This is not my first Rip Through Time story, and I very much enjoy this series. Mallory has been thrown back to 1870 into the lives of the best family to welcome such a bizarre occurrence. Being a detective in our time, she is able to bring her deductive reasoning into play in this time of old where science is still lacking. I enjoy the interaction between Mallory and Gray, and the way Mallory fits into the dynamic of Gray's family and friends. I love how she uses modern day science and investigative tools to assist McCreadie and Gray in solving crimes, all the while lacking forensic tools - even flashlights. I enjoy the reminder of the societal changes over time as we watch Mallory struggle to remain proper. This particular book in the series strikes close to home as the murder occurs at a wedding. The mystery is dangerous and exciting, but the character backstories and relationships are explored in more detail; you really get to know this little crew better. Since we know more about emotions and motivations now, I really can't wait for the next book in the series! The mysteries, old investigative techniques, propriety of the time and the risk of Mallory being thrust back to her own timeline makes for a thrilling read where you feel like you are racing against time! I love this series!!

👉🏻For my friends who love historical fiction, police procedurals, and time travel, and want all three in the same book.

🎧 Thanks to @Macmillan.audio and Minotaur Books for the e-book and audiobook review copies of book four, and for generously providing the earlier books when I requested them. #macaudio2025

Okay, so hear me out: a modern Canadian detective lands in the body of a 19th-century maid in Scotland. Working in an eccentric household, she is accepted for who she is and helps a forensic doctor, his chemist sister, and his best friend (a police detective) solve murders.

Time-traveling police procedural set in 1870s Edinburgh with a confident and intelligent MC?
Commentary on societal differences between the two time frames full of anachronism, wit, and a touch of “will they or won’t they?” It’s a #FiveSpongeAudiobook SERIES! 🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽 (It’s so captivating, and you’re willing to clean to keep listening.) I jumped into this at book four and had no problem following the story. However, I enjoyed it so much that I had to go back and read the first three immediately.

The juxtaposition of Mallory’s experience, insight, and mannerisms in Victorian Scotland is fascinating, as are her comparisons and explanations of the differences between the two cultures. Like other beloved books, I feel I’m learning while being entertained, and that’s one of my favorite things. The addition of @katehandford ‘s brilliant narration (I love how she shifts from Mallory’s modern Canadian “thinking” voice to her period Scottish “speaking” voice) adds to the immersive experience.

💍 Murder, Mayhem & Mutual Pining in the Highlands

I swear, this series is now my favorite. Every time I open a Rip Through Time book, I’m instantly hooked—and this one had me hooked from page one. Murder at a wedding in the Scottish Highlands? Yes, please.

Mallory (our modern homicide detective stuck in Victorian Scotland) is once again juggling corsets, outdated gender roles, and a murder investigation like the absolute boss she is. She, Gray, and McCreadie head off to the countryside for what should’ve been a nice family wedding weekend. Instead, we get tension, secrets, wildcat traps, suspicious grooms, and. a dead body.

The mystery is twisty in all the right ways, but what keeps me coming back is the character dynamics. Mallory and Gray? Still the slowest of burns. Their chemistry is smoldering, respectful, and so emotionally layered I want to scream. Also, the friendships, found family vibes, and little moments of humor made the darker moments hit harder.

What I love most about this series isn’t just the mystery (though that part’s great). It’s the way Mallory balances her 21st-century brain in a 19th-century world that doesn’t expect women to speak up, let alone solve crimes. She plays the long game so well, always reading the room but never dumbing herself down. And Gray?? their slow burn is so satisfying and just the right kind of frustrating.

The mystery kept me guessing, the pacing felt tight, and there’s real emotional depth here too. especially toward the end. This one felt quieter in some ways, but deeper. The characters are growing. Relationships are shifting. The tension is building. I need the next book yesterday.

Already counting down to the next one.

I hated this book so much. I got about halfway through and I just couldn't do it anymore. I would get in the mood to read, remember I was in the middle of this book, and then just not read.

I couldn't connect with the characters at all. I felt like I was missing something important the whole time I was reading. I did do some investigating and found out this is part of a series and there are a few books before this one. Had I of read those first may have made my experience better.

You can’t go wrong with Kelly Armstrong! Her books consistently feature well rounded, compelling characters and plot lines all tied together with page turning pacing. This one kept me up late reading and I did not see the end coming at all.

I have been a fan of this series since the first book. There’s a nice balance of quick asides, so you can read easily read this on its own. I really enjoyed the Scottish country side setting in this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read "Death at a Highland Wedding."

Kelley Armstrong continues her engaging time-slip mystery series, dropping modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson, now comfortably ensconced in Victorian Scotland as Catriona Mitchel, into a classic whodunit scenario. This time, the picturesque backdrop of a Highland wedding for McCreadie's sister quickly turns ominous.

Armstrong skillfully balances the charm of Mallory's fish-out-of-water perspective with the growing tension of a potentially volatile family dynamic between the McCreadies and the Cranstons. The initial discovery of the injured wildcat and the inconsistencies Mallory observes immediately prickle the senses, setting the stage for a more sinister plot than simple animal cruelty.

The dynamic between Mallory, Dr. Gray, and McCreadie remains a highlight, offering moments of warmth and camaraderie amidst the brewing unease. Their decision to explore the Cranston estate provides a natural way for them to stumble upon the initial clues and allows Armstrong to weave in details of the Highland setting.

While the time-travel element is the unique hook of the series, this installment leans more heavily into the traditional mystery genre, which fans of Armstrong's suspenseful writing will likely appreciate. The introduction of a murder amidst the wedding festivities raises the stakes considerably, promising a race against time to uncover the killer before more lives are lost.

"Death at a Highland Wedding" offers a satisfying blend of historical setting, intriguing characters, and a well-crafted mystery. While the time-slip aspect takes a backseat in this particular installment, the engaging plot and Armstrong's signature suspense make for an entertaining read.

I just finished Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong and here are my musings.
Book 4 in the Rip through time Series.

Genre - Historical Mystery
Date of Release - May 20th 2025
Publisher - @minotaur_books


Mallory is thriving in the past… After slipping back 150 years in the past into a maids body… She has carved a decent life for herself as assistant to the undertaker DR Gray and Detective McCreadie. The trio are on the way to McCreadies sister's wedding in the highlands…Something is very off when they arrive and when one of the guests turns up murdered… They must race against the clock to uncover the killer before another guest turns up dead.
I was super curious about the audio of this series so I thankfully got a copy of this one to read and an audio to fully submerge myself into their world. The audio was amazing!! The narration was spot on!!

Mallory is one of my favorite FMCs. Being a detective in her time, she has skills that haven’t even been invented yet and she finds a way to become useful to the police in the only way a woman can.. Under the protection of men. They know she's from the future and they have a perfect dynamic. It was a nice change of pace getting out of the city and into the country. It gave the series a new dimension… I loved every second of it.

I love how all the characters work together and I am so invested in this series that I am already thirsting for the next installment. I love how everyone is kind of on the fringe of society and they couldn't care less! They all live their lives unapologetically and I am here all day for that! I have to admit, I am so worried that Mallory will end up back in the future and never make it back to Duncan.. I hope that does not happen…

Kelley Armstrong has a beautiful writing style and you will be drawn right into this series! Now you can read it as a standalone book but knowing their backstories will give you a better feel for the story.

4.5 stars

Thank you for my gifted copy - Minotaur books and @netgalley for the audio and ebook.

#deathatahighlandwedding #kelleyarmstong #aripthroughtime #historicalmystery #bookseries #bookreview #bookblogger #bookishreview #bookstababe #bookalorian #lionessofliteracy #bookishpodcast #bookinfluencer

I really never want this series to it end. If you enjoyed Veronica Speedwell, truly think you would also enjoy this. This book takes us up to the highlands to McCreadie's younger sister's wedding. As you foretell from previous books there's a murder that happens and it needs solving. Really enjoyed how this book deepened relationships between characters. Still no kiss for Mallory and Duncan but, a woman can hope.

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC.

I think I would read Kelley Armstrong's grocery list. I love this series, seeing Victorian times through Mallory's eyes is fun! In this episode, we get to go to the Highlands of Scotland and meet more friends of Gray's, MacCredie's and Isla's and one is murdered during a wedding trip. The who dunnit and why, combined with the slow burn of Gray and Mallory, makes for a fun and twisty read.

I'm not sure what made me start this series, the premiss is something that would catch my eye but it's not in the genre I typically read but for some reason I tried it and I have been hooked since. In fact I love it so much I own the book and the audio book as well so I can listen to it in the future. Seeing this book I knew I would read it. I will be reading every book in this series till it is finished. Every book before this was a 5 (with the excretion of one novella which I am in the process of reading right now..spoiler it will be a 5 star as well). And this book as you can see is a 5 as well. It would actually be higher if I was able to.

This review will contain spoilers from previous books** Mallory and Gray as well as Gray's sister and best friend who is the brother of the soon to be bride travel to a wedding. No one wants Gray's friend McCreadie at the wedding except his sister and that's enough for him. When they arrive it seem's that McCreadies sister's soon to be husband isn't happy with their match and isn't a fan of most people, but they wedding will go on. Before the wedding can even happen there is a death and then another that soon makes it apparent these deaths may both be murder.

Mallory and Gray can't help but get involved to help find the murderer and prove innocence. While at the same time finding more evil deeds and maybe hoping to finally get McCreadie and Gray's sister to admit how they feel about each other? This book is filled with so much we get a pull from the present and some other moves forward that I have been hoping for. This book is written so well just like the others. The storytelling is superb and I am all in in this world Kelley Armstrong has created.

The mystery has twists and turns and I loved every minute of it. I also can't get enough of all of these characters and with each book we keep getting just that....more. I didn't want to stop this book I could have finished it it one sitting and now I am left waiting for the next book. I can't recommend this series enough, if you haven't read this series and want to read this book start from the beginning, you really need to. If you have read every book before this I can't see why you are not as excited as I was to get this. Now I just hope the next book or novella isn't too far away. I'll be here very impatiently waiting!

-I saw this on Netgalley and freaked out and proceeded to stalk my emails for an approval!!

*Thank you Netgally, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for this ARC copy!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment in the “Rip Through Time” series! This time, the gang attended McCreadie’s sister’s wedding in the Highlands. We learned more background info for some of the characters and watched several relationships continue their progressions. I don’t know where this series is going to wind up. Will Mallory stay in the past forever or will something happen to bring her back home? I’ll stay tuned to find out!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley

Return to Victorian Scotland as Mallory, Duncan, Isla and Hugh travel to the country to attend a wedding. When the best man is found dead and an incompetent local constable is in charge of the case, Duncan, Mallory and Hugh begin to investigate the case. The countryside is full of secrets and the relationships are not always what they seem.

Another good book in the series. Mallory and Duncan's relationship is very slow moving, but change is on the horizon for your second favourite couple. As always, the Victorian forensics are very interesting.

I received Death at a Highland Wedding for free in exchange for an honest review. I actually already had this book on preorder! Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors. I love how she can write so many different types of stories so well. I've enjoyed this series so far-- as this is I believe the fourth book in this series. A detective ends up in Victorian times after being attacked. This book has a bit of everything in it-- some things funny, some romance (will they or won't they? I've been waiting the whole series to see if they get together!), history, and of course mystery. Watching them unravel the case without modern technology using her modern knowledge is so fun. I also love that it is realistic in that she doesn't remember history well (as it would be if you or I were sent in time!) It seems most heroines seem to have 100% memory of historical events in alot of time travel books that I have read. If you enjoy this book, also check out her other series! Also-- start with book one of this series before reading this one. It is called A Rip Through Time.

Another amazing read from Kelley Armstrong! Death at a Highland Wedding, book 4 in the Rip Through Time series, gives us another mystery to be solved! It was Gripping! It was Twisty! It was Interesting! It was chilling, shocking and impossible to put down. Kelley Armstrong is one of those authors who consistently gives books that are exactly my reading type! There are new characters. There is more information brought us about our main characters. Death at a Highland Wedding is a well rounded, amazing read!

Thank you Netgalley, to Kelley Armstrong and her publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of "Death at a Highland Wedding".

Death at a Highland Wedding, the fourth installment in author Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time historic novels, is a gripping and fast-paced murder mystery with plenty of twists that keep the reader guessing and engaged to the very end.
It has everything one has come to expect of Armstrong and this series - culture clashes resulting from the main character of Mallory being out of her own time; the discovery of how historic Scotland differs from our own time in a multitude of ways as Mallory comes to terms with the differences herself; the treatment of women and how it compares to the present; a complex mystery with a number of suspects, some who we want to be guilty and others who we don't; a wedding and all that it entails, including romance and drama; and the progress of relationships we have come to root for. Throw in some adorable wild kittens, the beauty of the Scottish countryside, and some truly despicable crimes, and the book hits all of the emotions. Armstrong is not shy about making poignant social commentary, couched as it is in the past but still valid in today's society.
Overall, though, she is an exquisite story teller, and this novel continues with that tradition.
I look forward to more of this series! Thank you to the author and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of #DeathataHighlandWedding !

Oh my gosh this one was so good. I love Isla and McCreadie relationship and watching how they are with each other. This was an interesting read and the fact that everyone's relationships are growing and progressing. The mystery revealed in this book was just crazy. The very ending was so good I love how everything turned out. I also loved meeting McCreadie's family and friends of him and Duncan's school age.

"Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth installment in New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's gripping Rip Through Time Novels.

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.

Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister's wedding. The McCreadies and the groom's family, the Cranstons, have a complicated history which has made the weekend quite uncomfortable. But the Cranston estate is beautiful so Gray and Mallory decide to escape the stifling company and set off to explore the castle and surrounding wilderness. They discover that the groom, Archie Cranston, a slightly pompous and prickly man, has set up deadly traps in the woods for the endangered Scottish wildcats, and they soon come across a cat who's been caught and severely injured. Oddly, Mallory notices the cat's injuries don't match up with the intricacies of the trap. These strange irregularities, combined with the secretive and erratic behavior of the groom, put Mallory and Duncan on edge. And then when one of the guests is murdered, they must work fast to uncover the murderer before another life is lost.

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's unique time travel mystery series continues to entertain as Mallory adjusts to life in the 1870s."

Kill the groom! Long live the cats!

Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. I got a copy of this on ebook from NetGalley for review.

Thoughts: This is the latest book in A Rip Through Time series. I greatly enjoy the characters in this series and loved that this book takes us away from the city and out to the Scottish countryside. This was very well done, engaging, and had both an excellent mystery and the start of a sweet little romance. I am a huge Armstrong fan and have really loved all of her books (although I wasn't a huge fan of the Women of the Otherworld series). I am currently also reading her Haven's Rock series and her A Stitch in Time series.

Mallory and crew are heading out to McCreadie's sister's wedding. They are a bit bored, despite some of the personal tensions between McCreadie and the groom's family. Things get a bit more interesting when they find out there is some trouble with the locals and when a wildcat turns up dead in a trap, but it is discoverd the wildcat was poisoned (rather than the trap killing it). Things really ramp up when one of the guests is found dead. Now Mallory, Duncan, and McCreadie will have to use all of their wits to figure out who the real murderer is before the murder is blamed on the wrong person.

There was a lot to love in this story. I have really grown to love all of the characters here. All of them have grown and changed throughout the series. This book has some slow burn romance progress between Mallory and Gray as well as between Isla and McCreadie. I love that the relationships here are moving slowly and born out of mutual respect. I also really loved the mystery; there are a ton of twists and turns that keep you guessing. The pace is decent, and the setting and plot intriguing.

I believe this is the first book in this series that I have given 5 stars to. I think it took me a bit of time to warm up to these characters, and I think taking them out of their city setting really let some of their investigative abilities shine. I also like that we have a better understanding of how the time travel element to Mallory's appearance in Victorian times works.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I really loved this book. The characters have really grown on me, and I have enjoyed watching them grow and learn as characters and also enjoyed watching these slow burn romances progress. I love that we have a better understanding of the time travel aspects here and really enjoy the way the mystery is woven and resolved. I think this was the strongest book of the series yet.

I’d give Death at a Highland Wedding a solid 4 stars—while it wasn’t my favourite installment in the series, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Kelley Armstrong’s writing remains engaging, and I’m fully invested in these characters and their world. The mystery kept me turning the pages, even if the pacing felt a touch slower at times. Regardless, it’s always a pleasure to return to this cast, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where the next installment takes them.

I think I’m ready to declare A Rip Through Time my favorite series of all time. Here’s why:
* I’d be more devastated if this series ended than I would for literally any other.
* The genre mashup (historical mystery + time travel + romance) is unique and so compelling.
* Each book is a strong standalone mystery.
* Every time I finish one, I want to immediately reread the whole series

I could happily read 12 of these a year and never get tired. I’m also wildly grateful that Kelley Armstrong has been releasing novellas in between the full-length novels — what a gift!!

The latest installment, Murder at a Highland Wedding, is just as strong as the first three. It left me desperate for the next installment… so much so that I honestly considered DMing the author to beg for the manuscript (and I still might!).

If you haven’t started this series yet, I’m begging you to start ASAP. If you’ve already started, keep going (and don’t skip the novellas!).