A Twist in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery)

by Julie McElwain

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.

• ISBN10: 168177397X
• ISBN13: 9781681773971
• Publish Date: 4 April 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Pegasus Books
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 464
• Language: English

Reviews

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

A Twist in Time is another entry into the time travel mystery genre. It is the second novel in the Kendra Donovan series, the first of which I read last summer.

A Twist in Time is much like its predecessor, A Murder in Time. It’s a quick read and the mystery is solid. My favorite part of this series is how Kendra, who is used to 21st Century crime solving tools, manages to investigate the crime without all those modern amenities. I continue to be amazed you can solve a crime in a pre-CSI: Crime Scene Investigation world.

Of course, Kendra’s 21st century attitudes and beliefs continue to get her into trouble in this Victorian timeline. Ladies simply don’t go wandering around London alone and chasing after evildoers. But, as you know, Kendra simply will not bend to all the Victorian morals. And while in most cases this serves her well in her quest for justice, when it comes to Alec, her love interest, it becomes quite annoying. Kendra’s still trapped in the past, she has not found a way back to her proper time and she doesn’t hesitate to remind the reader of this on a regular, increasingly annoying basis throughout the story.

In addition, Alec, the one man her age who cares for her well being beyond maintaining a proper Victorian lady’s reputation, is quite the catch—he’s in the upper crust of society and titled. However, Kendra continues to shun in at every turn. The constant brushoffs and rebuffing, when there isn’t much chemistry to begin with (one of my biggest hang up from book one), grates on the reader who might be looking for more fire in their relationship.

I’m not sure I will continue with the Kendra Donovan series after this one. While the mysteries are solid and intriguing with the added lack-of-technology twist that Kendra is used to, the lack of chemistry between the main characters makes the story a bit of a chore to plow through.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

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.

Audio provided by the publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer