So, here we are back again with Mallory and the Gang for another adventure through 1800s Scotland. One of the joys in mystery/adventure series is the episodic nature of them, which allows you to, for lack of a better expression, turn off your brain and immerse yourself in the story at hand. After all, the origin of short form entertainments like comic books can be traced back to novels and short stories that often featured adventurers or crime solvers. Here Kelley Armstrong joins that legacy of short genre fiction by turning out a novella set in her Rip Through Time universe.



Our novella opens with our stuck-in-time detective out doing something she shouldn't be and doesn't slow down from there. There's roof chases, chloroform, kidnapping, fireballs, and good-ole-fashioned Victorian crime. A big shift here is that Alice is out with her and remains a major figure for most of the story. We learn more about her origins and why home is not an option for her. At the same time, we learn more about our favorite klepto sociopath, Caitriona. I once again find myself wondering what a companion series about Cat stuck in Mallory's body must be like. Anyway, Mallory and Gray follow Alice to the Old Town and from there, things quickly go to hell. I can't say much more without getting into spoiler territory. Needless to say, the novella ends with a big leap forward in Alice and Mallory's relationship and drives home the wider found family theme of the series.



For readers with a wider interest in the developing romance underpinning each book, this novella may disappoint. Gray is featured here only briefly, leaving little time for lingering looks and innuendo (although Armstrong does manage to fit some in!). Isla also disappears early into the story, which leads to a delightful little sitcom moment when she finally reenters the (literal) drawing room to find all the fun is already over. While I love Gray and Isla, it was fun to learn more about Alice and see Mallory in action without the restrictions their usual (slightly more official) investigations put her under.

However...if there is one reservation I have about Kelley Armstrong overall, it is that, in the two series I've started from her, there are women who are capable and there are women who aren't. In this novella we are introduced to Alice's sister Mae and boy does she fit that latter archetype. She is the worst kind of woman, one who stands by as other women are mistreated, values men above anything else, and perhaps worst of all, waits to be saved instead of doing anything for herself. Now, do women like this exist in real life? Of course! But here, as in Armstrong's Rockton series, the women who fit that frame never feel real or fleshed out in comparison to the other women around them. If anything, their only reason to exist in the story is to further drive home just how capable the surrounding women are. I mean this literally. There's a scene in this book where Mae's helplessness is used to directly create a characterization for another character we're being introduced to. We are meant to feel that Mae is cruel, selfish, and childish. We are never meant to feel that she is human.



Still, I enjoyed the novella and can't wait to take another journey through time when book three releases in May! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to access an ARC to write this review!

This is a novella set after The Poisoner's Ring. I love the series and this novella is superbly written and very enjoyable. It gives more dept the Alice's character. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks to #Netgalley and @Subpress for the ARC.

This novella from the Rip in Time series is excellent. Mallory is a 21st century cop transported back to victorian times into the body of a sultry and devious maid. She has gotten her employers to believe who she is but she is having trouble getting other to believe she is not the girl she once was. Everywhere she goes Catriona's reputation precedes her often causing suspicion and scorn. Helping her fellow maid save her sister turns into a little more than she bargained for, but with the help of her employer Dr. Grey she hopes to escape unscathed.

Excellent fast read. I love this series and you should know by know how I feel about Kelley Armstrong. I haven't stumbled across a book she has written that I disliked. She is a definite auto buy auto request for me.

This was such a well-done novella! I am convinced that Kelley Armstrong can do no wrong. This may have been a quick read, but it was a layered and compelling tale. I have enjoyed the two previous installments in this series so I was excited to be getting a new story featuring this group of characters. I had a really hard time putting this entertaining novella down once I started reading.

Mallory, who is living in Cat’s body, is worried about the young housemaid, Alice. She follows her one night only to find herself in the middle of something much more sinister and of course, Mallory feels compelled to put herself right in the middle of everything. The descriptions in this story were incredibly well done so I almost felt like I was there with this group of characters. There was plenty of excitement to go around and it was great to see Mallory, Alice, and Dr. Gray come out on top.

I would highly recommend this story to others. While this story could probably stand on its own, I would recommend reading the series in order if possible to understand the characters’ history. I had a wonderful time reading this story and cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.

I received a review copy of this book from Subterranean Press.

I love this series and not just because the main character and I share a name. The writing is great and I love the mysteries and this one was no exception. This one is a novella that takes place between books 2 and 3. Mallory follows Alice after she sneaks out after receiving a letter that clearly concerned her. Mallory soon finds that Alice’s sister has been caught in a plot to traffic young women and she has to intervene without quite enough care to her own safety. This book didn’t have enough Gray or Isla in it for me but overall I really enjoyed it, a nice tidbit to tide me over until the next novel comes out.

Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong was the perfect novella in the Rip Through Time series to hold me over until the next release. When Mallory follows the parlor maid, she ends up in a spot of trouble in this clever short story.

The Rip Through Time series features a modern-day detective whose trapped in the body of Victorian housemaid. She is employed by Dr. Duncan Gray, an undertaker often employed by the local constabulary’s office. Mallory ends up helping to solve cases.

It seems Mallory has a plan to win over the parlor maid Alice, by teaching her to make Molotov cocktails, but a late arriving letter has the girl sneaking out of the house, and Mallory follows. She is joined by Dr. Grey and what they uncover leads to trouble for Mallory. She’ll need to use her wits to get out of this jam.

While I always prefer a full-length story, Armstrong pulled me in and held me captive as this story unfolded. We learn a bit more about the body she inhabits and of Alice. We also see the darker sides of Victorian Scotland and what men will do for greed.

It isn’t necessary to have read the previous books, but I highly recommend reading from the beginning. Not just to learn about Mallory, but also because of the relationships she has built. Some know her secret and others do not.

Perfect for fans of mysteries, time travel and historical fiction.

Kelley Armstrong has the impressive ability of making time travel make sense. It was easy to fall in love with the characters and get sucked into the murder mystery, and the novella length was perfect for the narrative. There was a little more explaining and backstory-reminding than I would have liked, but the story itself was very well-written.

Murder mystery? Time travel? Historical setting? Badass women? Amazing. Great. I loved the characters and the book had me hooked from the beginning. The writing style is impeccable and I cannot wait to read more from Kelley Armstrong.

In the series 'A Rip Through Time', 31-year-old Edinburgh police detective Mallory Atkinson has been transported from 2019 back to the year 1869. In 1869, Mallory finds herself inhabiting the body of a pretty 19-year-old housemaid named Catriona Mitchell, who has blond hair and blue eyes.

Catriona is employed in an upper-middle-class household whose occupants include: Isla Ballantyne, a chemist who works as a herbalist; Isla's half-brother Dr. Duncan Gray - an Indian-British physician who works as an unofficial coroner; housekeeper/cook Mrs. Wallace; and fellow housemaid Alice. All the maids in the Ballantyne/Gray household have minor criminal backgrounds (such as pickpockets or thieves) because Isla Ballantyne is a do-gooder who likes to give young ladies a lift up.

Mallory (in the body of Catriona) finds herself in a difficult position because besides being a pickpocket, Catriona was 'on the sociopath spectrum.' Catriona was a mean unpleasant girl who was disliked and mistrusted by Mrs. Wallace and Alice. To change the perception of Catriona, Mallory says she experienced a blow on the head and now sees the error of her old ways. Still, Mallory/Catriona's fellow employees are skeptical and suspicious.....and they try to keep their distance.

In this novella, which is book #2.5 in the series, Mallory/Catriona has already confided her situation to Isla and Dr. Gray, so they don't think of her as a maid. In fact, Mallory helps Isla with science experiments and is an assistant to Dr. Gray. In fact, Mallory/Catriona sometimes helps Dr. Gray and his friend Detective Hugh McCreadie with police work.

As the story opens, Mallory/Catriona and Isla are planning to make and experiment with Molotov cocktails, which are new devices in 1869.

One evening, when Isla is away on an errand, a letter arrives for the maid Alice. Mallory/Catriona notices that the letter's contents disturb Alice, and then she hears Alice sneak out a window and take off. Mallory/Catriona decides to surreptitiously follow her fellow maid, and happens to meet Dr. Gray along the way.....who joins in the pursuit.

Alice heads for the 'Old Town' part of the city, and ends up in a building called Abernathy Hall, where a young people's dance seems to be happening. Mallory/Catriona and Dr. Gray sneak in to watch the dance, and realize things are not quite what they seem. This leads to a dangerous pursuit and adventure where Mallory/Catriona really shows her smarts, courage and mettle.

This is a fun fast-moving story with engaging characters and an interesting peek at 19th century Edinburgh. The tale seems a little skimpy though, and I would have liked it fleshed out more.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Subterranean Press Press for a copy of the book.

For fans of the series (like myself) this is a nice little morsel until Book #3 comes out in May 2024.
You will need to have read the previous two books in the series, despite Armstrong's brief recaps of the characters here. It's an existing connection to the characters that strengthens the mystery, otherwise it's not very compelling as a standalone, as interesting as Mallory's skills of observation may be.
It focuses on one of Dr. Gray's housemaids--Alice--but also provides more clues to Catriona's character before her "change" (Mallory jumping into her body) took place. Needless to say, Catriona and her shenanigans pissed off A LOT of people.
The story is influenced by true events that happened at the time. To even remotely describe the event would give away a major plot twist.
But again, a nice little holiday treat for fans.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I adore this series! While Cocktails & Chloroform is a short story in the "Rip Through Time" books it still delivered a solid addition to this time travel, Victorian detective series. I recommend starting with the previous books just so you can get the full appreciation of the characters and the circumstances surrounding the books. Any writing that explores more of Mallory and Gray is a plus. This novella also brings along more of our favorite side characters as our couple gets involved in more mayhem and murder along the way.

I can hardly wait for the next installment of this series!

4 stars

While it is a novella, it is part of the Rip Through Time series). I strongly suggest you read the first book of the series, A Rip Through Time, to better understand how Mallory time traveled back to Victorian Era, Scotland and became the housemaiden, Catriona aka Cat. Only two people know her secret, Dr. Gray and his sister, chemist Isla. While you can get away with not reading the very first book, as Mallory painstakingly retells her plight, I found that distracting but I suppose it would be helpful to those who have forgotten or first time reading this series.

It is a fast paced novella and a quick something as we all thirst for the third book in the series to come out. This novella focuses on Catriona’s young fellow maid, Alice and leads them to the sex trafficking.

I must confess, I have read the author’s other series, but THIS is one of my favorite series out of all her other series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for this e-copy in exchange for 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.

While the A Rip Through Time series has a time travel aspect, Cocktails & Chloroform has no time travel happening. After the first book, we just get to enjoy the stories of Mallory living in a historical time period. She is fortunate to be with open minded, kind people. I'm enjoying the historical mystery and the lovely characters here. She is very helpful in solving the crimes and assisting Duncan in his undertaking / doctor business.

Now we have a mystery around Alice receiving a letter. Mallory is worried when she goes out in the night and follows her. Alice is not trusting of Mallory (Catriona was vile) but the situation turns out to be dire. Mallory runs in to some of the bad crowd Catriona knew.

As a short novella, we get a quick story where I cared about the characters. Mallory made some progress in her relationship with Alice. They and Duncan, everyone took too many chances and things could have gone much worse. Thank goodness they knew how to make Molotov cocktails!

I look forward to more excellent adventures with Mallory in this historical setting and perhaps even some learning about how she was able to travel time. I hope she can retain these friends if she goes back to her own time.

This novella is an excellent addition to the Rip in Time series. The novella digs more into the relationship between Mallory/Catriona and Alice as well as why Mallory is so determined to create a positive relationship with Alice.

We see Mallory continue to re-assess her worldview as well as her view of the Victorian Society she has found herself in. It also builds on the friendship between Grey and Mallory as we see them become more comfortable and willing to tease each other.

Armstrong also does a great job of using the Victorian setting to challenge current views/mores.

This novella could be read as a standalone since Armstrong gives a brief recap in the beginning however this is such a great series I recommend starting at the beginning. This is a well done novella which gives us more insight into Alice and develops Alice and Mallory's relationship. The mystery was well done and the perfect length. I didn't feel that it ended abruptly like some novellas. As always, I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Kelley Armstrong combines a murder mystery and a time travel aspect in a historical setting in this novella in the Rip Through Time series which fits between books two and three. Since May 20, 2019, Vancouver homicide detective Mallory Atkinson was in Edinburgh, Scotland to be with her dying grandmother when she is attacked. It’s May 20, 1869 and housemaid Catriona Mitchell is discovered in a lane where she has been left for dead. It’s the exact spot where Mallory was attacked 150 years later. Mallory wakes up in Catriona’s body in 1869 and quickly needs to adjust to being a housemaid to an undertaker in Victorian Scotland. The undertaker, Dr. Gray also assists Detective McCreadie in his police investigations.

Now that Dr. Gray and his sister Isla Ballantyne know what happened to Mallory, the situation is not as full of subterfuge within the house except around the parlor maid, Alice, and Mrs. Wallace, the housekeeper and cook. She is now officially an undertaker’s assistant, but continuing her maid duties until they can hire someone for that position. When Alice receives a letter and then sneaks out that night, Mallory follows her to what seems to be a dance hall. However, it is much more than that and soon chaos ensues.

Mallory is a character with plenty of depth. She’s hardworking, kind, relatable, curious, impulsive, and makes for a strong female protagonist that readers can cheer on. However, she is also an independent thinker unafraid to speak her mind which isn’t normal for women in Victorian times. Gray is passionate about his work, enthusiastic, confident, and occasionally relaxed and teasing. The supporting cast of characters are well-developed and provide insight into individuals in various roles in a Victorian household as well as those they interact with.

I enjoy returning to these characters and the setting with each book in the series. Kelley Armstrong has a fluid writing style that quickly brings readers into the well-paced story. They also get a few insights into chemistry and how servants are treated. Other themes include family, friendship, sanitary (and other) conditions, racism, poverty, homesickness, and much more. The world-building was wonderful and felt accurate for the times. The ending has plenty of action and ties up the loose ends nicely. I would have liked for this to be a full-length novel.

Overall, this is well-written, engaging, and gripping with complex characters in a historical setting. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Understanding how Mallory gets to this time in history is explained in depth in book one so I recommend starting with it. However, if you accept the time travel situation, then this can be read as a standalone novella.

Subterranean Press and Kelley Armstrong provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for December 5, 2023.

The Rip Through Time series by Kelley Armstrong is becoming one of my favorite must-read books. Even the novella gave me a fun adventure that kept me reading past bedtime. Our heroine, Mallary, and Dr. Grey have the best sleuthing chemistry, and I enjoy the fish out of water time travel hijinks. The story provides just enough time travel references without feeling like that is all it has going for it. I highly recommend this book and give it a solid 5/5 stars, and can not wait for the next series installment out in May 2024.

I really liked this side adventure. Mallory is trying to teach Alice to make Molotov cocktails, which is a perfectly valid science experiment and not at all a desperate ploy to gain Alice’s attention. Before the lesson can begin, though, Alice receives a letter that has her slipping off in the night. Concerned for her safety—and naturally curious—Mallory follows.

Mallory finds Alice at what seems like a simple dance hall, watching young men and women flirting and whirling in pretty dresses and dapper suit-coats. But nothing here is what is seems, and what starts as a simple surveillance exercise turns into a full-scale spy mission with Mallory’s boss, Dr. Duncan Gray, at her side. Before the evening is done, those Molotov cocktails are probably going to come in handy.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have to be upfront and say that Kelley Armstrong is one of my must buy authors and probably in my current top five favorite authors list.

One of my favorite things she has created is her new-ish "A Rip in Time" series about a police detective who finds herself going back in time to the Victorian age. She is in a new, younger body and at the point of this novella she has found a couple of allies. She is the maid for a doctor in town who also helps with medical needs of police investigations. Lets just say she and the doctor get into some situations or there wouldn't be much of a series.

This novella was on the short side but did tell a complate and very fun story. We also got to know more about a few of the side characters which I do think will enhance the experience of future books. This was an all around treat and I'd recommend this to any historical fiction or thriller fanatics.

I absolutely love Kelley Armstrong and she never disappoints! Another enthralling adventure in the rip through time novella. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3.