This was just plain fun.
Going into this I didn't realize that is was a novella, so this was over way to quickly for me!
I loved getting to know Alice, and it was great getting to see her and Mallory working together and using their brains.

Mallory is a 21st century police detective who has found herself transported to Victorian era Edinburgh where she is trapped in the body of housemaid Catriona, a girl with an unsavory past. Her employer, Dr Gray, has become aware that Catriona is, in fact, Mallory and she acts as his assistant in his unofficial work with the police. Fellow housemaid Alice still is suspicious of the change in Catriona/Mallory so when she receives a letter asking for her help Alice goes off on her own, refusing to confide in Mallory. Mallory follows her and, along with Dr Gray, they uncover a Victorian smuggling ring.
This is a short novella in Ms Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time series. The action almost all takes place over the space of one evening. We do learn more about Alice’s past as she also learns that Catriona really has changed her past behavior while still not knowing that Mallory has time traveled. I am enjoying this series and look forward to learning more about our cast of characters, Mallory, Dr Gray, his sister Isla and, hopefully, more about the housekeeper, Mrs Wallace who apparently used to be in the circus. Highly recommended

I love this series so much that I would give it 100 stars if that was an option!
While this is a novella in the Rip Through Time series it packs the same amount of action, adventure, and my favorite characters as a full-length book.
Cocktails and Chloroform follows Mallory as she helps Alice with a personal problem, which hopefully will help prove to Alice that she is a new and improved Catriona. I don't want to get too detailed about everything I loved cause that would just spoil the whole book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page to the last and I can't wait to see what Mallory, Gray, and Isla are going to get in the middle of next!!!

This is a novella in the Rip Through Time series. The premise of the series is that Mallory, modern day detective, accidentally time travelled to Victorian Era Scotland. Now, she solves crimes there while serving as a housemaid to an undertaker.

The pace is constantly interrupted. Every few pages, we get a long explanation that we don't need. Sometimes, it's Mallory re-explaining her backstory to us. Or her relationship to a character. Or the historical background of the place she's going. Or the ins and outs of the period's dress.
It feels like 20% of the book is recapping previous events of the series, and 30% of the book is a history lesson. The story itself is lost in the shuffle.

The constant exposition makes the book feel very hand-holdy. It's annoying and patronizing. We don't need to be told several times that Mallory has a strained relationship with a character. We don't need to be told several times about the details of the dresses everyone is wearing. Perhaps, it's a sign that the author is much too excited about all the historical research that she did.
Tho this was sometimes too much in the previous books, it felt even more exaggerated in this novella.

The story continues with the loveable characters of the series, and I have no complaints with it. It's fun, showcasing how Mallory handles herself in trouble. I just wish that the actual plot took up more of our page length.

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

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

5 stars.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for an advanced copy of this novella.

Cocktails and Chloroform is basically the perfect novella to hold fans of the A Rip Through Time series over until the next book in the series. It is full of adventure (perhaps misadventure) and fun. And it features lots of Mallory with Dr. Gray which... you know... we all love basically.

All in all, if you are a fan of the series, you will certainly enjoy this fast paced novella while you wait for the next book in the series.

A great little novella featuring Mallory to tide us over until whenever the next full-length novel in this series comes out! In this story, Mallory is concerned about Alice after Alice receives an upsetting letter and follows her, ending up in a very dangerous situation. I flew through this story in one evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Armstrong seems to get more settled in her Victorian Edinburgh setting with each book. Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for a digital review copy.

Thanks to Kelley Armstrong and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

This novella is set after the events of The Poisoner's Ring. Mallory is still trying to win over Alice, the reluctant housemaid. So when Alice gets a letter and slips off into the night, Mallory follows, trying to make sure she stay safe. By the end of her epic evening, with her boss Duncan at her side, the molotov cocktails mentioned are going to come in very handy.

Kelley Armstrong has written a 'between the books' novella for her 'A Rip Through Time' series that is a quite an exciting adventure and advances the personal relationships between her main characters. A fun, quick read.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy through NetGalley.

My Thoughts
Isla Ballantyne, Mallory Atkinson and 12-year-old Alice are on the hunt for liquor suitable to make Malatov Cocktails with.

Such sets the beginning for the next misadventure in which Mallory soon finds herself.

When I say misadventure be very sure that is exactly what Mallory once again finds herself entangled into.

The fact it doesn’t start out that way only proves she is a magnet for trouble in a time where such things can quickly become life threatening, as of course it does.

However with a little luck and a little help from Dr. Grey things have to work out, don’t they?

Reading this short story is the only way you’ll know for certain and I recommend you do so sooner than later.

The series has given fans of this author a new venue for their reading enjoyment and even though it’s only 2 books and a short story so far that leaves room for more character development in future editions.

Editions that I look forward to very much!
[Earc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Did you read the first sentence? The first paragraph? I was sucked in from the second I opened this book and did not put it down until. I finished!
Interesting concept and reminded me of the tv series Quantum Leap, but this was much more engaging and fun! I also did not realize until after I finished this may be part of a series, so exciting to dig into what else these characters have been up too.

Loved reading the exciting and engaging story. Even though Mallory is trapped in the past in a housemaid's body, Mallory, along with Dr. Gray try to save Alice and her sister from a sinister plan. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of mystery and captivating characters, and a must read story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

Quick novella of the Rip in Time series
Liked the development between Alice and Mallory. Got a little more background of Caterina. Excited for the next book next spring

Time Travel Historical Mystery Novella about a modern-day detective trapped in a Victorian Scottish maid's body who winds up on a rescue mission with her boss while trying to win over a co-worker.

5/5 stars: Armstrong is a longtime favorite author of mine and this novella entry in the A Rip Through Time series doesn’t disappoint. Armstrong’s characters are not only complex but incredibly likable and I love reading Mallory’s modern day POV being turned on its head by her Victorian era setting. Additionally, I really enjoyed getting to know more about Mallory's fellow maid, Alice. And I always love seeing Mallory and Gray working together and catching up with McCreadie and Isla. Plus Armstrong's vivid descriptions of Victorian era New and Old town Edinburgh is incredibly atmospheric. Most importantly, Armstrong’s mystery plot is perfectly balanced and keeps you on the edge until the last page. If you’re looking for a great mystery involving a modern day homicide detective solving crime in Victorian Scotland run don’t walk and pick up this amazing series. As this is book 2.5 in the series be sure to pick up A Rip Through Time, book one, and start Mallory’s time-slip adventures from the beginning.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I absolutely love this time travel series by Kelley Armstrong. In "Cocktails & Chloroform" Armstrong gives us a whole adventure packed into a novella.
Mallory Atkinson, aka Catroina Mitchell, is once again righting a wrong in Victorian Edinburgh, Scotland. Throughout her "stay" in Victorian times Mallory has let a few people in on her real identity. Their knowledge has afforded her some leeway as a Victorian household parlor maid/assistant to the unofficial coroner of Edinburgh, her boss, Dr. Duncan Gray. So Mallory once again finds herself slipping through the back streets this time
trying to tail the young parlor maid, Alice. Mallory and Alice have a tenuous relationship. Catroina was abusive to the young girl and Alice finds it almost impossible to believe that she has changed. Of course she hasn't but Mallory isn't Catroina, and until she can return to her 21st century Scotland, she has to make the best of a weird situation.
Mallory knows that Alice received a letter that distressed her and Mallory isn't going to let her go off on her own with out backup. Even if Alice doesn't know that she is there.
This was a quick trip to Victorian Scotland and it was a great peek into this world.
Thank you GoodReads and K.L.A. Fricke Inc for this ARC. Opinions Expressed are entirely my own.

Novella of the time travel homicide detective to Victorian Scotland. Fun and depth to the main characters in this series, and very nice to find out more of Alice. Human trafficking Victorian style is the mystery our friends find themselves involved in, and it's quite the adventure for all. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a fun read from a favorite series.

What a fun novella! I love this series so much and it was a great story while we wait for the next full length book. This is a fun story with all the usual characters getting into the usual hijinks while still solving crime. I love learning more about Alice’s backstory- she’s such a great character! I hope we get another novella but with a focus on Simon.

This is a novella in the time travel series by Kelley Armstrong. Though not a full length book in the series, it moves the story line along, adding depth to the characters. We are given a 19th century view of human trafficking, both the tools and techniques. The experiments of the main characters add a bit of flair and humor to the series.

Cocktails and Chloroform is part of the Rip in Time Series and I absolutely loved it! Mallory is honestly in her element and finally willing to accept despite missing her family she had a place and things she wants to accomplish in her new life. I would be happy to see her stay there forever lol 😂. The high jinx are high in this book as Mallory and Dr. Gray get a bit more then they bargained for trying to watch over Alice who sneaks out of the house after receiving an upsetting letter. The game is afoot when Mallory and Dr. Gray are kidnapped to be sold in a sex trafficking ring. It was entertaining from beginning to end and I loved seeing Mallory break down sone of Alice’s walls and begin to earn her trust.

I also loved seeing more interaction specifically between Dr Gray, Mallory and Alice who are the main focus of the storyline. But I will always love Isla for her keen mind, live if adventure and her desire to push the boundaries of expectations of women of that era.

This is an absolutely fantastic series which I highly recommend. Grab it and start from the beginning with A Rip Through Time. You will not be disappointed I have followed and loved this series from book one and was so excited to read this latest addition!

"For modern-day detective Mallory Atkinson, being trapped in the body of a Victorian housemaid means overcoming endless obstacles. Her current challenge is winning over the suspicious young parlormaid, Alice. Mallory's plan starts with teaching the girl 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 suitcoats. But nothing here is what it 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."

I mean, who wouldn't want to learn how to make Molotov cocktails?

Any book by Kelley Armstrong is a good one in my opinion...even short stories which typically aren't my favorite.
It was fun to see Mallory and the gang again and see what they're all up to plus it's a great little story to hold us over until Disturbing the Dead is published in May 2024.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 31 December 2023