The Poisoner's Ring
A Rip Through Time Novel
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4.4 • 36 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A modern-day homicide detective is working as an undertaker's assistant in Victorian Scotland when a serial poisoner attacks the men of Edinburgh and leaves their widows under suspicion.
Edinburgh, 1869: Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is adjusting to her new life in Victorian Scotland. Her employers know she’s not housemaid Catriona Mitchell—even though Mallory is in Catriona’s body—and Mallory is now officially an undertaker’s assistant. Dr. Duncan Gray moonlights as a medical examiner, and their latest case hits close to home. Men are dropping dead from a powerful poison, and all signs point to the grieving widows… the latest of which is Gray’s oldest sister.
Poison is said to be a woman’s weapon, though Mallory has to wonder if it’s as simple as that. But she must tread carefully. Every move the household makes is being watched, and who knows where the investigation will lead.
New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong is known for her exquisite world building, and this latest series is no exception. The Poisoner's Ring brings the intricacies of Victorian Scotland alive as Mallory again searches for a 19th-century killer as well as a way home.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In her second time-bending mystery (after 2022's A Rip Through Time), Armstrong again pulls off a conceit that might land as ludicrous in less-gifted hands. In 2019, 30-year-old homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is attacked while visiting Edinburgh and loses consciousness, only to regain it "through some inexplicable whim of the universe" in 1869, in the body of 19-year-old maid Catriona Mitchell. Catriona is employed by Duncan Gray, an undertaker who works with the Scottish police as a medical examiner. Duncan soon figures out that his servant's body harbors the soul of a detective, and he enlists her to assist him in a special investigation: ferreting out information about a rumored ring of women who've been poisoning their loved ones. When Duncan's half sister is suspected of poisoning her husband, the case takes on added urgency. Armstrong fashions a satisfying narrative out of familiar parts and nails her lead's cheeky, anachronistic narration. This is winningly silly and satisfying.
Customer Reviews
Mystery With A Twist
When I first started this series I didn’t know what to expect but I should have know it would be fantastic just because Kelley Armstrong is a wonderful author.
I’ve read almost all her series and never read anything I didn’t love.
Mallory Atkinson was somehow transported back in time into the body of a young housemaid in Victorian Scotland. This modern day detective is now the undertaker’s assistant.
Dr. Duncan Gray is aware of who she really is. He helps the police solve crimes with his science. I love the way Duncan and Mallory’s relationship is growing.
The mystery was suspenseful and had me shocked at the culprit.
This is a unique historical mystery with a modern flair. I can’t wait to see where this series takes us next.
Paradox
Humans and their behaviors reflected through the lens of time and custom. The protagonist is in an impossible bind; how she manages is a fascinating overlay to a period piece.
3 Stars!
3 Stars! This is the second book in ‘A Rip Through Time’ series and isn’t really a standalone book, so definitely read book one first. I didn’t read the first book in the series and I felt so lost and confused through the entire book. This wasn’t really a romance though there is a hint of one between the main characters, Mallory and Dr.Grey. I’m guessing their story continues in book 3 but hopefully the secondary characters get their romance too. Since I didn’t read book one, I had no clue how Mallory got to the past, the first case Mallory helped solve and how Dr.Grey & his sister, Isla, found out Mallory was from the future. Still, it was a very entertaining book and I enjoyed reading it. Would’ve been a lot better if I read book one though. I also absolutely despise CLIFFHANGERS which this book sorta had. It’s more an action packed, adventure, unpredictable, mystery book that kept me guessing the whole time and had wonderful characters that I became invested in. So I would recommend this book but only if you read book one first.
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*