Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong

December 5th, 2023 Kimberly Review 10 Comments

5th Dec

Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong was the perfect novella in the Rip Through Time series to hold me over until the next release. When Mallory follows the parlor maid, she ends up in a spot of trouble in this clever short story.

Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong
Cocktails & Chloroform
by Kelley Armstrong
Series: A Rip Through Time #2.5
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

For modern-day detective Mallory Atkinson, being trapped in the body of Victorian housemaid means overcoming endless obstacles. Her current challenge is winning over the suspicious young parlormaid, Alice. Mallory's plan starts with teaching the girl to make Molotov cocktails, which is a perfectly valid science experiment and not at all a desperate ploy to gain Alice's attention. Before the lesson can begin, though, Alice receives a letter that has her slipping off in the night. Concerned for her safety--and naturally curious--Mallory follows. Mallory finds Alice at what seems like a simple dance hall, watching young men and women flirting and whirling in pretty dresses and dapper suitcoats. But nothing here is what is seems, and what starts as a simple surveillance exercise turns into a full-scale spy mission with Mallory's boss, Dr. Duncan Gray, at her side. Before the evening is done, those Molotov cocktails are probably going to come in handy.

historical mystery Time Travel well written

The Rip Through Time series features a modern-day detective whose trapped in the body of Victorian housemaid. She is employed by Dr. Duncan Gray, an undertaker often employed by the local constabulary’s office. Mallory ends up helping to solve cases.

It seems Mallory has a plan to win over the parlor maid Alice, by teaching her to make Molotov cocktails, but a late arriving letter has the girl sneaking out of the house, and Mallory follows. She is joined by Dr. Grey and what they uncover leads to trouble for Mallory. She’ll need to use her wits to get out of this jam.

While I always prefer a full-length story, Armstrong pulled me in and held me captive as this story unfolded. We learn a bit more about the body she inhabits and of Alice. We also see the darker sides of Victorian Scotland and what men will do for greed.

It isn’t necessary to have read the previous books, but I highly recommend reading from the beginning. Not just to learn about Mallory, but also because of the relationships she has built. Some know her secret and others do not.

Perfect for fans of mysteries, time travel and historical fiction.

Amazon | Hard Cover

Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong delivers a suspenseful novella in the Rip Through Time series perfect for fans and new readers. #bookreview #SubterraneanPress Share on X

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. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed. Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

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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. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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