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The Killing Time

the bestselling new Ali Dawson Mystery – from the author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries

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The Killing Time

By: Elly Griffiths
Narrated by: Julie Maisey
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About this listen

 The instant Sunday Times bestseller

SOME MURDERS CAN'T BE SOLVED IN JUST ONE LIFETIME.

A mysterious death. A Victorian psychic. A case for Ali Dawson and the Frozen People.

'Warm and engaging characters and a wildly brilliant story wittily told' Ann Cleeves

'A thriller that is full of zest and joy' Nicci French

Ali Dawson is a police detective who leads a unit that investigates cases so cold her team must travel to the distant past to solve them. But Ali and the team haven't been allowed to time-travel ever since their technical expert, Jones, got stuck in Victorian London.

To distract herself, Ali looks into a present-day case - an apparent suicide of a young man who fell to his death from a high building. She believes the death is linked to a psychic medium called Barry Power, who convinced the boy he could fly. Ali goes to one of Power's shows where he claims to be in contact with Jones.

When Ali notices that evening that her cat, Terry, has gone missing, she decides to go back in time just long enough to prevent Terry from escaping through his open cat flap. A dangerous plan which backfires, and she finds herself once more in Victorian London, where she meets Jones, as well as Power . . .

'Elly Griffiths has done it again. Warm, witty and outrageously believable' Sarah Hilary

'Ali Dawson is a delight - a detective you'll want to spend more time with' JP Delaney

'Ali Dawson could be the most fun time-travelling detective since Dirk Gently' Chris Brookmyre

A Sunday Times bestseller w/c 16 Feb 2026©2026 Elly Griffiths Crime Thrillers Fantasy Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Exciting Witty Cats England Time Travel

Critic Reviews

Elly Griffiths has done it again. The Killing Time is a deft and compelling detective story with the added frisson of time travel. Warm, witty and outrageously believable. I loved it
Ali Dawson could be the most fun time-travelling detective since Dirk Gently
Warm and engaging characters and a wildly brilliant story wittily told; I loved this
Joyously inventive, totally original, filled with warmth, humanity and fun. Ali Dawson is a delight - a detective you'll want to spend more time with
Here's a paradox: a thriller that is full of zest and joy
A gripping sequel to The Frozen People that I could read time and time again
Beautifully written, this is a novel to savour
Another cracking good story which will garner yet more fans for this deservedly popular author
Good fun
A warm, witty and compelling mystery featuring an intelligent and resourceful protagonist as well as a delightful dip into stylish 1850s London life
One of our favourite crime writers is back
Memorable. Thrilling
Yet again Elly Griffiths delivers clever plotting, sharp humour and memorable characters in an atmospheric series that blends police procedural with time travel thrills. Fans of intelligent mysteries and quicky characters will be captivated by Ali Dawson
We've been eagerly anticipating this, the gripping second book. Thrilling
If the thought of time travel puts you off, don't let it. The Killing Time is a real-page turner with great characters and a wonderful plot
All stars
Most relevant
An intriguing and well-written novel about time travelling between the Victorian era and the present time. It is excellently performed by Julie Maisey - a single narrator, which is how I prefer to listen to my audiobooks.

Well written and intriguing.

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I can’t wait until the next in the series. Normally, I would not be interested in time changing books that I have enjoyed Ellie Griffiths other books so I took my chances. also enjoyed little snippets of history that she weaves into the story.

Easy and enjoyable listening.

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