2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Jill Elizabeth has read 1 book toward her goal of 285 books.
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2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Jill Elizabeth has read 5 books toward her goal of 265 books.
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Book Review: A Twist in Time by Julie McElwain

What an extraordinary series this is! I read the first book last year as part of the Library Reads program – when I saw the sequel on here, I jumped at the chance to request it… McElwain writes a brilliant tale – the characters are a delightful mix of eccentricity and relatable humanity; the setting is gorgeously painted; the plot and mysteries are well-woven and engaging.

I am a sucker for time-travel, so she had me from the get-go. Add to that a very strong, compelling heroine and a supporting cast that resonates with familiarity yet never feels stereotyped or stale, and you have the beginning of something grand. This second book sees our fearless heroine, Kendra, still a resident of Aldridge Castle – and once again drawn into a murder that she is uniquely positioned to help solve. The ongoing challenges she faces as she tries to force her modern, American, sensibilities and crime-solving techniques into Regency England are very well handled. Her frustration is palpable, and her restraint more than admirable – even if she, herself, might feel it is not as well managed as she (or those around her) would like… The love interest plot line (if you haven’t read the first book, I don’t want to spoil anything, so won’t say more) is delicately managed and doesn’t distract – or detract – from the mystery or the history, which is nice. Too often, authors seem to try to blend too many genres; McElwain manages to make this a time traveling historical fiction police procedural with a romantic under-core – without over- or under-playing any of those elements. No small feat, that… It helps that her writing style is so engaging and her stories so eminently readable – these are books you jump into with both feet, and ones you hate to see end… I cannot wait to see where Kendra’s tale goes next, and truly hope there are many more books to come!

My review copy was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

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