Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth installment in an excellent mystery/time travel series best read in order.

Detective Mallory Atkinson was attacked in modern day Scotland and somehow switched bodies with a housemaid Catriona Mitchell living in Victorian Scotland 150 years earlier. She’s become friends with Duncan Gray and his sister Isla and now works with Duncan, an undertaker/doctor who performs autopsies for the police. There’s a slow-burn (very slow) romance brewing there.

Mallory, Duncan, Isla and Detective Hugh McCreadie travel out to the Scottish Highlands for Hugh’s sister’s wedding. There is some conflict with the gamekeeper of the estate which comes to a head when a wild cat is found in one of his set traps. The situation goes from bad to worse when one of the guests is found murdered out on the grounds. Duncan, Mallory and Hugh offer to help the inexperienced Constable Ross, but he’s set on solving the case himself.

This was a mystery with a lot of layers! I was fully invested as Mallory, Duncan and Hugh go about their own investigation, employing what they can of the limited forensic sciences available that Mallory has shared. A lot of the investigation comes down to interviewing the people involved and getting to the heart of why the murder was committed. It’s an engrossing process, but the relationships between the regular and new characters are an ongoing draw, especially as we learn more of the reoccurring characters’ histories.

This mystery wraps up, but Duncan and Mallory will have to decide how to handle a new development that will impact their situation in the future. It’s a good development, and one I was hoping for. I eagerly await the next installment!

I alternately read and listened to an e-copy and audio version. I’ve enjoyed Kate Handford’s narration in the series. I think she does an excellent job with the Scottish accents and performs both male and female voices wonderfully!

Death at a Highland Wedding – Audiobook by Kelley Armstrong

5 stars
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Listening Time: 11 Hours, 15 Minutes
Narrator: Kate Handford

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Time Travel, Scotland, England

Mallory Mitchell is a thirty-something Canadian police officer who was transported to the body of a young woman in the 1800s. She lives and works as an assistant to Dr. Duncan Gray. They have been invited by McCreadie, the local criminal officer, to his sister’s wedding in the Highlands. A wildcat is caught in a mantrap but after a necropsy is performed, the cause of death is poisoning.

The best man is found dead, and the groom is accused of the murder. McCreadie handles the case since the local police lack the skills to investigate. Duncan and Mallory assist him to find the real murderer. The is a twist in the story since Violet, the sister of the groom, was McCreadie’s former fiancé. There is more than the murder to solve in the book.

The story is fast paced, the characters are developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view. This is the latest in the time travel series. If you like historical mysteries, you may enjoy this book. The narrator brings the book to life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ series

A Rip Through Time continues to be a 5 star series for me! I just adore these books! The incredible Kate Handford narrates the audiobooks beautifully, using various, distinct voices for the cast of characters. I could listen at 3.0x speed and still easily understand the narrator. I would definitely listen to more audiobooks by this talented voice actor. . Each book is a separate mystery in which detective Mallory Atkinson and medical examiner Dr Duncan Gray team up to solve murders in the 19th century using techniques that Mallory learned in the 21st century. These genre bending books are so good. There is a dash of sci-fi, a heaping helping of historical fiction, a slow-burn romance, and mysteries throughout. Together, these ingredients form an incredible series of books that I will not soon forget!

So let me start by saying that if Kelley Armstrong is writing it, I'm reading it!!
And, if it involves Time Travel and Dual Timelines, I am 110% in!!!

That being said, I feel like this is a love/like relationship with this series.
Book #1... I LOVED!! Book #2... I Liked. Book #3... I loved. Book #4... I like. There is a book/novella #4.5 coming out in December (from what it says on Goodreads), so looking forward to that one too!

OK... Moving along.
Dr. Gray and Catrina are at 'castle' for a friend’s wedding, when of course, they come across a dead body. They are traveling around the grounds, just enjoying their time... and then this. So of course they begin to look into what could've maybe happened...

But, they find that the more people they interview, the less they think they might actually KNOW about their friend... and the circumstances of the death! 😮

AND, if you've been keeping up with this series, you know that Catrina, in 1869, is an assistant to Dr. Gray...
BUT, in 2020 she is a well known, experienced detective!

And we're still not really sure how she slips from one lifetime to another...

🛑🛑 And I’m stopping right here! 🛑🛑

4 big, bright, scary ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#DeathAtAHighlandWedding (A Rip Through Time, #4) by #KelleyArmstrong and narrated nicely by #KateHandford.

*** RELEASE DATE was yesterday, 5/20/25 ... SO LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

I wish I’d had time to start this series at the beginning. I will definitely be adding the rest to my TBR. I really liked Mallory’s character as a modern-day detective finding herself trapped in the past. I also enjoyed the historical detail and the way the mystery played out. Fans of historical mystery will eat this series up.

Thank you net galley for the advanced audio of Kelley Armstrong's DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING. This is the fourth novel in her A Rip Through Time series. This is a novel that can easily be read as a stand-alone. It tells the story of a 31 year old police office from Canada who travels back 150 years into the body of a 19 year-old maid. Mallory, in Catarina's body, uses her knowledge as a police officer to assist undertaker/medical examiner as well as police detective Hugh McCreadie in solving murders. This book teaches so much history and has a bit of romance too. It's at times funny, having Mallory think if only this was available now, trying to remember her history and what happened when, trying to remember to speak as a woman in 19th century Scotland would behave and getting used to the clothes as well as not having the conveniences she's used to. It's interesting to read about solving a murder without the technology of today.

I love being transported to a different time and the Scottish Highlands! Time traveler Mallory has travelled back in time and goes from being a 31 year old homicide detective to a maid. She quickly made friends in the previous books and now is on the way to a wedding in the Highlands with her employer and friends. Once there the setting is breathtaking and upon one of their strolls they find animal traps are set everywhere. And in one of the traps is a Scottish wildcat with her kittens nearby. But something seems off with the dead cat and Mallory is sensing a mystery is needing to be solved. Which leads to uncovering more inconsistency.
This is the 4th in the series but the introduction does explain Mallory’s journey. I still recommend reading the previous books. Another well written story with and touch of humor since Mallory can be her real self with her friends who know her truth. I enjoyed listening to the narrator she kept a good pace throughout. Looking forward to more by this author. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC all opinions expressed are my own.

I love this series, however, I was wondering what this book would bring, after the unexpected events of the previous installment. I'm happy to report that Death at a Highland Wedding is a delight, and at least as thrilling as the rest of the series. The wedding of the title takes the main characters out of Edinburgh and into a place where unanticipated events happen at every turn. The wedding party and other guests provide fresh faces to consider as suspects and I found renewed pleasure in the interactions between Mallory, Duncan, Isla, and Hugh. While I would recommend that new readers start at the beginning of the series, there is a helpful recap of past events in the preface. Once again, Kate Handford beautifully narrates the audiobook, and I enjoyed every word. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Great introduction of extended family and friends. Sensitive topics with a twist I didn't see coming. I love this series, the only cons for me is the slow relationship progression and Mallory almost dying every book0

Death at a Highland Wedding is book #4 in the Rip Through Time Novels series by Kelley Armstrong and narrated by Kate Handford.

This was the first book I’ve read/listened to in this series. The premise of having a female modern-day homicide detective going back 150 years in time is interesting. I appreciate the author giving an introduction at the beginning. Without it I probably would have been lost. I liked Mallory and her sarcastic comments which were completely inappropriate for the times. The murder investigation kept me hooked and I was guessing until the end. I did regret not making notes of the characters and who they were as it did get a bit confusing at times. Since I listened to the audiobook, I couldn’t easily go back and see who was who. But I still enjoyed this book and plan to read the earlier books in the series.

Kate Handford did a good job narrating the book. It was very easy to listen to.

Thank you to the author, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy (ALC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have not always been a fan of time travel but this author has two series where it is an element and I love them. A Rip Through Time series is where a modern day police detective ends up 150 years earlier. So the story is primarily set historically. I would read this story in order for the development in the characters and the situations.

Mallory has chosen to stay in this earlier time and have a life with the Gray family. She is enamored with Duncan but society rules are crazy difficult. There are often few choices for women. She has been accustomed to her free speech and opinions in their home but on this journey out to an estate she is under the eye of those not aware of her past or respectful of women, as well as stricter social norms.

The wedding is one of Duncan and Hugh's friends, Archie, to Hugh's sister, Fiona. The class and social rules are stifling. Then there is the uncomfortable decade ago breakup of Hugh with the groom's sister, Violet. Mallory wonders about the match of the current groom and bride, about Hugh and Isla, and her own feelings for Duncan.

Archie has recently purchased this beautiful estate planning to turn it into a hunting lodge. His new gamekeeper has set traps for poachers which are quite dangerous. Fiona is fond of wildlife and is distraught when a mother wildcat is killed leaving 3 young kittens. People are told to stay in at night and stick to paths. Of course, they don't. Ezra, Archie's best man, is found dead wearing Archie's coat. Out of their jurisdiction, and aghast at the new inexperienced constable's lack of skill, our team goes to work to find the real killer.

Death at a Highland Wedding has lots of sordid and personal secrets. Those who were out at night and likely to have seen anything make themselves unavailable, including the new gamekeeper and the children of the house manager. Eventually they work through the distractions and red herrings to solve the mystery but not before Mallory finds herself in trouble.

I really enjoy this view of the 1870s from a modern police detective's perspective. Kelley Armstrong is writing gold for me these days, easily one of my favorite authors in several of her series. I highly recommend this series.

Narration:
I have become very comfortable with the narrator. I really appreciate her performance. The male and female voices feel appropriate and some characters are recognizable to me now. I've no idea if the accents are accurate but they sounded fine to me. I was able to enjoy the performance at my new speed of 1.75x speed.

I absolutely loved Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong. I had the ALC and the story is narrated by Kate Handford and she is absolutely brilliant covering men and women and the accents. Outstanding! This is a time travel story and it is the fourth book in a series. You can read these books as standalones, in my opinion. You just need to understand that our female main character has traveled back in time about 150 years. She was a police detective in Canada and now she is working as an assistant to an undertaker, Dr. Henry Grey, in role that we would think of as forensic pathology as he works with his good friend, Inspector Hugh McCready in Scotland to solve murders. Henry and Hugh are aware that Mallory has traveled back in time and they are benefiting from her expertise and modern knowledge of criminology. This story has the three, plus Henry's sister traveling to the Highlands for a wedding between Hugh's younger sister and one of their contemporaries. There is side drama here as Hugh was once engaged to the groom's sister and Hugh called off the engagement and there are still hurt feelings. There is a murder on the eve of the wedding. Was it mistaken identity? The local constabulary does not want Henry and Hugh's assistance, he can handle it. They know he cannot so they begin to quietly investigate. This was so well done I gave this 4.25 stars and I will be seeking out books 1-3 to read them because I enjoyed this so much! Thank you so much #netgalley and MacMillan Audio for my ALC. Such a great listen!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for gifted access to this audiobook. All opinions below are my own.

I read the first book of this series and enjoyed the mystery more than the time slip. But I was intrigued by the premise of this one so I decided to give the series another chance. Luckily at the beginning there is a little refresher to make sure you know all the essential details before you get reading. Mallory, Dr Gray and Detective McCreadie are away in the Highlands at a wedding when a man and a wild cat turn up dead and the crew is on the hunt for the killer.

These characters all have charm and this murder certainly puts them in a bit of a pickle as most of the suspects are known to them. In the first book, I struggled to feel connected to Mallory but in this one I felt she did a good job balancing her modern sensibilities with the expectations of the time. We get a little progress on the internal relationships but not really enough to swoon over. The murder reasoning is definitely scandalous for the time, definitely sinister!

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery, Time Travel, Slow-Burn Romance, Time Travel Mystery, Time Travel Romance, Thriller, Historical Thriller, Victorian, British Lit
Spice Level: Nothing on the page, but sex and crimes centered around sexual abuse become prevalent.
Gore Level: Not on the page gratuitously
Readability: This is part of a series, but I picked up on everything without a problem.

DEATH AT A HIGHLAND WEDDING leads you on a winding path of secrets and twists. Gritty. Addictive. Unexpected.

I particularly liked the main characters Mallory and Duncan. This is definitely a slow-burn romance as a side to the mystery/thriller plot. These are intelligent people, using every resource available. And this case is twisty! I definitely didn't see everything coming. She has a background in solving crimes, and Gray's no-nonsense medical/science mind is perfect for this type of position. I don't feel like it can be called a cozy, partly because she's got a background for this very thing, and the subject is more serious, but you'll have to decide.

Crime, mystery, thriller readers will particularly enjoy this book.

Happy reading!

n the 4th book in the A Rip Through Time Series, Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister Fiona's wedding. After they arrive, Gray & Mallory decide to take a stroll around the gardens and get a bit of fresh air. They discover while on their walk, that the groom, Archie Cranston, a slightly pompous and prickly man, has set up deadly traps in the woods for the endangered Scottish wildcats. When they happen upon a cat who's been caught and severely injured in one of those traps Mallory notices the cat's injuries don't match up with the intricacies of the trap. This, combined with the secretive and erratic behavior of the groom, puts 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 love this series.... I mean really what is not to love? A detective from present day Vancouver, Canada gets attacked in an alley and somehow switches identities with a housemaid from Victorian Scotland 150 years prior. The housemaid just happens to live in the home of Duncan Gray, the medical examiner & best friend of Hugh McCreadie, an Edinburgh detective. Once Mallory convices them of her true identity, the trio have been solving crimes together. She has also developed feelings for Gray, but is unsure of his feelings towards her. Every book I have my fingers crossed that he will finally declare his feelings for her. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end - I think I suspected almost everyone in the book at some point. The narrator did an excellent job bringing the book to life. If you love a good mystery, especially one with a bit of a historical fiction or fantasy twist to it, you will love this. Each book, technically could be read as a standalone, since the author does an excellent job giving a refresher course at the beginning of the book to remind you of everything that has happened so far in the series.

Death at a Highland Wedding is another incredible installment in one of my favorite historical mystery series ever. In this particular installment Mallory and company travel to a hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands to attend a wedding, but before the wedding a guest is murdered. First thing I will say is this book has a great change of location from the 1800s Edinburgh I have come to expect from this series. I will say the highlight of this series, for me, still is the characters. The depth and complicated relationships I have come to know are further explored and evolved in the latest installment.
I will say the tone of this mystery is different from the three previous, though it's hard to elaborate on without spoiling the ending. I do think it still worked for me and lead to a satisfying conclusion. I can say now with certainty this is a favorite series of mine. I am an avid reader of historical mysteries and consider it my favorite subgenre. I think because of this it is difficult for some series to stand out amongst the rest, but this series definitely does. I think this is in large part to the ingenious use of time travel in the series. Overall, I very much enjoyed this installment into a favorite series.

Thank You to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

First, let me say that I always appreciate a recap of the story so far in a series.

I love this series so much, and I think this latest entry is my favorite so far. It’s so cozy for the majority of the book. The characters are certainly the best thing about this. I really like how logical and level-headed Mallory is, while still letting bits of wonder and silliness shine through sometimes. Duncan is, of course, very sweet and considerate. And we get a lot more of Detective McCreadie and his backstory. I even really liked the new side characters. It's very “found family” and despite there being a murder and other nasty subjects, there isn’t very much intense conflict.

The mystery had me guessing the whole time. I never knew where it was going to take me. I certainly didn’t see the conclusion coming, but it gave me chills - a very stark contrast to the feel of the rest of the book.

Finally, as an audiobook, it's been one of my favorite series to listen to. I’ve not listened to any other audiobook narrated by Kate Handford, but I want to check out more. She handles the different accents well, making sure we can understand them easily - this story includes both Scottish and German accents that could easily get impenetrable.

I was excited to dive back into the intriguing world of the “A Rip Through Time” series as we reunite with Mallory Atkinson, a modern homicide detective from Vancouver, now navigating life in the 19th-century Scottish Highlands—still in the body of 20-year-old maid Catriona Mitchel. In this compelling fourth installment, Mallory embraces her role as assistant to the passionate Dr. Duncan Gray, the village undertaker and medical examiner, collaborating with him and the charming Detective Hugh McCreadie on a series of captivating cases.

As they head to the picturesque Cranston estate for Hugh’s sister Fiona’s wedding to Archie Cranston, the weekend is marred by some family drama. While the haunting beauty of the Highlands offers a breathtaking backdrop, Mallory and Duncan stumble upon disturbing signs of illegal poaching as they explore. Just when the wedding festivities seem idyllic, tragedy strikes—one of the guests is found murdered.

Mallory is a character brimming with depth and complexity. Her logical yet empathetic nature makes her relatable and fiercely protective of those she cares for. She defies the era's norms with a sharp wit and a penchant for sarcasm, proving that strong female protagonists can be independent thinkers unafraid to voice their opinions. Joining her in this gripping narrative are Duncan, whose enthusiasm for forensic science shines through; Isla, a brilliant chemist and widow with a heart of gold; and the adventurous McCreadie, whose clever antics add a bit of lightheartedness to the mix.

Kelley Armstrong’s fluid writing envelops readers in a richly crafted story, seamlessly summarizing previous events for those returning to the series while welcoming newcomers embarking on this thrilling journey. The insightful exploration of early police forensics and the local constable's investigative methods adds a fascinating layer to the murder mystery.

Expect unexpected twists and shocking revelations as the plot unfolds, leading to a heart-pounding finale filled with action. Amidst the suspense, the story tackles darker themes that resonate deeply, offering a glimpse into the treatment of servants and changing societal expectations for women. The vivid world-building transports readers to the enchanting Scottish Highlands, augmented by clever humour that lightens the narrative beautifully.

With its well-drawn characters, gripping tension, and moments that tug at your heartstrings, this novel is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries. Get ready to immerse yourself in a tale that captures the essence of the past while leaving you eagerly anticipating what lies ahead in the next chapter of Mallory’s journey!

Kate Handford's narration is truly exceptional, highlighting her impressive vocal range and skill. She skillfully switches between various character voices, including Mallory's distinct "Canadian" voice and Catriona’s unique tone, while effectively capturing other characters' Scottish brogue. Her engaging and natural delivery allows the story to unfold beautifully, making her performance a joy to listen to. I wholeheartedly recommend the audio format of this series as it offers an excellent way to immerse oneself in the captivating tale.


Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing an ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was under no obligation to provide a review.

Death At A Highland Wedding is the fourth book in the Rip Through Time series by Kelly Armstrong, Mallory is still stuck in Scotland in the 1800s and for the most part she is loving it. When the book starts we see her, Gray, McCreedy, and Gray’s sister Isla, on their way to the country to Detective McCreedy‘s sister‘s wedding. let me start by saying this is one of those historical mystery series who every book you get to delve deeper into another known characters life and in this one we get to see detective McCready, the family and fiancé he left behind to become a police officer more friends from the past who they went to school with and my favorite thing about this series we learn more about etiquette and manners in the 1800s. Instead of it turning out to be the vacation that the group 1st thought it was going to be it turns into another murder mystery with plenty of suspects including the local villagers. I love that the author never skimps on doing her due diligence and the book is packed with red herrings and twist you will not see coming. forgive the vague review but make no mistake I was gifted the Kindle version and the audiobook narrated by Kate Hanford who always does a magnificent job love her narration. This is a wonderful series and this installment is another five star read these are books that just seem to keep getting better. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #KellyArmstrong, #DeathAtAHighlandWedding,#ARipThroughTimeSeries,

I listened to an advance copy of the audio book. I love this series, and this one did not disappoint. The narration is great and from a story perspective I enjoy the asides that help those of us in modern times understand the differences she is experiencing with the time travel. This story was a great mystery and deepening of the characters we’ve come to love. Can’t wait for the next one!