Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read an advance copy of Disturbing the dead by Kelley Armstrong (the third book in the A Rip Through Time series). I could not put this down once I started reading the latest adventures of Mallory, a modern day detective in the body of a housemaid in Victorian Edinburgh. When Duncan and Mallory are invited to a mummy unwrapping party you know murder is not far behind. Even though it's a thrilling murder mystery, the side plot of who is writing about the amazing adventures of Dr. Gray and his lovely assistant kept me laughing throughout the story. I found the last chapters took me on an emotional ride. Totally recommend this series and I can't wait for the next story!

First of all, thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Disturbing the Dead. I greatly appreciate it!

Moving on to my review -- I stumbled across this series by accident. In fact, if you read my review of A Rip Through Time, you'll discover that I didn't even realize it was a series until I was deep into the novel! Since reading that first book of the series, I have eagerly awaited each new installment of this series -- the second book, the novella, and now the third book. Out of those three, Disturbing the Dead is by far my favorite. In fact, it might even be my favorite book of the entire series and I really enjoyed the first book.

Why is Disturbing the Dead so good?

Couple of reasons:
- the mystery/murder/whodunnit is really interesting and well done
- the core 1860s group knows Mallory's "secret" and so there is less focus placed on her "oddness" and more focus on solving the crime and character and relationship development
- the whole getting back home storyline which hasn't moved anywhere since the first book... finally has movement (and is navigated really really well)
- we get to see new parts of the 1860s world and they are really cool (as well as the new characters)

I honestly could go on and on but I think this list covers the main points.

All in all, Armstrong knocked this one out of the park. Highly recommend both this book and the series itself. Personally, I can't wait for the next installment!

The third book in Kelley Armstrong’s time traveling mystery series is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I recommend reading the first two in the series, partly because it makes everything in this one make more sense but also because they’re excellent. Mallory, our modern detective transported to 1860s Edinburgh, Duncan, and co find themselves involved in a murder investigation related to Egyptian artifacts, educational integrity, and underground markets. I was skeptical of the time travel element when I started the first book because it frequently doesn’t work for me as a story element. Armstrong is a great writer, though, and the story and characters all work beautifully. The mystery is compelling, the descriptions of Edinburgh and the time are great, and there are some interesting developments in Mallory’s life in this one. Already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.

Another fun, sophisticated and thrilling whodunit mystery adding to a great series!
Mallory and Dr Gray are two very endearing characters that you can't help getting invested in and rooting for. The mysteries are always thought provoking filled with red herrings and twists along the way. This one has a refreshing section that allows Mallory to move on with her life in 1860's Scotland that was both poignant and emotional.
Although the books in this series can be read as standalones,I highly recommend starting at the beginning to fully enjoy the relationships and journey these characters take. The pace of the books are relatively quick and if you haven't started this series you could catch up easily before this one is published later this year.

Thank you to the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for granting me an early copy to read, review and enjoy.

A detective/time-travel story. Detective Mallory accidentally travels back in time and become housemaid. Her boss recognizes her as someone from the future and they work together to solve the mystery.

Mallory and Gray are both likable characters. I like their romance- maybe a bit too slow for me but I love how they are attracted to each other intellectually and emotionally. The mystery is suspenseful and interesting. I love all the details about Victorian times. It's not the first book in the series but can be read as a standalone. You would miss a lot of nuances though in the story. A very enjoyable mystery.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc

“I know what this is because, when not dreaming of ponies, I was a ghoulish little brat who thrived on the macabre.”

There’s just something special about a good Victorian mortician setting and Kelley Armstrong continues to nail it with Disturbing the Dead!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and I am so grateful to have received an advance copy!

Disturbing the Dead follows the trail set by its predecessors - a morbid mystery with action, adventure, and entertaining characters. I love the melding of Victorian and modern day characters that continues through this instalment. Even the more seemingly inconsequential side characters are intriguing and hint to much larger backstories.

The historical facts, people, and events included in these books make for a fully immersive experience and encourage further research into their subjects, as well as show the time and effort put into working them into the writing in a natural way.

This has quickly become one of my favourite series of Armstrong’s and I hope it continues with many more!

Disturbing the Dead is the latest in a unique series with one foot in the 1860s and the other in the present day. The Rip Through Time crime novels are a genre-blending, atmospheric romp from New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.
Victorian Scotland is becoming less strange to modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson. Though inhabiting someone else’s body will always be unsettling, even if her employers know that she’s not actually housemaid Catriona Mitchell, ever since the night both of them were attacked in the same dark alley 150 years apart. Mallory likes her job as assistant to undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray, and is developing true friends―and feelings―in this century.
So, understanding the Victorian fascination with death, Mallory isn't that surprised when she and her friends are invited to a mummy unwrapping at the home of Sir Alastair Christie. When their host is missing when it comes time to unwrap the mummy, Gray and Mallory are asked to step in. And upon closer inspection, it’s not a mummy they’ve unwrapped, but a much more modern body.

I love anything to do with history and mummies, so this was right up my alley. I loved the duel timeline that Armstrong uses here, it's almost like we get two stories in one. If you're like me and enjoy history, or are just looking for a unique horror novel, then check this one out!

An absolutely delightful romp through Victorian Edinburgh. The series is refreshingly original combining time travel and mystery. The characters and scenery come to life on the page! I do love the twist in this story allowing Mallory to tie up her loose ends. I eagerly look forward to seeing the relationship between Mallory and Duncan progress as well as Isla and Hugh.
A definite must read for all mystery lovers!