This was my first historical mystery and would not be my last. I liked both the MCs, Tate and Bell. Irina writes well, there were some places where there was a little more telling than showing but overall the book was good. The pacing took some time to pick up but once it did, it kept me hooked, eager to know what happens next. The mystery was decent, clues and red-herrings were lesser than modern mysteries. I would like to continue the series and take a look at the next book.

A thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery set in 1858 London with two engaging main characters.

The body of a young woman is found in Highgate Cemetary by widower journalist Victor Tate, who is later killed after being run over by an omnibus. His twin sister Gemma finds evidence in his belongings that he was being followed and is determined to help police detective Sebastian Bell investigate both murders.

The mystery was compelling, with all the interesting turns that had me glued. While its mostly Sebastian doing the bulk of the detecting, I am hoping future books we see more of Gemma taking the lead on finding key evidence.

What makes this book strong is the well-rounded main characters and their rapport. Sebastian is deeply troubled, blaming himself for his wife's murder and obliterating himself with opium. Gemma, a nurse, served in the Crimean War under Florence Nightingale, is resourceful and smart, but battles sexism and the perception that nurses are akin to sex workers (i.e. lowly). Both of them recognise each other's loneliness and pain, but complement each other.

Irina Shapiro also weaves in class and race in a subtle way, particularly Gemma and Sebastian being considered beneath because of their vocations and station in life.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this series progresses and where Bell and Tate's partnership goes. More please!

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

While I enjoyed the characters of Gemma and Sebastian, the theme was darker than I’d thought initially upon reading the description. I don’t need cozy, per se, but this was a little seedier than I care for.

However, good potential in the main characters’ personality development would move me to read the next in the series to see if it’s more appealing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

When the body of a young woman is found on a cross in the local cemetery, Sebastian Bell begins his investigation for Scotland Yard. At the same time, a young man is killed, when he is crushed by the wheels of an omnibus, leading his sister to suspect there was more going on than what first met the eye. When she begins reading through the little notebook that he always carried with him, she is sure that he was murdered. But who is going to believe her?
Soon enough, Gemma Tate links up with Sebastian, who takes her claims seriously. But as he delves deeper into the case, he realizes there is more to it than a simple murder.
Other young girls have been attacked, and one other was killed. But why is someone preying on young girls, and what are they after?

This was a fantastic read! I absolutely LOVED it! I look forward to seeing more in this series!

Historical Mystery set in London 1858 in which a nurse and a police inspector team up to investigate an aristocratic heiress's murder that's linked to her brother's death.

5/5 stars: This is the first entry in Shapiro's Tate and Bell Mystery series, which is a Historical Mystery set in 1858 England and is written in dual POVs featuring an unconventional nurse and a troubled police inspector who reluctantly work together to unravel the truth behind an aristocratic heiress's murder and her twin brother's death. With plenty of twists and turns, Shapiro has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Shapiro's characters are incredibly complex and relatable. Gemma's a gutsy woman who served as a nurse during the Crimean War and her determination to see justice brought to those behind the murder is admirable. Sebastian's been using alcohol and opium to cope with his grief over the lose of his wife but still remains a diligent investigator. Additionally, the secondary characters are engaging and well-rounded. Shapiro does tackle some very sensitive topics, so take care and the CWs. This is a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading more. Highly recommend!


I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This was my first book by Irina Shapiro but I just learned that she has written many, many mysteries.
From the description and cover I assumed this was a cozy Victorian mystery but I was definitely wrong. This mystery is quite dark and has detailed gruesome rapes and murders in it. I liked the friendship that formed between the detective, Sebastian, and the nurse Gemma.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical murder mystery set in 1850s London. The body of a beautiful young woman is discovered gruesomely displayed in Highgate Cemetery. The body is discovered by a young journalist who is then killed by falling under a coach.
Recently widowed police inspector Sebastian Bell is given the job of solving the murder. He is joined by Gemma Tate, sister of the dead journalist who is convinced that her brother’s death was no accident. Inspector Bell really doesn’t want any interference in his case but begins to realise that Gemma’s help will be useful. He is still grieving for his wife and has become addicted to opium as he tries to deal with her death however, this case is his last chance to remain on the police force and Gemma’s help might just make the difference.
This was a dark murder mystery, the details of the first murder and the other crimes that come to light during the book make grim reading. However the period detail is excellent and I really enjoyed meeting the huge array of characters who populate this novel from aristocrats right down to the inhabitants of the roughest areas in London.
Both the main protagonists are likeable and I really enjoyed Gemma’s character and the way that she refused to back down just because she was a woman.
I would definitely recommend this to any lover of Victorian murder mysteries and am already looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for an Netgalley ARC in an exchange for an independent and honest review.

Irina Shapiro did not disappoint with her first installment of the Tate & Bell Mystery series. Winding back to Victorian London, 1858, Shaprio leads you on a journey through the crimes and cover ups of high class London society through the eyes of her two main characters, Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate. Bell, a Scotland Yard detective, is battling a range of personal struggles and substance abuse issues after the devastating death of his wife. Meanwhile, Gemma Tate, a nurse who practiced under Florence Nightingale in Crimea, has motives of her own for assisting Bell in tracking down the murderer responsible for not only the death of a young woman on display in the Highgate Cemetary, but potentially also her brother, who has just been killed after stumbling upon the murder scene at Highgate.

I immediately fell in love with the complexity of both characters and how they seem to compliment each other so well as they learn to navigate through life independently after each suffering the loss of their loved one. Each bring their own angle and cunning measure as they work their way through a string of connected associations and murders, all the while learning to hold themselves and each other up as they work toward a "new normal" way of life.

I honestly cannot wait to see where this series leads as I think this is a stunning beginning for both Bell and Tate and the possibility of a rather iconic working or even romantic relationship. They play off each other very well, and Tate's intelligence is not to be undermined, which I love for a woman in Victorian London. A wonderful read for those interested in mystery wrapped up in history.

eARC thank you netgalley

This book was engaging but it was slow placed at times which kind of tiring after a while. But I did notice certain parts of the book speed up and makes you grip the wherever your sitting I do enjoy. I do love how the author gives you a taste of how the upper class was living and how the slums in Victorian London days were dangerous and gritty. She makes it to where you can picture it.

3.5! This was a slow start for me, I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book. There were a few items in the book I had to look up as I had no idea what they were and I loved that! I loved the bit of romance weaved into the story as well. I wasn’t a fan of the rushed ending, overall I’d read it again!

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Sebastian Bell has the unenviable task of solving the murder of the beauty who was gang raped, murdered and put on display in Highgate Cemetery. The grieving widower who found her is dead soon after.....accident or murder? The dead man's sister, Gemma, is sure it was murder. She brings her brother's note book whose scribbled last entry says "milky way". As
Sebastian fights his own demons and Gemma tries to map out her future alone, they team up to find the clues to a truly horrific crime that was not the first for the culprit. The difference is that this time it was an important victim rather than those ignored by society.
Wonderful character development. So glad to see Sebastian starting to heal and Gemma knowing at least what she DOESN'T want!
Can't wait to find out what happens in the next book.

An extremely gripping mystery told from the perspectives of Sebastian Bell, a police inspector, and Gemma Tate, grieving sister and former nurse. From beginning to end, the setting is London in the midst of the 1800s, and I felt that this came across in the manner of speaking and other customs very well. You get the pleasure of solving a case right alongside them, picking through clues and linking together witness accounts, which I found to be great fun. The book handles some very dark subject matter that may require trigger warnings so if you're sensitive to stories involving r*pe, autopsy, racial prejudice, or murder (of course) then please be aware that there are graphic depictions of these things within these pages. That being said, I think Irina Shapiro handled these topics with tact and grace, especially given the time period of the book. My expectations were exceeded by far and the epilogue seems to set up a potential sequel that I'd be most interested in trying out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for access to an eARC in exchange for a honest review!

Historical thriller with murders to solve. A damaged police officer teams up with a determined nurse to solve the crimes.

For those who enjoy historical mysteries with a hint of romance, this book is a great read.

The book is well-written with likable main characters and a page-turner plot. The first half of the book is good as it lays out the groundwork needed to solve the mystery and provides background information about the characters. However, I found the ending to be rushed, and the villains were too quick to talk. I would have liked to see more details about the amazing setting when reading historical fiction.


Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Brava, Irina Shapiro! This is the first novel in the author’s new Tate and Bell series, and it’s a great start to a new crime-solving duo. Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell slowly find their way toward becoming a team as they work to solve the brutal murders of Gemma’s brother and a beautiful young lady, daughter of a viscount. Gemma proves herself to be a strong, intelligent woman, even though she must contend with the sexist attitudes so prevalent at that time. There is also a cameo appearance of a beloved character from another of Shapiro’s series. The setting in London includes several famous landmarks in unexpected scenarios. Shapiro’s clear narrative brings the characters and locations to life beautifully, creating a real page-turner with a satisfying ending. Enjoy the ride!

Macabrally addictive and gruesome a thrilling adventure to be taken on uncovering a who-done-it mystery. Thank you netgalley and publisher for arc.

I was expecting a Victorian cosy mystery (which I adore btw) and this went beyond the cosy into a wonderful suspense/ mystery

The plot was intricate and unpredictable which is already a win in my eyes, especially when it comes to mysteries

What I really liked, was that it was authentic in respect of the interactions between Gemma Tate and Inspector Bell, as well as the representation of Islam in the Victorian era. Absolutely on point and well researched

Inspector Bell's flaws humanise him and Gemma Tate's strengths balance against this as Inspector Bell comes out of the clouds of addiction and grief and rebuilds his focus. It is a great dynamic

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes Victorian Mysteries, even Gothic Horror and Penny Dreadfuls

I gratefully received a free electronic ARC and leave this review voluntarily

The Highgate Cemetery Murder was such a good read.

George Tate discovers the body of a young girl at the cemetery, he contacts the police, but few hours later he has a fatal accident. Inspector Sebastian Bell is called to solve the mystery, but he will get the unsuspected help of Gemma Tate.

Irina Shapiro made a superb job, her writing reminded me of Jack The Ripper for the atmosphere, the suspense and the rawness of the murder.

I was really caught into Sebastian and Gemma investigations, their emotions, their pain and at times their frustration to not be able to change the world they live in.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy your murder mystery with a historical and gruesome touch.

I am always so excited when I get to start a new series: the characters, their life's circumstances, the setting and finally the mystery and the investigation. It is like getting to know new friends.

This is the first book I read by Irina Shapiro so I was not sure what to expect. It went well beyond my expectations! It was so gripping and twisted I could not put it down.

I liked the characters too, both Gemma and Sebastian are quite damaged but they have a good head on their shoulders and can rely on each other.

I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for them!

Thanks to the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

A Tate and Bell mystery. There is a cryptic message found with a dead body. The team must work to decipher it and solve the mystery. I am new to this genre, but I did enjoy it.