A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1) by Julie McElwain (Epub)

Description

When brilliant FBI agent Kendra Donovan stumbles back in time and finds herself in a 19th century English castle under threat from a vicious serial killer, she scrambles to solve the case before it takes her life—200 years before she was even born.

Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is murdered, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates.

While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place – Aldrich Castle – but in a different time: 1815, to be exact.

Mistaken for a lady’s maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a young girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there’s some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman.

User’s Reviews

Julie McElwain is the author of the Kendra Donovan mysteries—A Murder in Time, A Twist in Time, Caught in Time, Betrayal in Time, and Shadows in Time—which are available from Pegasus Crime. Julie lives in Long Beach, California. From School Library Journal After a murderous and creepy prologue that takes place in 1815, FBI special agent Kendra Donovan is introduced as the perpetual underdog on her task force team. She’s brilliant, a product of scientists who practiced eugenics, but only 26, and she isn’t accepted easily into the organization. When a sting operation goes bad, Kendra wants to exact her own revenge. However, during a rogue operation that involves a Regency costume party, she travels back in time to a countryside ravaged by a murderer. Kendra has a difficult time adjusting to the life of a servant in 1815, but she does manage to help the magistrate and London police solve the crime. This historical crime novel could have easily been published as a young adult title—the action is fast, and the ending hints that the next installment will come out soon. Several questions are left unanswered: Why does Kendra travel back in time? And how can she return home? Teens will appreciate that Kendra challenges the status quo of 1815 society, as well as her ability to track the serial killer. VERDICT Give to readers who grew up on Barry Lyga’s I Hunt Killers and Kerstin Gier’s Ruby Red.—Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. Review “* A Top 10 Pick for April by LibraryReads * ” – LibraryReads“The story is difficult to put down, and Kendra’s character is well written. The romance―which both parties try to avoid―is believable. And Kendra’s decision at the end is believable, as well. This is a great choice for a book club or for anyone who enjoys a mystery with many suspects and some heart-rending scenes.” – Examiner“This first novel is absolutely captivating and will appeal to readers of fiction, mystery, and romance. Expect to stay engaged until the final page. Author, a sequel, please!” – Library Journal (starred review)“A vivid setting, interesting characters, sustained suspense, and even a hint of romance make this thriller hard to put down for long…A Murder in Time is a very enjoyable read that paints a vivid picture of how remarkably the world has changed over the past 200 years.” – Mystery Scene Magazine“There’s nothing old-fashioned about Julie McElwain’s daring debut Murder in Time. As FBI agent Kendra Donovan navigates crime scenes from two hundred years in the past, it’s hard not to root for her ingenuity and bravado. Who needs DNA to catch a killer? McElwain offers a wickedly entertaining tale of two worlds, combining Jane Austen-worthy intrigue with Alias-style action. This smart book is sure to hook readers from any era.” – Erica Wright“The time-travel element is believable enough to keep us going, and the story is solidly constructed. Overall it’s an entertaining genre-bender with a clever gimmick. The ending pretty much cries out for a sequel, too.” – Booklist“Julie McElwain writes like an angel, but it is a devil she chases through the halls of time in this edge-of-the-seat thriller. I was instantly engaged. This is a taut thriller written by a pro. Every page holds a new twist. Prepare for a sleepless night when you pick up this beauty.” – Carolyn Haines, author of Bone to be Wild“Pitting the skills of a twenty-first century FBI agent against the evil of a nineteenth century English murderer, this novel is a brilliantly imaginative and riveting read.” – S. D. Sykes, author of Plague Land“It’s amusing to watch Kendra pit her 21st-century knowledge, without the equipment, against the limited resources of the early 19th century. The parts in the past are interesting, full of tension and, even for this long book, a page-turner.” – Historical Novels Society –This text refers to the paperback edition. Review “This first novel is absolutely captivating and will appeal to readers of fiction, mystery, and romance. Expect to stay engaged until the final page.” —Library Journal Starred Review –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. Read more

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ I really have to compliment Julie McElwain for her story-telling abilities. Almost every mystery involving serial killers was too dark and too depressing for my taste. A Murder in Time manages to be very dark, gory and realistic and hilariously light at the same time. The historical parts seem very well researched and feel completely believable and authentic.One of the best thing about novel world-building is the way McElwain portraits Regency era without idealizing it or showing it all dirt and poverty. The book shows in very simple way both the reaches of the high society and the hardships of commoner’s life.I like that Regency as shown through 21st century Kendra’s filter is both critical, but also appreciative. There is one point when Kendra realizes that lack of forensics knowledge or modern tool doesn’t makes her 19th century “colleagues” any less competent. In her mind she discriminated them as easily based on their resources as they for her being female.Speaking of Women rights, the book deals a lot with this dilemma in Kendra’s life. I hate time travel books in which heroines rush to the Past or the sake of love in spite of succumbing themselves to period where women died in childbirth, simple fever could kill and women were fully depended on male guardianship financially and legally. Kendra’s view of the worth of staying in 19th century for the sake of marring aristocrat is very logical and sober. If at some point series she will decide to stay, I think it would not be rushed romantic decision, based on the fact that she has real purpose of staying, thanks to her unique FBI crime solving abilities.One of my favorite side characters was Lady Rebeca. I think her addition is brilliant. Without her it would be Kendra vs strictly male characters. Lady Rebeca exists to show that with all the restriction of the era strong capable intelligent woman always existed.I laughed countless times through the book, reading scenes showing Kendra’s interactions with her 19th century “betters”. Male or female, they all so shocked by Kendra’s awareness that she know what she is doing, that they just do as she says , she – a servant gives them orders or asks them very outright questions.Despite what I said previously, I enjoyed the touch of the romance in the end of the book. I usually like broadening love interest and it seems Aleck is capable to accept Kendra in all her independent unusual glory.Right now I’m half through the second book and already can’t wait to read the next installation.

⭐ This was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a while. Time travel books are often just ok reads. This one stands out for the excellent writing and storyline. While Kendra’s behavior is the exact opposite of what was expected in all the positions she held, during her indoctrination into regency England, it was humorous and also reasonable because her involuntary host, the Duke of Aldrich, believes her when she finally tells him and his nephew Alec, Lord Sutcliffe, the truth about who she is and where in time she came from.The premise of applying 21st century forensic practices, to 19th century crime is brilliant. Because Kendra is a profiler she is able to predict what the murderer will do next, and her ability is amazing to the people in 1815, not to mention totally unacceptable for a young woman. She is a continual surprise to the Duke and a continual frustration to the household staff.Just trying to understand the perspective a FBI profiler faces when she is trying to apply her methods to century old practice and the negligence with how bodies and crime scenes are handled is amazing. But Kendra has it well in hand.I couldn’t get through these books fast enough. I still have one to read, the price is more than I allow for my book budget, so I’m waiting until later.

⭐ Although I am not a fan of trilogy books, I really enjoyed this one. I especially like the fact that the author didn’t stray from the main plot of the story by having the female lead get into a romantic relationship and describing a tryst like many other authors do with women lead characters. Sure the main character and one of the lead male characters have sexual attraction but the author, wisely in my opinion, did not dwell on it like many authors did. I invested in this book for the suspense, time travel aspect of the book. NOT a Harlequin romance. The story line was really good and I can’t wait to read the next too books to see how she will return to her own time and what the effects of her presence in the past has done in the future.

⭐ I received an advanced reading copy of the third installment of this series a few years back, and enjoyed it. I finally got around to reading the first in the series and wasn’t disappointed.Kendra Donovan is top FBI agent. When an operation goes horribly wrong, Kendra is injured and spends weeks in the hospital followed by more time in physical therapy. When she returns to work, she’s bent on revenge against the person behind it all. While chasing the culprit through a stairwell in an English castle, she’s sent back to the 19th Century.At first thinking she’s lost her mind, Kendra comes to realize her situation is all too real no matter how improbable it seems. Then a murder is discovered and this 21st Century FBI Agent tries to hide her real identity while assisting the owner of the castle with the investigation.

⭐ I am extremely glad I discovered this book. It’s the first in a series – a second book has been written and a third will be released later in 2018. I have always thought myself not to be a fan of time travel books, but lately I’ve been rethinking that stance. This book explains how Kendra Donovan who is an FBI agent in the year 2015 finds herself transported back 200 years in time. Kendra has traveled to England, and Aldrich castle to take part in a reenactment of life in 1815 with the plan to right a wrong she believes the FBI has made. Because she is dressed for the times during the reenactment this cleverly explains why she is dressed for the era after she goes through the wormhole-time travel experience in Aldrich castle. The author unfolds her story wonderfully, and I found myself entranced with the characters: Kendra; the Duke of Aldrich; Alex his nephew and heir; Lady Rebecca, who is the Duke’s god-daughter; and Mr. Sam Kelly, the Bow Street runner; not to mention the housekeeper, the butler, and the maids and other workers in the castle. Of course, there is a murder, and Kendra is perfect for helping to solve it. Of course, the author has to find a way to make Kendra helping with such a situation believable, and acceptable for the time period. Ms. McElwain develops this story wonderfully.

⭐ I actually started with the second book in this series because it was the first one I heard about. Then I read the rest of them to the end. Then I decided I really should go back and read the first one to see how it all began. I enjoyed this book, and while it probably glossed over some aspects of having to adjust to living 200 years in the past, it effectively showed how modern crime-solving techniques can be adjusted to work with much more limited technology. And the budding romance was intriguing. If you are just starting this series, I recommend beginning with the first book.

⭐ Julie McElwain expertly combined two of my favorite genres in this story—mystery and historical fiction. Specifically Regency historical fiction. She did her due diligence when it came to research and it shows in the accuracy of her writing. A Murder in Time is a griping thriller full of the nuance of the Regency Period. McElwain would have made Georgette Heyer proud.

⭐ Not enough BMW references Pairs well with four fingers of a hard-core drink. Don’t puff too much. This book is terrible though.

⭐ Time travel, never thought I’d read such a book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.While executing an assignment FBI agent Kendra Donovan steps through a wormhole and finds herself back in the 1800’s.where she becomes involved in solving murders committed by a vicious serial killer.

⭐ This series about an FBI profiler who goes back in time to the Regency period is very good. There is some blood and gore but it’s not gratuitous. Great plot line, good strong women characters and you get a good feel for the period. These are long books but you’ll be sad to get to the end. I think there are only three to date, and I hope she writes more.

Keywords

Free Download A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1) in Epub format
A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1) Epub Free Download
Download A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1) 2016 Epub Free
A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1) 2016 Epub Free Download
Download A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1) Epub
Free Download Ebook A Murder in Time: A Novel (Kendra Donovan Mystery Book 1)