Kelley Armstrong knocks it out of the park again! I originally came for her Rockville/Haven’s Rock/Cainsville books, but I’ve loved this series so far. Definitely will continue to be an auto-buy author for me.

Enjoyable time-travel, historical fiction, mystery! Good plot, well-developed characters, suspense, action, and I liked getting a look at policing, forensics, and the slowly increasing roles of women in the Victorian period. This is the 3rd in a series (and the only one I've read), and while it worked as a standalone, I really want to go read the first one to see how Mallory's situation has developed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley

Although this is the third in Kelley Armstrong’s “A Rip Through Time” series, it can be read as a standalone. This is the first of the series that I have read and look forward to enjoying others.

Mallory Atkinson is a modern-day homicide detective who, somehow, has been placed in the body of a Victorian maid in the 1890s. In her Victorian persona, she is working as the assistant to an undertaker/medical examiner. With her 21st century mind, she is trying to introduce modern ideas of evidence preservation and examination.

The local Egyptologist arranged a mummy-unwrapping party at the request of his sponsor. The many wealthy guests were surprised and shocked at the “opening ceremony” and, now, Mallory has a murder to investigate!

This is 3rd in a time travel series that sent modern homicide detective Mallory Atkinson back to 1869 Edinburgh (in the body of housemaid Catriona Mitchell) after both were strangled in the same spot.

Since then she's lived in the home of undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray and helped him in murder investigations.

This time, they're invited to a mummy unwrapping chez Sir Alastair Christie, who recently returned from Egypt.

At the event, the host is not to be found - until a mummy is unwrapped! An investigation ensues with Mallory and Duncan at the forefront, as always.

This was a fast-paced, interesting read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Vivid descriptions. I was glued with anticipation to my Kindle screen the whole way through! Kept me captivated from the first page to the last. A uniquely-cool read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in one sitting and just could not put it down! I would definitely recommend this book to all my family and friends!

Ms. Armstrong offers an interesting and original take on the crime novel by adding a time slip element. Disturbing the Dead is the third in this series that also includes A Rip Through Time and The Poisoner’s Ring. Fans of the books will be excited about this new entry that may also gain new readers for the author.

Mallory Atkinson has found herself in Victorian Scotland rather than in her own time period in these stories. While very different, her life has been interesting as she assists a medical examiner. This time, weird events transpire around the unwrapping of a mummy. Whose body becomes part of an investigation? Find out in this fun read that includes many characters from the two earlier books.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Kelley Armstrong always provides top notch adventure and suspense for her readers. I read everything I can get my hands on that she writes. Highly recommend.

I was surprised and happy that Kelley Armstrong included not only the Victorian obsession with all things macabre, including the mummy unwrapping party element in this novel but also the Edinburgh Seven, who were the first matriculated undergraduate female students at any British university. They began studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1869. It intrigued me, so I researched it further. Still, she also provided necessary discussion in the story around how disturbing and disrespectful this is and elaborated on how women who wanted to study to become doctors were ostracized.

Disturbing The Dead is the third title in the "A Rip Through Time" series. You could read it as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the first book in the series to get the characters' backstories and see their growth.

It was a slow-burn whodunnit mystery with likeable, relatable, well-developed characters, humour, and witty banter between Mallory and the central characters. But it didn’t distract from my enjoyment; my patience paid off.

I was lucky enough to be granted the e-arc and the alc. It was my first time listening to Narrator Kate Handford; she did a fantastic job with the Scottish accents. I could distinguish between the various characters' voices, and she transported me to Victorian Edinburgh, Scotland. I felt like I was there. It was a fully immersive experience. I could smell and taste the tea, biscuits, and clotted cream pastries. I could feel the emotion.

Six months have passed, and Mallory is still stuck in 1869 Edinburgh— trapped in the body of twenty-year-old Catriona Mitchell, a pretty buxom blonde but amoral con artist employed as a housemaid by the unconventional Gray family. Her relationships with Isla, Dr. Duncan, and Detective Hugh McCreadie have grown over time; she has become like family and has become his permanent personal assistant. There are a few staff members and family members who still do not know of Mallory trapped in Catriona’s body. Mallory Atkinson is a thirty-year-old from the twentieth century who was once a successful homicide detective in British Columbia—currently promoted to Dr. Duncan Gray’s assistant. This career change wasn’t a choice Atkinson consciously made. She had a near-death experience while visiting her dying grandmother in Edinburgh, Scotland. When she awoke, her consciousness was in the twenty-year-old body of Catriona Mitchell in mid-19th-century Edinburgh, Scotland.

By this novel's time, Dr. Gray and his younger widowed sister, Isla, are aware of Atkinson's unbelievable background. Detective Hugh McCreadie is Dr. Gray’s closest friend and knows Mallory’s story. Between her background in the 21st century and Dr. Gray’s work as an undertaker in the 19th, it is unsurprising that they all find themselves working together to solve murders and mysteries.

Dr. Gray’s older sister, Lady Annie Leslie, invites the four to accompany her to Sir Alastair Christie's home. They are going to witness the unwrapping of an Egyptian mummy. Mallory is intrigued by the idea of seeing a mummy but also uneasy with the ghoulish enjoyment she knows Edinburgh’s high society will take in this event. When it is time for Christie’s party guests to observe the unwrapping, he is nowhere to be found. Sir Alastair is late to his party, and his wife calls on Duncan and Mallory to unwrap the corpse to help the woman keep Alastair's patron, Lord Muir and their guests happy.

Imagine Mallory's and Duncan's surprise when they unwrap a dead body, not an Egyptian mummy, arousing shock and horror in the guests. Thankfully, Hugh quickly jumps into detective mode, ensuring that the constables will transport the dead body to Duncan's lab. Mallory and Duncan begin working to solve the case, examining physical evidence and getting a sense of the dead man's relationships, including those with his Egyptian brother-in-law Salim Awad and the complicated one Alastair had with Lord Muir, including a young woman who had demonstrated her displeasure and disgust at the mummy unwrapping party to guests outside Sir Alastair's earlier in the evening. She is among “The Seven” women permitted to study medicine at the local university.

Dr. Gray Mallory, Isla, and McCreadie endeavour to discover the who and why behind Sir Alister Christie’s death. Because of Mallory’s and Duncan's fondness for adventure, the two find themselves talking to people around town as they check out Alastair's connections. Soon, their inquiries do not go unnoticed, which puts them in peril.

A hiccup in the case that adds some humour is that someone has recently started chronicling their detecting adventures in a dramatic, vivid, and wildly sexist fashion. When pamphlets show details about their current investigative efforts, Mallory suspects someone they know is the writer. Isla deals conclusively with this mystery writer, while Mallory, Dr. Grey, and McCreedie can focus on exposing the killer.


A growing attraction between Mallory and Dr. Gray complicates the investigation. She is conflicted because of her time travel—can Mallory return to her time, and will she want to go if the opportunity arises? How far should she go in her new life—

Interestingly, Armstrong answers a question I've had from the series' outset in this book and ties up a thread, taking a situation that has troubled Mallory throughout her time in Victorian Edinburgh and answering it heartwarmingly. I am eager to know how this development will be further integrated into the series. Still, I also love the more settled, positive way Mallory feels after getting some questions answered by the ending. I can’t wait for the next adventures that await these characters.


I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Disturbing the Dead is now available

Armstrong's books are always a hit with me & this one is no exception. Looking forward to the next one!

Just when I think this series cannot get any better, here comes book #3 to prove me wrong! I inhaled the first two books featuring accidental time traveler Mallory as she finds her footing in 1890s Edinburgh. Reading rebels could probably read Disturbing the Dead without reading the first two books but I’d urge you not to miss out on all character and relationship building. Chemistry between Mallory and Duncan is next level.

The first chapter of this book was absolutely delightful and probably one of my favorite first chapters. And Mallory is one of my favorite characters. Resourceful and curious and drawn to “crime detecting” in both times she got to live in, she is such a great counterpart to more serious and studious Dr. Gray. And in book 3 we get to know better some of the other characters like the housekeeper Mrs. Wallace and Queen Meb.

Mummies, murder, fight for female rights and a sense of adventure made this such an entertaining read. If time travel with a side of murder investigation sounds like your cup of tea, I highly recommend this series! I cannot wait for book 4!!!

A huge thank you to minotaur books and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A satisfying addition to the series! Some series like this drag on and on but this book propelled the series forward. I had been wondering how Armstrong was planning on resolving the time travel issue and was pleased with what happened.

I was disappointed, in the beginning, that Armstrong was devoting herself to this time-travel/mystery/romance series, reminiscent of “Outlander,” instead of to the Rockton/Haven’s Rock books I love. But after the third installment, I realized I’m enjoying it quite a bit. Armstrong has developed her characters skillfully, and her insights into forensics (and everything else) in Victorian Scotland are fascinating. I could see this on television. Like “Outlander.”

Quite a mix of mystery, time travel and historical adventure. Excellent characters and comprehensive depiction of life in Victorian Scotland. Two women are strangled in two different parts of the world in two different eras One is a cop in modern day Canada, the other a housewife in Victorian Scotland. The detective ends up in the housemaids body in a very eccentric household. They are rule breakers at a time when roles were very defined for both genders. They accept her story and Mallory comes to care very deeply for her new associates. Lots of mayhem ensues as they search for a murderer and thieves of the mummy and other Egyptian antiquities. Given the chance to return to her own time will Mallory go or has she found the place she was meant to be?

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for giving me a free E-Arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
This book was amazing. I have loved all the characters throughout this series. This book moved all the character development well. I enjoyed the storyline. It was layered and paced well. Overall, I enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next book in the series.

I first learned that mummy unwrappings were a thing wealthy Victorians did for entertainment while reading an issue of Mike Mignola's B.P.R.D. series. I was happy that not only did author Kelley Armstrong include this element in this novel, the third entry in the "A Rip Through Time" series, but she also provided necessary discussion in-story around how disturbing and disrespectful this is.

Mallory is still stuck in Edinburgh in 1869 in the body of Catriona Mitchell, a pretty but totally amoral con artist, employed as housemaid by the wealthy and unconventional Gray family. Her relationships with Isla, Duncan and Hugh have continued to improve, and she's even reassured twelve-year-old parlourmaid Alice of her intentions with respect to the household. The only hold-out is Mrs. Wallace, the cook, and something else, as we'll see later in this story.

The Grays and Hugh McCreadie are invited to the home of a former colleague of Duncan Gray, Sir Alastair Christie, for a mummy unwrapping. Mallory is both intrigued by the idea of seeing a mummy, but also uneasy with the ghoulish enjoyment she knows Edinburgh society will take in the event.

As Sir Alastair is late to his own party, and Duncan and Mallory are called on by Sir Alastair's wife to unwrap the corpse, so they can help the woman keep Alastair's patron Lord Muir and their guests happy. Imagine Mallory's and Duncan's surprise when they unwrap a dead Sir Alastair, arousing shock and horror in the guests. Thankfully, Hugh quickly jumps into detective mode, ensuring the dead body is sent to Duncan's lab, and beginning to question possible suspects, including a young woman who had harangued guests outside Sir Alastair's earlier in the evening. She is one of a few young women very grudgingly allowed to study medicine at the local university.

Mallory and Duncan begin working to solve the case, examining physical evidence and getting a sense of the dead man's relationships, including those with his Egyptian brother-in-law, and the more complicated one Alastair had with Lord Muir.

Because of her experience, and Duncan's fondness for adventure, the two find themselves talking to a variety of people around town as they check out Alastair's connections, and soon find themselves in danger. An added wrinkle to the case is that someone has recently started chronicling their detecting adventures in melodramatic, florid and wildly sexist fashion. And Mallory begins to realize that someone they know is the writer when details about their current investigative efforts are showing up in the paper. Isla shows herself as being quite capable of dealing conclusively with this mystery, while the other two expose the killer.

This series hooked me from its first book, and it just keeps getting better. I am a longtime fan of Kelley Armstrong, and love her ability to keep me turning pages while exploring the foibles and desires of her well-drawn characters.

Interestingly, Armstrong answered a question I've had from the series' outset beautifully in this book, taking a situation that has troubled Mallory for a while, and answered it in the best, most heartwarming way. I am eager to know how this development will be further integrated into the series, but also really love how the more settled, positive way Mallory felt by the end of this novel.

So, when can I read the next book?

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an e-arc of this novel.

This is the 3rd novel in the "A Rip Through Time" series.

It is such a good series and each book keeps getting better.
I love the characters, the historical details and the uniqueness of the plot.

I look forward to book #4 in the series.

Kelley Armstrong is a must read author for me.

This has become such a comfort series for me. I always enjoy falling back in with Gray and Mallory. This story was fast paced from the beginning and kept hooked the entire time. I’ve always been a fan of Egyptian culture so the unwrapping of a mummy was super intriguing. What ensued was nothing I ever expected. The twist with Mallory was so bittersweet and yet satisfying. I’m so excited to see what her decision leads to as she and Gray are still tiptoeing around each other. Ughhh, the ending. I wanted to know what Gray really wanted to say!! I can’t wait to see what mystery falls in their lap next!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for gifted copies. My thoughts are my own.

The time travelling heroine, Mallory Atkinson, is a 21st century cop trapped in a body of a late 19th century maid.  The maid’s less than stellar reputation has been difficult to overcome, but by book 3 in the A Rip in Time series, Mallory is starting to get somewhat comfortable in Victorian Scotland. 

As the title suggests, this one is about grave robbing.  The graves being robbed are in Egypt, done for the sake of preserving history – or so they say.  One particular mummy will be disturbed twice.  Once when it is removed from it’s tomb in Egypt and brought to Edinburgh.  And a second time when it is removed from its wrappings to be replaced with another, more contemporary body. 

Mallory and Gray jump into the mystery that is complex and full unexpected twists.  Each chapter brings new evidence into the story, along with several likely suspects.

Mallory’s 21st century perspective, language and sense of humor baffle, frustrate, and entertain the Victorians.  Gray and his sister are aware of her origin, but the rest are in the dark (for now).  Gray’s sister Annis, is one of my favorite annoying characters to butt heads with Mallory, while they solve the mystery. 

The author includes real life figures The Edinburg Seven, the first women to study medicine at the University of Edinburg.  Their actions helped to pave the way for future female scholars, but they never stopped struggling for acceptance.  Adding a bit of realness to this historical novel, Armstrong deftly adds depth and even suspects to Mallory’s mystery.

Followers of this series will absolutely want to read this one.   Readers new to this series can jump in here and still appreciate solving a mystery without needing to know the background.  (But read the entire series – they are all great!)

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.