Contemporary Authors

Julie McElwain is a national award-winning journalist. Born and raised in North Dakota, she graduated from North Dakota State University (Go, Bison!), and moved to Los Angeles, where she worked for a fashion trade newspaper. Currently, she is an editor for CBS Soaps In Depth, covering the No. 1 daytime drama, The Young & The Restless.

Her first novel, A Murder In Time, was one of the top 10 picks by the National Librarian Association for its April 2016 book list, and was selected as the mystery to read in 2016 by OverDrive Inc., a digital distributor serving more than 34,000 libraries around the world. The novel was also a finalist for the 2016 Goodreads’ readers choice awards in the Sci-fi category, and made Bustle’s list of 9 Most Addictive Mystery series for 2017.

When McElwain is not on her laptop, she enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures, spending time with family and meeting friends for Happy Hour. She lives in Long Beach, California. The sequel to A Murder In Time — A Twist In Time — was released in April 2017, and was also a top 10 pick by the National Librarian Association. Her next book is due out next year.

Interview with Julie McElwain, author of A Murder in Time

Please welcome Julie McElwain to The Qwillery as part of the 2016 Debut Author Challenge Interviews. A Murder in Time was published on April 11th by Pegasus.

TQ: Welcome to The Qwillery. When and why did you start writing?
Julie: Thank you — I’m excited to be here! I’ve actually been writing since I read my first Nancy Drew in fourth grade. I desperately wanted to be Caroline Keene. I’m a huge reader and fell in love with words. I spent my entire childhood writing and discarding novels. Despite that, I decided to pursue fashion design in college (Go figure!) When I took a journalism course and was asked to work for the student newspaper, I realized I could make a living at writing. I graduated with a double major in textiles and clothing and print journalism from North Dakota State University, and moved to California, where I landed a job as a business reporter covering the fashion industry, before shifting to the entertainment industry. I’ve spent my career writing. I love journalism, but I’ve always had a passion to write fiction.

TQ: Are you a plotter, a pantser or a hybrid?
Julie: I would love to be a plotter, but I am definitely a pantser! Whenever I try to plot chapters out, I lose steam and the process becomes less interesting to me. I have the entire story in my head, but I’m constantly surprised at what the characters say and do. Of course, there is always a fear that I will draw blank. So far that hasn’t happened, but I’m learning to live in a constant state of fear.

TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Julie: This may seem ironic given the whole time-travel element of my book, but time is always a factor. I love it when I can find those huge blocks of uninterrupted time to sit down and create, but it’s not easy. I have to force myself to snatch an hour here or there. If I’m stuck on a chapter, unable to find the right words or tone, it can be frustrating, and really requires patience and persistence to keep writing, rewriting and revising until I’m satisfied.

TQ: What has influenced / influences your writing?
Julie: Reading good books. I’ve been influenced by so many amazing authors. I love Tess Gerritsen, Karen Slaughter, Tami Hoag, and Lisa Gardner. Their work is dark and gritty and so compelling. Nora Roberts is an incredibly skillful writer who knows how to drill down into the human dynamic like no one else. I’m in awe of Dean Koontz’s imagination and ability to weave words together to create magic. I could go on and on, so I’ll just say that good storytelling always inspire me.

TQ: Describe A Murder in Time in 140 characters or less.
Julie: FBI agent Kendra is transported back to Regency England. Hunts a serial killer. Is tested in ways she could never imagine.

TQ: Tell us something about A Murder in Time that is not found in the book description.
Julie: Kendra has spent her life excelling, but she’s knocked completely off-kilter when she finds herself in 1815. She’s demoted for the first time ever. She was the youngest FBI agent accepted into Quantico, so it’s hard for her to wrap her mind around failing. Especially failing in a society that she views as inferior to her own. How can that happen? Kendra knows she has something to teach her 19th century counterparts… but she may learn a thing or two as well.

TQ: What inspired you to write A Murder in Time? What appeals to you about writing historical mysteries?
Julie: I gave an old TV — one that actually had a dial, no remote — to a friend’s son so he could play videogames. He was probably about 14 at the time, and seriously brilliant. But when the dial got nudged to another channel he and an equally brilliant friend could not figure out how to fix the TV. It made me laugh. Then it made me wonder how any of us would fare if we no longer had the technology that we’ve come to rely on. Even smart people may have a difficult time adapting! As far as writing historical mysteries, I find history appealing — period. It’s fascinating to me how people lived, how we’ve evolved and continue to evolve. It’s equally fascinating to me how we’ve remained the same. I love exploring this broader human dynamic within the more narrow confines of a mystery.

TQ: What sort of research did you do for A Murder in Time?
Julie: It was important to me to be as accurate as possible, so I did a tremendous amount of research. Kendra might not have access to 21st century technology, but she still had to have knowledge of forensics and criminal investigation. I have my own “murder” library (which might scare some of my visitors) that includes everything from books on serial killers to autobiographies and first-hand accounts written by the country’s leading FBI agents. I also subscribe to newsletters and blogs from romance writers specializing in Regency England. And I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Great Britain several times, where I’ve explored some of the great estates and wonderful museums to get a feel for both the country and its rich history.

TQ: Who was the easiest character to write and why? The hardest and why?
Julie: Lady Rebecca came very naturally to me. I have three brothers — no sisters — and grew up fighting for “girl power” in my household. Rebecca is always arguing for girl power in a society where women didn’t even have the right to vote. She was a suffragette before that movement was really organized. The hardest wasn’t a character, but how to address characters in the early 19th century, and the entire title system for the British aristocracy. It’s very specific and complex. Perhaps because I’m an American, nothing about it came naturally to me.

TQ: Why have you chosen to include or not chosen to include social issues in A Murder in Time?
Julie: I didn’t consciously choose to include or exclude social issues. I felt that everything in the story came up organically. A 21st century person would be hard pressed not to compare and contrast modern day life with life in the early 19th century. For the lower classes, there was no childhood as we know it. Children were put to work by the time they were 10. Of course, one might argue our society has extended childhood well into our 20s. Kendra is in the perfect position to observe how culture has changed — for the better and for the worse.

TQ: Which question about A Murder in Time do you wish someone would ask? Ask it and answer it!
Julie: Why did you name your heroine “Kendra”? Answer — I researched a lot of names before I settled on Kendra. Depending on the resource, it means “prophetess” or “knowledge” or “greatest champion” — all of which I felt suited my heroine perfectly. Being from the future, she recognizes what will happen in the world. She has knowledge that no one else has in this era. And she’s a champion for justice. I love that.

TQ: Give us one or two of your favorite non-spoilery quotes from A Murder in Time.
Julie: Both quotes come from Mrs. Danbury, the housekeeper:

“Miss Donovan, you will never address his Grace as Duke again. He is your Grace or the Duke of Aldridge or sir. And you will curtsy when you leave a room with one of your betters.”

“You will not speak to your betters unless they ask you a specific question. You will, in fact, blend into the background. A good servant, the perfect servant, is not noticed.”

Nothing, I think, points out the class system and the difference between the 21st century and the 19thcentury mindset — and shows Kendra just what she will be up against living in this era.

TQ: What's next?
Julie: I’m busy writing a sequel to A Murder In Time. On the surface, Regency England is a glittery era filled with parties and frivolity, but it has a dark underbelly. Kendra Donovan may be just the person to take that on. Her story is far from over!

TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Julie: Thank you!

Julie 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.

The Writer's Life
Julie McElwain: Playing with Time

Julie McElwain is the West Coast editor for Soaps in Depth, a national soap opera magazine. She lives in Long Beach, Calif., and is the author of two time-travel mysteries, A Murder in Time and A Twist in Time (recently published by Pegasus), featuring an FBI profiler who accidentally ends up in Regency England.

You've been a journalist for a lot of years. What made you decide to turn to fiction?

Growing up, I always wrote fiction. I wanted to write a mystery series like Nancy Drew. When I went to college, I pursued a double major--fashion design and journalism. When I moved to California, I utilized both majors when I became a business reporter working for a fashion newspaper. During this time, I kept writing fiction on the side. For years, I never made it beyond chapter six. Then I finally managed to complete an entire manuscript. I wrote three books, but couldn't get an agent interested enough to represent me. When I wrote A Murder In Time, I went through a slew of rejections. In the past, I'd give up after maybe the 10th rejection. There was something about this book that compelled me to keep sending it out until I got lucky and found my agent, Jill Grosjean, and publisher, Pegasus.

Your tenacity is reminiscent of your heroine, FBI profiler Kendra Donovan. Kendra has a hard time adapting to the rigid mores of life in Regency England, in spite of her prodigious talent and intellect. Do you think she would have assimilated more easily in a different era, or is the shock of time travel just too great?

I think Kendra definitely would have had an easier adjustment if she had landed maybe two decades in the past rather than two centuries earlier. As crazy as time travel is, Kendra would have adjusted to that concept--although she might need to pinch herself to assure herself that she's not dreaming. Kendra's biggest issue is being stuck in an era where women had no rights. I actually have trouble sometimes in my research wrapping my head around the lack of rights. I think we forget that until fairly recently, marriage and motherhood were really the only acceptable path open to women, especially if they belonged to the upper classes.

Women were educated at home, if they were educated at all. When they married, they became the property of their husband. If they didn't marry, they depended on their male relatives to provide for them. For someone as independent as Kendra, this is an unbearable circumstance!

What gave you the idea for a time-traveling FBI agent? It's a very fun concept; did it develop slowly or did inspiration strike?

For about 16 years, I've had the idea of doing a time-travel mystery, but it was really intimidating because I knew it would require a lot of research. Then, about 10 years ago, the son of one of my friends was playing a videogame on an old TV--one controlled with dials, not remotes--that I had given him. I was over at my friend's place when he and his friend came running out to say that there was something wrong with the TV. I went to look at it, and turned the dial to the appropriate channel, and--presto--their videogame returned. Both of these kids were so smart, but they were like, "We just don't get this old technology." I started to think, "If all our technology would just disappear one day, what would we do? Could we survive?" Instead of creating a story about a dystopian future where technology disappears, I decided to send my main character, a kick-ass, modern woman, back before most of our technology was even invented. Of course, it still took me several years to start writing!

How did you research the Regency era? Do you have a favorite Regency author to recommend?

I've read a lot of romances set in the Regency era, including Georgette Heyer (who is wonderful, and whom I would highly recommend). I also began reading blogs on the Regency era and Jane Austen, and nonfiction books--everything from crime in that era to fashions to lifestyles of the servants to the upper classes. After I wrote A Murder in Time, I came across C.S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series. I'm glad that I didn't read any of her books before I wrote mine, because we are creating characters for roughly the same time period (mine is set in 1815 while Ms. Harris' series begins a few years earlier). It's impossible not to have some similarities, and I would have been afraid of being influenced. However, after A Murder in Time was published, I read my first Sebastian St. Cyr mystery, and I am completely hooked! Ms. Harris has definitely become one of my favorite authors!

Speaking of time periods, if you found yourself suddenly catapulted to a new era, which one would you be crossing your fingers to find yourself in?

Oh, my gosh, that is an excellent question, and a tough one! I always enjoyed reading Regency romances because that time period seemed so elegant and well-mannered. And I still enjoy reading Regency romances, but after considerable research into that era, I think realistically it would be difficult for a modern woman. I value my independence, and it would be too hard to give that up. If I was forced into another era permanently, I'd take my chance on some unknown time period in the future. But if I could temporarily visit an era, I would like to check out the Victorian age in England. I also really loved Jules Verne's stories, and he made that era seem almost magical. I don't know if I could survive the women's fashions, though, with the bustle and corset, and button-up shoes!

Corsets are awful indeed! But perhaps we can look forward to some Victorian fiction from you in the future! In the meantime, can you give us a sneak peek at what's in the works? More Kendra Donovan?

It depends on how well A Twist in Time does, but I am working on a third book that continues Kendra's adventures. I can't say too much--the book is still mostly in my head--but there is a twist in it that I'm quite excited about! --Jessica Howard, blogger at Quirky Bookworm

Interview with Julie McElwain
Posted on April 8, 2016

I have the great pleasure and honor to introduce Julie McElwain to Layered Pages today, to talk with me about her book A Murder In Time. Julie is an award-winning journalist, who began her career as a business reporter at California Apparel News, a weekly Los Angeles-based fashion trade newspaper. She has freelanced for numerous publications from professional photographer’s magazines to those following the fashion industry. Currently, Julie is an editor for CBS 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.

Julie, please tell your audience about A Murder in time.

A Murder In Time is about FBI agent Kendra Donovan, who goes rogue after her present day mission is botched. In her quest for justice, she infiltrates a costume ball at Aldridge Castle in England. When she encounters an assassin, she escapes through a passageway and encounters a terrifying phenomenon, which transports her back to 1815.

You could say that Kendra’s modern senses clash with Regency England’s sensibilities. She’s initially mistaken for a lady’s maid, but is quickly demoted to a below-stairs maid. When the body of a young girl is found brutally murdered, Kendra realizes that a serial killer is on the loose. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra is forced to rely on her wits to unmask the murderer.

What are some of the courage and strengths of Kendra and possibly the isolation she may feel with these attributes?

As the offspring of two scientists who believed in positive eugenics, Kendra didn’t have a normal upbringing. Like an athlete, she spent her life “training” to excel in academics. Her intelligence has always set her apart from her peers, and made her feel isolated. She was only a young teenager when she went to college. Socially, she didn’t fit in with the older college students, which only made her feel more like a freak. When her parents abandoned her after she asserted her independence, Kendra was forced to develop a tough outer shell to survive. She became a loner, dedicated to proving herself in her chosen career, and deeply wary of emotional attachments because of her parents’ abandonment. As tragic as Kendra’s life was, I think it gave her the strength to deal with being transported to 1815, where she’s the ultimate outlier. I think a person with a more normal upbringing would have been driven insane or reduced to a quivering ball of fear!

What is the mood or tone your characters portrays and how does this affect the story?

There is a great deal of suspicion between Kendra and her nineteenth century counterparts, which adds to the tension. The Duke of Aldridge, Alec, and Sam Kelly are aware that Kendra lied about how she came to England. They have varying degrees of distrust. They also regard Kendra’s manners, speech patterns and behavior as peculiar, to say the least, but they put it down to her being an American. For her part, Kendra has a difficult time trusting them with her big secret, and that has her proceeding cautiously. And she worries about screwing up the space-time continuum, which is something she’s never had to worry about in her previous murder investigations for the FBI! She can’t help but be skeptical over this group’s contribution to the murder investigation. She was always more advanced than her peers, but with these people, she’s centuries more advanced. It’s not that she thinks she’s superior… but she kind of does. It will be a journey for her to reach a different conclusion.

Who are your five top antagonist? What motivates them?

Kendra’s father, Carl Donovan, is an early antagonist. He plays a small part in the overall story, but he is crucial in Kendra’s development as a human being. As a scientist, he prizes intellect above all else, and believes that Kendra stubbornly refused to live up to her potential. His black-and-white view always made Kendra feel unworthy, and therefore more determined to prove herself.

I consider Mrs. Danbury — the castle’s housekeeper — a wonderful antagonist. She’s like the Old Guard protecting the status quo. The world of aristocrats, servants, working class, and merchants is what she’s familiar with, and she finds Kendra’s bold behavior — her lack of deference to the hierarchy — to be bewildering and rather threatening.

I really don’t want to give away the murderer’s identity for someone who hasn’t read the book, so I will put the following men in the antagonist category, with Kendra bumping heads with each of them. Alec’s brother, Gabriel, is a self-pitying alcoholic. Mr. Harris is the youngest son of an earl, who was appointed the village vicar, a station that he thinks is beneath him. Mr. Morland lives in a nearby estate and is the local magistrate, whose chauvinistic attitude towards Kendra is typical of the era. Mr. Dalton is a former surgeon, who inherited a nearby estate, and is insulted to be considered a suspect in Kendra’s investigation. Finally, Captain Harcourt is Gabriel’s friend, and is hunting for an heiress to replenish his funds. All of these men are motivated to keep their secrets from coming to light. Of course, no one is more motivated than the murderer!

What inspired you for your main character to be an FBI agent?

I really wanted Kendra to be in some type of law enforcement. She needed to have a specialized skill set — the ability to read a crime scene, to understand criminal behavior, and to be able to defend herself. Being an FBI agent was very organic to the story, which involves a serial killer. But it also felt right, given Kendra’s background. Her parents are driven, ambitious scientists who are at the top of their field. While Kendra chose a different path, which led to a chasm between her and her parents, she is as ambitious and determined to prove herself, and wants to be at the top of her field. Being the youngest agent ever accepted by the Bureau certainly put her on that path!

Why did you choose 1815 for the period Kendra falls back in time too?

I’ve always found this period in history to be utterly fascinating. It parallels our own era in so many ways. The war with Napoleon had just ended and the Industrial Revolution was just beginning. New machines were taking away jobs, creating a lot of simmering tensions between the haves and have nots. It was a time of contrasts — with great wealth on one side, and terrible poverty on the other; a silliness in its celebrity culture and yet a seriousness in the political upheaval. Of course, I’m also a big Jane Austen fan, and have enjoyed reading romances set during this era… I just wanted to write a mystery that actually had a modern day heroine — sort of Jane Austen meets Criminal Minds.

Does Aldridge Castle really exist?

No, but I’ve traveled throughout England, Scotland and Ireland, and one of my favorite things to do is tour old castles and great estates. Aldridge Castle is an amalgam of many of the fantastic places that I’ve visited, including Dublin Castle, Kensington Palace and Leeds Castle, just to name a few.

How much research went into your story?

I did tons of research! I probably own every reference and history book on the time period. There are many wonderful blogs and websites by romance writers who specialize in the Regency era, which were invaluable. I also have a library of forensics books and police procedurals, and I did a lot delving into the subjects of quantum physics, wormholes, and string theory. This may be a piece of fiction, but it was important to me to be as accurate as possible.

What do you like most about writing a time travel story?

I really liked the idea of taking a smart, modern person and tossing them back in time. We have a tendency to think that we’re so much more intelligent than our ancestors. But if you take away our modern inventions, just how smart are we? Would we be able to survive? Once my DSL went out, and I was forced to use dial-up to get on the Internet for about a week. That darned near killed me! I loved putting someone as clever as Kendra, as self-sufficient and independent, in a world that was totally alien to her, and watching how she would cope.

The time travel element also allowed me to offer dual viewpoints. Kendra was as much a puzzle and an oddity to her nineteenth century counterparts as they were to her. I liked being able to view the early nineteenth century through modern eyes, while at the same time, look at our own twenty-first century culture through the lens of the nineteenth century. We don’t blink an eye anymore at using profanity in casual conversation, but that would have shocked and appalled most people in 1815.

Time travel is pivotal to the plot, but this is not a science fiction story. Of course, Kendra thinks about the mechanics of time travel — how could she not? — but I’m more interested in the human element, on how we’ve changed as a people… and how we’ve stayed the same.

Will there be a sequel?

It depends on how well A Murder In Time does, but I’m currently working on a sequel — so cross your fingers!

Who are your influences in writing?

I’m an avid reader, and am inspired by many authors. Some of my favorites are Karen Slaughter, Lisa Gardener, Tami Hoag, Tess Gerritsen, Nora Roberts, Dean Koontz, Lee Child, Ariana Franklin, Amanda Quick… the list goes on. I tend to be pretty eclectic in what I read, but I veer towards mysteries and thrillers. Let’s just say, I get motivated by anyone who can spin a good tale.

Where can readers buy your book?

Barnes & Noble and independent bookstores, as well as online retailers like Amazon.

Long time readers of my blog know that I love time travel novels. I personally feel like I was born in the wrong era so I compensate by reading books on time travel and hope that I stumble upon my own vortex and end up in the castle of an insanely handsome duke to be, who just happens to be single and makes me a duchess and showers me with glittering jewels, titles, lands, oh and love of course!

Wow, I digress…I got wrapped up in that daydream a little too much I think haha!

In the spirit of my daydreaming, I picked up the latest Kendra Donovan novel which just so happens to have striking similarities to my daydreaming :).

When Kendra Donovan’s plan to return to the 21st century fails, leaving her stranded in 1815, the Duke of Aldridge believes he knows the reason—she must save his nephew, who has been accused of brutally murdering his ex-mistress.

Former FBI agent Kendra Donovan’s attempts to return to the twenty-first century have failed, leaving her stuck at Aldridge Castle in 1815. And her problems have just begun: in London, the Duke of Aldridge’s nephew Alec—Kendra’s confidante and lover—has come under suspicion for murdering his former mistress, Lady Dover, who was found viciously stabbed with a stiletto, her face carved up in a bizarre and brutal way.

Lady Dover had plenty of secrets, and her past wasn’t quite what she’d made it out to be. Nor is it entirely in the past—which becomes frighteningly clear when a crime lord emerges from London’s seamy underbelly to threaten Alec. Joining forces with Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly, Kendra must navigate the treacherous nineteenth century while she picks through the strands of Lady Dover’s life.

As the noose tightens around Alec’s neck, Kendra will do anything to save him, including following every twist and turn through London’s glittering ballrooms, where deception is the norm—and any attempt to uncover the truth will get someone killed (summary from Goodreads).

I have conflicting opinions about this book which makes it hard to review. On one hand, I didn’t care for the perpetual telling and pointing out of the similarities between the past and present, or constantly being reminded that though time had passed, some things never changed. I felt like I was constantly being told and reminded that Kendra didn’t belong in that century but yet things weren’t really THAT different when you looked at them with a different perspective. I figured that out on my own so having the writing point it out all the time got annoying fast. But like with the first book, I just tried to accept it and move on, but unlike in the first book, this time I found it more irksome.

Then I still didn’t feel any chemistry between Alec and Kendra. I am not really sure why, but I just don’t feel like their love/attraction is any great shakes. I felt like Kendra spent a lot of time saying how she didn’t feel comfortable in the time period and like she didn’t belong, but yet she loved Alec….??? The only thing that I felt like she loved was the job. She is clearly an independent minded, career woman and I felt like the author spent a lot of time creating that persona, and then trying to add Alec in just didn’t work for me. I hoped the romance would improve in this novel but it didn’t. It felt unnatural and just off. And the same goes for him….he was like I love her but I don’t know why….and frankly I don’t know why either. I never got the sense that they were passionate about each other in the way that they both describe independently, so the romance rang false for me. But like the constant telling of things, I just accepted their flimsy romance and moved on.

And while I know this will sound stupid and petty, I feel the need to just put it out there–the name Kendra does NOT work for me in any way–present or past. It’s too modern of a name for the Regency era and stands out like a sore thumb and as for the modern era, it sounds too juvenile for an FBI agent. For some reason it just grates on my nerves. I would have preferred something like Elizabeth or even Angela…something that could have worked in both periods or shortened in a nickname to suit both. I know this is a small criticism and it probably sounds petty but it just bothered me.

So enough of the things that weren’t working for me, and on to the things that I liked.

The meat of the novel was really in the mystery. McElwain shines when it comes to writing a complex mystery and steering the reader down possible roads and then quickly diverting them to something completely different. A different suspect, a different motive, just all kinds of different things which I found exciting and it always kept me on my toes. I love that many people had motive and means in this novel. There was a lot of speculation cast on the Weston family and frankly everyone had motive and I loved trying to figure out who had more motive and the temperament for the murder.

But I think my favorite aspect of the novel was the victim. In many of the Regency/Victorian era murder mysteries that I’ve read the victim and their lives are scarcely examined or looked at beyond them obviously being a victim of a crime. Rarely do the ‘detective’ look at the victim’s lives or dealings or even their personalities. Mostly the investigation centers around motive and potential suspects or clues rather than the victim. In this book, the victim is unlikable and vicious. I could almost understand why someone would kill her in a rage and I LOVED that about this book. Her personal life, lifestyle, and motives were a significant part of the mystery and because of that I felt more invested in the story and mystery itself.

So there you have it…..a split on this one. There were things that I loved and things that just didn’t work but I’ll be honest, my dislikes didn’t hamper my reading. I was invested in the story and read it quickly. I found myself reading at every opportunity, so to me that’s the mark of a great read. Not to mention I spent a lot of time thinking about the suspects individually and trying to figure out who had the best motive and how everything fit together. And I especially liked how the mystery was solved.

Initially I would have said three stars for this one, however, I still felt like there were enough things that I liked about it to justify a four star rating. So I decided to split the difference and go with a 3.5 star rating. It’s a good story and it has unique qualities that set it apart from other Regency era mysteries, the profiling of the suspect being one of them. I would still recommend this series to friends even if there were things I didn’t like…..there’s always room for improvement in everything isn’t there :).

A Twist in Time by Julia McElwain is the 2nd book in the Kendra Donovan series, where—stranded in 1815—the former FBI agent must clear the name of the Duke of Aldridge's nephew, who has been accused of brutally murdering his ex-mistress.

I am a sucker for a novel featuring a strong female lead involved in law enforcement. Add some wibbly wobbly time travel and a good dose of feminism, and you have an irresistible combo. So when I first read Julia McElwain’s novel A Murder in Time, featuring the brilliant and prodigal FBI profiler Kendra Donovan, I knew I was in for a treat.

In McElwain’s 1st novel, Kendra goes on a rogue investigation that lands her (via wormhole) in 1815’s England. She finds herself wrapped up in the hunt for a serial killer. It was hard to wait a year to read McElwain’s follow up, A Twist in Time. Both novels are fairly long, but the 400-page length isn’t daunting. Once you get into the mystery, you want to experience Kendra’s world as long as you can.

McElwain doesn’t bog you down with historical details or lengthy descriptions, instead her series is filled with snappy dialogue and tense action scenes. A Murder in Time and A Twist in Time are shockingly fast-paced reads that are binge-able and fun. If the Outlander series were written by Lisa Gardner, this would be the result.

In Julie McElwain’s latest entry, A Twist in Time, we meet an irritated Kendra Donovan, whose attempt to get back to her own time has failed. When Duke of Aldridge's nephew is accused of murder, Kendra quickly shifts into FBI agent mode to clear his name. What follows is a fast-paced murder investigation throughout London.

Kendra is not the type to fantasize about a different life—or a different century—so she finds the idea of being stuck in 1815 vexing and, frankly, terrifying. Admittedly, Kendra has found a generous and adoring ally in the Duke of Aldridge, who has given her the new title of “ward to the Duke of Aldridge.” Kendra is now considered English gentry and must get a new wardrobe and maid to match.

Kendra also finds a confidant in the Duke’s nephew, who soon become her lover, adding some spice and passion to the seemingly cold Kendra. The scenes with Alec showcase Julie McElwain’s skill as a writer and punctuate Kendra’s otherness. It is clear how much Alec loves Kendra, but Kendra fights her attraction to him. Alec is constantly asking Kendra to marry him, and even though Kendra postpones her wormhole experiments to clear Alec’s name and even risks her life for him, Kendra keeps reminding Alec that her time with him is only temporary.

McElwain makes Alec pretty hard to resist, so it is a little hard to believe that Kendra doesn’t just take him up on his offer. But it is clear how seriously Kendra takes her job as criminal profiler, and love would only be a distraction. Kendra’s reliance on both of these men is a distressing reminder of how different life is in the 19th century.

Kendra quickly realizes that her investigation is significantly hindered by stereotypes and etiquette of the era. She must learn about their strange class system that requires calling cards, proper introductions, and, well, a husband. Kendra often seems whiny and aggravated by these obstacles of class and gender. But Kendra is a highly intelligent, badass FBI agent; it has to be completely frustrating to have her power taken away. Throughout the entire novel, Kendra fights against misconceptions of her sex. She has to prove herself to everyone she meets and teach those around her not to underestimate women.

The road bumps in the investigation constantly reminded Kendra that this isn’t a dream and that she is now actually living in the 19th century.

“I was the youngest recruit at Quantico. You know that. I’m damn good at what I do … did. Shit.”

Through bold and crass language Julia McElwain uses to describe Kendra’s frustration makes it very clear.

Son of a bitch.

“Yer only a woman,” someone muttered.

Kendra leveled a stare at the man. “Correction, asshole. I’m an excellent shot.”

This jarring use of swears constantly pull you out of the time period, and perhaps that is the point. It is a reminder that Kendra isn’t where she belongs. Kendra’s brash mannerisms and ignorance of social customs shock the 19th-century inhabitants—luckily and hilariously they shrug off her behavior because she is simply a “vulgar American.”

The murder mystery in A Twist In Time is not as well put together as in A Murder in Time, but it is a propulsive read. While A Murder in Time made me want to travel along with Kendra, solving cases in any century she finds herself, A Twist in Time brought out a very different woman. Kendra’s shock at being stuck in the 19th century turned to complete annoyance, and every action was like she is only going through the motions until she could get back to her own century.

To that end, the biggest flaw of the book (other than some historical inaccuracies) is that Kendra never again makes plans or attempts to go back to her own time. Even though Kendra often talks about trying to find a way back to the future, there is no further attempts to do so and the prelude of the FBI trying to find Kendra is not brought up again. Despite its flaws, Julie McElwain’s A Twist in Time is a tense page-turner with an excellent dose of feminism, social commentary, and badassery.

A 21st century FBI agent, Kendra Donovan, finds herself trapped in the early 19th century. Don’t ask me how she got there. I did not read book one. But she is there and she has skills. FBI-investigative, criminal-profiling, super-sleuthing skills that can come in handy in any century. The problem is, in 1815 England, women do not solve murder mysteries.

There is a solution though. Somehow, (in book one) Kendra ended up in the company of the Duke of Aldridge. So while the Duke acts like he investigates crimes, Kendra can do all actual work. I could make all sorts of gender-based observations here, but I will let you read into that what you will. Suffice it to say, the arrangement works, even if Kendra’s actions are often frowned upon by just about all the other characters in the book.

One more thing. The Duke’s nephew, Alec, has a thing for Kendra. The feeling is mutual, though Kendra tries to deny it.

The scene is set. Murder occurs. There are many suspects. The suspect list includes Alec, which gives the Duke a reason to poke his nose into the investigation, thereby allowing Kendra to poke her nose also. Kendra spends the rest of the book solving the crime.

This book is crammed with 19th century English words and phrases. So much so, compared to other historical fiction I’ve read, that I often wondered if it was overdone. Sometimes it was a bit distracting, but always educational – after I did a bit of research. Kendra’s occasional use of 21st century idioms equally confuses the 19th century characters.

It is very evident throughout the story that it is all about Kendra, a 21st century heroine stuck a 19th century setting. Lack of modern forensic tools frustrates her. The local attitude towards females frustrates her. But perhaps the most frustrating aspect of her situation is the desire to go home to her own time conflicting with her feelings for a man of 1815. Kendra is a complex character and is fascinating to read about. Compared to Kendra, the other characters in the book are straight-forward and therefore, less interesting. However, the Duke, Alec and Kendra’s friend Rebecca have their roles to play, and, as what appears to be regular characters in this series, will have their own opportunities to grow.

For historical mystery, A Twist in Time is one of the best. The twist of time travel adds depth to the story as well as further intrigue. Will Kendra ever figure out how to go home? As the reader, do I want her to? I think I like her right where she is, solving 18th century mysteries with her 20th century knowledge.

I will leave you with a few of those 19th century phrases that caught my eye in A Twist in Time. Maybe you can find a way to use them in conversation today!

stuck her spoon in the wall
French leave
barking irons
live in each other’s pockets
made a cake of himself

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Pegasus Books, in exchange for an honest review.

If you are tired of reading typical mystery novels, A Twist In Time by Julie McElwain might be the remedy. The author has used the time-travel theme and combined it with thriller plots featuring her FBI heroine to create a series of entertaining novels which for sure keep you up at night.

A Twist In Time is the new installment in this series although the book can be read as a standalone novel: In previous book, Murder In Time, we meet the beautiful and brilliant Kendra Donovan who is a rising star at the FBI. While fleeing from an unexpected assassin, 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.

In the new installment, Kendra’s plan to return to the twenty-first century fails and she remains stranded at Aldridge Castle in 1815. At the same time, in London, the Duke of Aldridge’s nephew Alec has come under suspicion of murdering his former mistress Lady Dover. The matter is delicate as Alec is Kendra’s confident and lover. Lady Dover is found viciously stabbed with a stiletto and her face is carved up in a bizarre and brutal way.

Lady Dover had plenty of secrets, and her past wasn’t quite what she’d made it out to be – which becomes frighteningly clear when a crime lord emerges from London’s seamy underbelly to threaten Alec. Kendra decides to put her time-travel plans on pause and help Alec with the situation.

Don’t expect a literary masterpiece because this book isn’t one. Having said that, the novel and the series in general have plenty to offer: A captivating plot, an easy language which makes reading experience go smoothly, and a host of interesting characters.

If you want something entertaining, this is a good pick!

A Twist in Time felt pretty different to me than the first installment. Kendra is slowly having to accept that she isn’t going to be going back to the 21st Century anytime soon. This leads to hurt feelings between her and Alec, because she desperately wants to go back to her own time and of course he wants her to stay. This is hard for Kendra, because she values her freedom and independence and this time doesn’t allow her to have either. She is completely dependent on the men who care for her, and while they are not horrible people they are a product of their time, and she really struggles with this. I know some other reviews have mentioned that it seemed repetitive because Kendra thought about it all the time. I don’t, because I think in that situation as a woman, that is what I would be focused on. It would be awful to have to trust that you will be taken care of by a man. Even if they’re not horrible we have the freedom to be independent in the 21st century, and I know I would have focused on that too.

The writing was well-paced and action packed. I genuinely enjoyed the mystery, and the plot development was incredible. Julie McElwain does a fantastic job of blending the classes and the mystery with Kendra Donovon’s 21st century attitude. It makes for an engaging read, it also is helpful to readers I think because we are getting introduced to the social structure the same way Kendra is. It makes it easier to understand the plot.

This book’s ending though made my heart hurt, it was so sad that the social class structure was so rigid that it caused someone to go to such extreme measures. What hurt most was that the killer was a product of the society, and no one seemed to recognize that except for Kendra. I thought the whole story was tragic. Overall I would give it 4 out of 5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who likes historical romance and mysteries.

Julie McElwain’s newest novel is A Twist in Time, part of the Kendra Donovan Mysteries series.

Former FBI agent Kendra Donovan’s efforts to return to the 21st century fail, leaving her stranded in 1815. Her protector, the Duke of Aldridge, believes it’s because she must help save his nephew, Alec, who’s been accused of brutally murdering his mistress.

The trail of the bizarre murder—Lady Dover was found stabbed with a stiletto, her face carved—leads straight to the Ton, London’s elite class, where things are never as they seem. As Kendra uncovers Lady Dover’s relationships with various men, sordid details about her past also emerge, leading a crime boss to threaten Alec. Now Kendra must learn the truth about the murder—before Alec is found guilty of a crime he didn’t commit.

A Twist in Time was an entertaining, fun read. I have not read the first book in the series, but I would, gladly. Kendra is a great character—tough, smart, and independent—stuck in a society where women are treated like property incapable of intelligent thought. I cannot imagine her frustration with the culture and with society, but the similarities she finds to modern times are disturbing, showing that our culture is not necessarily the better of the two.

Kendra Donovan is a crack FBI agent—or was, until she fell through a time anomaly and wound up in 1815 London. Her attempts to return to the present have so far failed, and she’s become, officially, the ward of the scientifically-minded Duke of Aldridge (no, he’s not the hero; he’s old enough to be her father, sorry), who knows the truth about her life in the future. To most people in 1815, Kendra is an odd, outspoken American. But to the Duke’s nephew and heir, Alec, Kendra’s the woman he loves. Alec wants her to stay in 1815 and marry him. But, although she’s attracted to Alec, Kendra has refused to give up trying to return home.

Kendra’s modern forensic skills proved useful when she caught a serial killer near Aldridge Castle. Now, she must use those skills again, in London, for Alec’s former lover, Lady Dover, has been brutally murdered, and Alec is blamed for the crime. With no professional backup but a Bow Street Runner and the Duke, Kendra must find Lady Dover’s killer before Alec is either indicted by the House of Lords or murdered by one of Lady Dover’s other lovers. For Lady Dover was far from a perfect lady, and more than one person had a compelling reason to want her dead.

A Twist in Time is an engrossing, enjoyable book. Kendra’s struggles with the manners and mores of London Society in 1815 are both amusing and grimly serious, and she isn’t willing to throw over her own time and life just because Alec is super-hot. There are a few historical glitches, such as mauve clothing (a color invented in 1856). But the book is fast and fun to read, and watching a modern FBI agent try to solve crimes without any 21st-century tech to help is intriguing.

I am really fascinated in time-travel stories. Alas, often times they do not appeal to me. However, McElwain’s Kendra Donavan’s time travel is convincing and vivid. In A Murder in Time, FBI Agent Kendra has a disastrous raid where many members of her team is murdered and she uncovers a mole in the agency. She flees from the assassin and is pulled back in time…to the early nineteenth century. Then things from there get really interesting….

I was so delighted when the second book, A Twist in Time was available for reviewers to pick up. I was anxiously waiting to read about Kendra and the supporting characters again. What a wonderful cast of mixed characters. I love the central story-line and how the characters face the challenges together in solving the crime. There are also class distinctions in the story and I found that story-line intertwined intriguingly and blends perfectly with the main plot.

In England during that time there was no real police force in place. Only a loose network of constables, magistrates, sheriffs, bailiffs, bow street runners and watchmen. Then there was the class system-as I mentioned above-that made questioning peers and their servants about on-going investigations and murder difficult. People seemed to be appalled that a peer could commit such a heinous act. That is brilliantly told in this story.

I believe the plot came together nicely and there was strong character development. Which is vital in storytelling. The profanity is lesser in this book than the first and I was appreciative of that fact.

I do recommend reading the first book before diving into this one. I rated this book four stars and I do hope there will be another Kendra Donavon story.

A TWIST IN TIME by Julie McElwain narrated by Lucy Rayner is the second novel in the Kendra Donovan series. Once again we are transported to 1815. Kendra finds herself working to solve another murder mystery. A TWIST IN TIME was a stronger novel than its predecessor and offering an engaging case and character development.

For those that are new to the series, Kendra Donovan a twenty-first century FBI profiler finds herself stuck in 1815 London when she enters a secret passage in Aldridge Castle. Attempts to return thus far have failed but let’s just say life in the 1800s is proving to be anything but boring.

Kendra’s position once again improves as the Duke of Aldridge takes steps to protect her. The Duke and his nephew Alec are aware of Kendra’s secret, so when Alec falls under suspicion for the murder of Lady Dover, his former Mistress, the Duke and Kendra rush off to London to investigate.

It was delightful seeing Kendra once again deal with the standards of the eighteenth century, particularly for women and boy does she create a wave of dropped jaws throughout London. Our kickass agent even manages to drop the F-bomb on more than one occasion. Undercover agent she is not!

The case was a rather exciting one that brought them into the crosshairs of a street gang. It even had them attending balls and entering the homes of the upper echelon of society. These poor folks were so unaccustomed to being questions, let alone by a woman. Of course, the Duke is there to ease the way. Kendra had to adjust to a ladies maid, escort, and eighteenth-century women’s apparel!

Twists, turns and near death experiences created some darker moments for the case. I loved the interactions with Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly and a few street children. Kendra continues to astound her new friends and allies as she manhandles thugs, saves lives and pieces clues together. McElwain had me holding my breath during some intense scenes even as I laughed aloud at the reactions from those witnessing Kendra in action.

The romance between Kendra and Alex continues to develop, but Kendra still has her heart set on returning to her time. I am quite anxious to see how their relationship will unfold given what occurs in A TWIST IN TIME. I like Alex, but he is quite subdued the exact opposite of Kendra.

Lucy Rayner continues to narrate this series, and if you remember I struggled with her male voices in A MURDER IN TIME, but whether I grew used to it, or they improved it wasn’t as bad this go round. I loved her voices for some of the new characters and admired her ability to go back and forth between high society and the lower class.

A TWIST IN TIME was engaging and well paced. While the audio is over sixteen hours in length, it went by rather quickly. I found I wasn’t quite ready to travel back. The climatic ending wasn’t rushed and was followed by some developments in the overall arc that have me eager to return.

Following A Murder in Time, a 2016 Library Reads favorite, McElwain’s latest finds FBI agent Kendra Donovan still stuck in a corset in 1815 London. She has shared the secret of her slip through time with the Duke of Aldridge and remains under his protection. Also needing his protection is the Duke’s handsome nephew Alec, who is suspected of murdering his former mistress. Kendra tries to launch a twenty-first-­century-style investigation in a world where she’s not even allowed to travel unchaperoned. She is aided in her search by Bow Street Runner Sam Kelly. They discover that Lady Dover led a complex, secretive life, and that the young widow was three months pregnant at the time of her death. Fans of regency-era mysteries by C. S. Harris and Sheri Cobb South will enjoy the setting and Kendra’s contemporary take on High Society’s rigid rules of conduct.