by Julie McElwain
Series: Kendra Donovan #2
Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Length: 16 hours and 54 minutes
Genres: Time Travel
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 3.5 cups
Former FBI agent Kendra Donovan's attempts to return to the twenty-first century have failed, leaving her stuck at Aldridge Castle in 1815. And her problems have just begun: in London, the Duke of Aldridge's nephew Alec-Kendra's confidante and lover-has come under suspicion for murdering his former mistress, Lady Dover, who was found viciously stabbed with a stiletto, her face carved up in a bizarre and brutal way. Lady Dover had plenty of secrets, and her past wasn't quite what she'd made it out to be. Nor is it entirely in the past-which becomes frighteningly clear when a crime lord emerges from London's seamy underbelly to threaten Alec. Joining forces with Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly, Kendra must navigate the treacherous nineteenth century while she picks through the strands of Lady Dover's life. As the noose tightens around Alec's neck, Kendra will do anything to save him, including following every twist and turn through London's glittering ballrooms, where deception is the norm-and any attempt to uncover the truth will get someone killed.
A TWIST IN TIME by Julie McElwain narrated by Lucy Rayner is the second novel in the Kendra Donovan series. Once again we are transported to 1815. Kendra finds herself working to solve another murder mystery. A TWIST IN TIME was a stronger novel than its predecessor and offering an engaging case and character development.
For those that are new to the series, Kendra Donovan a twenty-first century FBI profiler finds herself stuck in 1815 London when she enters a secret passage in Aldridge Castle. Attempts to return thus far have failed but let’s just say life in the 1800s is proving to be anything but boring.
Kendra’s position once again improves as the Duke of Aldridge takes steps to protect her. The Duke and his nephew Alec are aware of Kendra’s secret, so when Alec falls under suspicion for the murder of Lady Dover, his former Mistress, the Duke and Kendra rush off to London to investigate.
It was delightful seeing Kendra once again deal with the standards of the eighteenth century, particularly for women and boy does she create a wave of dropped jaws throughout London. Our kickass agent even manages to drop the F-bomb on more than one occasion. Undercover agent she is not!
The case was a rather exciting one that brought them into the crosshairs of a street gang. It even had them attending balls and entering the homes of the upper echelon of society. These poor folks were so unaccustomed to being questions, let alone by a woman. Of course, the Duke is there to ease the way. Kendra had to adjust to a ladies maid, escort, and eighteenth-century women’s apparel!
Twists, turns and near death experiences created some darker moments for the case. I loved the interactions with Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly and a few street children. Kendra continues to astound her new friends and allies as she manhandles thugs, saves lives and pieces clues together. McElwain had me holding my breath during some intense scenes even as I laughed aloud at the reactions from those witnessing Kendra in action.
The romance between Kendra and Alex continues to develop, but Kendra still has her heart set on returning to her time. I am quite anxious to see how their relationship will unfold given what occurs in A TWIST IN TIME. I like Alex, but he is quite subdued the exact opposite of Kendra.
Lucy Rayner continues to narrate this series, and if you remember I struggled with her male voices in A MURDER IN TIME, but whether I grew used to it, or they improved it wasn’t as bad this go round. I loved her voices for some of the new characters and admired her ability to go back and forth between high society and the lower class.
A TWIST IN TIME was engaging and well paced. While the audio is over sixteen hours in length, it went by rather quickly. I found I wasn’t quite ready to travel back. The climatic ending wasn’t rushed and was followed by some developments in the overall arc that have me eager to return.
A Twist in Time was an eighteenth-century murder mystery that kept me listening! #audio Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
MarthaE
I got the audiobook on Friday. Thanks again!
MarthaE
I like time travel and yes, I like murder mysteries. Kendra sounds like a character I would like.
I will add this to my Audible Wish list in case I don’t win. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this.
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Martha. This series is one I am enjoying!
Laura Fabiani
I saw this book at a BookExpo conference when they were talking about book marketing. I think I’ll read them in print though. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do. This is a good series 🙂
Anna
I loved the first book in this series– I’m excited about the second one, and I’m glad to here that is well written! I had almost forgotten about the first novel, I’m glad I spotted your blog post 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet that I reminded you. Happy reading Anna 🙂
Lorna
These sound so good! I would probably read instead of listen though. I think I remember your review on the first one and I added it to my Amazon wish list. This one will be added to the list as well. Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
Either way, I hope you get a chance too.
The Bibliophile Babe
Put this on my TBR a while ago; sounds like a good read!
kimbacaffeinate
Happy reading/listening 🙂
Evie
I’m glad for your review. I’ve had this book sitting in my kindle for months and months and months. I just keep reading other books but now I’ll make an effort to get to it. I’ll also have to look up the first book as I don’t think I have it. Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, I hope you do. Yeah, I would read book one first.
Terri M., the Director
Oh, I’m glad to hear that book 2 is good. I got book 1 randomly from the publisher. They found my review of Outlander and asked me if I wanted a review copy. I read it during the vacation last year. It reminded me of Outlander/Sherlock/Downton Abbey. I’ll be on the look out for book 2. Maybe my library has it!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I thought this was stronger since the worldbuilding was out of the way.
Danielle
I have this series on my list 🙂 I am excitedly entering. I cannot deiced whether to tackle this on audio or not though. Maybe physical copies since I am about to finish up King’s It on audio and it is super lengthy :).
kimbacaffeinate
I am sure either way is good. If you win that will decide 🙂
Linda Townsend
I do enjoy murder mysteries! This sounds really interesting not only for it’s crime element but the added element of time travel. Thanks for the chance!
kimbacaffeinate
It is a neat blend of genres and the characters will grow on you. Good luck Linda!
Heidi
I have considered this series a couple of times but I haven’t picked it up. I love time travel books, but I just am so buried. I am glad that the narration worked better for you this time around.
kimbacaffeinate
Maybe once the series is complete. Sadly we cannot read them all. If only sleep weren’t needed!
Sarah
What an interesting time travel novel. Sounds like nothing I’ve ever read. Adding to the tbr list!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Sarah!
sherry fundin
I LOVE murder mysteries.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Sherry 🙂
Janie McGaugh
While murder mysteries aren’t my usual thing, I do enjoy them, especially when they’re in an historical time setting.
kimbacaffeinate
This is a nice blend of genres Janie. Good luck!
Mary Kirkland
Oh that does sound like a good one.
kimbacaffeinate
I am enjoying the series, Mary.
Angie
This sounds like a really good premise, and I think it sounds hilarious.
Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, there are lots of laugh aloud moments Angie
Sophia Rose
Oh nuts! I remember you reviewed book one and I thought it sounded great… and I forgot to add it to my list. Adding now b/c I love the idea of a Fed ending up in Regency England.
kimbacaffeinate
It really is a fun series!
Anna
Wish me luck. This story looks awesome. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Debbie Haupt
What a fabulous premise to stick an FBI agent in the past wow I must have missed book 1 and thanks for the opportunity to win it!!! xo
kimbacaffeinate
Right. It makes things interesting.
kindlemom1
I just read this and the first one as well and really liked them both! It was fun to see the mix of modern and late medical technology and criminology. I loved Kendra as well and how head strong she had to be in both times being a woman doing what she does.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay. I am excited to hear that you read them Ali 🙂
verushka
You know, I’ve seen the first book in this series but it didn’t sound like my cuppa but I think you might have started me thinking about the series differently with this review.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad I am swaying your opinion.
Nadene
This gets more intriguing..
kimbacaffeinate
I am quite looking forward to the next one 🙂
Cindy
This series is on my wishlist. I love time travel stories and the setting and time period sounds wonderful, romance and a case to solve is a great bonus as well! Thanks for this great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I love the different elements, Cindy.
Ailyn Koay
bet she’s missing all those fancy gadgets modern day forensic has, like DNA testing and fingerprint
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, and it frustrates her.
Mystica
Sounds good.
kimbacaffeinate
It was. Good luck!