Disturbing the Dead is the third book in the Rip Through Time historical mystery/ time travel series by Kelley Armstrong and it is just as enjoyable as the previous two books. It’s been six months since Mallory, a police detective officer in present day Vancouver, woke up in another woman’s body in Victorian Edinburgh after an assault. She has become more accustomed to her new life especially now that she has become Dr Duncan Grey’s assistant in his work with the police. This time they have been invited to the unwrapping of a mummy, a prospect both Mallory and Duncan find disgusting but it is not an invitation that can be ignored. When they arrive, the host seems to be unavailable so Duncan is coerced into doing the unwrapping, only to find, not a mummy inside, but the missing host. The ensuing investigation will take them to some dark places including an underground market where almost anything can be acquired if you have the right item to barter.

This book is compelling, well-written and perhaps the most macabre addition to the series, touching on some of the stranger aspects of Victorian life, not just their fascination with Egyptology but some rather disturbing folk remedies and I have to say I loved every minute of it. There are hints of more to come in the series and I am so looking forward to Mallory’s continued sojourn in the past. I received both an ebook and audiobook and read along while I listened. The audiobook is narrated by Kate Handford who does an excellent job including recreating the atmospheric feel surrounding much of the tale.

Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this book in exchange for an honest review ( )

Mallory Atkinson, a modern day detective, has found herself in 1860s Scotland. She has been invited to a mummy unwrapping party. Only to discover it is not a mummy…but a recently murdered body!

Let me preface this with I have been extremely sick this week. And I believe this is why I could not get into this book as well as I did with The Poisoner’s Ring. I kept zoning out during this one.

There is no better place to time travel to than 1800 Scotland. I love reading about the idiosyncrasies in this time period. I also enjoyed all the different situations Mallory found herself in. She would have to remind herself exactly where she was. But, she is on the case and she IS going to find the murderer!

The narrator, Kate Handford, did a very good job with all the voices.

Need a good time travel novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

Praise for the latest in the Rip Through Time series!

A return to Victorian Edinburgh and the freak out life of a thirty year old, twenty-first century detective, who went to the aid of a woman being strangled in her time and woke to found herself trapped in the body of a nearly illiterate housemaid to a Dr. Duncan Gray. The maid Catroina had been a young, well endowed servant with sociopath tendencies, consequently Mallory has had trouble winning over her fellow servants. They’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop!
Now six months later Mallory Atkinson (her real name) is a valued member of the doctor’s household and has become Duncan’s forensic assistant. Mallory had been a dedicated homicide detective. She knew all about DNA, fingerprints etc. She has to be careful not to let her knowledge outstrip the times.
Much to her disgust Mallory is to attend a mummy unwrapping party with the Dowager Countess Lady Annis her siblings. Suffragette chemist sister Isla, Dr. Gray, her illegitimate brother, and Detective Hugh McCreadie (Gray’s friend)
The unwrapping begins, only to find the missing host within in said wrappings.
Now they have a murder to solve which necessitates the descent into a mysterious underground market, the meeting of the illusive Queen Mab, the Edinburgh Seven (females seeking to attain entrance to the medical profession), and a host of further surprising happenings which had me on my toes. This time the investigation is somewhat stranger than usual (although that’s an epitaph I’d apply to the entire series thus far).
A fulsome read!

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
A Rip Through Time series #3. Historical mystery, police procedural with a slight paranormal time shift. Best read as part of the series in order.
Mallory Atkinson is a police detective. Or she would be if she could get home. Mallory is stuck in Victorian Scotland because of a weird time slip. She’s a maid and part time assistant to Doctor Gray in 1890 since she woke up in the body of another woman that was strangled in the same place but different time.
Together Duncan Gray and Mallory investigate the murder of a man wrapped like a mummy and try to find the missing Egyptian artifacts. Tunnels and marketplaces and the help of the Queen send Mallory and Gray on a twisted path to find the murderer.

🎧 I alternated and reread passages between an ebook and an audiobook. The series is narrated by Kate Handford who is simply amazing with voices and emotional expression. She has one voice for Mallory, an accented different voice for Mallory when she is talking as if she’s the maid, and a very distinct voice for Doctor Gray. I looked up the narrator more than once to verify it was really just one person. There are other voices as well for secondary characters, but the best part is following along with the mystery and being drawn into history and situations as they are happening, and being drawn in by the passion.
I listened to this at 1.5 which is my preferred speed. It best matches my reading.

I loved reading print still as I see the images in my head like a movie. Listening for me is more about hearing the personality such as the snark or sarcasm and tension. Mallory has a strong personality that just jumps out of this narrative.
Which did I like better for this book? It’s a toss up. Both are equally well done.

Dramatic, entertaining, and enthralling.
Chapter 29 through 32 killed me. I was an emotional wreck.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher Macmillan Audio. ( )

The grand adventure continues as American detective Mallory Atkinson teeters across a tear in time.

Mallory is still in 1869 Edinburgh, Scotland under the protection of Dr. Duncan Gray, the local undertaker and advisor to the local constabulary on matters medical. She has been promoted from housemaid to doctor's assistant. Their relationship is that of respectful colleagues with a tinge of mutual attraction bubbling under the surface. This is a period of great Egyptian adventures and discoveries and a general obsession with all things related. What could be more delicious than an invitation to a mummy unwrapping party? That is, until a fresh dead body places a pall on the festivities. Oh how convenient that Mallory and Gray are right on scene at the time of discovery. Let the sleuthing commence!

What a fun read this was with its amusing dialogue of folks from differing time periods and places. The writing is solid, the mystery well-crafted and the story engaging and entertaining. The historical research is vast and nicely infused throughout the story. Although this is the third book in series, this story can stand alone. Yet, you may wish to start with book one as the developing story is delightful and well worth reading from the story's beginning.

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher:‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
No. of pages:‎ 352 pages
ISBN:‎ 978-1250321282 ( )