A Twist in Time

February 6, 2017
McElwain’s lackluster sequel to 2016’s A Murder in Time finds 26-year-old FBI profiler Kendra Donovan still stuck in 1815 Britain, to which she was transported from 2015 America via an unexplained “wormhole” in time. Longing to return to her own era and irritated by Regency mores, Kendra finds an outlet for her restlessness when Lady Cordelia Dover is stabbed to death in her London townhouse. The onetime mistress of Alexander Morgan, the Marquis of Sutcliffe, Cordelia was a widow whose dramatic sexual liaisons offer motives aplenty for her murder. Kendra, who has begun her own love affair with Alec, hopes to save him from being charged with the crime. Kendra joins with his uncle, her patron the Duke of Aldridge, to investigate the victim’s resentful stepson, the married lover whose family she humiliated, and a violent figure from her hidden past. Copious period jargon and explanations notwithstanding, the depiction of Regency actions and attitudes is consistently anachronistic, and McElwain explores neither the time travel aspects nor the emotions of the story in satisfying depth. Agent: Jill Grosjean, Jill Grosjean Literary Agency.

February 15, 2017

This sequel to A Murder in Time has FBI agent Kendra Donovan still in 1815 London, working as a rather unorthodox ladies maid at Aldridge Castle. She strives to downplay her investigative talents; nonetheless, she was instrumental in capturing a serial murderer. Now Kendra plans to return to the stairwell one month from the day she was transported from her own time, hoping the portal opens again and returns her to her former life. In the meantime, Lady Dover is found murdered. The main suspect is Alec Morgan, nephew to the Duke of Aldridge, Kendra's employer. Handsome and charming, Alec is also Kendra's confidant and perhaps soul mate. With his support and standing in the community, Kendra immediately inserts herself into the investigation. Lacking a modern-day forensic lab, she uses her wit and keen observations to solve the puzzle. VERDICT For the full effect, read the acclaimed series launch before delving into this treasure. The author does not address whether, as a time traveler, Kendra's actions will affect the future, but the intricacy of the plot teamed with the romance between Alec and Kendra make this a nonissue.--Susan Carr, Edwardsville P.L., IL

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