Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong Narrator: Kate Hanford
Series: A Rip Through Time #1
Published by MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books on May 31, 2022
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 352
Length: 13 hours, 59 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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May 20, 2019: Homicide detective Mallory is in Edinburgh to be with her dying grandmother. While out on a jog one evening, Mallory hears a woman in distress. She’s drawn to an alley, where she is attacked and loses consciousness.
May 20, 1869: Housemaid Catriona Mitchell had been enjoying a half-day off, only to be discovered that night in a lane, where she’d been strangled and left for dead . . . exactly one-hundred-and-fifty years before Mallory was strangled in the same spot.
When Mallory wakes up in Catriona's body in 1869, she must put aside her shock and adjust quickly to the reality: life as a housemaid to an undertaker in Victorian Scotland. She soon discovers that her boss, Dr. Gray, also moonlights as a medical examiner and has just taken on an intriguing case, the strangulation of a young man, similar to the attack on herself. Her only hope is that catching the murderer can lead her back to her modern life . . . before it's too late.
I have always enjoyed this author and was excited to start a new series. I was a little hesitant because time travel is not my favorite thing. A Rip Through Time is where a modern day police detective ends up 150 years earlier. So the story is primarily set historically.
Mallory thinks she dies but wakes up as Catriona. She struggles to figure out who she is now and what is appropriate for this time period. Obviously, women are not police detectives or doing many other things in this time. There is also the lack of devices we use regularly today.
I found the beginning a little slow, and frankly, felt irritated at the treatment of women. As the story continued into the mystery and scientific aspects I was engaged and could barely put it down. Mallory is fortunate to end up in a household with more leniency for diversity and a strong interest in science. The mystery is fascinating and takes a while to get sorted.
I finished with many remaining questions though this was not a cliffhanger. My questions are more ones as to how things will go on in the series, and what inventions were discovered when. I would have liked to get McCreadie’s reaction to everything though. I am now very excited for more.
Narration:
I think this was my first listening to this narrator. The voices felt comfortably male and female with some regional accents. I’ve no idea if the accents are accurate but they sounded fine to me. I was able to enjoy the performance easily at 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Kelley Armstrong
Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could
write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a
story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls
and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. Today, she continues to
spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked
away in her basement writing dungeon. She lives in southwestern
Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I’m wishing I had requested this for review but I may have to read it anyway at some point. I love the idea of being out of your element and having to adjust to a different time period😁
I enjoyed this even more than expected. I’m not always a fan of time travel but this isn’t constant traveling so that is somehow better. The story is excellent and I love the characters.
I’m not big on time travel either but this sounds pretty good. Excellent review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. It is really good. It’s not focused on the time travel so it’s more a historical mystery with modern perspective, which is really fun.
I’ve loved this author’s YA books, but haven’t tried any of her adult ones. This one sounds so close to the Outlander storyline in a lot of ways, so I want to give it a try sometime because of that.
And oh yeah, have to tell you I love your header for audiobook month!
Thanks Lisa. This is one of my favorite headers Michelle has created for me. There isn’t a huge focus on time travel which is better for me. It feels like a historical mystery but with a modern knowledge. I love the characters.
I was chomping at the bit for things to get moving and thought it was great once we got past the series intro. I can’t wait for the next one, either.
Yes exactly. I loved it once it got going. The characters are awesome.
I just read Sophia’s review. I’ve not read much of this author (the book in Heroic Hearts being the first). I love a good historical mystery, so I think I would enjoy this one, especially in audiobook format. Thanks!
I really liked this one, even more than expected. Its characters are so well developed.
I do like time travel when It’s done well, as this seems to be. Nice review.
Thanks Wendy. I think it is well done with great characters. I hope you get a chance to try it.
I love Kelley Armstrong’s writing and this does sound like an interesting premise. I’m usually outraged over the treatment of women back then, too! I’ll have to request an audio.
I love Armstrong’s books too. It’s not just women, but also lower classes. Really women are a lower class even when they are in the upper class. It’s infuriating. But the book is excellent.
I just saw Kimba’s review of this too- sounds great. I’ve read a little Armstrong- mostly her Rockton series. Love the sound of this one 🙂
I love all the ones I’ve read by this author. I liked this much better than expected. I don’t like time travel usually but this was just a little and the story was exciting and fun.
Yes, this period would infuriate me as a woman…lol I did not find the book as slow in the beginning. I am excited to see what the next one brings. Great review Sophia!
Sophia and I both reviewed this one. I did find it a bit slow but came to love the characters and the story.