This is 4th in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time historical fantasy series. In its opening, Armstrong sent modern homicide detective Mallory Atkinson into the body of housemaid Catriona Mitchell in 1869 Edinburgh.

Since that jarring change, she's lived in the home of undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray and his widowed sister Isla. Over time, the number of individuals aware of Mallory's true identity (including Duncan's close friend Edinburgh police detective Hugh McCreadie) have grown. Feelings between her and Duncan have steadily intensified.

Now Mallory, Duncan, and Hugh journey to a hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands for a wedding between McCreadie's younger sister Fiona and Archie Cranston. The story proceeds with a brutish gamekeeper, wildcat kittens, poachers - and the murder of one of the wedding guests.

**3.5 stars**

This was the 4th novel in the historical Rip Through Time mystery series. I enjoyed it but it wasn’t my fav in the series. As usual I love the 2 main characters and all of the side characters, I love everything about Scotland and the Victorian set time period. The mystery in this one though was meh and I still don’t totally understand the Scottish wildcat (spoiler alert!) death. I am glad the relationship between Mallory and Duncan is somewhat moving along a bit by the end of this one.

Though the author gives a brief recap of the series up to thru book 3 I still believe to fully understand and enjoy the characters and backstory fully you should start at book 1.

**Thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I also bought the audiobook from Audible.**

DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING – Book Four — A Rip Through Time Novel – by Kelley Armstrong

‘After slipping 150 years into the past, modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson has embraced her new life in Victorian Scotland as housemaid Catriona Mitchel. Although it isn’t what she expected, she's developed real, meaningful relationships with the people around her and has come to love her role as assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie.’

‘All arrive in the Scottish Highlands to attend McCreadie's younger sister's wedding, however, when one of the guests is murdered, they must work fast to uncover the murderer before another life is lost.’

That Ending—My Heart!! I can not count the number of times I uttered ‘Oh, Sh*t!’ whilst reading this book from start to finish.

My attention is officially hooked, and I am excited to read the entire A Rip Through Time series—More, Please!

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for providing me with an eBook of DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING at the request of an honest review.

The "A Rip Through Time" series has quickly become one of my favorites, and I anticipate each installment with relish, wondering what the gang will get up to this time. There's not a single thing I don't love about these books, from the plots to the characters to the intelligent, well-crafted prose. A modern woman falling through time in Scotland may sound unoriginal, but make her a whip-smart detective who finds herself solving crimes with her eccentric employers and you've got something fresh and special.

Romance is in the air and mystery is afoot when our heroes journey to the Highlands for the wedding of Detective MacReadie's sister. Mallory is trying to sort out her feelings for Gray while the two of them are also gently nudging Isla and MacReadie together... which is complicated by the presence of MacReadie's former fiancée, who also happens to be sister of the groom. Throw in a murder, a few bear traps, and an over-eager constable, and the situation quickly spins out of control.

I went into Death at a Highland Wedding with high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. By taking our characters out of their usual Edinburgh setting and routines, we get opportunities to explore their dynamics, as well as to see another side of Victorian Scotland. And we encounter the difficulties of solving a crime when you have no jurisdiction and the local police presence is woefully inadequate and uncooperative. Having come to the Highlands for a wedding, they're also without their usual forensic tools, which requires some creative thinking.

The mysteries in this series are usually the focus, with characters and relationships taking a back sea. But in this book, we slow down a bit to examine where everyone stands before ramping up for adventure. Isla and MacReadie are finally be moving toward... something. But the events of the last book have left Mallory and Gray more unsure than ever, and their communication is suffering as a result. It was frustrating to watch them stumbling around each other when the reader knows exactly how they both feel. But it's the kind of frustration that's also kind of satisfying because you know it could be the cracks in the dam before it breaks and things finally happen. This is what slow burn readers live for! And now I'm back to waiting impatiently for the next book because I'm dying to see what happens.

If you haven't checked out the series yet, now is a great time to catch up. All the promises of book 1 are being fulfilled and the characters and world continue to grow in exciting ways. Plus, they're just damn good books.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t normally like historical stories but I love this series. It almost feels modern, the characters are very human & relatable. It also feels like an investigation is going on. Sometimes, you get either or. I do like the conclusion of the investigation. #DeathataHighlandWedding #NetGalley

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kelley Armstrong for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death at a Highland Wedding coming out May 20, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This series has been a hit or miss with me. I really want to love it because of the time travel and setting. Some of the events of previous books weren’t my favorite, but I actually really enjoyed this book. I thought things were progressing. I enjoyed the events of the story. If there are more books in the series, I’ll check them out.

This was an excellent book and I loved it but at times it got a bit boring but that never lasted more than a few pages and at its heart it is a "whodunnit" I never guessed who the actual culprit was and that was very entertaining and was accomplished by several twists and turns and a few unintentional red herrings. A solid 4 Star effort and very close to 5 Star

As a fan of Kelley Armstrong's work for many years I jumped at this series when she started it and this has to be the best yet aside from the first. I loved the different setting. The story arc was surprising in its turn of events that I had not expected in this book, but hoped for in the future. I can't wait for the next installment! and hope for many more...
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to have an ARC.

Death and more!

Catriona Mitchel (really Detective Mallory Atkinson 150 years from the future) is now an assistant to Dr. Duncan Gray of Edinburgh.
Let’s just say this has been quite the journey for Mallory. A different more well rounded body does get in the way sometimes as does the clothing of Victorian Edinburgh.
To the outside world Catriona is a rather untrustworthy maid.
Inside her small circle her friends (sort of) know Mallory chafes at the restrictions.
However the household including Detective Hugh McCreadie are off to the wedding of Hugh’s niece to Archie Cranston.
A mess of folks, of poachers, of an ugly gamekeeper, and of village folk denied entrance to Cranston’s newly purchased property, topped off by a murder has everyone on their toes, including me.
Just love this series!

A St Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I am just loving this whole series! I really enjoyed that we visited the Highlands in this installment, and it was really fun to see Mallory in a new environment. The mystery really kept me guessing, which was really fun. Every time I thought I had it, we found new evidence that twisted everything up.

I love Mallory and Duncan, and honestly, they just need to kiss already!!!! Really excited for where we go from here, but not happy that I'll have to wait so long for the next book!

this was a strong fourth entry in the Rip Through Time series, it had that paranormal romance element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book and from Kelley Armstrong. The characters had that feel that worked with the world and was engaged with what happened to them. I was invested in the romance and how it was developed.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
5-Star Book Review: A Perfect Blend of Mystery, History, and Heart

Kelley Armstrong delivers another outstanding installment in her time-travel mystery series, weaving a rich tapestry of Victorian intrigue, slow-burning romance, and clever sleuthing. This latest novel is a masterclass in historical suspense, and once again, Mallory Atkinson shines as one of the most compelling protagonists in the genre.

Mallory’s journey—from modern-day detective to 19th-century housemaid-turned-investigator—feels as immersive as ever. Her growing connection to Duncan Gray and her loyalty to Hugh McCreadie create a warm, emotional core amidst the chilling murder and mounting tension. The Highland setting adds a fresh, atmospheric backdrop, with a crumbling estate, family secrets, and endangered wildcats all playing into a mystery that’s as thoughtful as it is suspenseful.

The murder plot is intricately crafted, full of subtle clues and moral complexity, and Armstrong balances historical detail with modern perspective brilliantly. The dynamic between Mallory and Gray continues to deepen in a satisfying and slow-burn way that feels entirely earned.

This book is everything I want in a historical mystery: beautifully written, smartly plotted, emotionally resonant, and impossible to put down. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, intelligent mysteries, and character-driven storytelling.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

First of all, my apologies to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. I read this one well over a month ago, but got slammed with work projects, and didn't get around to doing the review until now.

I really enjoyed this outing with Mallory, Duncan, and the rest of the gang. It was nice to see them go on a road trip, of sorts. I did have troubles keeping Hugo's sister and Hugo's ex-fiancee separate (which lead to some very confusing passages, until I realized that I was thinking about the wrong woman). I don't think that's any fault of Armstrong, but more of a me problem. I'm very interesting in seeing where Mallory and Duncan's relationship is going, but I also really like the historical mystery. It's been a great series for me.

Another enjoyable installment in the time travel historical mystery series A Rip in Time.

Canadian Police Detective Mallory Atkinson made a decision to stay in Victorian Scotland in a previous book in this series. Now she’s settled into life as an assistant to Dr Duncan Gray. She also is a close friend to Gray’s sister Isla and his best friend Detective Hugh McCreadie. They know she’s from the future.

The group plans a trip to a wedding in the Scottish Highlands that was sure to have some personal drama for Hugh. Instead, they find themselves trying to solve a murder where no one seems to have a motive for killing the victim and more secrets than truths.

Mallory begins to truly acknowledge her feelings towards Duncan in this story. Duncan does as well, except of course they both mess up - afraid of the consequences and too aware of the complications their relationship presents in society.

Spoiler Here: Still no kiss between Duncan & Mallory.

This one really made good use of the setting to keep it feeling fresh. The mystery wasn’t especially complex, as for the whodunnit part, but that doesn’t mean the motive wasn’t interesting and sufficiently compelling enough to keep my interest. I also really enjoyed the secondary love story development between Isla and Hugh.

Very much looking forward to the next installment in the series.
———
Series: Book #4 A Rip In Time series

Themes/Tropes: time travel, Victorian era, Scotland, investigation, country parties, murder, mystery

Steam/Spice Level: zero from the main characters, not even kissing yet

Setting: Victorian Scotland in the Highlands

BIPOC Characters: yes, the hero is mixed race

LGBTQ+ Characters: yes, some secondary and extended world characters

POV: first person, present tense, single POV (heroine)

Standalone or Series: could be chaos read but I think it would be far better to do this series in order

Cops/LEO: yes, she’s a very progressive Canadian police detective and a secondary character is a Victorian era police detective

Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? There is a wildcat which is killed by a bad person. It’s off page but discussed. Also, there is an injured wildcat they save but must perform surgery on
__________
Thank you to St Martin’s for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Another delightful story involving my fav of Armstrong's time traveling characters, Mallory and Gray.
Yes, I like the mysteries. And yes, I enjoy the world building Armstrong does of Victorian Scotland. But I am mostly invested in these two people working their way towards one another! This series is definitely a slow burn, with very little "romance" and I'm okay with that.
In this installment of the "Rip Through Time" series we get to spend more time with some of the friends and family of Gray, which is a fun new element.

This is the 4th in the A Rip Through Time Series. I saw that it said it could be read as a standalone (and it totally can) so it sounded good.

I started reading and loved it right from the beginning. Mallory, a forensic detective, has been thrown back in time 150 years into the body of a young Scottish housemaid. She has become an assistant to an undertaker and a detective, both know that she is from the future.

This is the perfect blend of mystery, time travel, an almost sort of maybe will-they-won’t-they romance, humor, and even a little historical fiction since we learn a lot about the progression of forensics.

After reading that the name of the housemaid she has become is Catriona, I thought that sounds familiar. Sure enough. Apparently I read the first book in this series, in 2022 and then somehow lost track of the series! I will definitely be going back and reading the second and third book!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed reading this series. I usually read them in one day!! I loved the characters and their growth in this book. It was a great storyline. I would definitely recommend this book.

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth in a series that involves mystery, time travel, and history, and it is the first of the series for this reader. The time is about 150 years earlier than present time, meaning Victorian England, and Mallory Atkinson leaves her contemporary world and appears in Scotland at Cranston Estate as a helper at the estate named Catriona Mitchel. When she arrives, we understand that she and others have been invited to take part in a wedding at the Estate.

The cast of characters includes the doctor/undertaker, Duncan Gray, and Hugh McCreadie, a detective. As the plot moves forward, it becomes clear that there is a burgeoning love interest between Mallory and Dr. Gray. When a guest is murdered, all three of this trio are drawn into the mystery of who has committed the murder and why, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep the reader avidly reading and trying to figure out who is responsible for the crime.

The setting of the story on Cranston Estate is craftily created, and other characters are drawn into the mix. The most suspicious of them is Muller, a seemingly less than honest German gamekeeper. Another intriguing factor is the trapping and injuring of a wild Scottish cat, caught in a trap. Catriona realizes, however, that the cat's injuries are not consistent with what one would expect from a trap, and she determines to figure out who is setting the traps.

Two other delightful characters are Isla and Fiona, who lend some levity to the story. Embedded in the Victorian era, there are many questions about the place of women, including some incipient misogyny. The interweaving of modern technology that Mallory thinks about and which she misses is interesting, and then the carriages and other aspects of Victorian times enrich the setting of the era.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this engaging book.

Mallory Atkinson and her friends Duncan Gray and detective Hugh McCreadie get involved in another mystery when attending a wedding. The host and bridegroom's close friend is murdered and the host is arrested as the murderer. It's up to Mallory, Gray and McCreadie to get to the truth, even though they are out of their jurisdiction.

This book was a lot of fun, as Mallory navigates all the unwritten rules of Victorian society while trying to protect her own reputation after living 150 in the future. Times are different then, and I love how many ways that was illustrated in this story.

There are many characters in the story and was thankful for the little primer in the front of the book. I thought the murder mystery was well-crafted and had me guessing until the end. There are plenty of villains to choose from in this tale. And most of all, I love the romantic overtures between Mallory and Gray. They are so adorable, even when they are trying to pretend they don't have feelings for each other.

I absolutely love this series and this book was no exception. I was so glad when I was chosen to read an ARC for this book I couldn't wait to read it. This series takes mystery, history and time travel and just meshes them perfectly together and I love it! Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite Authors. Her writing is entertaining and has always kept me turning the pages and not wanting to put my books down including this one. The storyline is well written and I loved every second of reading it! I can't wait to read more!