I’ve had the absolute pleasure of reading and absolutely loving this amazing series!
Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong is book four.
This entire series is so unique and the characters truly come to life. This book has an interesting premise with likable characters.
A compelling and intriguing historical mystery/thriller that will quickly draw the reader in.
I can’t wait to the next one assuming there will be one.

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This is the first book I’ve read in this series, and I enjoyed it. The time-travel aspect added more interest to the historical setting. Several of the primary characters know Mallory’s time-travel secret and its fun reading their take. Mallory has had to adjust to solving murders without modern science as well as within the restraints of society’s expectation of women in 1870 Scotland. The first opens her up to good natured ribbing by her friends, and the second adds a layer of conflict for Mallory.

For those readers jumping into this series at book four, Kelley Armstrong includes an introduction to bring us up to speed. I wish more authors did this. It’s really helpful even if you’ve started with book one of a series, but it’s been a while between books.

The murder was well-written with plenty of red herrings and misdirection woven throughout the book. Several times I thought I had the murderer’s identity pegged, only to find out I was wrong. Always a good thing.

4/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for a free copy of the e-book. All opinions are my own.

Here’s a review you can use or adapt:

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Audiobook Review: Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong, narrated by Kate Handford

I’m a little obsessed with this series. Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth book in Kelley Armstrong’s Rip Through Time series, and every time I pick one up, I fall even more in love with the characters and world she’s created. These books are such a comforting escape—full of rich detail, clever plotting, and a cast of characters you genuinely want to spend time with.

I absolutely love the dynamic between Mallory and Gray. The tension between them is so well-written—intelligent, slow-burn, and emotionally complex. That said, I’m really hoping we see some real movement or resolution in their relationship soon. The “will they, won’t they” tension has been great, but I think it’s time for a shift.

This series reminds me a bit of Outlander, but without the heavy romance and explicit scenes. Personally, I prefer that balance, and it’s actually why I didn’t finish Outlander. While the time periods differ, there’s a similar mix of time-slip intrigue, historical atmosphere, and character-driven mystery that works really well here.

Kelley Armstrong is such a talented writer. Her pacing, historical detail, and dry humor make these books so easy to get lost in. The mystery in this installment was solid and layered—there are always more secrets to uncover than you expect, and the setting in the Scottish Highlands added even more charm and atmosphere.

I switched between the ebook and audiobook and enjoyed both, but Kate Handford’s narration really brought the characters and world to life. She’s been narrating the series from the start, and her performance is consistent, expressive, and perfectly suited to the tone of the story.

If you love time travel, historical mysteries, and strong, slow-burning character dynamics, you need to read this series. Death at a Highland Wedding is another great entry, and I’m already counting the days until the next one.

I am obsessed with this series. I will admit I hadn't read any of the books in this series before listening to this one, and I'll say it: I had to go back and read the others to enjoy it to the fullest potential.

If you're looking for a good book that has bits and bobs that will entrance your senses and send them back in time, this is the one for you.

Now, time travel is tricky; it's one of those things that's either done well or just misses the mark, and this one is done so very well. It was immersive and and I loved it.

Since I went into this blind I didn't really know what to expect but I'm so glad I jumped on this one, it was a total delight and the narrator Kate Handford was just a fantastic choice for bringing Mallory to life, I'll be looking for more stories she's lent her immense talents to.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing copies of the audiobook and the e-book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

There are certain author's that are an automatic buy for me- and Kelley Armstrong is one of them (her mysterish series at least!!). Although I was a bit disappointed with the last one in this series- I absolutely loved this one! It is a bit different than the others, as it involves a wedding party and people that have known each other for years. We get to see more insight into Gray, Isla, McCreadie and Mallory. It continues to be a series that mixes time travel, nystery, historical fiction, and even a little romance. Yet it also has darker tones to it.

The crew is going to the Highlands for McCreadie's sister, Fiona's, wedding. They know that there will be some tension and drama because McCreadie's ex fiance will be there- se is the sister of the groom! He also is not speaking to his parents. The lodge is isolated, and the groundskeeper has set traps around the grounds to kill certain wildlife. The first "murder" is that of a highlander cat- wild cats. However, things soon continue to go downhill very fast, with tensions rising between the locals and the wedding party- and more murder occurs.

The mystery is very well done, and draws you in quickly. Gray and the team are left to look into the murder(s) without their usual resources, and this makes it even more interesting! The atmosphere soon becomes very dark and claustrophobic. And there is a deeper level of emotional development in all the characters both seen in the mystery, and in their personal lives. I found that I was quite addicted to this story, and continued to read well into the night!

I can't really explain exactly what it is that Kelley Armstrong does with her writing- but it calls to me and draws me in every time! It's a bit magical! I highly recommend this author and this series. I cannot wait to see what is in story for these characters in the future. I am a huge fan!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

“Death at a Highland Wedding” is another standout in Kelley Armstrong’s delightful mystery series. Set in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, this book had everything I love in a cozy mystery: charming setting, smart sleuths, and a tightly woven plot that kept me guessing.

Mallory and Duncan continue to be such a fantastic duo. Their chemistry, humor, and steady partnership add so much heart to the story. The wedding weekend gone wrong premise was the perfect setup for a twisty, satisfying mystery, and Armstrong does a brilliant job of layering clues and red herrings without ever making the plot feel overcomplicated.

I loved the mix of local color, witty dialogue, and just the right touch of danger. If you're a fan of clever, character-driven mysteries with a strong sense of place, this series and especially this book is a must read.

Can't wait for the next one!

Is this my favorite installment in the series so far? I think so. This is the fourth book in the Rip Through Time series but can be read as a standalone mystery with enough context on previous books. That said, highly recommend starting from the beginning.

This book sees the mystery gang take a trip to the Scottish countryside for a wedding where they inadvertently stumble upon the murdered corpse of the best man. Sounds simple enough for two police detectives and a forensic scientist to solve but throw in an incompetent local constable, an unsavory groundskeeper, and oh, the limitations of Victorian era law and science. One of my favorite things in the series is modern day detective Mallory’s commentary on the marvels of current science and police work and the MacGyver like approach she and her boss, Duncan Gray, are forced to take instead. It’s like watching chess the way they have to carefully navigate the rules of their time period while being so much more than what society expects. I particularly relate to how Mallory bristles at yet takes advantage of the fact her appearance as a pretty young housemaid can disarm people who underestimate her. The world is rich and immersive and I feel like I always learn so much. That said, the true stars of the series are the characters and their relationships. And while I’m glad that romance is not the focus, how much more of a slow burn do we need??? Eagerly awaiting the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love the entire concept of this series - a modern day detective that is transported back in time due to unknown reasons. The twist to this is that she is not occupying her own body but that of a local woman whom she initially saw being unalived. Mallory has settled into life in Victorian Scotland, having made friends with some forward thinking individuals - Hugh, a criminal officer, Isla, an ascerbic but insightful widow, and Duncan, the undertaker with a passion for science.

This story revolves around a wedding party gone very wrong. There is much that Mallory finds odd about the practices of this hunting lodge in rural Scotland, but she keeps her modern opinions to herself. However, when one of the guests is found unalive not by natural causes, the group jumps into action to find out the truth.

I was intrigued and drawn into the story. The plot was well paced, the characters interesting,

i was really looking forward to this installment in the series. being at a different location allowed for interactions that normally would not have happened between the main characters. and it was encouraging to see progress in Hugh and Ida's relationship. but wished for more between Mallory and Duncan. the mystery itself wasn't really compelling to me, and i didnt really care about the secondary characters. still, can't wait for the next one!

Finished Reading

Pre-Read notes

I'm really excited for this one because it's a wild concept– a contemporary detective slides in time and ends up in the Highlands of Scotland in the late nineteenth century. If that isn't cool enough, she's there to solve a crime.

I really like time travel stories that don't get tangled in themselves. To this end, I really appreciated the introduction in which the author catches the reader up on what has gone before in the series. I found this very useful, as I am dropping into this series. I wish more series writers did something like this!

Final Review

“The law is a uniform entity,” I say. “The police are not.”“But does Constable Ross know that?” Isla says, looking crafty..p124

Review summary and recommendations

For me, this one was okay. I get distracted easily if an author creates too many side-quests, sub-plots, or even character through-lines. There was a lot of extraneous detail that distracted from the plot. It was good enough to keep me entertained and reading though!

I recommend this book to fans of accidental time travel, mysteries, and nineteenth century romances. Another time-traveling romance I really liked was Maybe Once, Maybe Twice and another mystery that spans two different timelines that I enjoyed was The Book Spy

Except that never happens because, being a romance . . . ?” I trail off with a shrug. “It all works out in the end.” p270

Reading Notes

Five things I loved:

1. I love that the author included an introduction that catches new readers up on the series.

2. I am such a fan of fish-out-of-water stories and this is a good one. A lot of humor originates from the detective feeling so out of place.

3. ...Gray teased me for flinching at the handling of evidence or the treatment of crime scenes, and I realize it wasn’t just teasing. They’re genuinely amused by my struggle to work in less than ideal circumstances. For them, that’s the norm. p136 Characters pointing out ableism in other characters is great disability rep!

4. “I am disturbingly fond of Macbeth, as my father always said.” p167 I adore the dark humor here!

5. I really love the setting details Armstrong provides about the setting, like the size and compositions of typical dwellings of late nineteenth century Scottish Highlands.

6. I really liked the ending and the solution to the mystery, but it's honestly a little long. The last chapter is quite good and clarifies a few shadowy spots in the story.

Three quibbles:

1. This one took a bit to get going, but once the mystery started unfolding, I was in.

2. I think the author retreads material quite a bit, usually setting and character details, which slows down the pace and convolutes the plot somewhat. This book could honestly have been shorter if it had been better organized.

Notes

1. Content warnings: veterinary surgery, injury to an animal, murder,

2. Contemporary forensic science in a late 19th century setting is a great mashup!

Rating: 🗻🗻🗻.5 /5 mountains in Scotland
Recommend? yes
Finished: Apr 29 '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🔪 murder mysteries
🏞️ stories set in Scotland / the mountains
🐠 fish-out-of-water stories
👩🏼‍❤️‍👩🏽 romance

Thank you to the author Kelley Armstrong, publishers Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING. All views are mine.
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Another great story from Kelley Armstrong. I love this series and I love watching Mallory solve the murders without our modern day technologies. I like that we got to learn more about Hugh and his family in this installment.

4.25stars-DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING is the fourth full-length instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s adult A RIP THROUGH TIME historical, time-travel mystery series focusing on thirty year old Vancouver Detective Mallory Atkinson, and undertaker / investigator Dr. Duncan Gray. DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lies is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading book one A RIP THROUGH TIME for backstory and cohesion regarding the events that lead Mallory back in time.

SOME BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2019 while visiting her ailing grandmother in Edinburgh Scotland,a then 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 Scotland, 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. Working alongside Dr. Gray and Detective McCreadie, Mallory uses her abilities as a detective to help.

Told from first person perspective (Mallory) DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING follows Mallory, Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie as they embark on a journey towards Hugh’s sister’s wedding but within hours of their arrival, one of the guests goes missing, later found murdered, and everyone becomes suspect including family, friends, neighbors and the former residents of the estate. Without the 21st century tools to use in her investigation, Mallory and Duncan must improvise in the wake of a questionable probe and inspection by an inexperienced police officer, with only months on the job, a police officer who is too quick to arrest the soon-to-be groom.

The world building follows Mallory, Duncan and Hugh McCreadie as they begin an investigation into the murder of one of the guests but the deeper the trio digs, the clues reveal a dark secret that goes back more than a decade.

The relationship between Duncan and Mallory is slowly progressing to something more. Duncan, Hugh and Isla are aware of Mallory’s true identity, and her outward appearance remains that of a twenty-year old house maid from Victorian England but the morals of the time may force our couple to take their friendship to the next level-here’s hoping the author has plans for something more.

There is a large ensemble of questionable secondary and supporting characters including the return of Dr. Duncan Gray, his sister Isla, Detective Hugh McCreadie, and parlor-maid Alice. We are introduced to Hugh’s former fiancé Violet, and his sister (the bride) Fiona McCreadie, and her fiancé Archie Cranston; best man Cranston, as well as several former school mates, extended family and questionable neighbors.

DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance,power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is enchanting and engaging; the characters are dynamic and determined.



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I don't read a lot of horror novels, but this one had me on my toes.

This is part of a series, and although I did not read the first books, the author did a good job of sharing who the characters are. Mallory is one of the main characters who gets transported back in time, to a wedding in Scotland. A murder needs to get solved and although I didn't guess who it was, the story definitely kept me captivated!

I think I would understand the story better with all the characters if I read the first books ( not sure if that would change my view of the book). I give this a solid 3.5 stars - rounding up to 4.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. I think I may go back and read the first books in this series.

This is book 4 in Kelley Armstrong's A Rip Through Time series. Not only is she a favorite author, this is a favorite series of mine as well.

I loved everything about this. We get to know more about the Gray's and McCreadie's pasts, and why it is that Hugh and Isla, although obviously interested in each other, have kept their relationship strictly platonic. I love the character development and watching the many relationships between characters, platonic and otherwise, evolve.

When an individual is found murdered Mallory, Dr Gray, and Hugh feel they must investigate on the sly as the local constable is a bumbling idiot who got his position simply because his grandfather held it and his father didn't want it. He's too proud of himself to accept help when Hugh offers it, and won't accept any of their messing around with his case. Unfortunately it seems he immediately arrests the wrong person and it's up to the crew to try and figure things out and set them to rights.

With all our favorite characters living in close quarters some unique situations arise. Combined with a surprise visit from a Highland tiger this book has easily become a favorite in the series for me. I really like where it left off, but I'm not sure I'll survive the wait for the next book as this one only released a couple days ago.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Okay, so honesty time? I hadn't heard of this series before I was offered this book. So I read it from the beginning, expecting a similar type of story to Outlander. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that those expectations were deeply wrong!

So on to Highland Wedding specifically. As I've fallen in love with Mallory, I'm glad to see her saddling up for another adventure. This time, her modern training does not easily prepare her to handle the case. But full of spunk as always, she finds a way!

Hopefully she and the doctor can actually act upon their feelings in an upcoming book, because the back and forth was the only part I didn't enjoy there!

Well-written, but the characters just didn’t “click” for me, and I had to suspend reality.. Perhaps, if I had read earlier books, I would have been more invested in their quirks and personalities. The plot was well designed and enjoyed.

So I happened to pick this one because I love the author #KelleyArmstrong, I did not however pay attention to the fact that #DeathAtAHighlandWedding happens to be the 4th installment in the #ARipThroughTime series.

Needless to say I was unfamiliar with the characters and all of the circumstances that brought them to this point. I did enjoy what I read but I truly can't wait to delve into Mallory and Duncans world and find out about all that led them to this point and this murder.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the chance to read the eArc of #DeathAtAHighlandWedding by #KelleyArmstrong

This book is the fourth in the Rip Through Time Series but the first I have read, and I enjoyed it! Told from the first person perspective of Mallory, a Vancouver police detective transported back in time to Victorian Era Scotland, this story will keep readers entertained as they turn pages to solve the murder. The setting is beautiful and the tension between the narrator’s contemporary perspective and historical circumstances sets this novel apart from other mysteries. Highly recommend!

So far, the various series that Kelley Armstrong has written have been a joy to read. It really shows the talented writer she is.
For the full effect you really need to start at the beginning of the series. This shows better understanding of the various characters. Emotional growth of their feelings towards each other. A wedding in an estate in the Scottish Highlands. What can go wrong? When the groom had bought the estate, he had little understanding of what was expected of him. The caretaker he hired made madders worse. Fired the old game keeper. Stopped the villagers from poaching on the land they had always been welcome to. And he is a foreigner. Other secrets come into play but for you to find out read the book.

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth in the Rip Through Time series by Kelley Armstrong in which she combines time travel with a cleverly plotted mystery to provide the reader with a very entertaining, very intriguing tale. Mallory, a modern day Vancouver police detective, while in Scotland, had been transported back in time into the body of a Victorian maid servant in the household of undertaker, Dr Duncan Gray and his sister, Isla. In past books, she had revealed her real identity and she has helped Duncan and Inspector Hugh McCreadie on several cases.

In this latest instalment, they have all been invited to the Scottish highlands for Hugh’s sister’s wedding but, shortly after their arrival, another guest goes missing and is later found murdered. With a houseful of suspects and an inexperienced local police officer, Mallory, Duncan, and Hugh quickly find themselves on the trail of a very clever killer.

Kelley Armstrong's books never fail to grab me and keep me fully immersed in the story from beginning to end. With plenty of red herrings and twists and turns, she does an amazing job of ramping up the tension to keep the reader glued to the page. The characters are complex and interesting as is the mystery and it is particularly fun watching Mallory trying to navigate through all the rules and manners of Victorian society, especially given the limitations placed on women, while working to solve a case without the aid of modern tools. A truly enjoyable and compelling mystery and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review