I am loving Kelley Armstrong’s historical time travels and was fortunate enough to receive advanced copies of both the book & audiobook. The Poisoner’s Ring is the second novel in the Rip Through Time series featuring a young detective who finds herself stuck in Edinburgh, 1869. An exciting mystery and danger await you in this fast-paced, twisty tale.

The Poisoner’s Ring
by Kelley Armstrong
Series: A Rip Through Time #2
Narrator: Kate Handford
Length: 14 hours and 52 minutes
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

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.

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This is the second novel in the Rip Through Time murder-mystery series. Armstrong does a fantastic job of reintroducing the characters and world, I highly recommend beginning with A Rip Through Time. This review may contain minor spoilers if you haven’t read book one.

On May 2019, Edinburg Detective Mallory Atkinson was attacked and awoke in Edinburg 1869. She awoke to find herself in the body of Catriona Mitchell, a housemaid for Dr. Duncan Gray, the local undertaker. After the events of the first book, Mallory is adjusting and working as an assistant to Dr. Gray.

In this novel, men are being poisoned and expiring. The lead constables believe the wives are responsible. Mallory, Dr. Gray and Constable McCreadie set out to look for the poisoner who may supply these women. Things take a turn when Dr. Gray’s own sister stands accused of poisoning her husband. How are these women connected? Did they, in fact, kill their husbands? The case was filled with twist and danger.

I loved the story that unfolded from the well crafted mystery to the threads involving social issues. Armstrong touches on racism, women’s rights, sapphic romance and the social classes. The characters are rich and developed from the street urchins to the upper class. We learn more about Dr. Gray and his family and, of course, Mallory herself. I enjoyed the relationship between Mallory and the doctor, as well as her friendship with his spinster sister.

The story wove in historical tidbits, the history of forensic science and the origins of the poisoner’s ring. While Mallory still longs to return to her time, I am looking forward to more mysteries in 1869.

Perfect for fans of murder-mysteries, historical fiction and well-drawn characters. If you haven’t tired Armstrong or read her earlier works, I cannot recommend her enough. Her latest series from romantic suspense to historical romance and mysteries have become must reads/listens for me.

Audiobook

While I bought the audiobook, I had the pleasure of listening early. Kate Handford narrates and brought these characters and story to life. The tale lends itself to the audio format, and Handford gave unique voices to each character. I highly recommend listening.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Audiobook Challenge
• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/05/the-poisoners-ring-by-kelley-armstrong.html

Marianne Scott’s Underneath the Fireflies is an enthralling paranormal suspense thriller that weaves an intricate tapestry of supernatural and real-world elements. Our protagonist, Grace Walker, a gifted young woman from Toronto, seeks refuge on the serene Galliano Island, British Columbia, visiting her parents following a disturbing incident. However, her expectations of a peaceful getaway are thwarted as she is thrust into a chilling crime narrative triggered by her visions of a brutal murder at the scenic Lewis Landing.

The captivating supernatural elements of Scott’s narrative truly elevate this suspenseful tale. Grace’s distinct powers lend her a unique aura, as she harnesses her skills to bring perpetrators to justice—a characteristic that, for me, solidified her as a protagonist worth rooting for. A remarkable feature of the story was the incorporation of Scout, the wolf, whose integral role in guiding Grace piqued my interest.

The novel immerses readers into a rich narrative, subtly hinting at past events that add depth to the characters. While a prequel might have offered a more explicit understanding, this approach does foster curiosity and intrigue. The reflective storytelling style, while potentially affecting the pacing, offers a unique contemplative perspective. Scenes from secondary characters’ viewpoints, although seeming tangential, provide a panoramic understanding of the plot. Despite unconventional storytelling techniques, the novel excels in stimulating curiosity and presenting a multifaceted narrative.

Scott skillfully steers the plot back on track, rekindling interest as the characters embark on their investigative journey. As the story unfolded, I was engrossed in the process of tying together the threads that led to the revelation of truth. The narrative teases us with hints pointing towards multiple characters, which adds to the suspense and makes the identity of the killer an enigma until a dramatic reveal midway through the story.

Underneath the Fireflies is a novel where every piece of the puzzle eventually falls into place, offering a rewarding experience that leaves readers pondering long after the final page has been turned.”

Pages: 296 | ASIN : B0BSB4QFSQ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/23/underneath-the-fireflies/

Dead Man’s Pose by Susan Rogers begins with an ordinary day in the life of Elaina, a yoga instructor who knows her clients well, from the occasional drop-ins to the regulars. When one of her clients, Mario, is found dead following a yoga class, Elaina and a few intriguing characters must determine whether the deceased succumbed to their fate by natural means or if a darker, more sinister culprit is responsible.

This mystery is well narrated in this engrossing audiobook, with many plot twists and complex but interesting characters that delve into a deeper story with unexpected details as they solve a morbid puzzle. The more Elaina, Ric, and other players, in this case, dig into the past, the more involved the mystery becomes, shedding more secrets than expected. I found the characters very entertaining, with a healthy dose of dark humor and wit mixed into page-turning suspense.

Narrator Rupert Degas does a spectacular job of drawing the reader into the story, from one mind-bending development to the next. The characters are fun, too, and offer a glimpse into a world that appears straightforward on the surface, with many dark and complicated layers beneath. The author weaves a nostalgic, almost noir theme throughout this modern, engaging story, which reads like a classic. It’s a great read for anyone familiar with traditional whodunnit stories, with a unique twist and memorable characters.

Dead Man’s Pose by Susan Rogers is a thrilling crime story that’s taken to a whole new level by the fantastic narration. It’s a brilliant story that’s perfect for first-time mystery readers or long-time fans of the suspense and action genre. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work, and diving into the fascinating world of murder mysteries and the complex backgrounds of these cases, woven expertly into the plot. Susan Rogers is a top-tier author, and I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for an exciting story that will be difficult to pause.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/23/dead-mans-pose-audiobook/

Imagine plunging into a world filled with playful critters and their captivating escapades. The Secrets of the Wild is your magic portal to such a universe. This wonderfully whimsical children’s book unveils the hush-hush happenings of the forest fauna in the most entertaining manner. Prepare for a rip-roaring revelation!

From dazzling dances inside the beaver’s dam to roguish romps within a bear’s den, to the raucous ruckus at the Weasel Rodeo, you are set for a riotous roller-coaster ride! This precious picture book surely ignites a spark in the eyes of the young, and the young-at-heart, as their imaginations journey into the wild.

And oh, the Weasel Rodeo? I found myself beaming from ear to ear as I dived into the action, a testament to the captivating charm this kiddie tale possesses.

Each page is a colorful canvas brimming with adorable details, thanks to the creative prowess of illustrator Srimalie Bassani. A visual treat, each scene brings the enchanting forest to life with a parade of delightful woodland beings. Young minds will be enticed to explore each nook and cranny of these fascinating pages.

Unquestionably a joyride for all ages, The Secrets of the Wild is a vibrant explosion of creativity that youngsters will be enthralled to revisit time and time again. So, are you ready to unravel the untold tales of the wild?

Pages: 38 | ISBN : 164543110X

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/23/secrets-of-the-wild/

The Darkest Side of the Moon follows a high school girl who, when she meets a boy at school, discovers she is part of an age-old prophecy that could change everything. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The idea came to me after a dream I had, which is depicted on the first page. From there, it took about ten years or so to fully develop into a story that made sense in which I applied certain life events that helped steer the plot. Music was also a heavy influence that helped me slip into the character’s mindset. One particular artist is Within Temptation. Their album The Unforgiving was on constant repeat while writing act three. Random information I stumbled across was also applied and fit like a puzzle piece, like the dragon’s eye symbol.

Nadine comes to terms with the reality that shifters and vampires are real and her destiny is connected to them. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Nadine’s character was more of “seeing is believing.” She struggled to accept it even when it was staring her in the face. The more she was around vampires and shifters she had to accept the reality as her life depended on it. A reflection of life. Sometimes it’s hard to accept something one can’t see and even then one doesn’t want to believe it when it goes against their beliefs.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

There are multiple themes. The main theme that drove the story was the Chinese philosophical concept Yin and Yang.

Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?

The next book, A Dance Between Light and Darkness is out now. it continues where The Darkest Side of the Moon ended through another character’s perspective and moving on after certain events that happened in the first book. Although it ties in with The Darkest Side of the Moon it is it’s own story in which it is written in third-person narrative verses second-person narrative that The Darkest Side of the Moon was written in. Currently I’m working on publishing the third book in the series, All I See Are Dark Clouds, which is written in first-person narrative. The series was originally supposed to be three books, however it ended up being five full-length novels and three novella tie-ins. The fourth and fifth books can be expected to be released sometime in 2024.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/23/it-came-to-me-in-a-dream/

The Final Eight Seconds follows a man in the hospital who has to examine his life and choices before a committee in the afterlife. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?

Some years ago, I heard the expression “Each of us are born into this world with a specific destiny, even though we may never know what it is.” This idea has stayed with me, and eventually I had to write about it.

What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?

Kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty, helpfulness. While the characters were far from perfect, they were basically “good” guys.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Choices. The protagonist usually acted instinctively, which caused him to often make wrong choices and to lose the only woman he ever loved. However, ultimately destiny (his? hers?) brought them together.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

My next book explores reincarnation. It will be at least one year before it is ready.

Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/23/we-are-born-with-a-specific-destiny/