Es la primera Navidad de Mallory Atkinson en Escocia. La Escocia victoriana, claro está. Además, como descubre el detective del siglo XXI, la Navidad realmente no existe en la Escocia victoriana. Se trata de Hogmanay. Pero su jefe, el Dr. Duncan Gray, le regala entradas anticipadas para el evento de la temporada: una lectura de Charles Dickens. Allí, se topan con Lady Inglis, la encantadora viuda que le ha enviado cartas sensuales a Gray tratando de atraerlo de regreso a su cama.

Lady Inglis le presenta a Mallory a Dickens (el encuentro de su vida), pero a cambio quiere su ayuda. La están chantajeando. Alguien robó cartas que le escribió a otro amante y amenaza con publicarlas.

Mallory no está segura de qué pensar de Lady Inglis, pero ninguna mujer merece eso, por lo que insiste en tomar el caso con o sin la ayuda de Gray. La creciente tensión entre ellos pronto le dice a Mallory que Gray esconde su propio secreto. Tiene hasta Hogmanay para descubrir al chantajista... y, con suerte, arreglar las cosas con Gray para que puedan disfrutar de las vacaciones juntos.




Es una historia corta y lo disfrute.
No sabia que era parte de una serie y al principio estaba confundida porque todos los personajes se conocían y era obvio que ya estaban familiarizados, conforme leía quedaba mas confundida, los primeros dos capítulos pensé que era el estilo de escritura y que habrían escenas flashback o que algunos capítulos serian del pasado, pero como no pasaba nada de eso me puse a investigar el libro y resulto que hay libros anteriores. Me sentí tonta al no darme cuenta antes, pero bueno, afortunadamente me di cuenta a tiempo y tuve que dejarlo hasta leer los anteriores y todos los libros los disfrute.

"All lives are worthy of note," I say. "And the lives of the rich fill enough books."

Another entertaining story set in Victorian Scotland, Schemes and Scandals is a novella set in the A Rip Through Time series. We are faced with a mystery of stolen love letters, past paramours and betrayal. Set in a time when the perceptions of women are skewed by their relationships with the men in their lives, and how the patriarchal role allows men to get away with the same actions that could ruin a woman.

First and foremost, thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this early, I love you.

In my review of the previous book, Disturbing the Dead, I practically cried and begged for any crumbs in this world anyone could offer so when I got approved for this novella, I almost wept with joy. 🥹

I am OBSESSED with this series (characters, vibe, mysteries, world and especially the writing and Mallory's voice) and after the previous book, I feel even more connected to them and immersed in this world. So this little novella was my guilty pleasure that I read (or inhaled, more like it) in one sitting.

Loved everything about it it! The Charles Dickens subplot and meeting was so interesting and realistic, I could almost swear it happened in real life. I love how Armstrong incorporates little tidbits of history and literature and gives us a comprehensive then vs now outlook.👏

Then of course we have another mystery, Mallory, Dr Grey and the gang at their detective work, looking for clues, missing letters and suspects, new characters, a brief view on Dr Grey's personal past/former lover (cue jealousy?🤭) and a sprinkle of Victorian era Scottish customs, history and details, as the action takes place around the holidays.

Seeing Mallory and Duncan (heh more familiar with first names now are we?😁) interact and brainstorm is always a delight. It's like they live in their own little bubble and we are just intruders getting into their business. Like I said, so very realistic and immersive, everything.

I also loved how Mallory got more comfortable and adjusted to this new world and time period and how people are starting to get her and care for her. 🫶

I'm looking forward to the next adventure!

P.S. If a new reader wanted to get a taste of this series, the novella can be read as a standalone too, as a short recap of what happened and who is who is seamlessly blended into the story, without giving away spoilers.

I can’t get enough of this series it’s just so much fun.
Mallory is about to celebrate her first Christmas in the past but first she has to solve a mystery. With the help of some modern day science and good old fashioned leg work she and Duncan help an old friend who is being blackmailed.
The mystery is outstanding. If you haven’t tried this series yet I don’t know what you’re waiting for. It’s so good!!

Have I waxed poetic enough about this series yet? The A Rip Through Time series is still going strong for me and I enjoyed this new novella just as much as the rest. This is the second novella in the series and takes place after the events of Disturbing the Dead, but it’s not necessary to read other books in the series. The author does a great job with small summaries to bring you up to speed without being too repetitive.

Mallory is a modern-day Canadian detective trapped in the body of a younger, buxom housemaid in Victorian Scotland. Actually, no longer a housemaid as she has been promoted to assistant to her boss, Dr. Duncan Gray who operates as an undertaker and often consults with the police as a medical examiner, lately famous in serial pamphlets for his crime solving adventures.

It's Mallory’s first Christmas in her new setting and she’s anxious to make sure that everything goes well. I did find it odd that she was so preoccupied with the holidays since it didn’t fit with my vision of her character, but I loved learning about Hogmanay of which I only had a passing knowledge and I enjoyed the teasing from Gray and his sister Isla about the legality of celebrating Christmas in Scotland, a subject I was unfamiliar with.

Of course, the festive planning is interrupted by a mystery. Gray gifts Isla and Mallory with tickets to see Charles Dickens. I really enjoyed the enthusiasm that Mallory was enveloped with to attend a Victorian author event with such a literary icon. At the event, they run into Gray’s former paramour Lady Inglis (author of the sexy letters that Mallory found in a previous book), and she requests Gray’s assistance in a delicate matter. Turns out she wrote sexy letters to another gentlemen, only this time they were stolen and now she’s being blackmailed.

Mallory is all over this case and determined to solve it before Hogmanay. Another great read that I couldn’t put down and since it was short, I didn’t have to!

Thank you to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for a copy provided for an honest review.

I love any and all things Kelley Armstrong and this is no different. I love the Rip in Time series and was very happy to see this addition to the story.

What could be more fun than yet another brief glimpse into Victorian Scotland through the eyes of our wonderful 21st century detective, Mallory? This time around, it’s the holiday season and while Christmas is not traditionally celebrated yet, Hogmanay is and Mallory is more than excited to experience the celebration with Gray and Isla, but not before she and Gray get involved in another mystery. It appears that one of Gray’s ex-lovers is being blackmailed and would like to hire Gray and Mallory to discover who is behind the threat. Each of Kelley Armstrong’s novellas, not just this series, but others as well, supply just enough insight to flesh out her characters more thoroughly. In “Schemes & Scandals,” Mallory has to learn to deal with her knowledge of things to come when she meets one of her favorite authors. As always, t]there is a bit of literary license mixed in with actual facts which adds rather than detracts from the tale. This was an enjoyable caper from start to finish and made for a nice afternoon interlude. Thank you to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Holiday novella from the time travel world of Kelley Armstrong. Mallory gets to meet Charles Dickens and solve a blackmail case. ARC from NetGalley.

This is one of my favorite series. It's Mallory's first Christmas in 1860s Scotland, and she is surprised that Christmas is not a big celebration. Hogmanay, the last day of the year, is celebrated instead. For her gift, Dr. Gray and his sister take Mallory to an event where Charles Dickens will read to an audience in person. As they walked to the theatre, I could picture the snow falling, crowds of people - rich and poor alike - walking around, and everything candlelit or gaslit.

There is a crime, of course. In this book, the crime is a matter of blackmail for a lady personally acquainted with Duncan. She has asked for his help. A previous lover has compromising letters from her. Duncan is reluctant at first but eventually joins Mallory in taking the case. Then they discover that someone close to them is also being blackmailed...

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella, and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Kelley Armstrong’s novellas are such a treat! Her last time-travel series had novellas between books and it looks like she is continuing the practice with this series.

This is a holiday novella and “holiday” is the proper word because this is set in 1869, when Christmas isn’t celebrated in Scotland. Hogmanay, New Year’s Eve, is the holiday of note at this time, so Mallory’s assumption that she’d be celebrating her first Victorian Christmas is a little off!

The mystery in this story deals with stolen letters and blackmail. Despite the shorter page count, the investigation is thorough and fully developed.

We also see Mallory meeting Charles Dickens, who is on tour in 1869. From reading earlier books, we know her English professor father made Dickens a major part of her childhood, so it’s a lovely part of the story. A new reader won’t be lost, though.

What a wonderful visit with Mallory, Duncan, Isla, and friends as we wait for the next book in this fantastic series!

This Christmas-set short story is a great addition to the series and helps with the wait for the next full novel. I would recommend reading the previous books before reading this, partly to help catch nuance and partly just because they are excellent. Mallory and Gray are draw into a case of blackmail when an acquaintance has very personal letters stolen. The acquaintance has a history with Gray as well, adding some more emotional drama to the case. As always, the historical details are great, the characters are strong and likable, and the mystery is well done. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.

Schemes and Scandals is a great addition to Kelley Armstrong's original, creative A Rip Through Time series referring to accidental time-travel. Mallory's knowledge of 21st century policing techniques joins together with Dr. Grey's open-minded 19th century thought processes to enable them to figure out who is blackmailing Lady Inglis. The fact that Charles Dickens appears in this novella is an added bonus.

I strongly recommend that you read the previous three novels (and one novella) in this cleverly thought-out series to fully appreciate Kelley Armstrong's creativity in building a world based in 1869 Edinburgh, Scotland. Actual historical events of that time period appear in the midst of this compelling mystery series. Looking forward to reading many more fascinating A Rip Through Time novels.

I'm a big fan of Kelley Armstrong and this series. It's clear Ms. Armstrong does her research. She depicts Victorian Scotland clearly and vividly

The characters are wonderful. The interplay between them is entertaining and humorous. The MC is adept at handling situations foreign to her.

I can't wait for the next installment!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this ARC.

The fourth book (and this is a shorter one coming in at 176 pages), in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series is another winner for me. I am a series aficionado and love it when I happen upon one that gets stronger as it progresses. The earlier books laid the groundwork well and now I feel like I know the main characters (Mallory, Gray and Isla) a lot better. This is a story that builds on the previous books, but one probably could read it as a stand alone. I wouldn't though. Read all the others first. For a recap - Mallory/Catriona is a modern day police detective in Canada. While visiting her Gran in Scotland, she is the victim of a crime and is almost choked to death. When she awakes in 1869, she is in another woman's body, a woman who is a scullery maid and a thief. The household she landed in is that of Duncan Gray, a surgeon not allowed to practice so he runs the mortuary his father founded. The two of them eventually team up to bring modern day forensics to 19th century Scotland.

This book opens with Mallory receiving tickets to see one of her favorite 19th century authors. After the reading, Gray runs into an ex-paramour - a lady who is being blackmailed and wants to hire them to find the culprit. The lady eventually hires Mallory, so she is lead on her first 19th century investigation. While the mystery has enough misdirection to be interesting, it is actually tied up fairly quickly. The real meat of this book is the growth of the protagonists as they continue to find their way in a relationship that is fraught with societal roadblocks. My only quibble would be wishing the book were longer.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw there was a new Rip Through Time story out, I knew it would immediately be my next read. A little Christmas in May! And it did not disappoint. The mystery wasn’t too shocking, but this novella added some backstory and context for a number of characters, which will only make the next full length novel that much more enjoyable.