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Kendra Donovan #3
Caught in Time
October 1815: There is only one place Kendra Donovan wants to travel—back to her own time period in the twenty-first century. But since that’s not happening, she agrees instead to travel with her new guardian, the Duke of Aldridge, to one of his smaller estates in Lancashire. Their journey takes them through Yorkshire, a region whose breathtaking beauty masks a simmering violence brought on by the Industrial Revolution, which pits mill owner against worker.
When Kendra and the Duke encounter a band of Luddites on a lonely, fog-shrouded road, the Duke informs the authorities in the nearby village of East Dingleford that mischief may have been done at the local mill. However, it isn’t just mischief but murder that is discovered, when the body of the mill manager, Mr. Stone, is found brutally bludgeoned to death in his office.
The Constable is certain the radical-minded Luddites committed the murder. One look at the crime scene and Kendra knows they did not, prompting the Duke to shock the locals by volunteering their services to catch the real killer. Joined by lover Alec and Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly, Kendra must sort through the puzzle of Stone’s rather unsavory life, picking apart alibies and dissecting carefully created deceptions from a growing list of suspects.
As a special agent for the FBI, Kendra thought she’d encountered every kind of evil. But when another, even more vicious murder rocks East Dingleford, Kendra realizes that they’re dealing with a stone-cold killer—one who has a shocking secret that he will do anything to protect.
When Kendra and the Duke encounter a band of Luddites on a lonely, fog-shrouded road, the Duke informs the authorities in the nearby village of East Dingleford that mischief may have been done at the local mill. However, it isn’t just mischief but murder that is discovered, when the body of the mill manager, Mr. Stone, is found brutally bludgeoned to death in his office.
The Constable is certain the radical-minded Luddites committed the murder. One look at the crime scene and Kendra knows they did not, prompting the Duke to shock the locals by volunteering their services to catch the real killer. Joined by lover Alec and Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly, Kendra must sort through the puzzle of Stone’s rather unsavory life, picking apart alibies and dissecting carefully created deceptions from a growing list of suspects.
As a special agent for the FBI, Kendra thought she’d encountered every kind of evil. But when another, even more vicious murder rocks East Dingleford, Kendra realizes that they’re dealing with a stone-cold killer—one who has a shocking secret that he will do anything to protect.
451 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2018
430 people are currently reading
3,488 people want to read
About the author
Julie McElwain
6books1,337followersJulie McElwain began her journalistic career at California Apparel News, a weekly Los Angeles based trade newspaper. She has freelanced for numerous publications from professional photographers magazines to those following the fashion industry. Currently, Julie is West Coast Editor for Soaps In Depth, a national soap opera magazine covering the No. 1 daytime drama, The Young and the Restless. Julie lives in Long Beach, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews
June 21, 2018
I have really, really enjoyed this series. I would love to travel back in time and feel like I live vicariously through all of Kendra’s experiences. McElwain did a great job with the ending to this one... I was really not expecting it! What I like most about these novels is that they are centered almost entirely on crime solving and not romance. If you enjoy who-dun-it’s & time travel then this is a must read series. 5 stars.
July 14, 2018
I couldn't stand Kendra in this book (though I'm pretty sure she has been this obnoxious for the whole series...so I guess I just overlooked it in the previous books (based on how I rated them)?¯\_(�)_/¯) She's antagonistic towards EVERYONE, including the people she supposedly cares for; it seems like every page she is getting offended or annoyed by something. She also can't seem to go more than two sentences without cursing, which is not only unnecessary, but also very distracting; I'm pretty sure it's the author's attempt to remind us that she is a "modern" woman, but really it just makes her seem immature. Further, for someone who is supposedly a genetic prodigy/genius, you'd think she'd make a better effort to try and fit in to the time period (surely her scientist parents would have taught her the concept of "adapt or die"?), so as to draw less attention and suspicion to herself, but instead she constantly tries to intentionally flaunt convention. Not only does this behavior tend to _hinder_ her "investigations," but it sure is an awfully poor way to repay the people who have made it possible for her live comfortably in this time period (because her flaunting convention puts _them_ under scrutiny, too). [Speaking of repaying the Duke & Alec poorly for their kindness, Kendra complaining about them giving her money was incredibly selfish; I understand the desire to make your own money, but seriously, they're _helping_ her, yet all she can do is whine and resent them for it? She'd be far worse off without them, so some gratitude would be more appropriate.] And good grief at her "investigating," which basically consists of her interrogating person after person relentlessly. Yes, she is an FBI agent in her time, but the people in this time have no concept of that,so she needs to get it through her head that being so pushy and sticking her nose in where it doesn't belong is not the best way to go about it; it's pretty ridiculous to expect people to entrust their secrets with some random Duke's ward they've never met. But then again, it's Kendra's way or the highway, and she is ALWAYS right, so that won't be changing any time soon. ::Sigh::
Kendra wants to be a strong female lead, or rather, _thinks_ she is a strong female lead...but in reality she is just a whiny, selfish, immature heroine I no longer have any interest in rooting for. But I will give kudos for a bit of a "twist" at the end that I didn't see coming, that was fun.
Kendra wants to be a strong female lead, or rather, _thinks_ she is a strong female lead...but in reality she is just a whiny, selfish, immature heroine I no longer have any interest in rooting for. But I will give kudos for a bit of a "twist" at the end that I didn't see coming, that was fun.
July 8, 2018
3.5 that I'm rounding up. I like this series, and this was a good instalment for Kendra Donovan, our accidentally time-travelling FBI agent, that progressed some of the larger mystery of Kendra's seemingly random landing in Regency England and of course featured a murder mystery to solve. I continue to be bothered by the fact that she says unsub every five pages because a) it's jarring and surely she's learned to temper her language after months and b) do FBI agents even talk that way in 2018? Her refusal to adapt to the behaviour expected of women in this era is both endearing and somewhat mind-boggling. Also, this one needed more Alec.
July 24, 2018
Kendra Donovan, FBI profiler from the modern day and involuntary time-traveler to Regency England returns for another entertaining but formulaic story.
While traveling near Manchester Kendra and the Duke of Aldridge encounter a group of Luddites on their way to smash up machinery at a local cotton mill. The manager of the mill is later found murdered at his desk and despite local authorities wishing to pin the murder on the Luddites, Kendra doesn't buy that theory. Kendra and the Duke swing into their now well-worn investigative process and send for Alec and the Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly.
The writing continues to get better in this series, even as the formula gets more defined. Lots of Regency England historical notes, this time largely around country life, and lots of angst on Kendra's part as she chafes against the confines that the society of this time place around women. The romance moves forward at the same glacial pace as the previous book, that also just happens to guarantee many more entries in this series. This does move the time travel storyline along very slightly though, but I'm not holding my breath regarding a resolution of Kendra's story anytime soon.
While traveling near Manchester Kendra and the Duke of Aldridge encounter a group of Luddites on their way to smash up machinery at a local cotton mill. The manager of the mill is later found murdered at his desk and despite local authorities wishing to pin the murder on the Luddites, Kendra doesn't buy that theory. Kendra and the Duke swing into their now well-worn investigative process and send for Alec and the Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly.
The writing continues to get better in this series, even as the formula gets more defined. Lots of Regency England historical notes, this time largely around country life, and lots of angst on Kendra's part as she chafes against the confines that the society of this time place around women. The romance moves forward at the same glacial pace as the previous book, that also just happens to guarantee many more entries in this series. This does move the time travel storyline along very slightly though, but I'm not holding my breath regarding a resolution of Kendra's story anytime soon.
May 13, 2020
I've enjoyed this series since it started. I love Kendra's character although she does drive me nuts occasionally. I like the Duke and Alec. I'm ready for Kendra to face up to reality that she's not going back to the Future. At least that's the way I see it. I suppose the author is the only one who knows what will happen....
I loved the twist at the end. Didn't see that coming!
I look forward to the next book and wish I didn't have to wait a whole year!
If you enjoy female sleuths and/or time travel start this series and enjoy!!
I loved the twist at the end. Didn't see that coming!
I look forward to the next book and wish I didn't have to wait a whole year!
If you enjoy female sleuths and/or time travel start this series and enjoy!!
October 11, 2020
4.5 stars.
The mystery was really good.
I didn’t expect the situation with the villains is going to be like that!
What a fabulous surprise 😘
❤️
The mystery was really good.
I didn’t expect the situation with the villains is going to be like that!
What a fabulous surprise 😘
❤️
August 13, 2018
3.75*
Not my favourite in the series but still very entertaining and easy reading.
Kendra is still very compelling with her modern POV in this early 19th century setting. She hasn’t really adapted that much to this civilisation but then it is easy to forget that she’s only been there for a couple of months. She does make mistakes quite often, bursting forth instead of thinking her way through, and yet I guess it fits with her type of character. The murder mystery itself was quite straightforward, although there were a couple of interesting components.
I hope McElwain does carry on with Kendra and her ‘adventures� as there are plenty of avenues she could take, allowing her main protagonist to adapt properly and use what she knows for Justice. The team of the Duke, Alec and Sam work very well too and their interactions are entertaining :0)
Not my favourite in the series but still very entertaining and easy reading.
Kendra is still very compelling with her modern POV in this early 19th century setting. She hasn’t really adapted that much to this civilisation but then it is easy to forget that she’s only been there for a couple of months. She does make mistakes quite often, bursting forth instead of thinking her way through, and yet I guess it fits with her type of character. The murder mystery itself was quite straightforward, although there were a couple of interesting components.
I hope McElwain does carry on with Kendra and her ‘adventures� as there are plenty of avenues she could take, allowing her main protagonist to adapt properly and use what she knows for Justice. The team of the Duke, Alec and Sam work very well too and their interactions are entertaining :0)
December 22, 2020
As good as the previous books! :)
And there's a great twist with the villain! *wink*
And there's a great twist with the villain! *wink*
April 10, 2018
Kendra today, Kendra tomorrow, Kendra forever.
November 28, 2019
It seems like murder tends to follow Kendra around. In an effort to relax after the last murder investigation, the Duke is taking her to his country estate when they stop in a small village to rest for the night. Unfortunately, the murder of the town's mill has just been discovered. The Duke offers his and Kendra's services in finding the culprit. Before they can figure out who killed the man, another two murders occur, setting tongues in the small town wagging not only about the crimes but the unusual character of Kendra Donavan.
This series is so entertaining. I love the time travel aspect. I love the murder mystery. I even love how exasperated Kendra gets regarding the gender roles of the times. Also in this book, Kendra is forced to consider that she might not get back to her own time and what that might mean about her relationship with Alec. I am really hoping that things move forward with them in the next book. I just have to get my hands on it!!
This series is so entertaining. I love the time travel aspect. I love the murder mystery. I even love how exasperated Kendra gets regarding the gender roles of the times. Also in this book, Kendra is forced to consider that she might not get back to her own time and what that might mean about her relationship with Alec. I am really hoping that things move forward with them in the next book. I just have to get my hands on it!!
October 23, 2018
Made it to 40% and did not finish. And that is disappointing because I did like the first two Kendra Donovan books. The first one was the best, I think. The second one I tolerated, though Kendra was wearing on me and her fling with Alex didn't seem natural.
This third one is beating a dead horse. There is nothing new or fresh. Someone else is murdered OF COURSE and Kendra is there OF COURSE using modern forensics and her FBI brain to solve it in the 1800s, where she's mad at everything and everyone. Yes because the society where she is from is SO PERFECT.
Instead of being a SJW in the 1800s, just calm down a minute and adapt. You can't figure out how to get back to your world, and so until you do, get comfortable. When in Rome kind of thing.
Except Kendra is exhausting. Even after three stories of almost the exact same thing, she still refuses to try to adapt. She complains constantly that people look at her funny for her speech, her hair, her mannerisms, her attitude, SO CHANGE IT. There's no way you're going to change THEM and their entire world, so honey you adapt to it. It doesn't demean you, it shows flexibility. Instead, what you get, is Kendra biting off everyone's head who dare question her or treat her like a woman. Not just an 1800s woman, a woman at all. She adapted to wearing a dress but that's it.
I had to stop when she stumbled upon not one....but two slashed bodies and amidst the smell and the fear and the horrifying scene, she must share a passionate kiss with Alex. Ohhh please. How FBI-forensicky of you to get in the Mood during a crime scene.
Done. I'm not sure if there are more, but I think the third one should've been Kendra spiralling back and Alex following her. Or the Duke, he's fun. He'd be like Arthur Weasley in the Muggle world.
This third one is beating a dead horse. There is nothing new or fresh. Someone else is murdered OF COURSE and Kendra is there OF COURSE using modern forensics and her FBI brain to solve it in the 1800s, where she's mad at everything and everyone. Yes because the society where she is from is SO PERFECT.
Instead of being a SJW in the 1800s, just calm down a minute and adapt. You can't figure out how to get back to your world, and so until you do, get comfortable. When in Rome kind of thing.
Except Kendra is exhausting. Even after three stories of almost the exact same thing, she still refuses to try to adapt. She complains constantly that people look at her funny for her speech, her hair, her mannerisms, her attitude, SO CHANGE IT. There's no way you're going to change THEM and their entire world, so honey you adapt to it. It doesn't demean you, it shows flexibility. Instead, what you get, is Kendra biting off everyone's head who dare question her or treat her like a woman. Not just an 1800s woman, a woman at all. She adapted to wearing a dress but that's it.
I had to stop when she stumbled upon not one....but two slashed bodies and amidst the smell and the fear and the horrifying scene, she must share a passionate kiss with Alex. Ohhh please. How FBI-forensicky of you to get in the Mood during a crime scene.
Done. I'm not sure if there are more, but I think the third one should've been Kendra spiralling back and Alex following her. Or the Duke, he's fun. He'd be like Arthur Weasley in the Muggle world.
May 16, 2020
This is the third book in the series and getting curiouser and curiouser. I found this first in a friend's bookshelf. (*waves at Ira). And I am loving it more and more. First, the time travel element pulled me and the crime solving. And Ira also had me when she mentioned the author loves Eve and Roarke. Who doesn't?
Kendra is very intelligent and imagine travelling to the past. And there's the Duke, Sam Kelley and Alec, of course.
I hope the author already planned about the ending. There better be a happy ending for Kendra and Alec.
Kendra is very intelligent and imagine travelling to the past. And there's the Duke, Sam Kelley and Alec, of course.
I hope the author already planned about the ending. There better be a happy ending for Kendra and Alec.
September 11, 2018
I find Kendra Donovan to be more likable with each installment in this series. She is adapting to the early 19th century a little more with each book and now I wonder if this is a trilogy or a continuing series? Loved the ending. Hope to see more of Kendra in the future.
January 29, 2019
Honestly, I don't write reviews but Kendra bothered me enough in this book to actually get me to write this. Even after 3 books she still has no character growth. She's still the same whiney, self pitying girl she was in the first book. She makes no attempt to learn about her surroundings, local culture, or pretty much anything that would help her survive in her current time. She just spend her time complaining about how unfair everything is and how she doesn't have any useful skill sets for the time period. Really for a genius, or anyother modern woman, she's pretty dumb. Also her relationship with Alec seems so one sided. He's endlessly understanding and patience and she's just ... whiney. He and the Duke deserves so much better. So to summarize 1 star for Alec. 1 star for the Duke and 1 star for the mystery. -2 stars for Kendra 🙄
December 5, 2018
Caught in Time is the third installment in an engaging series where a modern female FBI agent lands in Regency England and finds herself solving crime the old-fashioned way while attempting to adjust to her new life without modern conveniences or women's equality.
Each book has some darkness and grit to them along with some good internal struggles that give them layers beyond a typical historical suspense/mystery. I've found the author really delves deep into what it would truly be like for a woman to be snatched out of her own time and thrust two centuries into the past. At times, I get frustrated with Kendra for resisting so hard, but part of me knows that I would be none too keen to accept such a fate, either.
But, for Kendra, it goes much deeper. She is greatly affected by her past. Her parents were an arranged match strictly because they believed in the power of strong genetics. They wanted to procreate genius children and had no desire to actually parent them. Kendra was fourteen when she was thrust from her family home because she resisted the life plan her eccentric scientist parents set before her. Her parents' 'family planning' was renowned the world over as a sensation in the news so that she couldn't get away from knowing smirks by fellow students when she was in university at the age of fourteen and then colleagues when she busted tail to prove herself with the FBI as a profiler and then field agent. All this past history led to a need for ruthless control and a shutdown of emotion so that starting over in the past and having little to no control left her flailing when the gentle and generous Duke of Aldridge takes her into as his ward and the handsome, wealthy Marquis, the duke's nephew falls in love with her. She can't get past seeing herself as a freak and being abandoned by family so she can't let herself believe in their love and care.
So, that is the background of Kendra that is always percolating in these stories. Again, I say the author got her right. She's prickly and challenging for relationships, but also leads with her stubborn chin when dealing with the social mores of the Regency time she now lives in. I would occasionally get frustrated with her, like in earlier books, because she takes a black and white approach to the past with an arrogant- modern ways are always better, when they're not- we don't live in a utopia here- and she can also dash headlong into danger because she has a need to prove she's a strong, independent person.
It was heartbreaking and frustrating when she encountered a poor farmer's wife trapped in a marriage to a man who emotionally and physically abuses her and there are no repercussions because back then married women are the chattel of their husbands and it would make her a social pariah and destitute if she tried to leave him. Kendra didn't turn a blind eye and did what she could for this poor woman.
She's good at solving murders and this latest is a cunning challenge that pushes her to the near breaking point. A man no one likes is brutally murdered and then other murders follow. Kendra has plenty of suspects and even has strong suspicions, but the hard facts are tough to come by. With the duke to lend her credence with the local law enforcement and the Yorkshire village where they are staying, she takes things step by step to the shocking conclusion. Like Kendra, I had my suspicions and I was right even about part of the big surprise twist. The author took things to a breathless and riveting conclusion that have big repercussions for Kendra and future installments in the series.
I listened to the audio edition with Lucy Rayner narrating. I have a love-hate thing with her narration of this series. Part of me revels in her British accents, class voices, and even her ability to do male- even though the older upper class men voices get stuffy and nasally- and female voices, but the other part of me dislikes the sing-song little girl voice she does for Kendra who is a 30 year old veteran FBI agent. Sometimes I could be so caught up in the story that I would barely notice and other times it would pull me right out of the story. So, mixed feelings, there.
All in all, this is a unique blend of time travel and romantic suspense that doesn't go at a time travelers life lightly and offers a dark, gritty murder with a smidge of romance. I can definitely recommend the series.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Each book has some darkness and grit to them along with some good internal struggles that give them layers beyond a typical historical suspense/mystery. I've found the author really delves deep into what it would truly be like for a woman to be snatched out of her own time and thrust two centuries into the past. At times, I get frustrated with Kendra for resisting so hard, but part of me knows that I would be none too keen to accept such a fate, either.
But, for Kendra, it goes much deeper. She is greatly affected by her past. Her parents were an arranged match strictly because they believed in the power of strong genetics. They wanted to procreate genius children and had no desire to actually parent them. Kendra was fourteen when she was thrust from her family home because she resisted the life plan her eccentric scientist parents set before her. Her parents' 'family planning' was renowned the world over as a sensation in the news so that she couldn't get away from knowing smirks by fellow students when she was in university at the age of fourteen and then colleagues when she busted tail to prove herself with the FBI as a profiler and then field agent. All this past history led to a need for ruthless control and a shutdown of emotion so that starting over in the past and having little to no control left her flailing when the gentle and generous Duke of Aldridge takes her into as his ward and the handsome, wealthy Marquis, the duke's nephew falls in love with her. She can't get past seeing herself as a freak and being abandoned by family so she can't let herself believe in their love and care.
So, that is the background of Kendra that is always percolating in these stories. Again, I say the author got her right. She's prickly and challenging for relationships, but also leads with her stubborn chin when dealing with the social mores of the Regency time she now lives in. I would occasionally get frustrated with her, like in earlier books, because she takes a black and white approach to the past with an arrogant- modern ways are always better, when they're not- we don't live in a utopia here- and she can also dash headlong into danger because she has a need to prove she's a strong, independent person.
It was heartbreaking and frustrating when she encountered a poor farmer's wife trapped in a marriage to a man who emotionally and physically abuses her and there are no repercussions because back then married women are the chattel of their husbands and it would make her a social pariah and destitute if she tried to leave him. Kendra didn't turn a blind eye and did what she could for this poor woman.
She's good at solving murders and this latest is a cunning challenge that pushes her to the near breaking point. A man no one likes is brutally murdered and then other murders follow. Kendra has plenty of suspects and even has strong suspicions, but the hard facts are tough to come by. With the duke to lend her credence with the local law enforcement and the Yorkshire village where they are staying, she takes things step by step to the shocking conclusion. Like Kendra, I had my suspicions and I was right even about part of the big surprise twist. The author took things to a breathless and riveting conclusion that have big repercussions for Kendra and future installments in the series.
I listened to the audio edition with Lucy Rayner narrating. I have a love-hate thing with her narration of this series. Part of me revels in her British accents, class voices, and even her ability to do male- even though the older upper class men voices get stuffy and nasally- and female voices, but the other part of me dislikes the sing-song little girl voice she does for Kendra who is a 30 year old veteran FBI agent. Sometimes I could be so caught up in the story that I would barely notice and other times it would pull me right out of the story. So, mixed feelings, there.
All in all, this is a unique blend of time travel and romantic suspense that doesn't go at a time travelers life lightly and offers a dark, gritty murder with a smidge of romance. I can definitely recommend the series.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2018
Absolutely bloody brilliant. That is all.
May 8, 2018
Julie McElwain is truly a mystery maven!!!! I can hardly wait for new titles in her Kendra Donovan series, and I've never been disappointed. This third book shed more light on what challenges women faced in Georgian England. In fact, I identified with Kendra's reaction to those restrictions more than I have when reading the earlier books. McElwain's descriptions of the period are spot on. I like reading about it, but I wouldn't want to live there. This time the multiple mysteries keep one guessing until fairly near the end. I thought I'd found the solution to the last one only to have McElwain throw in a -to me - complete surprise. Anyone interested in either historical mysteries or modern forensics should welcome this delightful series!! Thanks to Pegasus Books and NetGalley for providing access to the electronic ARC in return for an honest review.
December 28, 2020
Loving this series so much! There's so many wonderful qualities about the writing with this series and Kendra is so lovely as a main character. I really love both how she deals with being stuck in the past, but also how she's unwilling to back down from being the independent 21st century woman that she has always been.
The characters in this series, from Kendra, to the Duke, to Alec, to Sam...they're all just so wonderful. I smirked internally at Alec's rushing in as quickly as possible once he found out Kendra had embroiled herself in yet another murder mystery. They are quite the little detective group. I thoroughly enjoy the way the men are always left flat footed when dealing with Kendra. She's such a pistol, determined to save herself and depend on no one.
The mystery here did have a few surprising twists to it. I would say I had 90% of it figured out, there was just a one little niggle that I didn't see coming. The build up was great though and I enjoyed everything about our heroes figuring out all the clues.
The characters in this series, from Kendra, to the Duke, to Alec, to Sam...they're all just so wonderful. I smirked internally at Alec's rushing in as quickly as possible once he found out Kendra had embroiled herself in yet another murder mystery. They are quite the little detective group. I thoroughly enjoy the way the men are always left flat footed when dealing with Kendra. She's such a pistol, determined to save herself and depend on no one.
The mystery here did have a few surprising twists to it. I would say I had 90% of it figured out, there was just a one little niggle that I didn't see coming. The build up was great though and I enjoyed everything about our heroes figuring out all the clues.
July 15, 2018
3.5 I enjoyed the murder/mystery in this series. The time travel/historical romance part was an interesting spin.
August 21, 2018
it's been a year and a half since i read the first two books, which sucks because my memory is awful. i remember the main parts - FBI agent travelled back in time, plus Alec. aaaaand that's about it.
my tastes have changed over the last year or so and i definitely read way more romance than i used to. so when i picked the first book up, i probably liked that it had a smidge of romance mixed with everything else. i didn't enjoy book two as much, though i liked that the romance finally got somewhere (if my memory is correct).
however, this one, i read because i like finishing series and i thought that this would be the end, but after finishing it, i highly doubt it will be. if this was all released and finished when i first picked the series up, i am sure i would have enjoyed all the books thoroughly. unfortunately, because my tastes have changed, as they are wont to do, this one just didn't do it for me. there is hardly any romance in it. which is fine, just.. not my jam anymore. and the rest of the story just didn't hold my interest or do enough for me to make up for the lack of relationship progress, you know?
kendra isn't the world's most likable character, she kind of treats people like crap and is constantly reminding us and them that she's smarter or better or from the future... it gets old. i don't know how i'd act if i accidentally went back in time, but i'd like to think i wouldn't continue using words and terms knowing people wouldn't understand them. actually, it's like being an expat - i moved from one english speaking country (australia) to another (america) and though the language is the same for the most part, there are several words that are different and *why* would i continue saying dummy instead of pacifier, cot instead of crib, jumper instead of hoodie, ute instead of truck - the list goes on and on. i like to think i'm not an asshole, sure there are words that i say when i don't know the american word or i say it out of habit, but i never continue using a word i *know* will not be understood. that's a jerk move. all that to explain that kendra is basically an expat flaunting all the differences and it gets old, fast.
as for the actual story and writing - i remember one thing from the first two books, the author liked to end chapters with a foreshadowing sentence. she only did it a couple times in this one, thank zeus. the murders were interesting, i didn't see the twist coming, i had to finish it before the library snatched it back so i read it in one day. it was an easy read in terms of writing and story, if that makes sense. but it wasn't edge of my seat unputdownable. alec is my favourite part of this series and we didn't get nearly enough of him, or their relationship.
i really didn't hate this book, so i'm rating it 3 stars. 2 feels a bit harsh but i was mostly meh about it.
unfortunately, i think i am done with this series, if it continues. sure, i want to know if and how and when anything happens in regards to and their relationship, but i really think more should have happened already. how long is this going to go on? maybe that's just me. i just don't think i can do another book or two with kendra being insufferable and not getting enough Alec to make up for it. so, sorry julie mcelwain. i am sure if i had read this series a couple of years ago i would have enjoyed it and kept going, but i want more romance and things to move a bit quicker these days. so. bye bye :)
my tastes have changed over the last year or so and i definitely read way more romance than i used to. so when i picked the first book up, i probably liked that it had a smidge of romance mixed with everything else. i didn't enjoy book two as much, though i liked that the romance finally got somewhere (if my memory is correct).
however, this one, i read because i like finishing series and i thought that this would be the end, but after finishing it, i highly doubt it will be. if this was all released and finished when i first picked the series up, i am sure i would have enjoyed all the books thoroughly. unfortunately, because my tastes have changed, as they are wont to do, this one just didn't do it for me. there is hardly any romance in it. which is fine, just.. not my jam anymore. and the rest of the story just didn't hold my interest or do enough for me to make up for the lack of relationship progress, you know?
kendra isn't the world's most likable character, she kind of treats people like crap and is constantly reminding us and them that she's smarter or better or from the future... it gets old. i don't know how i'd act if i accidentally went back in time, but i'd like to think i wouldn't continue using words and terms knowing people wouldn't understand them. actually, it's like being an expat - i moved from one english speaking country (australia) to another (america) and though the language is the same for the most part, there are several words that are different and *why* would i continue saying dummy instead of pacifier, cot instead of crib, jumper instead of hoodie, ute instead of truck - the list goes on and on. i like to think i'm not an asshole, sure there are words that i say when i don't know the american word or i say it out of habit, but i never continue using a word i *know* will not be understood. that's a jerk move. all that to explain that kendra is basically an expat flaunting all the differences and it gets old, fast.
as for the actual story and writing - i remember one thing from the first two books, the author liked to end chapters with a foreshadowing sentence. she only did it a couple times in this one, thank zeus. the murders were interesting, i didn't see the twist coming, i had to finish it before the library snatched it back so i read it in one day. it was an easy read in terms of writing and story, if that makes sense. but it wasn't edge of my seat unputdownable. alec is my favourite part of this series and we didn't get nearly enough of him, or their relationship.
i really didn't hate this book, so i'm rating it 3 stars. 2 feels a bit harsh but i was mostly meh about it.
unfortunately, i think i am done with this series, if it continues. sure, i want to know if and how and when anything happens in regards to and their relationship, but i really think more should have happened already. how long is this going to go on? maybe that's just me. i just don't think i can do another book or two with kendra being insufferable and not getting enough Alec to make up for it. so, sorry julie mcelwain. i am sure if i had read this series a couple of years ago i would have enjoyed it and kept going, but i want more romance and things to move a bit quicker these days. so. bye bye :)
February 15, 2019
I like the premise enough that I keep foolishly hoping the aspects I find so annoying will be dropped. Three books in and Kendra still spends the majority of the book complaining. The life she left in modern times was pretty empty. Yes, she caught killers for the FBI. She still catches killers, so there's no hole in her life there. Other than that she had nothing. No friends, no family. Now she has people who care for her. If you're doing the same job, what's the complaint? Not getting the recognition you think you deserve? Maybe she should spend less time so upset that nobody turns to her immediately for her opinion, and more time grateful she's able to bring justice where there would be none. I just can't take the whining. For example, Kendra complains about how long it will take to get ready to go out to dinner. First, she has to wait for the servants to bring warm water upstairs for her to bathe. Then, she has to recline in front of the fire so her hair dries. Finally, she has to endure her maid dressing and grooming her. Okay, so...you're complaining that you have to wait while others lug boiling water upstairs, and that then you have to nap before the fire? Oh you poor poor thing. You've managed to escape any sort of hardship in life by immediately being accepted as the ward of a duke, and you're complaining? And why exactly does she never have money on her? Most ladies would have pin money.
Other than that- I found this mystery to be so obvious. I don't know why. Immediately knew who the killer was and why. Even the twist.
Other than that- I found this mystery to be so obvious. I don't know why. Immediately knew who the killer was and why. Even the twist.
May 21, 2018
Julie strikes again with another amazing Kendra Donovan installment! This book finds Kendra on her way with the Duke to one of his smaller estates, when due to bad weather they're forced to stop at a town they weren't planning to. A murder was committed with the wrong persons accused, so Kendra and the Duke decide to stay and help find the true killer. It has Julie's trademark unforeseen twists and turns with a little extra thrown in which you don't find out till the end. It also has more of the Duke's gorgeous nephew Alec, and excellent supporting character Kelly the bow street runner. I can't wait for the next book!
September 4, 2018
This series is just dwindling in quality. Another example of an author who should have ended this as a trilogy and is now just milking the cow.
Kendra hasn’t had any growth this series. She is angry every time she encounters a male that doesn’t take her seriously and it’s so irritating.
Her consistent pondering - do I leave? Do I stay? Do I want to leave? If I marry there’s no freedom? Has continued on for THREE BOOKS.
We get it! But now you know you can’t leave so suck it up - accept Alec’s offer and open your detective agency. The. End.
Kendra hasn’t had any growth this series. She is angry every time she encounters a male that doesn’t take her seriously and it’s so irritating.
Her consistent pondering - do I leave? Do I stay? Do I want to leave? If I marry there’s no freedom? Has continued on for THREE BOOKS.
We get it! But now you know you can’t leave so suck it up - accept Alec’s offer and open your detective agency. The. End.
September 20, 2018
Abandoned � just felt like an incredibly slow start and Kendra felt like she’d gotten dumber.
August 4, 2018
Loved this - #3 in the Kendra Donovan series by Julie McElwain & this installment’s title is Caught in Time. Kendra Donovan, a 21st c. FBI Profiler, has traveled back to Regency England 1815 and even though she desperately wants to return to the 21st c. USA, Kendra has now found herself the ward of the Duke of Aldridge who happens to have an extremely handsome nephew, Alexander Morgan, the Marquis of Sutcliffe, who is very ‘interested� in Kendra. Caught in Time begins with the Duke, Kendra, & her maid, Molly, traveling to another estate of the Duke’s, Monksgrey, and as the Duke’s carriage is outside of the village, East Dingleford, surrounded by such heavy fog that Kendra and the Duke decide to walk next to the carriage as the coachman cannot see well enough to drive the carriage. Kendra tells Molly that she may stay in the carriage, but Molly is horrified as she knows her place is with her mistress. Thus, Molly leaves the carriage to walk as well. Shortly after they begin walking, they hear a sound of men’s feet ‘jogging� towards them. Suddenly, they see a group of men,
faces blackened in disguise, heading in their direction. Luddites. These men just keep moving past the Duke and his party. As the sun drops to the horizon and daylight is lost, the Duke’s party prepares to stay in East Dingleford for the night. As the Duke, Kendra, & Molly are getting settled in the best inn in the village, The Green Maiden, they are informed that ‘mischief� has taken place at the village’s cotten mill & Kendra cannot wait to check out this mill. As she gets ready to see the mill, the owner of the inn and other guests are observing Kendra’s behavior as her behavior is not the accepted code of behavior for single women of this era. Kendra keeps forgetting that she is not in The United States in the 21st c, but she quickly remembers. Fortunately, the Duke comes to Kendra’s defense, and when a duke states something, everyone pays attention. This is how the story continues. Kendra responding as a 21st FBI Profiler, and the Duke of Aldridge ‘explaining� her behavior. I actually laughed out loud quite a few times. The author's writing style is clear and flows beautifully. The characters appear quite real, and the situation that Kendra is in lends itself to some humorous times as well as dangerous ones. A great read. 5 stars.
faces blackened in disguise, heading in their direction. Luddites. These men just keep moving past the Duke and his party. As the sun drops to the horizon and daylight is lost, the Duke’s party prepares to stay in East Dingleford for the night. As the Duke, Kendra, & Molly are getting settled in the best inn in the village, The Green Maiden, they are informed that ‘mischief� has taken place at the village’s cotten mill & Kendra cannot wait to check out this mill. As she gets ready to see the mill, the owner of the inn and other guests are observing Kendra’s behavior as her behavior is not the accepted code of behavior for single women of this era. Kendra keeps forgetting that she is not in The United States in the 21st c, but she quickly remembers. Fortunately, the Duke comes to Kendra’s defense, and when a duke states something, everyone pays attention. This is how the story continues. Kendra responding as a 21st FBI Profiler, and the Duke of Aldridge ‘explaining� her behavior. I actually laughed out loud quite a few times. The author's writing style is clear and flows beautifully. The characters appear quite real, and the situation that Kendra is in lends itself to some humorous times as well as dangerous ones. A great read. 5 stars.
September 6, 2018
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series! The ending was definite left open for more books with Kendra Donovan as the main character, investigating murders in the 1800s. And I'd definitely want to read every one! They're well written with likable characters and a mystery that keeps you on your toes until the end.
As far as the murder mystery in this one, it was my least favorite of the three. Not saying that it was bad in any way, just comparing it to the two previous I thought they were a bit stronger and was just more invested. But it was still very well done and I was still kept guessing until the very end.
The real strength of this book was the ending! There was a bit after the killer was revealed that dragged. But I knew something good had to be coming when there was still 3.5 hours left in the audio book after the big mystery was solved. And it delivered! The ending completely surprised me and connected some events in the first book to the overall story. I'm still kind of reeling from the big reveal! It was SO good and unexpected that it makes me want the story to continue.
As in the last books Kendra, Alec, the Duke, Sam Kelly, Molly, and all the variety of supporting characters were so likable and well written. Everyone has a backstory and realistic motivations. Like I said before, I'd read tons of books with these characters investigating murders!
Overall very pleased with this series, so glad I read it, and here's hoping theres a book 4.
As far as the murder mystery in this one, it was my least favorite of the three. Not saying that it was bad in any way, just comparing it to the two previous I thought they were a bit stronger and was just more invested. But it was still very well done and I was still kept guessing until the very end.
The real strength of this book was the ending! There was a bit after the killer was revealed that dragged. But I knew something good had to be coming when there was still 3.5 hours left in the audio book after the big mystery was solved. And it delivered! The ending completely surprised me and connected some events in the first book to the overall story. I'm still kind of reeling from the big reveal! It was SO good and unexpected that it makes me want the story to continue.
As in the last books Kendra, Alec, the Duke, Sam Kelly, Molly, and all the variety of supporting characters were so likable and well written. Everyone has a backstory and realistic motivations. Like I said before, I'd read tons of books with these characters investigating murders!
Overall very pleased with this series, so glad I read it, and here's hoping theres a book 4.
February 17, 2021
A fine historical--the fantasy, in which a modern crime fighter is mysteriously transported to Regency England, is really secondary to the fine research by McElwain. This crime novel does well on that level, but does a wonderful job of describing the lives of women across a number of social levels in the UK in the early 19th century. It's a very good book--unfortunately I can't say the same for the narration by Lucy Rayner. The reading is deadly slow, and speeding up playback to about 1.25-1.3 speed results in a truly awful sing-song delivery. Do to the agonizing listen, I can't give this edition 5 stars.
January 6, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up. Good one. Took me a little while to get into it, but was hooked by the end. Figured some stuff out but other stuff I didn't and was surprised for a change.
Still don't like that it's considered time travel, when there's actually no traveling involved (anymore). It's just a historical fiction, but it's a good historical fiction.
Still don't like that it's considered time travel, when there's actually no traveling involved (anymore). It's just a historical fiction, but it's a good historical fiction.
September 23, 2018
The author threw a nice little and unexpected twist into this book. I loved it. I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out
April 11, 2019
This series continues to impress. I like the fact that this case was a bit more complicated than the previous cases and the twist at the end left me gobsmacked! I'm sad that I've finished all the books published thus far and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series later in the year.
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