Brilliant as always, Kelley Armstrong. The depth of your characters and excitement in the plot never fails to draw me in.

As the second book in the series where modern day detective Mallory Armstrong is thrust back into Victoria Scotland, we find Mallory again becoming involved in a murder-mystery! Employed as an assistant to her undertaker employer (although in the body of housemaid Catriona - her employer Dr. Gray is well aware of who she is now) she finds her talent and modern-day understanding very helpful in discovering the truth behind suspicious deaths. The books are entertaining to read as Mallory juggles her modern-day perspectives into her Victorian lifestyle, without totally giving herself away to others. And yet the mystery and procedurals used to solve these crimes are interesting to read as Mallory and Dr. Gray use their joint knowledge to work as a team. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books, for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #MuchAdoAboutMargaret

This is the second book in the Rip Through Time Series. Mallory is still stuck in the past pretending to be a housemaid except now the people she works for Dr. Gray and his sister know she's from the future. Being the detective that she is, she helps Dr Gray solves some cases while also pretending she might know a bit about cleaning, but not much. This time they're on the hunt for a person that seems to be poisoning people. We all know what they say about poison, it's a woman's weapon- or is it? This is a fun book. It has humor to go along with the mystery. I would recommend it for anyone that likes some snark with their murderers.

As a rule, I don't usually like detective stories, but I was captivated by the first story in this series so had to continue.

Mallory is a modern-day detective who has been transported back in time to Victorian Scotland in the body of a housemaid. Her employer performs unofficial autopsies for a detective friend, and they have found Mallory's own expertise invaluable and so she is roped into the operation. A string of poisonings across the city eventually touches the Dr.'s family, so now this investigative trio is drawn into the mix as the romance between Mallory and Dr. Gray is burning so slowly, it's really more of a fuzzy blanket than an actual fire.

I'm looking forward to the next installment where hopefully the romance proceeds a bit more than the current babystepping.

I already read book #3 and the novellas and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is now one of my favorite series ever! ❤️

Ironically enough, this is one of the reasons I forgot to update my review here, I'm sorry. It's one of those series and writers that I keep close to my heart and that I read just for myself and the experience itself, it's the kind of world and writing I get so immersed in, anything like the real world, annotations or reviews fly right out of my brain. I don't even know how to describe it, to be honest I'm a little intimidated because how do you find the right words to address this level of brilliance? *sobs*

The Poisoner's Ring has one of my favorite main plots in the series. It's super, super smart and I love it! It's desert for my brain.

Yes, at its core, the series represents a time travel murder mystery in Victorian Scotland, but all the detective work (done without all the forensics and CSI technologies used today) is absolutely brilliant, well developed and detailed. Having a witty smart badass Canadian detective impersonating a demure house maid but also keeping everyone on their toes with her "advanced knowledge and vocabulary" is super fun. Also, banter is wicked sharp. Aaand the chemistry and tension... ugh. I love it. The back and forth between her and Dr Gray would be called flirting and sexual tension in the modern world, but in Victorian Scotland we just pretend she is a smart dr's assistant and he is indulging her. It's delicious. It's all still very very slow burn and tentative, but as the story progressed, we get glimpsed of what could be. That is all in the background though, which I love as much as I need more lol.

Bonus points for all the murder solving puzzle, I loved discovering it all piece by piece, along with the characters. As Dr Gray is a doctor playing medical examiner and doing research in forensics in a time when they didn't even have a proper word for that work, it all has an academic touch too. Seriously, this book has a bit of everything without overwhelming. Grumpy sunshine historical setting, mystery, suspense, found family, a fun group of friends who secretly work to solve murders in unconventional ways as to not disrupt history development or get into trouble... its all so so clever. And because it has all these elements, I think it can appeal to a lot of readers no matter their preferred genre. Though if you want more romance and spice in your books, with this one you will have to adapt to the tone and era and just enjoy the looks, the verbal sparring and the slow burn undercurrent. If there is any jealousy or forced proximity or calling someone by their first name instead of their title in a dire situation... well... it call all mean something or not. (It definitely does).

I like that we get to know the side characters better and they all started to shine and show their own personalities, quirks and involvement in the story. It made for a found family cozy vibe. Ilsa is a badass in her own right, sharp, independent and has just the right witty remarks and fun support and interactions to break the tension.

*Review will be posted on 6/20/24

This was a thrilling sequel to the series. I found myself glued to every page. It introduced us to Annis, Duncan's eldest sister. She's not exactly a ray of sunshine but I think considering Isla and Duncan are so fond of Mallory it shakes things up a bit to have someone a little less agreeable. 

What I loved most about this book was how Mallory was able to see through Annis and see her for who she really was. Even when her own brother and sister couldn't see that she was scared and trying to protect them in her own way, Mallory could. And I loved her for being able to help them see it too. 

The plot, however, did feel more dragged out and confusing this time around because there were so many connected cases and details to keep track of. It was still enjoyable and I loved how everything came together in the end. I also really enjoyed the twist at the end and the big reveal. It also showed us a bit more of that growing connection between Mallory and Duncan. I'm not sure it will ever grow into a full-blown romance for so many reasons, but I enjoy the little moments with Mallory and Duncan. 

Overall, a great sequel that you should definitely pick up. If you haven't started the series but love historical fiction and/or mystery thrillers, I highly recommend it!

Well paced and with the fun engaging tone I remember from Kelley Armstrong, but I requested this not knowing it was a sequel and, withouth te background of the characters or plot, wasn't engaged enough to finish it.

This follow up to "A Rip Through Time" brings us back to Victorian Era Scotland, 1869. Mallory, a modern day detective, is still stuck in the past, with no idea how to return home to modern times. She is making the most of her time in 1869, growing closer with Dr. Gray, her employer, as they work together to assist Detective McCreadie solve a string of murders. Several men throughout the city are dying from poison, and their wives are the first to be blamed. Mallory and Gray must work to prove their innocence and find the real killer.

This time-travel series is a fun glimpse into Victorian society, and it's entertaining to witness Mallory acting strangely as she tries to match her mannerisms and vocabulary with the times.

A delightful follow-up to A Rip Through Time.
Mallory has become fairly comfortable inhabiting the body of the housemaid, Catriona. She has shared the truth of what happened with Dr Gray and other members of the staff. As an assistant to Dr Gray she has her detective voice back and uses it to her advantage. It's fun to watch her use modern vocabulary and science in 1860's Victorian Scotland. Her relationship with Dr Gray is heating up but neither of them are willing to admit to any romantic feelings they have for each other.
Men are being poisoned to death, one of them being Dr Gray's brother-in-law who his sister, Annis, is suspected of murdering. Is there a serial killer on the loose and could that person be Annis? That is the question that Mallory and Dr Gray must answer to solve this string of crimes. With the help of an inspector friend and some other associates the investigation progresses leading to dangerous and sticky situations for all involved.
It's apparent that the author has done her research into what science was available in this time period. The writing is immaculate and the characters are well fleshed out. The story is evenly paced and the investigation is thoroughly explored in an easy to follow manner. The reveal was a surprising twist and the identity of the killer was someone I never suspected but made perfect sense once revealed.
If you're new to this series I would recommend you start with the first book to get a complete understanding of Mallory's dilemma and how she got to where she is. This is only the second book of the series so it won't be hard to catch up before the next book hits the shelves. I, for one, can't wait to see what's in store for these beloved characters and what mischief awaits them.

I went back to the review I did in 2022 when I read "A Rip Through TIme" (book one of this series)... I was mad at the cliffhanger ending and super excited to read book 2. I forgot about this series, life happened... and then I just wasn't excited going into it.

... but I'm glad I stuck through it and kept going with the series. Mallory is a 30+ year old heroine from modern times stuck in the body of a 19 year old maid in 1869. She's come to terms with being in 1869: her employer recognizes her skills as a detective from 2019, and she doesn't even have to clean chamber pots as frequently!

I enjoyed the character growth of Mallory and Duncan- two characters that have some romantic tension, but recognizes the awkwardness of their situation. In book 2, Duncan's sister is accused of murdering her husband in a potential "poisoner's ring"-- a group of women that are hiring a third party to kill their husbands through poison.

The beginning had a slow start, but the overall story was satisfying and well done. The unraveling mystery came at a good pace, and I didn't see all the twists until it all came together. I'm looking forward to the next book ("Disturbing the Dead") in May 2024 and hoping to see Mallory get some closure on how time is passing in her timeline.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-ARC of "The Poisoner's Ring." I have a backlist of Kelley Armstrong books to get through, but I'm happily steadily working my way through them :)

I love A Rip through Time, and I could not wait to read the sequel! I must say that this sequel did not disappoint! I love the time-traveling aspect of the novel! The mystery was very compelling! There were many twists and turns! I also loved the well-rounded characters who were already established from the first novel! Overall, this was a very solid and fast-paced sequel! I can’t wait to read the third book in this series! Mrs. Armstrong is growing into a stunning and amazing author! I recommend this book for fans of Julie McElwain!

The Poisoner's Ring is the second book in the Rip Through Time series, where modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to her new life in Victorian Scotland. There is enough detail in this book of how Mallory ended up in housemaid Catriona Mitchell's body that you do not need to read book one in order to enjoy this story. If you like Victorian era historical fiction this book is for you! Kelley Armstrong's writing is very strong in the details and I could easily picture Mallory's new house and neighborhoods as they are written about in vivid detail, bringing everything to life. In this book most of the people who live closest to Catriona know that she is actually Mallory and here from the future. This allows Mallory freedom that Catriona would not have had, and Mallory is invited in to help find clues and solve mysteries with the local police and her boss, Duncan Gray. I like the relationship between Mallory and Gray, but I find the idea that people in Victorian Scotland would accept Mallory (as Catriona) on scene at crimes to be completely unbelievable. For me the historical details were far too many and the mystery details too few. The book started off very slow and it wasn't until the very end that the mystery finally became the main focus and the pace picked up.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Now that Gray knows Mallory's true origins, they make a great investigation team and maybe something more later on. They are open with their communication.

I can't tell whether the author is smart or I'm giving her too much credit. The character sometimes seems very emotionally distant. This could mean she’s doing this because she knows it will hurt to leave and doesn’t want to make it worse, or that’s how the author writes.

One thing I don’t like is that Mallory keeps bursting the balloon on the Victorian characters. They ask her if things get better, and she says no. You can see them deflate. Girl, start telling these people that things are better. You're smashing their hopes. Also, there are times when Mallory edits herself as if Twitter is going to be picking apart her words. This might be something a writer in the twenty-first century might be worried about, but not someone having to live in Victorian Scotland.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

I adore Kelley Armstrong. This book is lovely and I cannot wait for more. I recommend this book andencourage you to give her a try.

I love everything Kelley Armstrong writes and this is no exception! This is a great historical mystery that I think readers will really enjoy.

Kelley Armstrong immerses us in 1869 Edinburgh crime with The Poisoner's Ring, successor to A Rip through Time when Mallory Atkinson, Canadian present detective, was strangled and sent back to Victorian Edinburgh.
She is working as a maid in Dr. Gray the undertaker's household and assisting with his forensic detective work, Then his sister is suspected of poisoning and killing her husband. Police and the Grey household investigate. What can go wrong? Read and find out.

I did not have a chance to read this because of personal reasons. I wish I had had the time to do so. I look forward to reading it at some future point in time. I will then review at that time.

I absolutely love Kelley Armstrong! If you enjoy time travel with a little romance and a bit of mystery, then this is a series for you.

Mallory, a police detective, takes a step back in time to 1869 Victorian Scotland. She finds herself working as a maid in Dr Duncan Grey's household. Dr Grey and his staff find out Mallory's true identity while she tries to figure a way to get home and help the local police solve crime.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, for this advanced readers copy. This book released on May 23, 2023.

In our last encounter with her, homicide detective Mallory Atkinson had tumbled through a portal, landing herself in 1869 Edinburgh, where she had to take on the role of a scullery maid to make ends meet. Her salvation came in the form of the undertaker Dr. Duncan Grey, who employed her as his assistant, unwittingly embroiling her in some of Scotland's most notorious murder cases.

Now, in this latest installment, Grey and his family are privy to Mallory's true identity, a secret that proves quite useful when a series of unexplained deaths in the community points to a poisoner on the loose. As Mallory and Duncan join forces to investigate these suspicious deaths, they face a delicate balancing act: unraveling the mystery while safeguarding Mallory's true self from prying eyes. To complicate matters further, everyone Mallory has come to know becomes a potential suspect in the ongoing investigation.

"The Poisoner's Ring" marks the second entry in the "A Rip Through Time" series by the Canadian author Kelley Armstrong. Building on the success of the first book, this novel continues to captivate readers with its intriguing Victorian Scotland setting and time-travel plot. The endearing duo of Mallory and Duncan remains central to the story, their palpable romantic tension and chemistry adding depth to the narrative.

As the second book unfolds, a series of poison-related deaths unfolds, raising questions about a possible poisoner's ring. Is someone facilitating the means for wives to eliminate their husbands? With a runaway wife, an incarcerated spouse, and a high-profile death in the mix, the pressure mounts to connect the dots and prove the innocence of those accused.

This narrative offers a fascinating exploration of Victorian Scotland, drawing contrasts between crime-solving techniques from the past and present. With its succinct, cliffhanger-infused chapters, the book commands attention, making it a challenging task to set it aside.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Poisoner’s Ring:

Thank you @stmartins @macmillan.audio for my gifted copy.

What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors of all time. I’ll read anything she writes. I LOVED A Rip Through Time, and couldn’t see wait to see what was next for Mallory & Dr. Gray. It was such a unique concept I was worried the second one couldn’t live up to the first.

I liked that the mystery of who Mallory wasn’t the leading part of this story. We were able to focus on the real mystery at what was happening at hand. Annis and her deadish husband really was a delicious plot to add for the sophomore release. I didn’t know who to trust (besides Gray and Mallory.. I’d trust them everywhere)

Kate Handford does an amazing job of navigating through the dialect and nuances of the 1800 and also our girl trying to not sound like she’s from 2023. She really brings out Mallory and I love the audio. Highly recommend.

Overall, another KA hit. I’ll never get over her books, they’re all so good. Out now.