This book is a blend of historical fiction and time-travel mystery. Set in 1869 Edinburgh, the story follows modern-day detective Mallory Atkinson, who finds herself in the body of a Victorian housemaid. As she navigates her new life, Mallory teams up with Dr. Duncan Gray to solve a series of poisonings that hit close to home. Armstrong weaves intricate details of Victorian Scotland with a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The mystery unfolds with plenty of twists and turns.

Here's the thing, I just don't think Armstrong's writing is my cup of tea. On paper this series has everything I should love, time travel, a female detective, mystery...but the first book left me underwhelmed. I thought I'd give the second one a go because it has so many great reviews. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but I just couldn't get into it, or find it in myself to care about any of the characters. The book is atmospheric for sure, but there were so many long, and repetitive descriptions that it took me out of the story. I also found the dialogue really dry and halting.

But if you enjoy historical mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, you might want to give this one a try. I'd recommend starting with book one rather than diving in at this point though.

I did enjoy the audio, which was narrated by Kate Handford and comes in at just under 15 hours.

This is such a fun series I am so glad that I got the ARC for books 2 & 3! I read Book 1 to prepare for this ARC and I am so glad I did, I would have missed so much backstory! I love Mallory and that she isn't about to just take her lot in life but is going to fight for what she wants.

I love Kellye Armstrong's books and she is on my always-read list! She does not disappoint with this series!

Now that Gray knows Mallory's true origins, and 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 clever 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.

Kate Handford does a great job of juggling the American and Scottish accents.

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

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 ALC 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.

The Poisoner's Ring (audiobook) is an experience I enjoyed so intensely that I listened to it twice in short order and could easily listen to it a third time--tomorrow. I love time travel, the history of detective work as well as the history of science and medicine, Scotland (which I have only visited through books and film even if my ancestors came from that country). I will admit that when I first started listening, I was wondering if the premise would hold me. It did not take long to become besotted with not only the tale but the narration. Trust me: you will want to listen to it more than once yourselves because when you get to the end, you will be thinking, wow, how did this story unroll so smoothly and deftly? I cannot recommend it enough to both aficionados of detective lore, romance and basic history. The time travel/body travel WORKS. I wasn't sure it would but it does. I also want to read the next in the series. Can't wait!

A series involving time travel is no easy feat.

Kelley Armstrong has created a life in 1869 Victorian Scotland that is almost more desirable than our MC’s modern life in 2019. I specifically say almost because Mallory definitely misses her family and friends in her true life. Also, the rules of fashion in 1869 don’t make it easy for a woman to be able to run and defend herself while solving murder cases.

In the first book, “A Rip Through Time“, Mallory Atkinson was attacked in the very place a young maid was attacked 150 year before her. This is a strange phenomena that sent her to the house of an undertaker, and his widowed sister. The entire book is worth your time, but the point is, Mallory is still in Scotland in “The Poisoner’s Ring“. She’s adjusting to her new life, and genuinely enjoys her new friends/employers Duncan and Isla.

The Poisoner’s Ring delivers a mysterious case of poisoned men with their wives as the easy suspects.
Thankfully, Mallory is from 150 years in the future. So she knows a few things about forensic science that help prove the poison deaths are not open and shut cases. There are also several times that Mallory makes funny remarks with her friends that make absolutely no sense to them. What can be the most infuriating is when the characters fully disregard Mallory because she’s a woman. They don’t even have crime scene containment laws in that time! Anyone can walk all about a crime scene! It’s wild.

I deeply appreciated that Kelley Armstrong remained true to the issues of discrimination and prejudice to people based on their gender, and their race, while also providing more enlightened people as balance. Armstrong pointed out several situations where Dr. Duncan Gray is regarded as less-than because of the color of his skin, without the writing being too derogatory for the reader. It’s handled with care. Relevant to the story, without being to hateful for readers. This is also true of characters who are transgender, and in same-sex relationships. These relationships and characteristics were perhaps hidden a lot more overall in 1869, but they were true relationships, and they were valid. They mattered. Mallory was lucky to land herself as a maid working for very progressive people. She makes additional friends that are also appreciative of diversity. Their light outshines the darkness from other characters in Mallory’s new Victorian life.

I’m anxious to get my hands on the upcoming novella in December, “Cocktails & Chloroform“. When I finished “The Poisoner’s Ring” on audio, I had sweet tears in my eyes, and a yearning for more of Mallory’s story. I can’t decide if I want her to find her way home, or remain in the past. It feels like neither scenario is truly a win for her. It’s quite a conundrum and I look forward to every little bit of this series from Kelly Armstrong.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I liked this as much as I did the first one! Strong, interesting characters and some fun detective work- and of course, the time travel aspect is so well written! The narrator was perfect. Looking forward to the next one!

This book was definitely very well written. The second half kept me much more fascinated. I couldn’t keep characters straight for a little bit but I was entertained once I did. I enjoyed the ending as well. The narration was great and definitely kept my attention.

This second episode of a time travel series set in Victorian Edinburgh features an American police detective threading her way through a very different legal system as she tries to find a serial killer, who has not only poisoned a number of seemingly unrelated men, but left their widows accused of the murders. This mystery has to be solved the old fashioned way--pay attention to the smallest details and follow each clue until the whole collections leads to the killer. Good characters, believable details, strong pacing, a hint of romance and an excellent audio performance by Kate Handford make this historical mystery a terrific listen.

The Poisoner's Ring is the second book in A Rip Through Time series. It is important that you read the first book as it gives all the background of what happened and how Mallory Atkinson ended up in 1869. Mallory is now officially Dr. Duncan Gray's undertaker’s assistant. Dr. Gray also moonlights as a medical examiner, so Mallory's skills as a detective in the present day, help him to determine cause of death and catch those responsible. The case he is working on now are the poisoning of several men. It seems that their widows may be responsible, as all the men are terrible husbands, but with Duncan's sister being the most recent widow, he can't believe she is a killer.

Although I enjoyed this second book in the series, it didn't have the same gripping feel as the A Rip Through Time. There was suspense, as the family was being watched and they had to be careful, but I didn't find it as gripping. I love the characters in this series though. Kelley Armstrong includes characters who are bi-racial, women who identify mostly as men, lesbians, and gay men. The idea that Mallory's story is so well accepted by Duncan, his sister and the chief inspector is done well. The historical aspect is also well done, at least for me, and I love how Duncan is learning so much from Mallory and her knowledge of the future. Some things are funny, such as Mallory running in layers of skirts and trying to catch her breath while wearing a corset corset, but there's also how poorly women are treated in that era, especially the restrictions on their lives by their husbands. The mystery was well-written and plotted with plenty of suspects and high stakes as the murderer might be related to the Gray household. I was kept guessing to the end. There is a bit of a cliff hangar in this one, so I need the next book to come out soon. I did a read/listen with the audiobook being narrated by Kate Handford. She also narrated the first book in the series, so I am enjoying her voice as the various characters in this series.

Published: 05/23/23

Narrated by Kate Handford

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Poisoner's Ring. Kate Handford performed beautifully, and was a nice addition to the story earning it a full star.

To my surprise, four stars. I really enjoyed this second book. The time travel made sense to me this time. I was able to enjoy the awkward dialogue moments of bringing current established scientific ways to the mid 1800s. Imagine requesting fingerprints to a room full of policemen and doctors before it was known that humans have prints, and they are unique.

The main character, Mallory is stuck in 1869. She was a successful detective on her plane.

There are murders and there are funny moments. The historical fiction appears spot-on. I didn't check. I do enjoy Mallory having to catch how she speaks, to whom, and what she says. She has a relationship with Dr. Duncan who she works with in the 1869 plane. He is quite likable too. As of yet, there is only flirting., minimally.

I'm looking forward to book 3. This is creepy, mysterious, and fun in a respectful manner.

FYI: I have misplaced my notes and cannot recall if there was profanity.

This series is unlike any other I have read. I enjoy the mash up of sort of mystery and time travel, and appreciate that the author shows some of the grittier elements of the place and time. The juxtaposition of modern thinking and historical practice is very well done.

After accidentally slipping through time, Mallory Atkinson is starting to adjust to her new life in Victorian Scotland. She has landed on her feet in the Gray household with the handsome Dr. Duncan Gray and his widowed sister Isla. After a rough start, she is able to win the trust of the Gray’s and begins assisting Duncan and Detective McCready in their investigations. This is perfect for Mallory because in the present day she is a homicide detective. When a string of men are poisoned, Mallory and the Grays are on the case but when the poisoner strikes close to home and the suspicion falls on Isla, it is a race against time to track them down.

The Poisoners Ring is the follow up to A Rip In Time by Kelley Armstrong. I had not heard of these novels before reading them but I am so glad that I did. I was sucked in from the very beginning. This time travel novel is set during the Victorian Era and has lots of interesting details about life during that time. The story is fast paced and the mystery is interesting. I saw some of the twists coming but these books read like a cozy mystery and the neatly wrapped up ending was perfect. I really enjoyed seeing Mallory start to settle into her new life and the growing tension between her and Duncan. I also enjoyed getting to know Isla and Detective McCready a bit better. Fans of Victorian detective novels, time travel, or cozy mysteries will love The Poisoners Ring. However, this one doesn’t really work as a standalone so make sure to read A Rip In Time first.

I'm excited to see this series continue and will definitely be picking up Cocktails and Chloroform ( A Rip In Time Novella) when it comes out in December.

Solving mysteries in an entirely different time than she has grown up in Mallory Atkinson goes full steam ahead. She lives every day as if it were the last day she will be there and it might very well be the last time. We live on the edge as to when she might possibly be pulled away from 1869 and back to the current day. A fantastic read!

Mallory, is a modern-day detective in Victorian Scotland. Needless to say, this is a challenging change in her world. But, when she realizes someone is poisoning husbands and the wives are taking the fall, her police training comes out and she is on the hunt for a unique killer.

Since we went to Scotland in April, I am very much drawn to books set in this area of the world. This book is fabulous in that regard. The author brings Edinburgh to life in that time period. Old town and the closes (an alleyway to Americans) are spot on! I just loved this setting.

This story is a bit long but it is a very good historical mystery. I loved reading about what has changed since 1869 and what has stayed the same, like police procedures and the clothing. And these characters, especially Mallory, are fabulous. And don’t get me started on the twist at the end!

I have not read the first one of this series. I did not feel lost at all. So, this can be a stand alone. I will, however, try to go back and pick the first one up. I do want to know more!

Kate Handford is the narrator of this wonderful tale and she did a great job with all the voices. And perfect on all the drama.

Need a good time travel mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest opinion.

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. The character development was excellent. I would definitely recommend to others, a must read!

I loved the first book so ofcourse I couldn't wait to read this one.

I liked The Poisoner's Ring but not as much as I did the first book. Don't get me wrong it was a good book but I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one at first.

4.8/5 stars (Rounded up to 5 stars)

Stuck in late Victorian Scotland in the body of a deceased housemaid (no, it’s not a zombie situation, more like an accidental time travel one to be precise), modern day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to her new life. A life where she is now a young assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray (young considering she’s a 30 something year old woman in a 19 year old housemaid’s body).

Though it seems that Dr. Gray and Mallory’s latest case hits closer to home than the previous one did, this one including Gray’s oldest sister Annis. What starts as a suspected Poisoner’s Ring where disgruntled wives appear to be poisoning their good for nothing husbands turns out to be a lot more than anyone expected. And with Gray’s oldest sister Anes being a suspect, well, it seems that every move the household makes is under scrutiny meaning that Mallory and co. must tread lightly.

***

I have been waiting for this book to come out since I finished the first book, A Rip Through Time. Oh boy do we all know that I am a sucker for Time Travel mysteries and well, to be honest, just the time travel troupe in general. Kelley Armstrong does a great job pulling the reader in with not only the world that she builds in her stories, but also the loveable characters. I mean, it’s truly hard not to love Mallory, Duncan, and Isla. (Even though Duncan and Mallory’s relationship occasionally frustrates me, but alas I digress as this is not a romance series).

The Poisoner’s Ring is just as good if not better than its predecessor, A Rip Through time. While I found the first book to be great, I did find it a bit hard to get into. I want to say it took me at least 10o pages to actually get enveloped in the book. The Poisoner's Ring was a lot different, with the way that A Rip Through Time ended, like I mentioned earlier, I was waiting for the second book, so it was really easy to dive back into the universe of Victorian Edinburgh that Kelley paints.

This book expands more on the relationships of the Gray family while adding more players in the story. It also touches on racism, classism, and other topics relevant to the time that the characters have to deal with.

I found myself impressed on Gray being able to open up to Mallory a bit more about his thoughts on her eventually leaving to go back to her own time if the opportunity arose, especially after how he had begun to shut her out a bit in the first book due to the fact that her and Isla hid her secret from him for so long. The character development on Gray’s side I think was good for the story (as all character development usually is). Though, I do hope for there to be romance between the two, I also don’t think it possible with Mallory residing in Catorina’s body as it has been hinted at multiple times in the book that Gray is not attracted to younger women, even if Mallory’s brain is the same age. A girl can wish, can't she?

I found myself unable to dislike Duncan and Isla’s older sister, Annis. Is her current and past treatment of both Duncan and Isla (especially Duncan) terrible? Yes, it is, but you can also see where she deeply cares for her younger siblings. I loved how Mallory was able to figure her out quite quickly and I love that Annis did try to protect Duncan and Isla multiple times in the book and for that, I hope to see more of her and maybe reconciliation and growth between the three siblings in future books.

I feel like I can go on about this book a lot longer because to be honest, I didn’t want to put it down. When I wasn’t listening to the book, I was thinking about it and that’s a good sign that I really enjoyed the book. Kelley did a great job with the second book in the series and I can’t wait to see what comes next for the Gray household. My hands will be on the Novella that comes out this year and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the third book in the series!

I want to give a thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Kelley Armstrong for initially providing me with an audiobook copy of this book to read and review. Due to life circumstances, I was unable to get to it until after it was archived on Netgalley. I did purchase a copy of the audiobook for myself though. I received the initial copy as an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest rating and review. All opinions and thoughts on the book are my own.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I really love this series! i am so pumped for the next one!!