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.

The audio narration is wonderful!

I am enjoying this series very much
Mallory and Duncan are wonderful
Isla and Hugh are the cutest and I want all of them to be happy
I need to know how many books are in this series and how long I need to wait for a resolution with the time travel, poor Mallory and Duncan

While Malloryis still suck in the past she helps solve several murders with poison, Mallory is a modern day cop , stuck inside a house maid from the 1800's , this is a great series , rich in history , mysrey and intrigue .

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong in exchange for an honest review. I don't know how Armstrong is able to write multiple books with such in depth storylines and brilliant characters in a year, but I'm glad she does. I loved the second book in the series. I feel like I know Mallory, Duncan, Isla and McCreadie, they are so well developed. The story of multiple men being killed by poison, a poisoner's ring, was a great start to the story and the layers of intrigue and suspects grew as the story advanced. I tried so hard to draw this book out as long as possible, so I could enjoy it longer, but then I just had to know how it ended. Another amazing book by Kelley Armstrong.

I was very excited to read the sequel to Kelley Armstrong’s “A Rip Through Time” and this book did not disappoint! As with the first book, I listened to this one on audiobook and the narration was beautiful. The continuing adventures of Mallory—a Canadian police detective now living in the body of housemaid Catriona in 1869 Edinburgh—were just as fascinating as in the first book. Mallory did not spend any time actively trying to return to the modern world, although she did often think about what she had left behind. However, now that her employers, Isla Ballantine and her brother Duncan Gray know exactly who she is, she is working as Gray’s assistant and spent this book helping him solve a series of murders. This is a very interesting time-travel story; Mallory’s observations of (and interactions in) Victorian Scotland are insightful and often amusing. The principal characters are interesting and I enjoyed the banter between them. The crimes committed are clever and enough red herrings are thrown into the mix to keep the reader guessing. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

Another terrific read from Kelley Armstrong. I cannot wait to hopefully read more of Mallory and Duncan

Kelley Armstrong never fails to delight, giving us another installment in one of my personal favourite new genres; Modern Detective Stuck In The Past. It's evident how much care and attention to detail has been taken into consideration, bringing the past alive in a way that's both believable and, as much as possible, accurate. Don't be fooled by the easy writing (brought to life wonderfully by the narrator), there is real emotional depth and consideration here. The characters struggle with their unique situation, and friendships are genuine and engaging.

The Poisoner's Ring is the second book in Kelley Armstrong's A Rip Through Time series. In the first book, Mallory Atkinson, a modern-day homicide detective, found herself transported back in time to Victorian Scotland. In this book, Mallory is still trying to adjust to her new life, and she is also trying to find a way to get back to her own time.

We get more involved in Duncan’s past with another of his sisters as one of the new characters. This story focuses on a string of deaths caused by poison, hence the title The Poisoner’s Ring. It’s a mystery full of twists and turns, and I found myself really immersed in the characters – they were all well developed, believable, and unique. Armstrong does a great job of bringing the Victorian era to life. I really felt like I was running around Edinburgh with everyone.

There were a few sweet moments between Duncan and Mallory (oh, the ending scene was so bittersweet!), but they remain mostly friends in this installment. The only thing I wished we had more of in this book would be Mallory’s attempts in trying to find ways to go home. She talks about going home several times but there weren’t really any other clues on how she could possibly do so besides what she found out in book 1. I hope that we’ll get that in the next book, and more moments of her and Duncan! Overall, The Poisoner's Ring is a well-written and enjoyable mystery. It’s a great choice for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and time travel.

Colleen Chi-Girl
GR: May 02, 2023 - 3 stars
Bookshelves: 2023, crime-mysteries, historical-fiction, netgalley, scotland, fantasy

I really was excited to read and wanted to love this novel set in Victorian Scotland with a strong female, time traveling lead. I think what didn't work for me was the narrator and the drawn out wordiness of the story. It was tediously detailed and the humor was too snarky to work during the time period, even with knowing that there was time travel involved.

I would say give it a chance, whether in print or audio, because the love of narrators is so subjective and the premise of the story is so good!! Maybe it was just me?

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC, which I very much appreciated the privilege of receiving in advance.

Publisher's Blurb: 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.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝘈 𝘙𝘪𝘱 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 #2)
𝐁𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟓.𝟐𝟑.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝒪𝓊𝓉 𝒮𝑜𝑜𝓃!


𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 takes us back to Edinburgh, 1869, where we left detective Mallory Atkinson. Mallory is from the present but has been hurled back to Victorian Scotland and is trapped in the body of Catriona, a young maid.

But now, Mallory / Catriona is working with Dr. Duncan Gray. Dr. Gray, an undertaker who helps out the local police as a medical examiner, knows the truth about Mallory. The two of them make quite an interesting crime-fighting duo, especially with Mallory’s knowledge from the future.

Suddenly, men are dying from what seems like poisoning - the first person to blame is always the grieving widow. But this case comes knocking on Gray’s door when his sister’s husband drops dead from what appears to be poisoning.

I have become even more invested in these characters with this book. I like how Dr. Gray and Mallory interact and how their relationship is developing. I’m still waiting for romance to bloom. Though I did see hints again, so I’m crossing my fingers. A few of the secondary characters add quite a bit to the story which always gives depth.

There is one question I really want to be answered, and so does Mallory. But I fear when the answer comes - the series may end. Can you guess the question?


Thank you @stmartinspress and @minotaurbooks for a gifted book. And thanks to @macmillan.audio for a complimentary audiobook.

Detective Mallory Atkinson was a back in The Poisoners Ring by @kelleyarmstrongauthor 🖤 She is still stuck in a maid’s body in Victorian Scotland, but is making the best of the situation by assisting Dr. Gray and Inspector McCready with their murder investigations. This time, men are being poisoned across Edinburgh.

I really enjoy reading the Rip Through Time series. It’s a great mix of historical fiction, mystery, and humor. The second book in the series picks up where the first book left off and leaves the door open for an additional book in the series without ending on a cliffhanger. I recommend this series for everyone and can’t wait for more books in this series! The audiobooks are well narrated and I like that it switches from Scottish accents to North American accents.

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

The Poisoner’s Ring is the second book in a time travel series that places a 21st century female Canadian police detective back in 1869 Edinburgh, Scotland. Mallory is the ultimate “fish out of water,” having to get used to 19th century clothing and customs.

Mallory has found herself in the body of a much younger housemaid named Catriona. Luckily, her employers are more progressive, perhaps, than the average Victorian Scottish family. This being the second book, her employers know her situation. Dr. Duncan Gray is a biracial doctor who runs his family’s funeral business and does research on bodies when he can and helps the police on occasion. At this point, Mallory is being introduced as his assistant when he’s helping the police, while she still maintains her “cover” as a housemaid. I loved Duncan’s character as well as his sister, Isla, who is a chemist.

There are a few suspicious deaths that seem to be cases of poisoning and one of them hits close to the Gray family. I thought the mystery was very satisfying, with lots of theories being put forward and investigated over the course of the book.

It can be read easily as a standalone if you simply accept the situation and enjoy the mystery story. I kept waiting for more information for new readers, as to how Mallory found herself in this situation, and for Mallory to make more progress in figuring out how to get back to 2019, but it never really came. It was a fairly straightforward historical mystery story this time. So if you haven’t read the first book you’ll be in the dark as to how Mallory found herself there. But if you just roll with it, then you’ll enjoy the book on its own merits.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was well narrated by Kate Handford.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

The Poisoners Ring A Rip Through Time Novel Book 2 Audiobook by Kelley Armstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford
Listening Time: 14 Hours, 42 Minutes, 19 Seconds
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: May 23, 2023

Fiction, Time Travel, Detective, Forensic, Victorian Times

Mallory Mitchell travelled to Victorian times into the body of 19-year-old Katrina. While Mallory was a police detective in current time, now she is a young maid and an assistant to the undertaker/police surgeon, Dr Duncan Gray. Mallory and the doctor are investigating several poisonings. Thalium is a new heavy metal and not much is known about it. When the doctor’s brother-in-law is a victim of poisoning, alone in a locked room, the mystery deepens.

The narrator brings the characters to life. The book has a steady pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view. If you like time travel and detective books, you will enjoy this one.

I like the premise of this story; Mallory is a modern detective who finds herself in the body of a housemaid in Victorian England. The mystery is interesting. Are women really poisoning their husbands and is Mallory's employer's sister one of these poisoners.? Unfortunately, I wasn't able to suspend belief enough to really get into this story. Mallory, is supposed to be a very smart detective, but her inability to fit her behavior to match expectations of a woman in Victorian England seemed pretty dumb. I also got frustrated at how much of the story was Mallory explaining how things work instead of moving the plot forward. The narration was good, but a little slow for my taste. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.

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.

As with the first in the series, this novel expects the reader to suspend their disbelief quite a bit, but this one felt like it too that expectation too far. With Mallory acting so modern, you really lose the sense of place and time. While we are made to like Gray and Ayla, Annis is detestable and the mystery focused a lot on her, which I couldn't really come to care about, and the plot dragged on. Additionally, Mallory's use of 'sh*t' and 'sh***y' was prolific, which is probably supposed to highlight her modernity but just seemed like sloppy writing. When it pops up 12 times in a monologue, that is too much.

This is turning into my new favorite series!

This story picks up right where book 1 ends, Mallory is still working as a housemaid/ Duncan's assistant in 1869- stuck in a body that doesn't belong to her. Now that we know all the characters, we jumped right into the mystery...men are being poisoned and no one knows who is responsible. When Duncan's sister Annis' husband is mysteriously killed- all eyes point to her, but Mallory knows there is more to the mystery.

As with the first book, Mallory is the star of the show. I love her relationship with Duncan, they are so well matched. (I'm hoping for a love connection in the next book). One of my favorite things about these books is that Mallory is working with the knowledge of the future and can use that to her advantage. I love when she uses phrases or words that Duncan does not understand and she has to explain herself.

With this novel, we learned more about Duncan's family and really got to know Annis. Even though she is a bit unlikable, she was a great addition to the cast of characters.

I alternated between the audio and print copy of this book and it really enhanced the reading experience. I love the narration, it brings Mallory to life.

I can't wait to see where this series goes...will Mallory ever get home...or will she want to stay?

This series is not getting enough attention! This is a must for regency and mystery lovers.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kelley Armstrong for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for The Poisoner’s Ring coming out May 23, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed the first book, so I definitely wanted to listen to the second book. Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite writers and I usually love her books, but I wasn’t a fan of this one. I think I had some of the same issues I had with the first book. Mallory hasn’t really learned how to blend in. She brings up several modern things that don’t exist at the time. There were times I felt Mallory talked way too much and gave too much information about herself. It was a wonder more people didn’t know she wasn’t who she said she was. She was constantly using modern terms. As a detective, I feel like she would be smarter about hiding her true identity because it could be dangerous if the wrong people found out she was from the future. Even if some people know her secret, not everyone should.

Mallory is the biggest issue I had with this book. I just don’t understand why she acts so modern and seems to expect them to act the same. It kind of ruins the whole time travel to Victorian Scotland that I love. I also would’ve liked more with Duncan and Mallory instead of all the side characters. I’m not going to list all the issues I had, but this book wasn’t for me.

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.

Can Kelley Armstrong do any wrong this was an anticipated read after reading a rip through time, i may have even loved it more than the first. I enjoyed watching mallory in Edinburgh on the 1800s as she exposed dr gray was fantastic

I adored this second installment in the A Rip Through Time Series. Armstrong once again proves her expertise at blending the traditional mystery tropes with a cast of intriguing characters. I love both Mallory and Dr. Grey, but the supporting characters are just as well developed and help bring Dr. Grey's world to life. I find myself happily sinking into the book and losing myself for hours, only to discover I've read far past my bed time. With pitch perfect pacing and a good mystery underpinning it all, this is new favorite series and I can't wait for the next book.