This was, as always, an amazing book! This is one of my favorite series and I can’t wait to see where it goes!

This series is just hitting all the right notes for me.

It's like Sherlock Holmes meets Outlander meets, well, any of our favorite police procedurals.

In this, the fourth installment of the Rip in Time series, Mallory has made the decision to stay in her new life in Victorian Scotland (remember, she slipped back 150 years into the past, in the first book) and is embracing all the it entails. Mallory, Grey, and McCreadie head to the Highlands to celebrate McCreadie's sister's wedding. While the setting of Cranston estate is quite beautiful, complicated histories make the company uncomfortable and mysterious happenings on the estate have the crime solving trio's emotions running high. When one of their company is murdered and the local constable arrests the groom-to-be in what seems like a complete botching of the investigation, they take on the investigation in secret.

While it is the fourth book, Armstrong starts the book off in such a way that a reader gets caught up quickly. Her pacing, as I'm learning is a trademark, is spot on and her understanding of forensics, both modern day and historical, build a story that's believable and entertaining. Of course, there's a quick wit behind it all, with humor and banter sprinkled throughout that make this series a fun read and offsets the heavier aspects unveiled as the details of the case are uncovered.

Now, I love the idea of Scotland. It's my bucket list trip. Armstrong kindof takes me there with her beautifully atmospheric writing. The sites, the sounds, the landscape, the buildings, the morning fog....especially at the estate...she knows how to transport the reader.

Our characters continue to show depth and personality and getting to know them better brings life to the story. Armstrong continues to reveal more of their personalities and relationships, how their stories are woven together. I won't lie, the slow burn nature of the romance is almost too slow burn for me. I want to give certain characters a little shove and tell them to get on with it already but patience, apparently, is a virtue, and there's another book coming.

And I will read it.

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

In "Death at a Highland Wedding," Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie leave the big city for a trip in the country. It won't be a relaxing trip, unfortunately, as they're traveling to attend the wedding of McCreadie's sister, who happens to be marrying the brother of McCreadie's ex-fiance. Yep, awkward.

Naturally, even at this beautiful country getaway, a murder investigation unfolds and, thanks to a bumbling constable in charge of the case, the trio is forced to step in to find the real killer. Armstrong does a spectacular job keeping the reader guessing until the very end, and I was hooked by this case.

I do wish we had seen more movement in Mallory and Gray's relationship--just ONE more heartfelt conversation (WHAT WAS IN THAT LETTER???) would have rounded this book out for me. I suppose I will have to be content to wait until book 5.

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

The fourth in the Rip Through Time series, this installment did not disappoint!
Back with some of my favorite characters, we are now out of Edinburgh and in the Scottish countryside at a wedding and subsequent murder.
Mallory, Gray and McCreadie must solve the murder of the Best Man at McCreadie's sister's wedding. They face an inexperienced constable, less than ideal working condiditons, sociatal constraints and hostile locals. I loved that the new setting caused the main characters to have to remember to stop themselves from speaking/acting as openly as they do in their home environment.

Looking forward to book no. 5!

Happiness for a bookworm is when a new installment in a favourite series is really, really good. I had that happiness when I was reading Death at a Highland Wedding, the fourth book in Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time series. It’s my favourite in the series now!

Here’s the book’s description:

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.

I’m not really sure what made this fourth installment hit right for me. Maybe it was because I was in just the right mood for a historical mystery with a dash of time travel. Maybe it was the mystery itself - it was so layered. Or maybe it was hanging out with characters I’ve come to love and seeing their relationships grow and become stronger (but also more complicated). No matter the reason, I thoroughly enjoyed Death at a Highland Wedding.

It was also fun that Armstrong moved the setting of the series north, away from Edinburgh and into the Highlands. While I’m not really reading these for the history, it was cool to get Armstrong’s take on small towns and life in the Scottish Highlands. She explored the politics involved in owning an estate in a town and also mentioned a bit about the Highland Clearances, which Mallory somewhat remembered learning about from school and from her grandmother, who was Scottish. Conversations about the Clearances reminded Mallory that what she remembers as history is actually the recent past in the time she finds herself in.

I was delighted that the mystery kept me guessing until the end. There was so much more than meets the eye - not just with the murder case but also with the characters. There were a number of shocking revelations because some people were very good at keeping their past, and their true nature, hidden. I liked that I didn’t see any of it coming!

Anyone like me, who enjoys a bit of romance in almost every story they encounter, will appreciate this installment especially. Armstrong inched some relationships along but also started to hint more at feelings - and the problems arising from those feelings - with others. Why, yes, that is vague. I’m not about to give anything away, thank you very much!

Death at a Highland Wedding was a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery read. I’ve been loving Kelley Armstrong’s series so much and I can’t wait to see what Mallory, Duncan, and the rest of the crew get up to next. Will there be wedding bells in the future? Will the “how” of the time travel be revealed? I don’t know but I’m so ready to find out!

Review of A Rip Through Time

Review of The Poisoner's Ring

Review of Disturbing the Dead

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Minotaur (St. Martin’s Press), via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

The Rip Through Time series has all of my favorite tropes - strong female during Victorian times, a bit of sci-fi/fantasy, women solving mysteries.

Duncan, Mallory, Hugh, and Isla are in the Highlands for the marriage of Hugh's sister to his old friend Archie Cranston. Also in attendance is Cranston's sister Violet, who is Hugh's ex-fiancee. They expect an uncomfortable weekend, especially since Hugh is also estranged from his parents. But no one expects that Cranston's best friend Ezra will be murdered, and Archie arrested for it.

I can't say how much I enjoy these mysteries and their show burn romances! However, this book also doesn't shy away from the horrible way men treated maids and other staff and how easy it was for the Lord of the manor to only consider his needs and not the villagers'. There are some scenes off the page that are very disturbing. But there is redemption and healing as well.

If you love historical mysteries, you'll really enjoy this series. While you could pick up this book and read it without reading the others first, you'll enjoy it much more with all of the knowledge from the previous books.

I adore this series, and this latest installment was everything I hoped for and more. This time, instead of the usual Edinburgh setting, we’re whisked away to the stunning Scottish Highlands for a wedding. And, of course, it wouldn't be a proper Mallory Atkinson mystery without a murder!

Mallory,still navigating life in 1860s Scotland after slipping back in time 150 years, shines once again. I love how she applies her modern-day homicide detective skills to these historic cases. It's such a smart and compelling twist, and watching her figure out how to adapt today’s techniques with limited tools is honestly one of my favorite parts of the series.

While there’s a bit less action than in the previous book, the character development was so satisfying, especially for fans who've been invested in Isla and Hugh's storyline. I was thrilled with the direction that took! There’s such a rich emotional core to these books that makes them more than just great mysteries.

The mystery itself had me hooked. I didn’t see the ending coming at all, and I loved the way the tension was built, especially with the weird behavior surrounding the injured wildcat and the groom’s creepy trap setup. The family dynamics between the McCreadies and Cranstons added even more delicious drama to the mix.

Kelley Armstrong continues to build such an immersive world with lovable, flawed characters and tight, clever plots. I highly recommend reading this series in order. Each book adds so much to the relationships and overarching story.

I already can't wait for the next one!

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After getting sent to the past, modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is quickly getting used to her new life in Victorian Scotland thanks to the relationships she's developing, particularly as assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie. When a trip to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister's wedding ends with a dead guest and too many questions, it'll be up to Mallory and her friends to figure out who the real culprit is.

There are so many twists and turns, with even darker revelations coming to light at each chapter, that you'd think it would be a very dark story, yet there is always a throughline of love and connection that keeps things light. I appreciate the thin line Armstrong had to toe to achieve this. A story that could have gotten very dark is saved by sweet, romantic, and entertaining moments that add to the plot without diminishing the seriousness of the crimes.

It's the fourth book in the series, which is why I have a ton of questions about what happened before. However, Armstrong does a great job of setting things up so that you can understand the important details and follow along with no problem. I'm definitely picking up the previous volumes to catch up and looking forward to whatever comes next.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the excellent read!

I love this series, and I enjoyed this installment, although maybe not quite as much as the others. It was nice to get relocated to the Scottish Highlands, though I would have liked a bit more description of the setting. The plot moved quickly, and I appreciated that things have started moving along more with some of the main characters' romances too. There were a few points in this book where Mallory had a couple of interjections that felt awkward (e.g. "Hey," and "OK,") It just felt a little too modern and casual for the tone of the rest of the book.

I look forward to continuing this series and seeing what else happens between Mallory/Dr. Gray and Isla/Hugh!

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

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

For anyone who knows me, you know that Kelley Armstrong is my all time favourite author. I read everything she writes, and will stand on the top of the mountains to share that with anyone who asks. Her writing is SO diverse, which makes everything she writes so top notch.

Anywho, Death at a Highland Wedding is book 4 in the Rip Through Time Series. We continue with main characters Mallory Atkinson and Dr. Duncan Gray (whom I love) and add in some supporting characters that I also adored throughout this book. The setting - Scottish highlands, the forest at night, the twists and turns... it was all so amazing.

This series should definitely be on your TBR.

Being a maid in Victorian Scotland still isn’t exactly Mallory Atkinson’s dream job, but by book four in this clever time travel mystery series, she’s made peace with the corsets, coal dust, and class system—and even grown to love her role assisting undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray. In this installment, Mallory travels with Gray, Inspector McCreadie, and the whole Gray-McCreadie clan to the Highlands for a wedding at a gorgeous (but tension-filled) estate. When the groom sets illegal traps for endangered wildcats and a guest ends up dead, the weekend takes a murderous turn. 🐾💀

There’s sharp banter, delicious slow-burn tension, a fascinating look at early forensics, and excellent historical detail woven into the mystery. The Highland setting is atmospheric, the family drama deliciously messy, and Mallory continues to shine as a heroine out of time—sarcastic, smart, and wonderfully unladylike.

I loved the twists, the humor, the emotional undercurrents—and as always, I’m anxiously awaiting book five. Kelley Armstrong, don’t keep us in suspense too long!

A Review of Kelley Armstrong's Death at a Highland Wedding

As a long-time fan of time travel and portal stories, Kelley Armstrong's "A Rip Through Time" series immediately captured my imagination from its very first novel. What truly hooked me, beyond the captivating premise, were the richly developed characters, each with their own unique side stories that have unfolded beautifully throughout the series. The ingenious dual-timeline narrative, spanning 150 years between present day and Victorian-era Scotland, offers a fascinating contrast in societal norms and daily life. Armstrong masterfully weaves historical details into the plot, delivering engaging and often humorous history lessons without it ever feeling overly educational like a school lecture.

Her latest installment, Death at a Highland Wedding, continues this tradition with another compelling mystery. We once again follow the resourceful Mallory, still navigating life in Catrina's body 150 years in the past. Alongside her, she's joined by her familiar companions, employer Dr. Duncan Gray, his sister Isla Ballantine, and their friend Detective Hugh McCreadie as they journey to the Scottish Highlands for Hugh's younger sister's wedding. However, the pre-wedding festivities take a dark turn when a guest is found murdered, casting suspicion on everyone in attendance.

As expected from Armstrong, the narrative is packed with clever twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very last page. The cozy mystery elements are perfectly balanced with the ongoing interpersonal relational dramas and the wonderfully depicted historical setting.

True to form, I absolutely loved Death at a Highland Wedding. It delivered everything I've come to enjoy about the series: engaging characters, a clever mystery, and fascinating historical insights. I can confidently say this series consistently hits all the right notes for an immersive read. I'm already eagerly anticipating Armstrong's next installment in the "A Rip Through Time" series, Kirkyards & Kindness, expected for release at the end of this year.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another excellent installment in the A Rip Through Time series!

The crew attend a wedding in the highlands for McCreadie's sister. McCreadie and Gray have a complex relationship with the groom and some of the other attending guests which makes the weekend immediately tense. Once a dead body turns up, the weekend intensifies even more. As Mallory, Gray and McCreadie investigate, they turn up more than they bargained for about their friends and family.

I was so happy to dive back into this world. I continue to love the characters and enjoyed the change of scenery to the countryside. The mystery in this book was top notch and I enjoyed the background development for Gray and McCreadie that the new characters provided. I also love the development of Isla and McCreadies's romance! Overall just such a great addition to this series and I can't wait to read more!

5 stars!

I loved this book so much. Although the romance between the main characters hasn’t happened yet, I loved the ending immensely. The setting was interesting, and suspicious people were lurking everywhere. I need Isla and Archie to have their own novella.

I love being back with Mallory and Gray. This was a great addition to A Rip Through Tip Series. I loved this mystery in the countryside. It felt like things kept happening, and I couldn't stop reading to find out what happened! I can't wait for more, but come on, Kelley.....talk about a SLOW BURN. It'll just keep me reading on. This is a great series for any historical fiction fans. A huge thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced e-copy.

Death at a Highland Wedding is the 4th instalment of A Rip Through Time series by Kelley Armstrong. I have been really enjoying this series and this novel was no exception. This time, Mallory and Gray find themselves attending a wedding in the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister. When one of the guests is murdered a few days before the wedding, McCreadie and Gray, and of course Mallory/Catriona are off to solve the case and hopefully save the wedding.

Kelley always manages to make you feel like you are living in the Victorian Era and I love the way Mallory compares things to current day so we can really appreciate what she is seeing. Since Mallory is from our current time, and was thrust back into time when she was attacked and almost murdered, she thinks with 21st Century humour and compares her days long carriage ride to our hour long car rides with a comedy one would only find with time travelling Canadians!

If you haven't read this series yet, I absolutely recommend starting with the first one before jumping into a Death at a Highland Wedding. The characters don't need much development and the story jumps right in. I love that Kelley does a quick reminder at the beginning of what happened so far. I find with series that only have one book per year being released, it's hard to remember what has been happening so this is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, Armstrong pulls you into her world. In the fourth installment in the rip in time series, the crew faces a new slew of mystery and intrigue while out at a friend's wedding on the country side. The characters are mysterious, and unexpected at times. I appreciated some of the twists and turns and was quite happy with the ending.

This read could be a stand alone however i believe there is a chunk of backstory in the first set of books i have not yet read. Story itself is like a cross over with Outlander meets Sherlock Holmes. Great characters and looking forward to reading more.

Kelley Armstrong's *Death at a Highland Wedding* delivers an engaging mystery that will keep you guessing. While it's the fourth book in the "A Rip Through Time" series, new readers can easily jump in here and enjoy it as a standalone. Armstrong skillfully provides enough backstory and details for you to fully understand the characters and events without feeling lost.

This installment plunges you into a fascinating Victorian-era Scottish countryside wedding, just outside Edinburgh, where a murder quickly sets the stage for a compelling whodunit. What makes this series truly stand out is the unique premise of the main character, a modern-day detective, navigating life and crime in the 1870s. This "rip through time" adds an intriguing layer of modern sensibilities to a historical setting, creating a fresh and dynamic feel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and found myself completely absorbed in the unfolding events. It's yet another excellent addition to Armstrong's work, one of my favorite authors. If you're looking for a clever historical mystery with a captivating time-travel twist, *Death at a Highland Wedding* is definitely worth reading!

“Death At A Highland Wedding” is the fourth novel in Kelly Armstrong’s Rip Through Time series featuring Mallory Atkinson, a Vancouver police detective who was transported 150 years into the past to Victorian Edinburgh. Mallory works as an assistant to Doctor Duncan Grey and the pair, along with the help of an eclectic cast of supporting characters, solve mysteries with an emphasis on early forensic science. For this outing most of the supporting characters are left in Edinburgh as Mallory and Grey travel to the Highlands to attend the wedding of Grey’s best friend’s sister.

I have to admit that I thought I was going to miss the extended cast and the setting in Edinburgh but Armstrong won me over with her description of the Scottish Highlands. I really enjoyed everything about this book - there was great character development, an intriguing mystery with good pacing, a well done setting, and a good ensemble cast. I do wish that there had been a bit more development in the relationship between Mallory and Duncan, and that Mallory’s ability to remain in the past had been explored more. Despite this, I can’t wait for the next book - I’m just sad I have to wait a year!

While this is the fourth book in the series I think Armstrong provides enough of the backstory that readers starting here wouldn’t be lost but I would recommend starting with book one because the series is so much fun! I highly recommend this book, and the entire series, and I can’t wait to check out the next book!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.