BOOK: THE HIGHGATE CEMETERY MURDER
AUTHOR: IRINA SHAPIRO
PUB DATE: 29th FEBRUARY 2023
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REVIEW- 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Wow! What a wonderful book. I loved everything about this book (except a little part). It was perfect! And I'm happy I liked it because I love this trope.
I loved the storyline, solving of crime, and the complexities of the characters. Just perfect!
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What I loved most was how Inspector Bell solved the crime. He was very, very good. He literally turned all the stones involved in the case. He asked all the necessary questions and went anywhere just to solve this case. And he was battling his own demons, although I don't agree with his coping mechanism. But, I'm glad he's got his life back on track by the time I reached the end of the book. I commend his expertise.
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I liked the fmc, Gemma Tate, but i'd have loved to see more of her. That's my only dissatisfaction with the book. I hope this will be remedied in the next book. Nevertheless, I liked the scenes where she was, her intelligence and personality. I liked her and would love to see more of her. I sympathized with her because of the death of her brother.
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The murder case was well solved. I didn't even guess who the culprit was. I was surprised and disgusted. But, I commend the author's good writing
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My favorite part of this book was the mention of Islam, Muslims, and the Quran. I've read a lot of historical. This is the first time I'll read something like this, and I'm happy with the representation. Thank you!
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This book was very good and I'd love to read more books in the series. It was that good

First time reading this author and the book is a little darker than what I usually read (cozies). That being said, I enjoyed the book and will look for others by the author.
The mystery kept me guessing and I liked the characters.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It is 1858 in London and Gemma Tate has recently returned to England from Crimea where she trained as a nurse under Florence Nightingale. When ahe learns that her twin brother has fallen under the wheels of an omnibus and has died, she is grief-stricken. The police are convinced it was a tragic accident but, after reading his notebook, she is sure he was murdered. She takes the notebook to Scotland Yard, determined to convince the detective in charge of the investigation and to offer her help.

Detective Sebastian Bell has developed an addiction to opium after a personal tragedy and is just barely holding onto his job. When he is assigned a new case of a gruesome murder in the Highgate Cemetery, he knows that, if he doesn’t solve it and quickly, he’ll be finished at the Yard. When it is discovered that the victim is the daughter of a Viscount, the odds against him grow even higher. When Gemma shows him the notebook, he realizes that the two murders are linked and that her brother has left cryptic clues to the murder’s identity if only he can figure out their meaning. Grudgingly, Sebastian accepts her offer of help and the two form an uneasy alliance to find the killer.

The Highgate Cemetery Murder is the first book in a new historical mystery series by Irina Shapiro and it is very compelling but also very dark. I was sucked into the story from the first page. Gemma and Sebastian are both interesting and likeable and I found myself caring about them.

However, it must be noted that this is definitely not a fun easy read. The author does an amazing job of showing attitudes towards women, especially nurses, in Victorian England as well as contrasting the horrors of the slums with the opulences of the upper classes. The murders are gruesome and there is a great deal of extreme violence including gang rape. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the denouement was shocking.

Overall, I found this to be a real pageturner and look forward to reading future books in this series. But I would suggest that people should be aware of how dark parts of it are and consider that before picking it up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review

The Highgate Cemetery Murder is an excellent Victorian London murder mystery. The prologue hooked me in even before Gemma Tate or Sebastian Bell had made an appearance in the book. Irina Shapiro is a new to me author but this story sold me on her stories. However at first meeting, I wasn’t sure I was going to like the tortured soul hero Sebastian Bell but this character brought out feelings of sympathy that had me pulling for him to beat his demons. Gemma Tate is the perfect no nonsense practical partner for him in solving this mystery.

An impressive, captivating read that kept me guessing until the end. From the elite rich to the down and out, readers get a front row look at London during this time. To bring justice for the dead is not easy task but these two despite their personal struggles strive to do that. Simply a wonderfully plotted and masterfully written story.

Fans of Kerrigan Bryne’s Fiona Mahoney Mysteries, Deanna Raybourn, and Anne Perry will enjoy The Highgate Cemetery Murder. Like me, other fans will find that they now have a new favorite author.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one! I always love a historical murder mystery. I think the author did a great job of balancing the character introductions and development with the investigation of the murder. The pace was perfect too, I never felt like it moved to slowly or to quick to make important connections. I really like both Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell, I think they have a good dynamic to build a series around. The cast of supporting characters is strong too. I'm looking forward to the second book, too bad we have to wait until this summer!

The Highgate Cemetery Murder - Irina Shapiro

In 1858 journalist Victor Tate died under the wheels of an omnibus. He had just seen the body of a woman murdered in Highgate Cemetery left in appalling circumstances. Was he pushed because of what or who he had seen?

When Victor's sister, Gemma (previously a nurse in the Crimea) was told of her brothers death she was convinced he had been murdered and his notebook hinted of it. When she tried to convince the police of this she was ejected from the police station and it wasn't until Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard started investigating the murder of the woman in the cemetery that he came across Gemma's suspicions and together they combined forces to solve the two murders.

Sebastian grieving the death of his wife had become addicted to alcohol and opium so needed to pull himself together to prove he was good at his job and prevent being fired. When the identity of the young woman becomes known, Sebastian has to mix with the aristocracy to solve the murder as well as investigate several other women who had been attacked in much the same way as the murder victim to pull the case together.

The first of the Tate and Bell books and a great start to a new Victorian murder series. The book was detailed and authentic and very atmospheric. The development of the two main characters is going to be great to read about in follow up novels. As a fan of Victorian murder stories this is another to add to must reads.

A great start to a new series.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

1858. The body of Hon. Miss Adelaide Seaborne, is discovered in Highgate cemetery by Victor Tate, minutes later Tate is dead. The police conclude that his death is an accident. Inspector Sebastian Bell is assigned the case of Adelaide, while twin sister Gemma Tate investigates the death of Victor.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of “The Highgate Cemetery Murder.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Two people with wounded souls come together to solve a sordid tale of depravity (there’s no nice way to put it) and death in “The Highgate Cemetery Murder,” the first book in a new series by historical mystery author Irina Shapiro (her Redmond and Haze series should also be on your reading list).

The time is 1858 London, and Gemma Tate is a spinster visiting nurse/companion, and it’s her beloved brother’s suspicious death that forms the catalyst for her involvement in our tale. Because of demanding that his death not go uninvestigated (involving the misogyny and prejudice common to the time), she comes in contact with Inspector Sebastian Bell, who’s investigating the horrific murder of a young woman found hanging from a monument in Highgate Cemetery. And when it’s found that the dead girl is actually the daughter of a viscount, the case takes on high calibre significance.

What readers will find here is an experienced author crafting living, breathing characters and descriptions. Sebastian Bell has some real trauma in his life, not easy to read about, and he’s trying to dull the agony with drugs. Gemma Tate is mourning the loss of her last family member. Together these two will work together, first on the “case,” and then on themselves.

There are elements of class, racism, and religious prejudices that the author includes as the plot twists and turns. But Inspector Bell begins to put the pieces together as he discovers earlier crimes, crimes that were ignored. Readers will be as enraged as he is by the knowledge that these victims were overlooked because the women were considered of no account.

Finally, he has his solution, and in some very graphic paragraphs author Shapiro has the inspector explain it all. They have their criminal, even if the inspector suffers for the arrest. At least Gemma offers to nurse him, and Sebastian agrees to let her.

“The Highgate Cemetery Murder” is not an easy read; it is not a cozy mystery whereby bodies are set amongst the tea and crumpets. It will make you think about how privilege and money can (almost) let you get away with murder, because no one wants to believe the lower-class victims. And lastly, it introduces two new characters in Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell, who make an excellent detecting team, and I look forward to future books.

I found this to be an engrossing read. I did like the characters of Gemma Tate and Superintendent Sebastian Bell. Gemma was a strong and determined woman, she had experienced hard times in her work as a nurse. Sebastian, also, had his personal problems and his job was on the line, if he didn’t solve this murder. So quite a bit of pressure as well. I liked how they worked together to solve the case, although Sebastian was wary of involving Gemma in a possible dangerous situation. There are a number of possible perpetrators and although I had guessed who was responsible, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this story. I will certainly look out for the next in this series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Highgate Cemetery Murder is the first instalment in a new historical mystery series that is set in 1958, in Victorian London, featuring Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell. We embark into a world full of intrigues and suspense with danger and secrets that are being uncover in every corner.

The writing is simply amazing, and the plot is so full of twists and turns making it so interesting and impossible to put down. Tate and Bell are unlikely companions, navigating their own demons while they join forces, and I must say we could feel the tension between them. I cannot wait to see how their relationship develops.

Overall, this is an amazing book, especially for those who enjoys a historical mystery. We have amazing characters with such an intricate plot that can make you feel the atmosphere of it and keep you on the edge until it’s over. It is a dark story and can be a bit too much for sensible readers but it’s so good at the crime solving.

Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Murder most foul!

A murder screams from the newspapers headlines. Not only because it’s bizarre, but it garners even more attention when the victim’s identity is revealed. A young society heiress, the Honorable Miss Adelaide Seaborne, daughter of the Viscount Dalton and granddaughter of the Earl of Caledon. Adelaide did not die easily.
Up until Inspector Sebastian Bell is put on the case the young woman’s been dismissed as a doxy, not worth police time.
Sebastian’s superior tasks him with solving the murder yesterday. He’s beginning to suspect his days with Scotland Yard might be numbered. Sebastian has been taking opium to counter a personal sorrow. Now he’s been given an unsolvable case. He’s toying with the idea of applying to the Pinkerton Agency as an investigator. A move to America is looking more and more attractive.
Gemma Tate was a nurse during Crimea. No stranger to death and more. When she receives the news that her twin brother, a journalist, was killed in an accident, crushed by an omnibus she’s bereft.
However on perusing Victor’s notebook she begins to suspect he was murdered, and that it’s related to the graveyard killing.
These two unlikely characters, Bell and Tate join forces to find the killer.
A dark mystery set in Victorian London. Atmospheric and urgent. The dénouement is shocking.
Rereading parts whilst considering my review I actually upped the stars from 4 to 5
After all who doesn’t love a tragic, occasional opium seeking hero trying to drown his memories in whatever release afforded, as he attempts to solve cases with integrity and diligence.
And by the same token, our heroine has faced unimaginable hours on the war front and given very little in the way of thanks or acknowledgment once home. Finding her brother’s killer gives her purpose.
An excellent pairing of characters. I’m looking forward to more from these two.

A Storm ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is the first book by Irina Shapiro that I’ve read and I can’t wait to dive into her other works after this. Her writing style was easy to follow and kept me interested with the suspense and intricately crafted dark historical mystery. I haven’t picked up a mystery book in a while so this was a sweet treat back into the genre.

The story takes places in a London in the Victorian era. A woman was found dead at high gate cemetery in a gruesome display with a heart strung around her body. A journalist, Victor finds the body and runs franticly away from the scene. His intentions were to report the crime but also to escape from the ominous silhouette that seems to be tailing him. Later on, the journalist is found dead. Gemma, a nurse and Victor’s sister believes his death wasn’t an accident. Victor is all to careful of a person to end up run over and the notepad he left behind seems all too suspicious. The police inspector assigned to the murder case of the woman is walking on thin ice. He is plagued by addiction due to grief and will be let off if he doesn’t solve this murder.

I loved Gemma’s and Sebastian’s dynamic as they tackle on this murder case. You get to watch their relationship blossom while following along this mystery filled journey. This isn’t a negative on how the author wants to move the plot but as the story progresses, I hope the two main leads stay as friends instead of love interests showing that two people of the opposite can remain good friends and still have a fulfilling life. Its just a preference and I’ll still enjoy the story nonetheless.

I loved that it wasn’t just a mystery book. You get to watch these flawed characters fight their demons and develop with the help of each other. But the story wasn’t really as balanced as I would have liked (character pov wise). Gemma was on the sidelines most of the time compared to Sebastian. I wanted her to contribute more to the case like Watson does for Holmes but I understand that the author wanted to remain authentic with the time period where gender discrimination was heavier compared to present day.

Thank you netgallery, publisher and Irina Shapiro for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

My first read from Irina Shapiro and I have to say, it won't be my last!
This was a gritty and often dark book that is beautifully written in a very historically accurate way.
I enjoyed the characters and thought that the main protagonists were strong and beautifully flawed. I can smell a sequel and can't wait to read it and see the circumstances that Sebastian and Gemma find themselves in.
As far as crime novels go, it was as violent and often gruesome as they go but not overly so, and the historical context highlighted how it was back then for people of different classes and social standards.
I appreciated Sebastians work ethic and the fact that it didn't waver even though he was dealing with people of all backgrounds. Cotton needs his comeuppance and I'd love to see Colin with a sweetheart... just my thoughts for a sequel!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Gemma Tate's life it turned upside down when her brother is killed in an accident, ran over by an omnibus. At first Gemma believes Victor's death is nothing more than that what it appears to be, that is until she discovers that he had been the person to stumble upon a gruesome murder at Highgate Cemetery leaving notes in his notebook that was concerned he was being followed immediately after his discovery. Determined to bring justice to her deceased brother Gemma turns to Sebastian, a disgraced detective at Scotland Yard who has spent most of the last three years smoking away his own sorrows in London's opium dens. As the lead detective in the murder of the Highgate Angel, the name London's press has bestowed upon the young murder victim he and Gemma embark on mission to ensure that both Victor and The Highgate Angel's find the justice they deserve.

The Highgate Cemetery Murder was a well done period murder mystery with very generic for the genre but extremely likable characters. While I wouldn't say this was groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination the mystery was well thought out and while not as fast paced as I usually enjoyed still kept up a steady momentum and had just enough twists to keep the reader engaged.

I do have one small complaint though. Some of the dialogue felt a little off. When the killer is being grilled by Sebastian and his boss he's supposed to come across as this rich kid that thinks he's gonna get off because he's a member of the ton, but honestly I never felt the level of entitlement that not only would have made the character more realistic but I would have felt a little more satisfied with the ending. Conversations between Gemma and Sebastian are supposed to come across as restrained and awkward as well when they first meet but I never got that feeling either. Silences described as strained actually seem like comfortable pauses between two people trying to navigate conversation after both of them have suffered considerable losses.

Overall, I found this to be a solid first book and a decent entry into the period mystery genre and would definitely recommend it for fans of The Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles and the Sebastian St. Cyr series.

As always thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the eArc!

This is the first book in a new series. I thought it was really good! It’s fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I liked Gemma and look forward to the next one in this series. It’s a page turner!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This was not the best historical mystery I've read, nor was it the worst. I unfortunately didn't connect with the characters and the mystery was a lot more gruesome than I expected. I wish that there was even a spark of brightness here for balance, but it felt like every character was miserable and depressed and/or grieving a devastating loss, which, combined with the grisly details of the murder, made the tone darker than I prefer. I may or may not pick up the second book if I find out there's some kind of light at the end of the tunnel for our main characters, but this was a miss for me.

Retail reviews live on release date.

It was 1858 when journalist Victor Tate visited the grave of his wife at London's Highgate Cemetery. The horrific sight of a young woman hanging on a cross saw him leave at a run, but not before he saw a man near the woman. Writing frantically in his notebook as he rode the omnibus, he was alighting when he fell. Some hours later, his sister, Gemma Tate, was visited by a policeman to advise of Victor's accident and death. Devastated, as it was only the two of them left, she wondered how she'd cope in the future. Gemma had nursed in the Crimea, alongside her mentor, Florence Nightingale, and not a lot shocked her anymore.

Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard was still grieving the death of his wife and to his shame, had taken to alcohol and opium to dull the pain. He knew he needed to pull himself out of it as he would lose his job if he didn't. The case that landed on his desk of the young woman brutally murdered at Highgate Cemetery and the arrival of a young woman - Gemma Tate - who needed help, saw him dig deeply. And when the identity of the young woman became known, Sebastian headed to Park Lane and the home of aristocracy. Would he find the answers there? He had a lot to do to find evidence and proof, but was determined to do it. And Gemma was a link. Could he allow her to assist?

The Highgate Cemetery Murder is the 1st in the Tate & Bell Mystery series by Irina Shapiro and I enjoyed it very much. The police were looked down on back in Victorian London, a lower class, and without any of the things that help find convictions in today's time, like DNA, their jobs were much more difficult. But Sebastian had the smarts, and so did Gemma. Both are great characters, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A first class historical murder mystery. When Gemma Tate's brother is killed and later her friend has been abduction .tries to investigate then teams up with reluctant Police inspector Sebastian Bell to solve the crimes. Good plot and pace in this highly enjoyable thriller. Thank you Storm publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.

Great historical mystery!

First in a series, set in the 1800's England, I was immediately drawn in. The descriptions of the time were excellent, as I'm not very familiar with life in England in those days.

Sebastian Bell, Inspector with the Scotland Yard, is barely hanging on to his job after personal tragedy and quelling his demons with alcohol and opium. He's tasked with investigating a gruesome murder, involving a beautiful young woman strung up in a cemetery as if she were crucified with a pig's heart hanging from her neck.

Victor Tate, a local journalist, discovered this horror, and luckily made notes in his ever-present notebook. Unfortunately, as the only potential witness, he ends up trampled and killed by a horse-drawn omnibus.

His sister, Gemma, is left entirely alone, as her parents died several years ago and she never married. Fortunately, she's a strong and independent woman (especially for the time) after having served as a nurse to wounded soldiers in the Crimean war with none other than Florence Nightingale as her mentor. She insists her brother's death wasn't a simple accident and is persistent with the police in her theory. This leads to Tate and Bell working together on these two deaths, as well as some others, in an intriguing way.

Touching on the nuances of the different classes and expectations of the time, as well as in-depth descriptions of clothing, transportation, and overall mindsets, Shapiro does an excellent job taking the reader back in time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Irina Shapiro for the ARC copy! Available February 29, 2024.

I loved this little adventure. I loved Gemma sass in a time where women were seen as basic. I looked forward to the follow on series to see how she goes on to live her life. I loved the mini history lessons I got throughout the story added to the era.