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Kendra Donovan
Echoes in Time
The bizarre murder of one of Queen Charlotte’s ladies-in-waiting is only the beginning…
When FBI-agent-turned-time-traveler Kendra Donovan is asked to investigate the suspicious death of Lady Westford, she finds herself on a harrowing journey through Regency England’s most taboo traditions. Every layer she peels back uncovers more puzzles, including Lady Westford’s interest in a dead woman who’d been mysteriously drained of all her blood. This isn’t the first time Kendra has battled a ruthless madman…but one mistake, one misstep and it may be her last.
When FBI-agent-turned-time-traveler Kendra Donovan is asked to investigate the suspicious death of Lady Westford, she finds herself on a harrowing journey through Regency England’s most taboo traditions. Every layer she peels back uncovers more puzzles, including Lady Westford’s interest in a dead woman who’d been mysteriously drained of all her blood. This isn’t the first time Kendra has battled a ruthless madman…but one mistake, one misstep and it may be her last.
286 pages, Hardcover
Published December 22, 2025
57 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Julie McElwain
11 books1,372 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 36 reviews
December 28, 2025
I waited more than two years for this one. I miss Kendra, Alec and the duke so much. Time travel with murder mystery. I can't wait for the next one. Not another two years please.
December 24, 2025
Amazing as always
Sigh... I can't believe I've finished this already and have to wait again for the next. My favourite series by far and I can't wait to read them all again.
Sigh... I can't believe I've finished this already and have to wait again for the next. My favourite series by far and I can't wait to read them all again.
January 31, 2026
4.5 stars.
In Echoes in Time, Kendra Donovan is once again dropped into a Regency-era mystery — this time the suspicious death of one of Queen Charlotte’s ladies-in-waiting, which quickly turns into something darker and more complicated than it first appears. Seven books in and this is still a really strong series, with solid 18th-century mysteries and enough forward motion in Kendra’s personal story to keep things from feeling stale or stalled out.
What really stood out to me here was how fully Kendra’s found family has settled into place. Without getting into spoilers, her personal life has shifted in a way she once struggled to even imagine, and instead of narrowing her world, it opens it up. The people around her aren’t just accepting — they actively work with her during her investigations, each contributing in their own way. That dynamic takes away the kind of tension that would otherwise feel repetitive at this point in the series, and it lets the story focus on what works best: Kendra solving crimes in the wrong century, backed by a group that truly has her back.
In Echoes in Time, Kendra Donovan is once again dropped into a Regency-era mystery — this time the suspicious death of one of Queen Charlotte’s ladies-in-waiting, which quickly turns into something darker and more complicated than it first appears. Seven books in and this is still a really strong series, with solid 18th-century mysteries and enough forward motion in Kendra’s personal story to keep things from feeling stale or stalled out.
What really stood out to me here was how fully Kendra’s found family has settled into place. Without getting into spoilers, her personal life has shifted in a way she once struggled to even imagine, and instead of narrowing her world, it opens it up. The people around her aren’t just accepting — they actively work with her during her investigations, each contributing in their own way. That dynamic takes away the kind of tension that would otherwise feel repetitive at this point in the series, and it lets the story focus on what works best: Kendra solving crimes in the wrong century, backed by a group that truly has her back.
December 24, 2025
Well well well! What a great way to start the Holiday season. Curling up to a book by Julie Mcelwain. If you haven't picked up the In Time series yet, you're missing out. Echoes, brings us right back to Regency England with familiar faces. While I would have loved a couple of extra chapters, just to see how side characters are doing once the case wraps up, this book made me happy. The witt, the banter, new faces reminded me why the In Time series is a good novel. A great way to spend a couple of hours reading.
February 6, 2026
Well I enjoyed this audio book so much I just couldn’t stop listening to it. It’s the 7th in a series but I’ve not read any of the previous books and whilst I had no problem understanding I do recognise I’m probably missing out from jumping in so late.
Describing the story might therefore show this gap in my understanding to those who have read previous books.
The book is set in the past, in the time of Queen Charlotte, which whilst set in Bridgerton’s era feels far more modern. Kendra is American and has married into nobility, she is a time traveller and is enlisted by the Queen to investigate a suspicious death.
There’s lots of investigation, talk of illness and medical procedures, death and threat. I think the narrator was excellent. At times the accents seemed comical but the variety helped identify different people. Sometimes the posh men blurred into one maybe a bit more than you would notice in a book you were reading but the different voices helped.
I did love Kendra, I think some of the male characters blended a bit but many of the side characters were vivid and really helped the story come to life. There was not a lot of focus on the time travel and yet I liked the different dimension it added to Kendra. At times I felt so sad that so much of what women have fought for over the centuries is now being eroded in our present day lives. Some of the condescensions feel a bit too close to home.
The love story was touching and there was nothing in the way of sex scenes that would make anyone blush… I don’t think. There was however swearing so you might want to turn the sound down if your within hearing distance of people of a sensitive nature.
I did feel the ending was rushed and I would have liked a few more loose ends tied up, there was lots of sign posts to the outcome, I didn’t mind this. I’d rather there be a logic I can follow than a random reason for what happened. I didn’t mind like being sure at times it was one person then being wrong. I did also rather like being right a few times so I think the balance made me happy.
I am a bit stuffed now and I guess I need to go back and read the other books. I wonder if the previous books are as good though, I also wonder if it was very good because of the narrator.
If you love a time travel, without the mechanics of that being explored, a historical story and a who done it, feeling similar to me to a Sherlock Holmes’s I’d definitely recommend this book. I absolutely loved having a female protagonist being so much in charge and being respected by the people who mattered to her.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this Audiobook for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
Describing the story might therefore show this gap in my understanding to those who have read previous books.
The book is set in the past, in the time of Queen Charlotte, which whilst set in Bridgerton’s era feels far more modern. Kendra is American and has married into nobility, she is a time traveller and is enlisted by the Queen to investigate a suspicious death.
There’s lots of investigation, talk of illness and medical procedures, death and threat. I think the narrator was excellent. At times the accents seemed comical but the variety helped identify different people. Sometimes the posh men blurred into one maybe a bit more than you would notice in a book you were reading but the different voices helped.
I did love Kendra, I think some of the male characters blended a bit but many of the side characters were vivid and really helped the story come to life. There was not a lot of focus on the time travel and yet I liked the different dimension it added to Kendra. At times I felt so sad that so much of what women have fought for over the centuries is now being eroded in our present day lives. Some of the condescensions feel a bit too close to home.
The love story was touching and there was nothing in the way of sex scenes that would make anyone blush… I don’t think. There was however swearing so you might want to turn the sound down if your within hearing distance of people of a sensitive nature.
I did feel the ending was rushed and I would have liked a few more loose ends tied up, there was lots of sign posts to the outcome, I didn’t mind this. I’d rather there be a logic I can follow than a random reason for what happened. I didn’t mind like being sure at times it was one person then being wrong. I did also rather like being right a few times so I think the balance made me happy.
I am a bit stuffed now and I guess I need to go back and read the other books. I wonder if the previous books are as good though, I also wonder if it was very good because of the narrator.
If you love a time travel, without the mechanics of that being explored, a historical story and a who done it, feeling similar to me to a Sherlock Holmes’s I’d definitely recommend this book. I absolutely loved having a female protagonist being so much in charge and being respected by the people who mattered to her.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this Audiobook for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
January 1, 2026
“I haven’t seen the devil himself, but I see his handiwork.”
Kendra Donavon, now Lady Sutcliffe, receives a call to investigate a suspicious death hours after she ties the knot with Alec. As they are preparing for their honeymoon, the only thing that can deter them is a royal message....which is exactly what happened. As Kendra, Alec, the Duke, and the rest of the team delve into the murder plot, more bodies keep popping up, uncovering an underbelly of shady medical experiments and a conspiracy to hide it.
As always, I will never tire of this series. I was hoping to have Kendra be honest about herself to Rebecca and Sam Kelly, but it didn't happen 😞
The dark side of medical innovation is the liberties it takes with the underprivileged. Grave robberies, organ harvesting, chemical plants etc. There was a short mention of Kendra remembering about the Tuskegee Experiment and its mistreatment of African American men in the study.
I'm really hoping we get another book or, even novella, soon!
Kendra Donavon, now Lady Sutcliffe, receives a call to investigate a suspicious death hours after she ties the knot with Alec. As they are preparing for their honeymoon, the only thing that can deter them is a royal message....which is exactly what happened. As Kendra, Alec, the Duke, and the rest of the team delve into the murder plot, more bodies keep popping up, uncovering an underbelly of shady medical experiments and a conspiracy to hide it.
As always, I will never tire of this series. I was hoping to have Kendra be honest about herself to Rebecca and Sam Kelly, but it didn't happen 😞
The dark side of medical innovation is the liberties it takes with the underprivileged. Grave robberies, organ harvesting, chemical plants etc. There was a short mention of Kendra remembering about the Tuskegee Experiment and its mistreatment of African American men in the study.
I'm really hoping we get another book or, even novella, soon!
January 22, 2026
I honestly didn’t expect the series to continue after the last book, so this was a pleasant surprise to read! I love this series and the characters so much. There seemed to be more backstory and character development for Kendra in this one, and I hope that continues.
February 5, 2026
Let me start off by saying that this is book #7 in the series, but the first I've read. So, although I dropped into this one in the middle, I kind of figured out what was going on... and I love time travel stories...so this one was definitely calling me.
Kendra Donovan has just married Alec. They are planning to set off on their honeymoon... and nothing can stop them... except maybe a royal decree. And... guess what? They kind of get just that...
Kendra, in another lifetime (and another century) was an FBI Agent. Now, she is dropped into the early to mid 1800's... when women were most definitely NOT treated equally... and were not considered smart... at all.
And just after her wedding she is called to examine a woman's death that was considered an accident or suicide. BUT, Kendra does not think it was either. And so the investigation begins... and her honeymoon will have to come later.
As she's investigating, another dead woman turns up! This one appears to have had all of the blood drained from her body! =0
And so, she is on a mission to find out what is going on, and why...
But the more tangled up she's getting in this, the less comfortable I am feeling about the whole thing... because what is stopping the bad guys from taking her????
I mostly enjoyed this one, but I did feel at times that it was dragging a bit. But overall, it was a good read!!
4 bold, bright, investigative, cunning, trail-blazing stars for me!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#EchoesInTime (Kendra Donovan #7) by @JulieMcElwain and narrated nicely by @LucyRayner.
I do not see an audiobook edition, so I am leaving my review here...
THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON! RELEASE DATE IS 2/10/26!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @TantorMedia and @TantorAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Kendra Donovan has just married Alec. They are planning to set off on their honeymoon... and nothing can stop them... except maybe a royal decree. And... guess what? They kind of get just that...
Kendra, in another lifetime (and another century) was an FBI Agent. Now, she is dropped into the early to mid 1800's... when women were most definitely NOT treated equally... and were not considered smart... at all.
And just after her wedding she is called to examine a woman's death that was considered an accident or suicide. BUT, Kendra does not think it was either. And so the investigation begins... and her honeymoon will have to come later.
As she's investigating, another dead woman turns up! This one appears to have had all of the blood drained from her body! =0
And so, she is on a mission to find out what is going on, and why...
But the more tangled up she's getting in this, the less comfortable I am feeling about the whole thing... because what is stopping the bad guys from taking her????
I mostly enjoyed this one, but I did feel at times that it was dragging a bit. But overall, it was a good read!!
4 bold, bright, investigative, cunning, trail-blazing stars for me!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#EchoesInTime (Kendra Donovan #7) by @JulieMcElwain and narrated nicely by @LucyRayner.
I do not see an audiobook edition, so I am leaving my review here...
THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON! RELEASE DATE IS 2/10/26!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @TantorMedia and @TantorAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
February 6, 2026
I jumped into Echoes in Time by Julie McElwain knowing it was book seven in a series, and it worked surprisingly well as a standalone. The story reads like a serial mystery and fills in enough background that I never felt lost.
If you love Bridgerton–meets–Outlander vibes, this is for you. It blends Regency-era historical fiction with time travel, romance, and a dark, gripping murder mystery.
I especially enjoyed the Regency England setting. The atmosphere felt vivid and well researched, and I truly felt transported. The mystery kept me hooked, with real suspense and a few darker moments that made it hard to stop listening.
Alec and Kendra’s relationship added heart to the story. Kendra is a strong FMC, carrying her skills as a former FBI agent into the past while still allowing herself softness, especially with Alec, who becomes her safe place.
The audiobook performance by Lucy Rayner deserves special praise. She did a fantastic job with distinct character voices and moved seamlessly between British and American accents, which made the listening experience even more immersive.
Overall, this was an easy, engaging listen that balances multiple genres beautifully. I’d happily recommend it, and it’s made me curious to explore the rest of the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance listening copy.
February 5, 2026
I was provided an free copy to read in exchange for a unbiased review. My opinions are my own.
This was a great book. Fun easy to follow at times but also hard to keep up with all the characters. This is my first book from this series so I was a little confused.
I dont recommend jumping in at the end of a series but it didnt matter for me to understand the story and what was happening.
Kendra is a time-traveling FBI agent going to 1816 and right after her wedding to a Duke in that time period, is thrown into an investigation for the Queen's lady in waiting.
That premise hooked me as it is not a type of book I have ever read before. Historical Time traveling Fiction Mystery.
I love the idea.
It was a good story with topics in medical testing and diseases of that time period.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
4.50 stars rounded down because I had to go back a few times to figure out who the characters were.
Thank you netgalley for this copy
This was a great book. Fun easy to follow at times but also hard to keep up with all the characters. This is my first book from this series so I was a little confused.
I dont recommend jumping in at the end of a series but it didnt matter for me to understand the story and what was happening.
Kendra is a time-traveling FBI agent going to 1816 and right after her wedding to a Duke in that time period, is thrown into an investigation for the Queen's lady in waiting.
That premise hooked me as it is not a type of book I have ever read before. Historical Time traveling Fiction Mystery.
I love the idea.
It was a good story with topics in medical testing and diseases of that time period.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
4.50 stars rounded down because I had to go back a few times to figure out who the characters were.
Thank you netgalley for this copy
January 10, 2026
Julie, You've Done it Again: Another Stroke of Literary Genius!
Kendra has got to be the best time traveler ever: considerate of the timeline, yet fashionably her 20th century self. I luv that she's a kick-ass female, investigator extraordinaire, and unafraid to be her true self.
She's married to a handsome man with his own individuality, who loves her and looks out for her without being condescending.
Her methods of solving that century's crime are incredible given the lack of useful tools normal in this century, and she makes good use of her "team" that are part of the story from the start. I eagerly await your next Kendra book!
Kendra has got to be the best time traveler ever: considerate of the timeline, yet fashionably her 20th century self. I luv that she's a kick-ass female, investigator extraordinaire, and unafraid to be her true self.
She's married to a handsome man with his own individuality, who loves her and looks out for her without being condescending.
Her methods of solving that century's crime are incredible given the lack of useful tools normal in this century, and she makes good use of her "team" that are part of the story from the start. I eagerly await your next Kendra book!
January 16, 2026
Wow! -5 stars-
I was not expecting the twists and turns of this book. Although, it was definitely more fast paced than the others and I missed having more moments between Kendra and Alec/Kendra and her friends/Rebecca and Muldoon (I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE), I hope that just means we will get another book down the road to answer all the unanswered questions!
Overall, I felt like I couldn’t put this book down and find the writing style of Julie McElwain to not only be enthrallingly entertaining but also fitting of the regency period of time.
10000/10 recommend the whole series 🫶🏻 this is not only my favorite author but favorite series as well!
I was not expecting the twists and turns of this book. Although, it was definitely more fast paced than the others and I missed having more moments between Kendra and Alec/Kendra and her friends/Rebecca and Muldoon (I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE), I hope that just means we will get another book down the road to answer all the unanswered questions!
Overall, I felt like I couldn’t put this book down and find the writing style of Julie McElwain to not only be enthrallingly entertaining but also fitting of the regency period of time.
10000/10 recommend the whole series 🫶🏻 this is not only my favorite author but favorite series as well!
January 23, 2026
I started this series by accident, by getting Ripples in Time for free after a scavenger hunt that ended at a local library. Upon reading more about this book, I found out that it was the 6th book in a series based on the character Kendra Donovan. So I listened to the first 5 books. I really wasn’t a fan of the first book, but I kept on listening. I have become a fan of these books. I enjoy the recurring characters in each of the books and the twisted murder mysteries! Bring on the next book Julie McElwain!
January 23, 2026
Kendra has married Alex and is now the Marchioness of Sutcliffe. While at their wedding breakfast, they are visited by a royal courier, Mr. Boothe, sent by Queen Charlotte to request Kendra’s assistance in the death of one of her ladies-in-waiting, Lady Westford’s death. And so begins Kendra’s next adventure, which includes learning of scientific and medical procedures, frustrations and innovations of the time.
January 6, 2026
Seriously stop reading this review and go read THIS book. I absolutely LOVE the Kendra Donavan series and would LOVE LOVE LOVE Starz or some streamer to make each book into a season. It is SO good. Love that the whole gang is back together and we get yo see Kendra, Alec, the Duke, Becca, Sam, Finn & Dr. Monroe embark on another case. I seriously NEED book 8 ASAP!!
January 6, 2026
Another fantastic hit! Kendra has quickly become one of my all time favorite leading ladies and I hope to have many more of her stories and adventures in the future. Navigating life in a different country and time cannot be easy but she finds a way to be herself 100% while helping those around her. Her unique attitude and courage make her unstoppable.
January 8, 2026
Wow!! Each Kendra Donovan book is an exciting adventure that readers fall right into. I love this series and these characters so much!! Reading each book feels like visiting old friends and catching up on what they've been up to. If you haven't read this series and you live time travel and strong female characters, then get to reading friends. I would suggest reading them in order, though.
January 12, 2026
The next book in the "In Time" series with Kendra Donovan, an FBI agent who has gone back in time accidentally. She has fallen in love with Alex, Marquis of Sutcliffe. They have just gotten married when the Queen's messenger arrives and tells them the Queen herself wants them to investigate the death of Lady Westford, one of her Ladies in waiting.
December 27, 2025
Kendra is one of my favorite MFC's. And Alex..... swoon.
December 27, 2025
Such a good seriees.
I think each book gets better. I'm glad to see Kendra staying where she's landed. The chemistry between her and Alec almost leaps off the page.
I think each book gets better. I'm glad to see Kendra staying where she's landed. The chemistry between her and Alec almost leaps off the page.
December 27, 2025
Another adventure.
The saga continued! This book took more of a medical research twist. Hard to figure out the bad guys, several suspects. Enjoy the ride.
The saga continued! This book took more of a medical research twist. Hard to figure out the bad guys, several suspects. Enjoy the ride.
December 31, 2025
So worth the wait.
As good as all the other cases Kendra D has solved in her sojourn in Regency England.
All loved characters make an appearance, and one or two who we bear under sufferance.
Hoping that Episode 8 will be the Honeymoon in Venice... or will the newlyweds get stuck in post Bonaparte Paris? Will Sutcliffe have to report to the British contingent in Vienna?
The possibilities are manifold...
As good as all the other cases Kendra D has solved in her sojourn in Regency England.
All loved characters make an appearance, and one or two who we bear under sufferance.
Hoping that Episode 8 will be the Honeymoon in Venice... or will the newlyweds get stuck in post Bonaparte Paris? Will Sutcliffe have to report to the British contingent in Vienna?
The possibilities are manifold...
January 23, 2026
another amazing Kendra Donovan instalment! I was hooked right from the beginning, could barely put it down. I would read 100 more books from this series!
January 25, 2026
4.5 ☆ Kendra is a badass.
January 26, 2026
i want more, and I want to know what happened to edwina..............
please watch the deluise book series channel on YOU TUBE in April to hear my review of this book
I read a lot.
please watch the deluise book series channel on YOU TUBE in April to hear my review of this book
I read a lot.
January 30, 2026
This series of books are always so fun! I just love them, lol. This book was no exception. I never wanted to stop reading it 😁
January 30, 2026
Wonderful! Now I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the series!
February 1, 2026
I finished the book in one day and I cannot wait to read the next one. I have always enjoyed this series and I cannot wait to read the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews