Thank you St. Marten’s press for this ARC.

I liked it more than the first book, A Rip Through Time. I found the concept harder to swallow the first time around. However, the characters and body swap/time travel concept are more established here. Armstrong doesn’t spend too much time re-explaining it. It’s great to see Armstrong explore a new world and time period.

A lot of people might compare this to Outlander, being that the central character is a woman displaced in another time period. But I find it has more in common with Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock series, and great for lovers of Armstrong’s Rockton series. Definitely big sleuthing vibes.

The mystery weaves and takes unexpected turns, while expanding the Victorian London. While not a romance HEA, there are underpinnings of a slow burn at the heart of the novel. I ship it more than in the first book.

I loved the epilogue/final chapter, it rounded out Annis’s character.

Edinburgh, 1869

Mallory Atkinson is a modern day homicide detective that found herself transported to Victorian Scotland into the body of a housemaid in the first book in this series, A Rip Through Time. Most believe her to be Catriona Mitchell, the housemaid of Dr. Duncan Grey. Dr. Grey knows her true identity and utilizes her skills. In this book she is now an undertaker's assistant and Dr. Gray (Duncan) is moonlighting as a medical examiner. In this book, men are dying after being poisoned. Grieving widows are believed to be poisoners. Poison is, after all, a woman's weapon. Are widows killing their husbands? Could someone else be to blame?

I loved A Rip Through Time and was so excited to read the next book in this time travel mystery series. Kelley Armstrong does not disappoint, and this book is proof. I was instantly drawn into the story and had fun doing my own super sleuthing right along with Mallory and Duncan. Readers will get to see Mallory using her modern-day skills and knowledge to help track down a killer.

I had both the book and the audiobook and enjoyed both. The narrator did a fantastic job and brought the story to life. It was a pleasure being able to flip back and forth between the two versions of the book.

This book was gripping, well written, and well thought out. I loved the Setting of Victorian Scotland. The descriptions were vivid and transported me back in time as a silent observer. This book was atmospheric and hard to put down.

Mallory and Duncan are both likeable characters and I could feel their connection/chemistry in their scenes. I enjoy how they work well together and how Duncan listens to Mallory and respects her opinion.

Atmospheric, gripping, and well written! I can't wait for the next book in the series.

In what may be the first time I've ever come to this conclusion: I think this second in series is dramatically improved from the first. Maybe, having dispensed with some of the world building in the first book, the author was able to tighten up the story some? Not sure what happened, but it works.

A modern-day homicide detective is in the body of a maid who assists a Black undertaker/doctor—who moonlights as a medical examiner—in Victorian Scotland when a serial poisoner attacks the men of Edinburgh and leaves their widows under suspicion.

There isn’t as much world building and telling-not-showing (but still a lot) in book 2 as there was in book 1. You don’t need to read book 1 one to get up to speed with this one.

Better pacing with great supporting characters and a clever mystery. I knew who was behind it, but not the how or the full why. Mallory’s adjustments to being thrown 150 years in the past continue to entertain, and since everyone in her circle knows the truth story, it keeps us focused on the plot and characters rather than just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I hope the next book has even more conversations between Mallory and Gray. And maybe some kissing.

Points off for perpetuating the myth that corsets were too tight to move in. *eye roll* I don’t think the author has any idea how they laced if she has characters say “I accidentally tighten a stay…” Men didn’t typically wear wedding bands. Some words Mallory explained to Gray would have been known even before the 1860s. And no one has “mild” ADHD. Those sorts of qualifiers are demeaning, so maybe a sensitive reader is in order.

The Poisoner's Ring (A Rip Through Time #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Expected Publication Date: May 23, 2023

The Poisoner's Ring is the 2nd book in A Rip Through Time series by Kelley Armstrong. This book was so good and I did not want it to end!!!!

This was such a wonderful book! I loved every minute of it! I found it to be truly captivating and a wonderful story! I need the next book to be released soon because I'm ready to go back!

The world the author created is absolutely fascinating! I love the characters and the blend of modern culture into 1869 Scotland life. This book is filled with heart!

This is definitely a must read of 2023! I will be reading it again and adding it to my lift of Christmas gifts for this year!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I would suggest reading what I thought about the first book in the series, A Rip Through Time, because everything I said there still applies to this story. I’m not going to repeat myself about those points. Though I’m giving this the same rating as its prequel, I will admit that I liked the first book in the series a bit better than this one.

What didn’t work for me

Mallory’s change in language: One of the things I liked a lot about the first book was that she struggled to learn the 19th-century language and that is more or less gone in this book because her inner circle has more or less accepted her 21st-century way of speaking. It makes her seem less…charming? I’m not sure if that’s the word exactly, but a lot of what she says would absolutely not make sense to the people around her and though she does reexplain it a lot of the time, I still think it doesn’t work as well.

The detective work: I didn’t really know what to call this, but related to the point above, Mallory does a lot of her detective work like she’s in the 21st century and the people around her just accept what she’s telling them without really questioning it or verifying in whatever way they would. It works in the story because she’s clearly a very good detective (almost too good—she’s rarely wrong) but I wished not everything came to her so easily.

What I liked

The development of the case: Though I did guess who the poisoner was pretty early on, the way it all came to be and the reason behind it came together in a way that was unexpected (to me, anyway). There were some unnecessary characters in there that ended up being red herrings, which added to the complexity. It kept me guessing and into it the whole way through.

Duncan and Mallory: We’re being so patient with these two, but the very, very (very!) slow burn between them is palpable and jumping off the page. I can’t wait to see how they continue to develop together as the series continues.

I cannot wait until the third (and maybe final, I don’t actually know) book comes out—I know I have a long wait ahead of me!

4.5 STARS

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars

Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author. So I was very excited to read the next installment in this series.

This is book two in the A Rip Through Time series. This is a mystery time travel series set in 1869. This book takes place a month after the first book ends. The books are meant to be read in order. However the mystery is self-contained in this book. But I would definitely read them in order as the characters grow over the series.

Mallory is a present day detective who has ended up in the body of a house maid in Victorian Scotland. I love Mallory so much! She is so smart. And I absolutely love seeing her solve cases with Dr. Gray and his sister Isla.

The case in this book was quite complex. But it was very interesting. I definitely wish that this series focused more on romance. And I would love to see what Catriona is doing in the present. But overall it was still a very enjoyable read.

This is the follow up to A Rip Through Time, the first in the series. Detective Mallory is still stuck in Victorian Scotland, with no hope of getting home. Now officially Dr. Gray’s assistant, she continues to work on cases with him. When his older sister comes to them concerned she will be blamed for her husbands death, they find surprising connections to other poisonings currently under investigation in Edinburg.

It was a fun read but a bit predictable and the author seemed to be trying to leave options open for the third book by not committing to certain story arcs that have been hinted at since the first book.

Not gonna lie, this second installment in the A Rip Through Time series kind of dragged for me. I liked the premise of local husbands behind poisoned and all their wives/female companions being suspects, but I felt like there were so many characters introduced that I was kind of lost and jumbled. I actually finished the last third of the book on audio and enjoyed that much more, but by then I had sorted most of it out.
I like the idea of this series, but this book focused very little on Mallory trying to get back to modern day, which seems like it would be a priority to me. I liked Mallory’s focus on building friendships and relationships, though. Her and Isla are such cute friends and her and Dr. Grey are obviously compatible. She also met Duncan’s other half-sister and potentially a recurring character who’d act as a media leak in modern day.
There are LGBTQIA aspects to this one as well, which is a great addition to a unique premise. It maybe just felt like there was too much being thrown at one book for my liking - probably hoping to make this series stick.
I’d read more, but I preferred book one over book two.

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did, as I'm not generally a fan of 'time travel' books. Kelley, as usual however, gives a SOLID read, fantastic world building and this will NOT disappoint any of her fans!

"A modern-day homicide detective is working as an undertaker's assistant in Victorian Scotland when a serial poisoner attacks the men of Edinburgh and leaves their widows under suspicion.

Edinburgh, 1869: Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to her new life in Victorian Scotland. Her employers know she's not housemaid Catriona Mitchell - even though Mallory is in Catriona's body - and Mallory is now officially an undertaker's assistant. Dr. Duncan Gray moonlights as a medical examiner, and their latest case hits close to home. Men are dropping dead from a powerful poison, and all signs point to the grieving widows... the latest of which is Gray's oldest sister.

Poison is said to be a woman's weapon, though Mallory has to wonder if it's as simple as that. But she must tread carefully. Every move the household makes is being watched, and who knows where the investigation will lead.

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong is known for her exquisite world building, and this latest series is no exception. The Poisoner's Ring brings the intricacies of Victorian Scotland alive as Mallory again searches for a 19th-century killer as well as a way home."

A time slip with a twist!

Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to life in Edinburgh, 1869. In addition to her housemaid job she also works as an undertaker’s assistant. Dr. Duncan Gray moonlights as a medical examiner, and her previous career as a police detective in modern times is helpful. Their current case is a series of poisoned men. And society is quick to point the finger at the grieving widows.

Why I started this book: Armstrong has long been a favorite author of mine, and I'm eager to read what she rights... plus the first book in this series was great and I wanted more. Netgalley provided the ARC and the ability to dive right in.

Why I finished it: You have to read the first book in this series to really enjoy the adventure of an unintentional time traveling detective Mallory, now stuck in Edinburgh, 1869. Check that off your list and this book is a great read, as Armstrong has done plenty of research to have Mallory confront, reinforce and learn about Victorian assumptions, stereotypes, and people while providing a great mystery and characters.

This little series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine within the time travel sub-genre. In fact, I may have enjoyed The Poisoner's Ring even more than I did the first book, A Rip Through Time!

Time travel isn't for everyone, and while there are some elements that didn't quite work for me, I don't mind suspending disbelief -- especially when a book is such fun. The Victorian-era setting felt well-researched and there were some great historical details that really added to the story. As a layperson, I didn't personally notice any historical inaccuracies in the first book, but I appreciated the author's note in The Poisoner's Ring acknowledging that she'd corrected these.

Mallory is a spunky and determined character, who is navigating not only a new time period but also, a new body. She's great at reading people and isn't afraid to dive into danger in pursuit of the truth. In this second novel, we see the hint of a romance building between Mallory and Duncan, but we also feel the conflict Mallory has with wanting to return to her own time period. These plot points are a very slow burn, and I love the anticipation that is building as we wait to see how it will all be resolved.

As a mystery, the plot is strong and exciting, full of twists, multiple murders, and a final reveal that I didn't see coming. Sometimes, historical mysteries sacrifice a well-thought-out mystery for a brilliant setting but that wasn't the case here -- we got both! While I was reading, I could help but think how much fun this would be as a TV series!

All in all, The Poisoner’s Ring did not disappoint! While I didn’t love this cover as much as the first, this story was an excellent follow-up to A Rip Through Time and I am thoroughly looking to the next installment in this series!

Granted, time travel is not for everyone. But if you are willing to accept the narrative conceit that modern day Canadian detective Mallory is trapped in the body of Victorian chambermaid Catriona, this book is for you! Even if you aren't a time travel fan, this clever mystery offers an intelligent take on the developing forensic sciences and detective work of the Victorian era, and wonderfully enigmatic and engaging characters including Mallory/Catriona, her will they or won't they possible love interest, Dr Duncan Gray, his chemist sister Isla, and even house manager Mrs. Wallace - whose briefly alluded to past as a circus performer has whet my appetite for what I hope will be Book #3 in the series. Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Book two in this series is even better than the first one. This should not be read as a standalone. I highly recommend reading the first book to understand why Mallory is stuck in the late 1800s. This story starts of with a few slow sentences and then immediately escalates up into full action. I love it.

In the first book, I'm not exactly enamoured with Mallory. Her backstory and her adjustment to falling through time is difficult for me but much needed. In this story, there is less about Mallory's situation and more about crime solving.

What I like most is the comparisons of detective work over 150 years span. I like how Ms. Armstrong shows what has changed and what hasn't. Unfortunately, some of the haven't changed is attitudes towards women and minorities. C'est la vie. Following along with Mallory as she is frustrated to keep her talents under the radar is cathartic. I say this because many a times I am confronted at work with people using late 1900s technology when we are a couple of decades into the 21st century already. I completely sympathize with Mallory.

I also loved learning more about Duncan and his family in this second book. If things go the way they are in this book, I'm hoping to see more family members in following books. The family interactions plus how this mystery planned out kept me riveted. I can understand Duncan's wistfulness when he thinks about Mallory returning to her own timeline. I do not know how Ms. Armstrong will be resolving this one and I'm fretting just like Duncan. I like this life Mallory is creating with Duncan yet she is out of place. It is difficult to interact with two different places and then have to chose between them. The only one thing I want to mention is that the Poisoner's Ring has multiple means and I never thought of it the way Ms. Armstrong brings up. I like it. It is more than just an "object". That is all the hint I will give.

This time traveling mystery is highly recommended to readers who enjoy a mix of contemporary with historical.

Modern detective Mallory has been stuck in Victorian-era Scotland, where she has found new homicides to solve. The mystery is told well, with even pacing and interesting clues.

This is an easy book to read, in that it's not trying to milk every interaction for the Maximum Drama. Most often, the characters talk out their feelings and relationship problems somewhat clearly. The friendships grow quite fulfillingly in this book because of it. It's easy to root for the characters, because they are all likeable and mature.

I love the way that this book handles its romance: slowly. Sooooo slowly, as in we've gotten two books in and they've barely held hands. Sometimes, I admit, I am impatient and want to shake this book until it disgurges more romantic elements. However, I absolutely respect the work that it is putting in instead to develop the friendship between the characters.

This book has something to say about the Victorian culture/systems, particularly around racism and sexism. Sometimes, it felt much too on the nose, particularly when a Victorian character was railing against the system. The viewpoint felt very modern, and took me out of the story repeatedly. Some of our characters having very enlightened viewpoints? Sure. All of them? Unrealistic. In a book that otherwise seems to try to stick to historical verisimilitude, the contrast is jarring.

A video review including this book will appear on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, @ChloeFrizzle

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

Kelley Armstrong has been a favourite author of mine for awhile, so I was excited to dive into this one. It didn’t dissapoint!

This is the second book in the series (A Rip Through time). The author provides enough details as the start, so readers who haven’t read the first book will be able to follow along. Expected publication date is May 23rd 2023.

The female MC Mallory Atkinson is a modern day homicide detective, who has inadvertently time travelled back to Victorian Scotland. Formally she works as a housemaid for Dr. Duncan Gray. On the side she helps him to solve murders. Dr Gray is an unofficial consultant to the police, and one of the few people who know that Mallory has time travelled. They are investigating several men who have been poisoned in Edinburgh, allegedly by the women in their life.

What In love about Kelley’s books 1) Strong female characters 2) Sense of humour - in this book the interplay between Mallory and Dr. Gray was especially delicious 3) There is always a fun sci-fi component to her books, in this case time travel

Overall I strongly recommend all of Kelley’s books, they are automatic must reads for me

Thank you to St. Martins Press (Minotaur Books) and Netgalley for providing me with a eARC of this book to read and review.

This second installment in the Rip in Time series does not disappoint. Ms. Armstrong is a master storyteller and Poisoner’s Ring expands the story of Mallory Atkin’s time in historic Scotland. The action is fast-paced and the characters believable. Mallory has settled into her new/old time frame. There was not as much tongue in check in this installment but that didn’t matter, the mystery, character development and budding romance kept this reader devouring this quick read. Readers who like a good mystery and historical fiction will enjoy this second entry. It leaves the reader eagerly waiting for the next in the series. Kelley Armstrong never disappoints.

Holy cow, this book was fantastic! I liked it much better than the first, but that may be because Mallory now knows how to live in Victorian Scotland, whereas before she was fumbling and finding her way. The murder mystery was also fascinating. Although I think I may have missed something: was it ever revealed where/how the killer got the poison?

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I LOVED this. I really enjoyed the first book so was looking forward to this on. I love the idea of a present day cop being thrown back into the Victorian age. Mallory/Catriona uses her present day investigative skills to assist Dr. Gray and detective McCreadie in solving murders back in late 1800’s Edinburgh Scotland. There are many different aspects of society she must adapt to but there are also other aspects of human nature that haven’t changed. The poisoners ring is about a series of poisonings that appear to be committed by unhappy wives but are they? Mallory as Dr. grays assistant and fellow detective proves herself by helping solve this convoluted case. The characters are very well fleshed out and their relationships with each other are quite touching. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.