuing story of time traveler Mallory living as a housemaid/undertaker's assistant is just as great as the first book in this series. It was fun trying to figure out the murder mystery and watching this very slow romance start to bloom between Mallory and Dr. Gray. I can't wait for another installment in this series and am going to be reading the novella Cocktails & Chloroform later this year too!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 23 May 2023.

This sequel to A Rip Through Time delivers an excellent follow-up adventure for the main character, a 21st century detective stuck in the 19th century. The contrast of her modern-day attitude and the social requirements and expectations of Victorian Edinburgh is entertaining and fascinating. With a complex murder mystery and well-developed characters, this book is a total page-turner.

This mystery series is a fusion of historical fiction and time travel. Series plot scenario: Mallory was attacked in a dark alley in Edinburgh, Scotland in the present day and woke to find herself inhabiting another woman's body in 1869, the body of a young housemaid in an undertaker/forensic-scientist's home. During book one in the series, Mallory finds herself forced to reveal her true identity to her employer Dr Duncan Gray, his sister Isla, who is a chemist, and Detective Hugh McCreadie of the local police force. They allow her to join in some of their investigative work as Gray's assistant--at least until she can figure out how to get back to the future...

Now in book #2 in the series, there have been three deaths by poisoning and a poisoning ring is suspected. Is someone supplying wives with the means to kill their husbands? One wife runs away while a second is arrested. The third death happens to be Gray's brother-in-law, Lord Gord0n Leslie, and his wife, Gray's sister Annis, stands accused of murdering her husband. So the pressure is on to figure out what links all these crimes and prove these wives innocent.

It's fun and interesting to spend some time in Victorian Scotland and compare crime solving techniques in the past and present. Some things are pretty humorous, like Mallory trying to run in layers of skirts and catch her breath in a corset. But there's also how poorly women are treated in that era, how little personal freedom they have outside the home. And Dr Gray, who is biracial and often confronts bigotry, is rather shocked to learn things on that front haven't improved all that much 150 years into the future.

I've enjoyed this series so far and look forward to more episodes. Will Mallory want to go back to her 'real' life if/when the chance comes or will new emotional ties keep her rooted in the past? We'll see!

I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Mallory, a Vancouver homicide detective is still stuck in Victorian Edinburgh but now her employer Dr. Duncan Gray, his sister Isla, and Detective Hugh McCreadie all know she's not Catriona, whose body she's inhabiting and they welcome her help with murder mysteries- and this one is a doozy. Someone is poisoning men with thallium, a newly discovered heavy metal and the most recent victim is the husband of Gray's sister Annis. This is a terrifically twisty novel that would be a vastly improved reader experience if Armstrong had provided more of the back story, which would have helped even me, a big fan of the first book, remember how Mallory got in this position and some of the other bits and pieces which are referred to but not explained. That said, it's wonderfully atmospheric and complex. Mallory brings a fresh perspective on detecting, Annis, while, ahem, difficult, has issues that aren't immediately apparent and Duncan is, well Duncan. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me. It's a great read.

Terrific sophomore installment of this time travel mystery series.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for my review.

In the second book in the A Rip Through Time Series, it is 1869 in Edinburg, Mallory's employers are now aware that she is not their housemaid Catriona Mitchell (despite being in her body), and she is still no closer to finding a way home to her life in the present day. Mallory is now officially working as Dr Duncan Gray's assistant as he works as an undertaker and then moonlights as a medical examiner. The latest string of cases has Dr Gray and Mallory working overtime. 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.
I am a huge fan of this author's books, and I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I love the fresh premise and the setting. I also enjoy Mallory (who in present day worked for the police) & is using her skills she learned on her present day job, to assist them in solving cases over a century prior. She constantly has to explain things she says because those words are not yet used. That always brings a smile to my face when that happens, imagining what it would be like to witness. If you are a fan of mysteries, time travel, and/or fantasy fiction, then you definitely need to check this book out.

The Poisoner’s Ring was a page turner for sure. The characters were familiar from Kelley’s first installment, with new ones added for this mystery. I enjoyed the way you were able to relate the 18th century environment to the 21st. Once again, main character Mallory takes charge, and attempts to unwind the mystery using her 21st century skills in a strange and sometimes hostile environment. The exciting conclusion only leaves you wanting more.

The Poisoner's Ring, by author Kelley Armstrong, is the second installment in the authors Rip Through Time Series. The story takes place in the year 1869, which is the Victorian Era. This book picks up a month after the events of the last novel. Mallory Atkinson is a homicide detective from Vancouver, Canada, who was visiting her grandmother in Scotland before being attacked and sent back in time to Edinburgh, Scotland. She found herself in the body of a 19-year old Scottish girl named Catriona Mitchell, who wasn't a very nice person.

She is adjusting to her new life in Scotland as an undertaker's assistant to Dr. Duncan Gray, and his sister Isla Ballantyne, who has come to accept that she is Mallory, not Catriona. 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. In one case, the murdered man is Gray’s oldest sister Annisi. Poison is said to be a woman’s weapon, though Mallory has to wonder if it’s as simple as that.

Along with Detective Hugh McCreadie, Mallory, and Gray, investigate a possible poison ring has been created. A ring of women who murder their loved ones with a deadly poison not readily known in this era. The most interesting aspect of this series is watching Mallory trying to make her way through a world she was not born into, and not give away too much information that might change the future. Mallory is a character with plenty of depth. She’s hardworking, kind, relatable, and makes for a strong female protagonist that readers can cheer on.

Her relationship with Duncan has gone from mistrust, to something closer to a solid friendship. Mallory knows that Duncan has a hard enough time not being white in a society that looks down on people who are different. Add to the fact that readers get a deeper understanding of the family Duncan and Isla were born into, and it's a wonder how anyone is capable of doing what they do. One of the questions I have in reading this series, is whether or not Mallory will find a way back home, and if she does, what kind of world will see find once she gets back. Or, will the author decide that Mallory should stay in the Victorian Era Scotland with Duncan and his family?

Ooh, Mallory and Duncan are getting closer, will there be a love match in book #3? I can't wait to find out. I love that Mallory ended up in such an accepting house in Victorian Scotland, Duncan and his sister are very understanding of the time-traveling story. I am very excited to read Cocktails & Chloroform when it is released in December.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

While this is a time travel mystery series, this book has no time travel which suits me very well. I'm enjoying the historical mystery and the lovely characters here. Now in The Poisoner's Ring, we have a series of poisonings and since Isla is a chemist there is concern she will be drawn into the suspects. I am really enjoying how Mallory is fitting into the household and building her friendships in her new circumstances. She is very helpful in solving the crimes and assisting Duncan in his undertaking / doctor business.

The poisonings are blamed on the wives / cooks since they are generally the ones feeding the men. However, Mallory and Duncan find that in almost all cases there was a gift or purchased special item of food or drink which ended up containing the poison. The details and deductions about human nature put together a very clever mystery. Jack is am unreliable new supporting character. I really enjoyed learning more about the rest of Duncan and Isla's family.

There was very little about Mallory's going back to her own time and she doesn't seem to have any idea of how to make it happen. Of course, since a death situation brought her here, it's not an easy thing to plan. I have to wonder what happened to Catriona, and is a killer taking more lives in which time period? What does Mallory's family know?

The author writes an excellent mystery so I am in no hurry to return to the present day, other than my previous questions. I hope if she does go back, Mallory gets to somehow retain her friendships made now in the past.

I am a huge of Kelly Armstrong and was immediately pulled in with the first book, A Rip Through Time. This is a follow up novel and it did not disappoint!!!

I was captivated by the main characters as they are both layered and as you read, you keep finding yourself wanting to know more about them. THe inner works of their mind, so to speak, including the killers. The conclusion, which I must confess, I am usually quite good at figuring out by 45-50% mark had me guessing until the very end. The plot contains many twists and turns which I enjoyed tremendously because it made sense in the content of the novel. For those who are avid mystery thriller readers will understand that if there are too many red herrings but it doesn't flow with the book, it is just irritating. This was never the case with this author, which is why I adore her work, greatly.

My profound thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my honest opinion in exchange for the digital copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed this second installment in the Rip Through Time series. I enjoyed following along as Duncan, McCreadie, and Isla experienced the true Mallory, in as much as they could given the circumstances. And as always, I enjoyed the time travelling trope.

Overall, this is another knock out for Kelley Armstrong, as all her books are. It was well written, enjoyable, and kept me intrigued from start to finish. I found all the subterfuge was a bit hard to follow at times with so many different characters scheming against the others in so many ways. But I ultimately enjoyed the mystery and how the story wrapped up. I would highly recommend reading A Rip Through Time prior to starting this one to fully understand the plot and characters.

The romance reader in me is still rooting for a forbidden romance between Mallory and Duncan, and I can hardly wait to read more in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong was one of my most anticipated new releases, and it did not disappoint!

This is book two of the A Rip Through Time series, and we return to Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1869, where modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is still trapped in the body of a Victorian housemaid. In the first book in this series, Mallory has mysteriously time-traveled and has no idea how it happened. However, a few people know her secret, including Dr. Duncan Gray, an undertaker and unofficial medical examiner in whose house she is employed, Isla, his chemist sister, and McCready, their detective friend. The group has begun to take on murder investigations, and this one has multiple victims and suspects. Men are being poisoned, with their widows accused of their deaths, including Duncan and Isla's older sister, Annis.

I'm a big fan of Armstrong's writing and storytelling. This series is fascinating with its time travel aspect and the beginnings of scientific crime scene analysis, such as fingerprinting, which isn't advanced enough to be used as evidence yet. Mallory cannot rely on much of her modern detective training and must adapt to a society where her position as a female servant puts her in a lowly position. Even though her friends are open-minded, particularly for the time, Mallory's observations of Victorian life make for some thought-provoking scenes tackling social issues and interesting and often humorous dialogue. The group has gelled as a team, and this time we get more background on Dr. Gray and his sisters. Atmospheric and well-researched with lots of period detail, this has a tightly woven plot and engaging and complex characters. There is even a hint of a possible romance, making this series a unique and suspenseful genre mash-up and a thoroughly entertaining read! I devoured it and cannot wait for book 3!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur books, for the opportunity to review this ARC. I loved it!

This is one of my favorite historical mystery series and one that must be read in order. Mallory is/was a very modern woman and a cop who finds herself transported from 2019 Edinburgh back to 1869. Now she is trapped in the body of 19 year old Catriona, a housemaid in the home of Dr. Duncan Gray. Now she is his assistant as he works as an undertaker and medical examiner. I'll leave the rest for you to discover. I don't want to spoil any of it.
They are now faced with a poisoner who is killing men all over Edinburgh leaving their widows under police scrutiny. Is there a chance that the women are acting together? Mallory and Duncan investigate and they make a great team.
If you like a well plotted historical mystery, time travel, a strong female character and a touch of romance, make sure to put this series on your TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.