A review by elise_is_writing
The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I love this series. It's unapologetically fun and clever, while also touching on tough subjects — murder, duh, but also the challenges marginalized communities and individuals face in Victorian Scotland AND in the 21st century. Some of those conversations feel heavy-handed and occasionally come across as some kind of virtue signalling, but I do appreciate that the author doesn't shy away from them. Aside from that, it's what you'd expect from a serial murder mystery, just with a touch of time travel. Also, I spy a ruthless slow-burn in this series, and by ruthless I mean we're at the end of book two and the most we've seen is an innocent moment of comforting hand-holding.

Victorian sensibilities indeed.