
Member Reviews

I found this mystery hard to put down. It kept me guessing until the very end with plenty of red herrings. I was surprised by the ending, but it fit perfectly with the story and the characters. This is one of my favorite mystery series. Dr. Duncan's Gray's assistant, former modern day Canadian police detective Mallory has more latitude to help Duncan and McCreadie solve crimes, but she has to behave with Victorian decorum, so she doesn't harm Duncan's reputation or hers. It's even harder when they travel to the wedding of McCreadie's sister with more people misconstruing their relationship. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. The mystery is intriguing and the characters and their relationships continue to evolve. I can't wait until the next one.

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong, a well written book that piqued my interest. I enjoyed the first in the series, sadly this one ultimately failed to hold my interest. I do think others will enjoy it and thank you for giving me a chance with it.

I enjoyed this book. I love the setting, especially going to visit the historical highlands! The characters were entertaining, the relationship's slow burn was nice, along with the mystery element. I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series!
Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Kelley Armstrong, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic entry in the "A Rip Through Time" series. Would highly recommend reading the previous books in the series before picking up this one even though Armstrong give a nice brief summary of what is going on. This time around, Mallory, Duncan, Hugh, and Isla have traveled out of Edinburgh to the Highlands of Scotland for the wedding of Hugh's sister. Due to circumstances, Hugh is estranged from his family, but his sister, Fiona, wants him present for her big day. When a body is found, the group investigates, although they cannot officially. I really like how we got to see more of the backstory of Hugh and Duncan, as well as a bit more into Isla and why she is reluctant to move forward in the romance department. While Duncan and Mallory are a standstill in that respect due to the belief that they are cross purposes (which dear reader, they are not) there is finally movement in the other couple - though it is left very late. While the murder is the focus, there are layers and Armstrong slowly allows the reader to follow along with the intrepid investigators while they try to solve why the person was killed and by whom. The internal battle Mallory has with her 21st century experiences in 19th century Scotland bring a few laughs and aha moments throughout. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes historical fiction with a bit of mystery, and also those who like the In Death series by J. D. Robb.

(4.25 stars)
Hooray for being back in 1870 Scotland with Mallory/Cartriona, Duncan, Isla and Hugh. Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time series has become one of my favorites and I always look forward to the next book in the series. For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s a quick orientation for you - Mallory is a 21st century detective from Canada who found herself transported to 1869 (now 1870 in book 4 of the series) Scotland, and not as herself. She lives in the body of a younger woman, Catriona, who was a maid in the Gray household. Dr. Duncan Gray and his sister Isla both know who Mallory is at this point and she’s serving as Dr. Gray’s assistant, helping investigate cases with Duncan and Hugh McCreadie, their detective friend, who also knows about Mallory now.
Mallory is the ultimate “fish out of water,” having to get used to 19th century clothing and customs, and with this being the fourth book, she’s doing a pretty good job of it. And it seems that she has decided that she wants to stay right where/when she is.
This time the group finds themselves outside of Edinburgh, to attend the wedding of Hugh’s sister, Fiona. I missed Edinburgh but enjoyed the countryside atmosphere, including the hunting lodge/mansion where the wedding is to take place.
There’s a creepy gamekeeper, dangerous traps on the estate grounds, villagers who don’t trust the new owner (the groom), and more. And of course, a death, as the title says. And an inexperienced local constable. I enjoyed the mystery and the progress in relationships among our regulars.
If you haven’t read any of this series, you could pick this up as a standalone, but you’d lack all the backstory. However, the author has provided a short summary before the beginning of the book, aimed at both new readers and returning readers who might appreciate a bit of a refresher.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Kate Handford once again.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

5/5 stars: This is the fourth entry in Armstrong's A Rip Through Time series, which is a Sci-Fi (Time Slip) Historical Mystery that follows a modern-day detective living as an 1870 Scottish maid, after slipping 150 years into the past, as she helps her undertaker boss and a detective investigate a groom's erratic behavior and a wedding guest's murder. With plenty of twists and turns, Armstrong has masterfully crafted a mystery that balances the suspects and deftly weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I really like how Armstrong combines modern-day police procedures with emerging 19th century forensics and policing practices. A longtime favorite author, Armstrong's heartfelt, clever and witty writing and in-depth character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. I love reading Mallory’s modern day POV being turned on its head by her Victorian era setting and her continuing adaption to it. It's also a joy to catch up with Mallory, Gray and his sister, Isla, police detective, McCreadie and household staff members, Simon and Alice. Additionally, I really appreciate Armstrong's handling of Victorian social strictures and the incredibly atmospheric descriptions of the Scottish Highlands. With tact and sensitivity, Armstrong touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Rip Through Time. If you’re looking for a great mystery run don’t walk and pick up this amazing series; highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I am truly obsessed with this series. If you're a fan of the Lady Sherlock or Veronica Speedwell series, I think you should give this series a shot. I was hesitant back in book one of whether or not the fact that I was intrigued by a potential romance was just me being delulu, but I finally feel fully vindicated in this book. I love the audiobook. I love the mystery. I did not guess the mystery, but once it was all revealed, I thought it was wildly clever. If you're in a place where you're especially sensitive to violence against women, maybe steer clear for a bit until your tolerance is slightly higher because there are mentions of sexual assault, though no real descriptions.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley but this review represents my honest opinion.
First of all, I love this series. Love it. The way the author combines the reality of 19th century Scotland and the whimsical concept of a modern girl stuck in that era and still finding her footing so well is perfect- there's enough reality that I don't need to suspend belief but not so much that I can't escape into the pages.
I very much enjoyed this look into the backstory of one of my favorite characters, Hugh. And the thing is that like most of us, it's messy. And while the author doesn't shy away from the consequences, and those aren't great, it also doesn't punish him for them. It's never comfortable to be confronted by the consequences of our actions, even when done for all the right reasons, but how we handle them says a lot about us. And because I don't want to leave spoilers, I'll leave it up to the reader to see how Hugh handles his.
Mallory and Duncan are fun and charming as always. This is one of those rare series where I live the primary and secondary characters equally, so I'm never disappointed to see anyone get a few words on the page.
As for the mystery, I liked it. Some parts of it were easy to predict, but much of it wasn't. And the denouement was very satisfying.
It's been a stressful few months, and I'm appreciative of a book that was just fun and unstressful to read. 5 stars, great read

Death at a Highland Wedding might be my new favorite book in the Rip in Time series. I loved the historical tidbits scattered among the murders. I also loved that I had to keep guessing who the killer was until the end. The story's plot and pacing were excellent, and I continue to consider this series one of my most enjoyable book series to date. I gave Death at a Highland Wedding 5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review Death at a Highland Wedding. All opinions are my own

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 20, 2025
Mallory Atkinson is beginning to adjust to her new life after slipping through time and becoming a housemaid in Victorian Scotland. Working for undertaker Dr. Duncan Grey, she also uses her police experience to assist Grey and his friend, Hugh McCreadie, in investigating and solving local crimes. In this installment, Mallory, Grey and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie’s youngest sister’s wedding but, as is to be expected, Mallory and her friends end up investigating a murder when the best man is found dead.
“Death at a Highland Wedding” is the fourth installment in Kelly Armstrong’s “A Rip Through Time” series. Think “Outlander” with a police investigation, murder mystery component, and you have Armstrong’s time travel series.
Although I have read the first three novels in this series, it had been a while so I appreciated Armstrong’s recap at the beginning of the novel. This would also be helpful for anyone who jumped into book four without reading the previous three, although I wouldn’t recommend it. Although it is easy to follow either way, Armstrong’s “Time” series is definitely one of those that should be read consecutively, as it is most definitely worth the time and effort to get the full experience.
Mallory is just starting to come to terms with her feelings for Grey, so expect slow, creeping romantic tension. “Wedding” has a few of these secret romances, as well as some adorable kittens, and some very disturbing secrets that are treated very differently in Victorian Scotland than they would be today. Combined, Armstrong’s novel creates non-stop, page-turning drama and action from the first page.
I love Mallory as a protagonist as she is sharp, sassy and relatable. In “Wedding”, there is a small glimpse (and I mean a sentence or two) of Mallory’s former life and some mystery about how she transported back and forth is hinted at, although I’m glad she chose to remain in the past. Duncan continues to be completely socially awkward but brilliant and I love that Armstrong brought back McCreadie and Isla for book four, as they have slowly started to develop their own plotline, which I completely support.
I love books that take place in Scotland, regardless of the era, and I’m almost as big of a fan of time travel novels, so Armstrong’s “Wedding” was a no-brainer for me. Armstrong has numerous other novels, both stand-alones and series, but I have only had the pleasure of reading her “A Rip Through Time” novels, though I continue to be curious about her other stories. I’m definitely going to be looking for more Mallory and Grey, but I might just check out some of Armstrong’s other novels in the interim.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
This is #4 in the Rip Through Time series but can be read as a standalone. I had only read the first book, and read it when it was first published, so it's been a few years. There was enough background in this one to get me up to speed without feeling I was missing anything. Absolutely loved this from start to finish. It was much more humorous than I was expecting. The characters were great, the slow burn among the couples was just right, and I didn't even attempt to figure out the mysteries - it was simply a fun ride. Even though part of the mystery was heavy and tragic, it never brought down the mood of the story. I don't think I'll go back and read 2 and 3 but I sure do want to read 5 and find out where the author takes these characters! Highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's for the pre-release copy of Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong. Below is my honest review.
Yet another fantastic entry in A Rip Through Time, this time following Mallory and Gray and company to the highlands of Scotland for the wedding of McCreadie's sister. Of course, there have to be complications - including a history between McCreadie and the groom. Turns out, the groom is a man from the social circle that Gray and McCreadie were a part of in their youths, and McCreadie's family had an arranged engagement between him and the now-groom's sister, which McCreadie effectively ended, causing massive rifts. Things are further complicated by things at the estate, and eventually there's a murder.
Luckily for everyone involved (except the killer, and well, the victim), the crackpot team of Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are there to solve the case.
This one was really good, but I will give you a warning - there are some potential triggers revolving around grooming, sexual assault, etc.
Highly recommended. But you'd be wise to read the previous books in the series first for all the backstory. Though if you choose to, it's still a great novel on its own merits... you'll just miss some of the depth.

This is the first book by this author that I've read. I absolutely loved it! Now I want to go back and read the others. Such a fun story that begs to be continued. Awesome story that can be read alone but I think would be even better if whole series is read in order

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the eARC of Death at a Highland Wedding! I picked up this series after loving Armstrong's Rockton books, and it is such a fun take on a more classic mystery. Set in Victorian Scotland, modern Vancouver detective Mallory is (now by choice) inhabiting the body of a housemaid working for a undertaker with an interest in forensics and his sister, a chemist. The trio, along with DI McCreadie, travel to the wedding of McCreadie's sister and then have to investigate a death at the wedding. If you have an interest in the early days of forensics, the Victoria era, or just enjoy historical romance and mystery, I think you would enjoy this series! (I do think starting at the beginning would help orient to the characters & their relationships)
This installment is absolutely my favorite yet. Mallory is more comfortable in "her" skin, and the interactions between the characters are less fraught with some of the previous societal tensions. The team works well together, and learning more of McCreadie's story added a lot to the series. If you are caught up with the series I think you will love this installment!

Our time traveling heroine Mallory is headed to a Highland wedding in Victorian Scotland where there will simply be dancing, a marriage, murder, intrigue and scandalous affairs. You know, they usual. While this latest chapter in Mallory’s story can be read as a stand-alone, I feel you would miss out on so much character building and the intensity of the will-they-wont-they relationship between some of the characters, specifically with Mallory and Duncan. Which is the slowest of slow burns that truly has me screaming at the page to just be together already. Outside of the romantic entanglements, the mystery was well thought out and detailed. I had myself flipping pages back to find what I had initially missed reading or picking up on and when the pieces of the puzzle started coming together. I was a little disappointed in myself I hadn’t fully formed the whole picture, which is only a testament to how well thought out the mystery was written. If you ae a lover of mysteries, historical time travel and a hint of romance, I would recommend picking up this book (this series really!)
I have been thoroughly enjoying the Rip Through Time series and Death at a Highland Wedding was yet another installation that had me clamoring for more. I am itching to see what happens next with the rag-tag group of societal misfits and what mystery Mallory, Duncan, Ilsa and McCreadie will find themselves a part of next.
Thank you to St.Martins Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley and Kelly Armstrong for the advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions in this review are strictly my own.

Death at a Highland Wedding is part of A Rip Through Time Mysteries. Mallory is a present day Canadian police detective living in Victorian Scotland.
Hugh’s sister is getting married and they go to the countryside hoping for a nice, happy time. Unfortunately, there is a lot of tension in the wedding party and in the locale. The previous owner forced families off the land to build the hunting lodge. When a guest is murdered, the young constable is not amenable to their help but he has arrested the wrong person so they investigate anyway.
A very good mystery right to the end.

This book gets the Rip Through Time series back on track for me. I loved the setting of the highland manor, I loved the gossipy nature of all the clues as to who liked who, who loved who, who hated who, and why. I loved that so many different women characters got things to do, especially Isla. And who doesn't like kittens? (A mother wildcat dies in a horrible way off-screen in this book but her kittens do survive, if animal abuse/death is an issue for you.)
Mallory and Grey have a bit of drama- clearly they both are extremely into each other and clearly both of them are clueless as to how to deal with these feelings. This didn't matter as much to me as how our detectives learned more about the murder victim and who might have wanted him dead. The victim struck me as a bit off from the very beginning so I wasn't too surprised when evidence was found that upheld my suspicions.

Fans of this series will not be disappointed in this instalment. The quartet travels into the Highlands to attend the wedding of McCreadie's sister to his old frenemy, but the titular death is only part of the story.
We finally have the opportunity to learn more about McCreadie and how his background shapes the relationship he has with Isla.
The book is filled with unexpectedly funny moments and references to Canadian pop culture, and contains a refreshing twist on the usual supposed good guy turning out to be evil.

Once Again Kelley Armstrong hits it out of the park...
If you read this series then this one will not disappoint.
*strong characters
*interesting plot
*story pulls you in and in no time you are finished the book
*Mystery and romance what a great combination

ourth book in the series.
Mallory Atkinson is a homicide detective who now lives 150 years in the past in Victorian Scotland. Her employer Dr. Duncan Gray, his sister Isla and their friend Detective Hugh McCreadie know her true identity as she uses her knowledge of modern investigation methods to help them. As they travel to attend the wedding of McCreadie's younger sister ,strained relationships and a broken engagement are revealed. When a person is murdered, the investigation is on to clear the bridegroom who is being held for the murder. The investigation will reveal the secrets that will resolve the investigation. Strong characters, interesting relationships.
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