A Murder in Time

February 22, 2016
McElwain’s disappointing debut boasts an unusual heroine, 26-year-old FBI special agent Kendra Donovan, who’s literally a wunderkind, having been part of an experimental super-babies program to see if genetic engineering could create smarter humans. In the present day, Kendra has been tracking a major-league terrorist, Vlad Balakirev, a “KGB agent turned merchant of death.” Her work on the Balakirev case gets her a spot on the final takedown in a Brooklyn warehouse, which is expected also to net his more respectable secret ally, Sir Jeremy Greene. But the operation goes south after one of her team proves to be a traitor. Kendra later vows to take Greene out, but her attempt on his life is preempted by another. When she flees, she’s somehow transported to 1815 England—where her insights into serial killers prove useful. Unfortunately, McElwain doesn’t make the psychology of an independent woman trapped in a very different era convincing. Agent: Jill Grosjean, Jill Grosjean Literary Agency.

Starred review from April 15, 2016

FBI agent Kendra Donovan learned early on how to take care of herself. She brings that sense of survival to her career, gaining recognition and praise. But when a raid goes wrong, and half her team is killed, she goes rogue and travels to Aldrich Castle in England to hunt down the man responsible for so many deaths. Here begins a story line of time travel, used successfully by so many authors, including Karen Marie Moning, Audrey Niffenegger, and Diana Gabaldon. While escaping gunfire, Kendra runs into a stairwell that turns out to be a wormhole in time that closes behind her. She is still in Aldrich Castle, but now the year is 1815. Confused and almost delirious, she is mistaken for a lady's maid from America by the Duke of Aldrich and his son, Alex. As she quickly adapts to her new reality, Kendra cannot help but become involved when a shocking murder occurs. What happens next tests everyone's presumptions of who Kendra is and what she knows. VERDICT 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! [An April LibraryReads pick.]--Susan Carr, Edwardsville P.L., IL

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016

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

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.