Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong Narrator: Kate Hanford
Series: A Rip Through Time #5
Published by MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books on May 19, 2026
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 352
Length: 12 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Mitchell has grown accustomed to life in Victorian Scotland after travelling 150 years into the past into the body of a housemaid. She’s built a new life for herself. Even though she works as an assistant to forensic-science pioneer Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie, she considers them true friends. And with Gray in particular, perhaps, someday, something more.
Late one night, Gray and Mallory are summoned urgently to the home of Lady Adler, a patron of Gray’s undertaking business, and they assume there's been a death in the household. But instead, they arrive in the midst of a seance with a ghost demanding Gray's presence. The ghost is Lady Adler's former maid, who had gone missing but now requests that Gray investigate her murder. Although Gray and Mallory are skeptical, they agree to look into the matter, whether she's dead or alive. But unsure if there's been a murder or not, unable to call out the medium as a fraud, and concerned for the fate of the young maid, Gray and Mallory are once again drawn into a mystery much more puzzling--and more dangerous--than it first seems
I have not always been a fan of time travel but this author has two series where it is an element and I love them. A Rip Through Time series is where a modern day police detective ends up 150 years earlier. So the story is primarily set historically. I would read this story in order for the development in the characters and the situations.
The view of a Victorian household and society from the point of view of a modern, female police detective is fascinating. Mallory continues to learn and adapt to her current life and class rules as she investigates with Gray. He gets called out in the night to one of his patrons. It turns out there is no dead body, only the claim of speaking to a dead person at a seance. Mallory and Duncan do not generally believe in ghosts or ability to speak to the dead. So they look to evidence and facts. The “ghost” is a maid who left the house a few days ago.
There is searching for the body, the family, the friends, talking to the co-workers and neighbors, and everyone who might know about the very young women. Of course, people have their own motives and don’t always tell the truth or everything they know. Mallory is a skillful interrogator to make it easy for them. I enjoyed their sources and witnesses and deductions.
In addition to dealing with all matter of classes, Mallory must navigate what her options will be once Isla and Hugh marry. Duncan has been working on that issue as well. The romances in the background of the case are all important.
I love how they are attracting fans of their cases and support for their roles as consulting detectives. I look forward to see how they manage future cases and fans.
Narration:
I have become very comfortable with the narrator and enjoy her performance. The characters voices, male and female, young and old, are distinct and recognizable to me now. I’ve no idea if the accents are accurate but they sounded fine to me. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
This seems like such a strong series. It’s on my list to read someday!
It’s a great one. So I hope you do get to read it.
I still need to get on the stick with this series. I love that its a modern detective back in Victorian times.
I think you will love this one. I want to read the series you reviewed today.
Eeeek, I really want to start it, but I have 2 review books
I have that feeling about a long list.
As you know, I loved this one too! Such a great series!
It’s great. This author hasn’t disappointed with her newer books I have read.
Skipped the review because I have this in my library. I shall start it soooooon!
Yay I hope you love it.
Sounds like everyone really likes this series. I do need to give it a try I think. Glad you are continuing to enjoy it.
It’s a favorite author and I like mysteries. There’s a bit of a time travel aspect but it’s mostly not part of the ongoing stories.