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Kendra Donovan #6
Ripples in Time
July 1816 —Kendra Donovan could use a distraction. The FBI agent has been dealing with a serious case of cold feet after impulsively agreeing to marry Alec, the Marquis of Sutcliffe. And if that isn’t enough, there is also the tantalizing possibility that maybe, just maybe she could return to her own timeline as the one-year anniversary of her shocking arrival in the early 19th century approaches.
When Reginald Lansing, the Earl of Craymore, is found mortally wounded on the Duke of Aldridge’s land, Kendra gets the distraction that she’s been looking for. At first glance, it appears as though the aristocrat is the victim of a highwayman. After all, Lansing had been traveling with the Anahita Pink, a priceless pink diamond that can be traced to the lost treasure of King John, and has since vanished. However, some things aren’t adding up, and Kendra begins to suspect that there’s more to the crime than a simple robbery.
Certainly, Craymore’s life proves to be complicated. He had his sister, Lady Evelyn, committed to a madhouse to prevent her from marrying a fortune hunter, and recently he’d been heard arguing with his radical cousin, who is next in line to inherit the title and Craymore fortune. Both could benefit from the earl’s untimely death. On the other hand, anyone who managed to get their hands on the Anahita Pink would benefit.
No one knows better than Kendra that humanity’s darker impulses can cause devastating ripples. And when the killer strikes again, Kendra realizes that her investigation is more than a puzzle, more than a distraction—it is a terrifying game of cat and mouse against a ruthless killer, who will stop at nothing to win.
When Reginald Lansing, the Earl of Craymore, is found mortally wounded on the Duke of Aldridge’s land, Kendra gets the distraction that she’s been looking for. At first glance, it appears as though the aristocrat is the victim of a highwayman. After all, Lansing had been traveling with the Anahita Pink, a priceless pink diamond that can be traced to the lost treasure of King John, and has since vanished. However, some things aren’t adding up, and Kendra begins to suspect that there’s more to the crime than a simple robbery.
Certainly, Craymore’s life proves to be complicated. He had his sister, Lady Evelyn, committed to a madhouse to prevent her from marrying a fortune hunter, and recently he’d been heard arguing with his radical cousin, who is next in line to inherit the title and Craymore fortune. Both could benefit from the earl’s untimely death. On the other hand, anyone who managed to get their hands on the Anahita Pink would benefit.
No one knows better than Kendra that humanity’s darker impulses can cause devastating ripples. And when the killer strikes again, Kendra realizes that her investigation is more than a puzzle, more than a distraction—it is a terrifying game of cat and mouse against a ruthless killer, who will stop at nothing to win.
394 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2023
106 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Julie McElwain
6 books1,355 followersJulie 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 184 reviews
May 11, 2023
Well, we waited a long time for this book. I love this series and am glad the author persisted to publish it. I can't wait for the next one!!
November 13, 2023
I love this series.
May 14, 2023
I have been waiting for Ms. McElwain to write this story for 2 1/2 years. In the meantime, after I found out Ripples in Time was finally released (the author ran into some publishing problems among other things), I went back and reread the first 5 stories.
Once more, Miss Kendra Donovan grew on me and I enjoyed most of the secondary characters. (I never cared for the Duke's sister.) I was looking forward to some closure between Alec and Kendra and I wondered how the time travel element was going to affect her.
Well, I got most of my answers. I thought the suspense could have been a bit tighter for lack of a better word. Alec and Kendra made a wonderful couple. I missed Muldoon and Bear. Now, I only have to wonder if the author will come up with another adventure. If so, I am on board.
Once more, Miss Kendra Donovan grew on me and I enjoyed most of the secondary characters. (I never cared for the Duke's sister.) I was looking forward to some closure between Alec and Kendra and I wondered how the time travel element was going to affect her.
Well, I got most of my answers. I thought the suspense could have been a bit tighter for lack of a better word. Alec and Kendra made a wonderful couple. I missed Muldoon and Bear. Now, I only have to wonder if the author will come up with another adventure. If so, I am on board.
May 9, 2023
I CANNOT WAIT to for this one!!
March 10, 2023
I miss this series so much. I had to wait for more than 2 years for this book. It's almost a year since Kendra's been transported in the early nineteenth century. Will the vortex happen again for her to go back to her own time? Will she want to go back? She definitely needs a distraction to take her mind off things. A murder of an earl, a missing pink diamond will do the trick. She starts her investigation with the help of Alec, Duke, Sam and the rest. This is so worth the wait. And I couldn't be happier with her decision in the end. If you're looking for a time travel series with murder mysteries thrown in, then, pick up this series.
June 1, 2023
The beauty of coming to a series late is binge-reading and not having to suffer the long wait between books 5 and 6. But now that I’m all caught up…reality sets in. 😁 Ms McElwain has created a wonderful cast of characters. I’m excited to see what the future holds for all of them!
This could have been a 5 except for one TSTL moment by Kendra as the case was drawing to a close.
This could have been a 5 except for one TSTL moment by Kendra as the case was drawing to a close.
August 4, 2023
#6 brings us more time-traveling, murderous fun. Kendra is still struggling to fit her 21st Century sensibilities into the strict confines of ladylike behavior in Regency England. But really, folks, who wouldn't struggle with that?
My struggles: a few moments that seemed out of character for our heroine. She would not be so silly as to head to the asylum where she suspects the murderer is lurking and not tell anyone where she's going. Also, she would never have drunk the tea. Is she losing her edge a little bit? I hope not.
Looking forward to a #7!
My struggles: a few moments that seemed out of character for our heroine. She would not be so silly as to head to the asylum where she suspects the murderer is lurking and not tell anyone where she's going. Also, she would never have drunk the tea. Is she losing her edge a little bit? I hope not.
Looking forward to a #7!
September 23, 2023
3.5 stars — another instance of rarity where I round up my half-star ratings.
It's July 1816, rapidly approaching a full year to mark how long FBI agent Kendra Donovan has been living some two hundred years in the past. Kendra is a fantastic character, embodying both likable flaws and incredible practicality, method, and intelligence. Having accidentally fallen through some kind of wormhole, traveling from 2016 to 1816, she is beginning to finally acclimate (willingly) to her surroundings, while still maintaining a strong sense of self and her own identity.
As Kendra begins work on the latest case to land in her lap, she gains first-hand knowledge of the atrocities and poor treatment of women in this time period and the views of what was seen as progressive practices for handling the mentally unstable — and what defined the term mentally unstable.
While McElwain is still paring down her use of alternate points of view, I still hope for a book that simply settles into solely being narrated by Kendra. While I do occasionally enjoy viewing the heroine through others' eyes, I more appreciate to stay with the detective whose mind would be more like my own — modern. Also, I do still appreciate the little phrases she bandies about without a thought, only to realize they are anachronistically used and is forced to further define what she means — McElwain continues to handle these smoothly and they make for a little, organic moment of humor.
Kendra seems to be mostly relaxing into her new era, but with the upcoming anniversary of her time travel event, she is growing antsy with having to potentially actively choose to stay. But as this discontent settles down, I hope she begins to broaden her approach to casework and stop making those moves where she disappears without telling people where she's going or what she intends. She's much too experienced and mature for that type of hangup (trope), and I really want her to embrace her motley team. Perhaps she even eventually tell the rest of that small group the truth about who she is and where she's from.
Regardless, the pacing is just as page-turn inducing as the previous five in this series, and I actually had trouble deciding on the guilty party up to the reveal. Kendra has grown tremendously as a character. I hope for some continued growth for her, and maybe some more fleshing out for her fiancé Alec, and his uncle the Duke, as I look forward to a seventh installment.
It's July 1816, rapidly approaching a full year to mark how long FBI agent Kendra Donovan has been living some two hundred years in the past. Kendra is a fantastic character, embodying both likable flaws and incredible practicality, method, and intelligence. Having accidentally fallen through some kind of wormhole, traveling from 2016 to 1816, she is beginning to finally acclimate (willingly) to her surroundings, while still maintaining a strong sense of self and her own identity.
As Kendra begins work on the latest case to land in her lap, she gains first-hand knowledge of the atrocities and poor treatment of women in this time period and the views of what was seen as progressive practices for handling the mentally unstable — and what defined the term mentally unstable.
While McElwain is still paring down her use of alternate points of view, I still hope for a book that simply settles into solely being narrated by Kendra. While I do occasionally enjoy viewing the heroine through others' eyes, I more appreciate to stay with the detective whose mind would be more like my own — modern. Also, I do still appreciate the little phrases she bandies about without a thought, only to realize they are anachronistically used and is forced to further define what she means — McElwain continues to handle these smoothly and they make for a little, organic moment of humor.
Kendra seems to be mostly relaxing into her new era, but with the upcoming anniversary of her time travel event, she is growing antsy with having to potentially actively choose to stay. But as this discontent settles down, I hope she begins to broaden her approach to casework and stop making those moves where she disappears without telling people where she's going or what she intends. She's much too experienced and mature for that type of hangup (trope), and I really want her to embrace her motley team. Perhaps she even eventually tell the rest of that small group the truth about who she is and where she's from.
Regardless, the pacing is just as page-turn inducing as the previous five in this series, and I actually had trouble deciding on the guilty party up to the reveal. Kendra has grown tremendously as a character. I hope for some continued growth for her, and maybe some more fleshing out for her fiancé Alec, and his uncle the Duke, as I look forward to a seventh installment.
May 11, 2023
It has been almost one year since FBI agent Kendra Donovan travelled through a temporal vortex connecting the 21st century to the early 19th century Regency era England. She was fortunate to become the ward of the Duke of Aldridge, one of only two individuals who know her true origin. The other individual is Alec, the Duke's nephew and heir, and Kendra's betrothed. This relationship has assisted her in investigating a series murders in the previous novels of this series. As the first year anniversary approaches, the portal may open to allow her to return to the future. However, she is torn between returning to the future or remaining in the past with the man she loves.
In this current novel, Reginald Lansing, the Earl of Craymore is murdered on the Duke's land. A hoarder of antiquities, he may have been in possession of the Anahita Pink, a large rare diamond purported to part of the lost treasure of King John. Was the Earl the victim of a highwayman or was he murdered for other reasons? This is what Kendra, with the aid of the Duke and Alec, and a colorful cast of support characters to determine.
Although I have tagged this novel as a historical romance, it is more a historical mystery since this is the focus of all the novels in this series. Like the Outlander series, the time travel is simply a literary device for a "stranger in a strange land" motif. Unlike some other similar works, the protagonist grapples with a heavily patriarchial society. In this novel, she encounters a number of women who have admitted to a psychiatric asylum for mental illness when they dared to buck the mores of this time. If you enjoy historical mysteries, I would include this series as your next read.
In this current novel, Reginald Lansing, the Earl of Craymore is murdered on the Duke's land. A hoarder of antiquities, he may have been in possession of the Anahita Pink, a large rare diamond purported to part of the lost treasure of King John. Was the Earl the victim of a highwayman or was he murdered for other reasons? This is what Kendra, with the aid of the Duke and Alec, and a colorful cast of support characters to determine.
Although I have tagged this novel as a historical romance, it is more a historical mystery since this is the focus of all the novels in this series. Like the Outlander series, the time travel is simply a literary device for a "stranger in a strange land" motif. Unlike some other similar works, the protagonist grapples with a heavily patriarchial society. In this novel, she encounters a number of women who have admitted to a psychiatric asylum for mental illness when they dared to buck the mores of this time. If you enjoy historical mysteries, I would include this series as your next read.
February 28, 2023
The 6th book in the Kendra Donovan series is amazing, exciting, & thrilling as we have come to expect from our beloved main character. I love this series and each book is better than the last and leaves me eagerly anticipating the next one!!!!!!!!!
April 19, 2023
Good One
In her notes at the end, the author mentions that this was the most difficult book in the series to write. Many times she contemplated giving up but was encouraged by her fans.
The reason why this one was hard seems to be evident. As I have mentioned in my reviews for the last couple of books the story has reached its precipice. There’s no where to go with the FBI agent solving another murder in the past idea.
Therefore, writing another mystery feels like stagnation which thwarts any inspiration to move forward.
I felt it in the characters. Even though they were consistent with their peculiar mannerisms and personalities the arcs of their developments have leveled off. They feel like just tools in the authors box to use to solve this mystery.
The author has made it clear that she is unwilling to explore the time travel possibilities that this series has through Kendra who herself declares that she has made her decision to stay even though it’s unclear whether she had a choice in the matter.
Then she asks Alec if he would’ve gone after her had she entered the time portal that might have been there. He says yes.
I’m not the author of this series. I’m not the creator of this literary work of art. Therefore, it’s not my place to dictate how I would’ve liked it to develop.
But, what if she did go and he went after her? How would Alec deal with her world? Wouldn’t it be interesting that he wouldn’t even know how to use a toilet much less chase after criminals?
What if they both went to another time together or separately as Kendra suggests?
Or what will happen in the future if she and Alec have children?
What about exploring what actually happened to her? How and why did she travel through time?
Maybe she could use it as tool to solve crimes or better humanity? Without exploring this issue the feeling that one gets is that the introduction this phenomenon was just an excuse to get the FBI into the past.
I love this series and will read another installment if the author summons the strength to write one.
But, face it. It’s over. Every good thing comes to an end; Harry Potter, Hunger games, etc. Now it’s time to explore another realm and blow the story wide open.
I love the style in which this author writes and must admit that I couldn’t figure out who dunnit.
In her notes at the end, the author mentions that this was the most difficult book in the series to write. Many times she contemplated giving up but was encouraged by her fans.
The reason why this one was hard seems to be evident. As I have mentioned in my reviews for the last couple of books the story has reached its precipice. There’s no where to go with the FBI agent solving another murder in the past idea.
Therefore, writing another mystery feels like stagnation which thwarts any inspiration to move forward.
I felt it in the characters. Even though they were consistent with their peculiar mannerisms and personalities the arcs of their developments have leveled off. They feel like just tools in the authors box to use to solve this mystery.
The author has made it clear that she is unwilling to explore the time travel possibilities that this series has through Kendra who herself declares that she has made her decision to stay even though it’s unclear whether she had a choice in the matter.
Then she asks Alec if he would’ve gone after her had she entered the time portal that might have been there. He says yes.
I’m not the author of this series. I’m not the creator of this literary work of art. Therefore, it’s not my place to dictate how I would’ve liked it to develop.
But, what if she did go and he went after her? How would Alec deal with her world? Wouldn’t it be interesting that he wouldn’t even know how to use a toilet much less chase after criminals?
What if they both went to another time together or separately as Kendra suggests?
Or what will happen in the future if she and Alec have children?
What about exploring what actually happened to her? How and why did she travel through time?
Maybe she could use it as tool to solve crimes or better humanity? Without exploring this issue the feeling that one gets is that the introduction this phenomenon was just an excuse to get the FBI into the past.
I love this series and will read another installment if the author summons the strength to write one.
But, face it. It’s over. Every good thing comes to an end; Harry Potter, Hunger games, etc. Now it’s time to explore another realm and blow the story wide open.
I love the style in which this author writes and must admit that I couldn’t figure out who dunnit.
August 1, 2023
Once again, Julie McElwain has written a satisfying mystery that keeps the reader guessing. This is the sixth book in a series about Kendra Donnavan, an FBI agent who has become an accidental time traveler, caught two centuries before her own time. The clues are well placed, subtle enough to continue the mystery yet sensible enough to not make a reader scratch their head once the mystery is resolved. Their is aso the subplot of the question of a chance at a return to her own time or a chance at enduring love.
I usually prefer the written word but the local library ony had this available as an audiobook through Hoopla. The book was book beautifully narrated by Lucy Rayner. This talented actress portrayed a sizeable array of characters with subtle differences in her voice. I do sometimes enjoy audiobooks on occasion, and will definately keep Raynor in mind when searching for audiobooks in the future.
I usually prefer the written word but the local library ony had this available as an audiobook through Hoopla. The book was book beautifully narrated by Lucy Rayner. This talented actress portrayed a sizeable array of characters with subtle differences in her voice. I do sometimes enjoy audiobooks on occasion, and will definately keep Raynor in mind when searching for audiobooks in the future.
February 20, 2023
Hopefully she will not go back
I like reading about her life in 1800
And her new found family
Also Alec and Kendra
Please don't seperate them
If they meant to go in future
Send them together on honeymoon
Afterall they progressed to Marriage literally after 5 volumes
No seperation track please
I like reading about her life in 1800
And her new found family
Also Alec and Kendra
Please don't seperate them
If they meant to go in future
Send them together on honeymoon
Afterall they progressed to Marriage literally after 5 volumes
No seperation track please
April 22, 2024
"Ripples in Time" is the 6th installment in Julie McElwain's time travel fantasy series, and it does not disappoint!
One must be "in for a penny, in for a pound" as far as the plot is concerned. After all, when have you ever run up against the following:
▪︎time traveling FBI special agents
▪︎the Regency Period in all its Ton Glory
▪︎Romani caravans in the forest
▪︎Lords and Ladies (leaping/dancing optional, of course!😅)
▪︎missing Crown jewels
▪︎an insane asylum run for gentrified women who just might/might not be crazy (Well, you know the vapors were a real category of female-only mental illness back in the day, right??)
😳 ALL OF WHICH APPEAR IN THE SAME NOVEL? 🙃
Heck, most of the above appeared within the first 50 pages!!
If all of that sounds like the ingredients of a fun way to escape the realities of living in the 21st Century for a few hours, you'd be right!
One must be "in for a penny, in for a pound" as far as the plot is concerned. After all, when have you ever run up against the following:
▪︎time traveling FBI special agents
▪︎the Regency Period in all its Ton Glory
▪︎Romani caravans in the forest
▪︎Lords and Ladies (leaping/dancing optional, of course!😅)
▪︎missing Crown jewels
▪︎an insane asylum run for gentrified women who just might/might not be crazy (Well, you know the vapors were a real category of female-only mental illness back in the day, right??)
😳 ALL OF WHICH APPEAR IN THE SAME NOVEL? 🙃
Heck, most of the above appeared within the first 50 pages!!
If all of that sounds like the ingredients of a fun way to escape the realities of living in the 21st Century for a few hours, you'd be right!
March 7, 2023
Kendra Donovan is tasked with helping to solve yet another crime in the 1800s after getting trapped there when she crossed through a rift in time. Having no way of knowing if she will ever be able to get back to the present day, Kendra is using all of her skills learned at the FBI to help navigate this era. Now that she has become an official ward of the Duke of Aldridge, Kendra is afforded more respect with the Ton and finds herself in the ballrooms of the upper class elite knowing one of them might just be the culprit she is looking for. When another murder happens on the Duke's land, Kendra finds herself entangled in the investigation helping to distract her as the one year anniversary of her time jump approaches. Kendra wonders if she could really stay and follow through on her promise to marry Alec after all? The Earl of Craymore's death brings more mystery, deceit and danger to Aldridge Castle in Julie McElwain's sixth book in the "...in Time" series. I highly recommend fans of historical fiction and mysteries give this series a try. I have loved them all and though I fear this might be the end I'm holding out hope there will be more!
May 8, 2023
This took me a PAINFULLY long time to get into. But finally, around the 30% mark, I got invested, and then blitzed through the last 2/3 in 1 day.
I do love time travel novels! 😍
I do love time travel novels! 😍
May 21, 2023
I didn’t think it was possible, but this series just gets better and better.
July 3, 2024
5+++ Stars! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this Modern Girl “In Time” series, books 1-6 and have fingers crossed that Book 7 may be forth coming.
March 23, 2023
Grounds of the Duke of Aldridge’s estate. July 1816. Julie McElwain’s Ripples in Time (Kendra Donovan #6) is another grand success. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and wished that I could have been the Duke of Aldridge’s ward. Once again, Kendra Donovan, a 21st FBI profiler, finds herself attempting to solve the murder of the Earl of Craymore in 1816. Kendra, the Duke of Aldridge, and his nephew, the Marquis of Sutcliffe, who is also Kendra’s betrothed, become involved in the investigation trying to discover whom the murderer is again. It appears that the Earl of Craymore had his sister committed to a ‘mental asylum’ in order to keep a male gold digger from becoming his sister’s husband. His sister, Lady Evelyn, wanted to marry this ‘gold digger’ as she felt that he loved her, but he was really after the family’s fortune, but the fact remains. The Earl committed his sister because he could. Lady Evelyn did not have any rights. Then there is the treatment of those with mental problems. Kendra flips out when she goes to Shay House, an institution for treating women with mental difficulties and Lady Evelyn’s ‘home’, when she views a woman being ‘treated’ for her mental problem. I did too! Treatment for those with mental problems was barbaric in 1816 and stayed that way until the understanding and compassion for people with mental problems improved - around the 1970s. The author did a brilliant job with her research. It felt as though I was in 1816 or thereabout. Phenomenal series if one likes time-travel. 5 stars.
March 21, 2023
I fall more in love with this series with each new book. I always look forward to what crazy adventure and mystery Kendra will find herself a part of and watching her relationships with everyone around her grow has kept me captivated for years. I feel like I waited forever on this book but I would gladly do it all again. 5 stars all the way
March 1, 2023
Ripple in Time was amazing!!! Thank you Julie McElwain for continuing Kendra's journey. I can't imagine it's easy always writing in the same world, but I loved being able to dive right back into the world. All six book are seamless in the stories continuation. The book ended too quickly for me, after waiting so long for it, I would have loved a couple of extra scenes, but I say that with every book. Loved everything about this book, I love how her childhood trauma continues to impact her, but she's grounded enough to take the risk for her love in the people that surround her. I loved the different perspective, in my opinion it's what makes these stories stronger. Knowing how each character is evolving because of their association with Kendra, from Alec, Duke, Becca, Sam and Muldoon. It was worth the wait!
April 14, 2023
3.5. I enjoyed it very much, and the author did solid research. But Kendra needs to stop confronting murderers alone without telling anyone where she is going, social norm resistance aside!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2023
Kendra has grown into her new time period and finds new ways using her skills to solve crimes. She involves others in her crime solving activities and finds herself in harrowing situations. While not completely adjusted or liking everything she and others must endure, Kendra perseveres. I loved the mysteries in the quirky characters lives and never guessed who the murderer was. The historical period details especially the medical treatments are wonderful. Thanks to the Author for writing another excellent book in this series! 5 Stars
My favorite in this series.
My favorite in this series.
March 14, 2023
Loved this! I’m such a fan of this series & I can’t wait for the next installment. There are many who can write a better review than this but I’ve been invested in these characters & their lives since the beginning and I’d hate to see it end.
June 29, 2023
I loved this book, like the ending was so good. I always eat up this series and I can’t wait for more I’m this series. I’m literally obsessed with Kendra and Alec. This story is really good I loved it ❤️
May 12, 2023
As always, I would like the next book now please…. Lol.
February 7, 2024
I love this historical mystery series and its cast of characters so much. I really hope it continues-things wrapped up pretty cleanly at the end, so I can see it going either way!
April 8, 2024
4.5 stars. Another great book in this series.
April 28, 2024
Just love this series.
August 3, 2025
So enjoyable! Hope there will be another one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews