Nurse Gemma Tate and Inspector Sebastian Bell team up again in this 2nd book in the series to solve murders that are connected to Gemma’s time during the Crimean War. Gemma is learning to live on her own after the loss of her brother, having found a new place to live and a new job where she feels like she is making a difference. Inspector Bell is recovering from prior injuries and coping with the memories and guilt of the murder of his wife and unborn child. Both characters thoughtfully consider their lives, dreams, and what they want in their futures. The Inspector interviews a series of suspects, piecing together information that connects them with the murdered journalist, discovering blackmail, secret loves, suicide, and keeps finding himself wanting to discuss the case with Gemma. Gemma feels drawn into the mystery and does some legwork on her own to reconnect with those she knew in her past, which reminds her of the horrific conditions during the War that they all have to carry with them. The book is fast-paced and keeps you guessing about who the murderer is and why they are driven to kill.

An amazing continuation of the lives and mysteries of Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell. After the death of Gemma’s brother and the conclusion of the Angel of Highgate case, she has found herself in a new place. Now in a new place of lodging and a new job Gemma works to get back to a new normal. When an acquaintance from her past is murdered, she must help Sebastian find the killer, before he may end up finding her. As her past war experiences come crashing back into her life Gemma must sort out the truth to help find the killer. This was a great continuing sequel to the first book, and I loved “watching” the two friends stories continue to grow.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers at Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this digital ARC. I can’t wait for the next one!

The first book in the Bell and Tate Mystery Series by Irina Shapiro sealed it as my new favorite historical mystery series but, if possible, I loved Murder at Traitors' Gate even more. Such authentic characters who try to toe the Victorian social line but also see the great need for change. They are two of my all-time favorite characters. They have their demons, struggles and sorrows but still are trying to make a difference in life. As for this book, the conclusion wasn’t just Christmas in 1858 but Christmas for me. It couldn’t have ended any better!

I read somewhere that if you liked the TV series Miss Scarlett and the Duke you would like this. I have watched all of those episodes and let me tell you I enjoyed these books much more. Sebastian is certainly not without his issues which could easily go from recovery to relapse but there is an integrity about him that I admire. I loved Gemma from the beginning with her straightforward look at life and honesty though jaded after being a war nurse and not to mention the lack of women’s basic rights. The crimes get solved with the right person getting caught in the end. The best Victorian England mystery series being written today.

The favorite duo are back with another case. When a body is found hanging from the traitors gate, with its tongue missing, Sebastian knows that something is not right. When another body is found, that seems to cement the suspicion. There is also a link to Gemma, which makes Sebastian nervous, as the time during the Crimean War was not easy - for soldiers or medical staff alike. Together, they are going to work to solve the case before another body turns up.

I absolutely LOVED this read! I could not put it down. Bell and Tate make a fantastic team. It is rather amusing that both seem to have a crush on each other, but hold back because of their pasts. As they work together to clear the case, they form a deeper bond, which seems to be bound for book three.

This is a highly recommend read, especially if you love a good mystery. This is one investigative duo you will not soon forget!

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of “Murder at Traitors’ Gate.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Events from the past make their way to the present, in a tale of death and revenge in “Murder at Traitors’ Gate,” the latest in the Inspector Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate Victorian mystery series by Irina Shapiro, this one set in 1858. Our dead man, strung up on Traitors’ Gate at the Tower of London, is only one of a string of bodies that stretches back to the war in the Crimea. Author Irina Shapiro includes in “Murder at Traitors’ Gate” a reminder of the folly of war, and the consequences of evil actions. All wrapped up in an orderly police investigation, with tempting clues and suspects galore. A satisfying read all around, for mystery fans.

This is a book that will anger you and make you think in equal measure. The passages that outline the treatment of the nurses who volunteered their services during the Crimean War are dreadful, as is the telling of the loss of life due to the horrific conditions. The author pulls no punches in outlining every terrible aspect of a sordid, sad point in history. But at the end, we have a bit of hope: Sebastian asks if he can court Gemma. So, there is light within all the shadows.

When journalist Jacob Harrow is found brutally murdered, Inspector Sebastian Bell is given the task of finding the killer.
Harrow was a soldier in Crimea and it quickly becomes clear that more than one person may have wanted him dead. Following the trail leads Sebastian to the people Harrow met in Crimea and the secrets he knew about them.
Gemma Bell, Sebastian’s friend, worked as a nurse in Crimea, and Sebastian seeks her advice and knowledge of things that happened out there.
Then a nurse who worked in with Gemma is found dead and it's clear that her killing is linked to that of Harrow.
As Sebastian and Gemma work together to find the killer they uncover more than they ever expected and Gemma could find herself in danger.
A story of intrigue, secrets, and the lengths people will go to, to hide the past. This is a brilliant follow up to the first book in the series, but you don’t need to have read the first one to enjoy it.

Darkly atmospheric with a delectable gothic feel, Murder at Traitors' Gate by Irina Shapiro is the second in the Tate & Bell Mystery series. In 1858 London, a body is found swinging from a meat hook at Traitor's Gate. Jacob Harris, a well-known journalist, was silenced before he was killed and barbarically hung.

As a history fanatic and Tower of London visitor, my attention was riveted the entire time. The rich tapestry of Victorian details was intricately woven with daily life grit and seediness. Socioeconomic classes were more important than anything. Though nurse Gemma selflessly worked with orphans, nurses were viewed as second class, along with most women. Gemma's friend Inspector Sebastian Bell treated her as an equal, rare those days. The two teamed up to in investigate the murder of Harris. Police Surgeon Colin Ramsey was also a self-proclaimed criminologist and Sebastian's friend and added fascinating medical bits to the story. Colin understood Sebastian's grief better than anyone. I really like that the characters are interesting to read about, realistically flawed and faced hardships. No fluffy character nonsense here.

Though the first in this series was enjoyable, this one has a bit more oomph and depth which I loved. The multisensory descriptions enabled me to witness the hustle bustle, sights, smells and sounds of the city. Shapiro has a knack for beautiful storytelling.

My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this beguiling novel.

Murder at Traitor's Gate is the second book in the Tate and Bell Mystery series set in 1850's London. Inspector Sebastian Tate and nurse Gemma Tate solve a series of murders that draw upon Tate's background as a nurse in the Crimea, beginning with the gory murder of former solider and current reporter Jacob Harrow and Lydia Morton, a nurse and acquaintance of Gemma's who is found murdered in a similar manner. It appears these deaths all trace back to the Crimea, where deathbed secrets have led to blackmail and more.

I really relished the well-written densely plotted murder mystery that slowly unfolded over the course of the book. But where the author really shines is in showing how perilous women's lives were in Victorian England. Gemma, without any family, has no safety line, and few career options other than being a nurse, caregiver, and domestic servant. As one character says "Life brings us all to our knees, albeit in different ways."

That adage also applies to Sebastian, who is slowly dealing with his horrendous loss, while pushing against demands that he quickly find a suitable suspect, rather than actually solve the case.

5 stars for this latest addition to the Tate and Bell mystery series, and I look forward to the next book

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the Arc copy of this book in return for my feedback.
This is the second book in the Bell and Tate series and I was apprehensive about reading it (as I haven’t read the first in the series) I found it easy to pick this book up fresh.

Set in London in 1858, Detective Sebastian Bell has suffered his fair share of grief and misery, but now he must discover why a man has been brutally murdered and left hanging by a meat hook at Traitors Gate.

While Sebastian works alone he draws on an unlikely sidekick, Gemma Tate a nurse who served in the Crimea War and acts as the Watson to Sebastian (if he was Sherlock)

I thoroughly enjoyed the way this mystery was weaved together, and I’m a sucker for a beautiful animal so I instantly fell in love with Sebastian’s cat Gustov.

I will definitely be reading the next book in the series once it comes out!

This dark, complex, mysterious story continues the tale of Crimean War nurse, Gemma Tate, and intrepid Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard. Both of our protagonists have moved on from the events in the first book – Gemma has changed jobs and moved out of the home she once shared with her much-loved twin brother, and Sebastian has shaken his addictions and is working diligently to heal from the injuries he received in the last case. However, neither has quit thinking of the other, but neither has acted on those thoughts.

Sebastian was summoned to Traitor’s Gate at the Tower of London where the body of a brutally murdered man was discovered – hanging from a very large meat hook. Who is the victim? There is nothing on the body to identify him, but Sebastian recognizes him as Jacob Harrow, a newspaperman, and witness to the death of Gemma Tate’s brother. Why was his body displayed as it was and in such a disgraceful place? What message is the murderer sending?

Gemma and Sebastian struggle to untangle the twisted threads of the crime back to the Crimea and the sordid things that happened in those fetid battlegrounds. However, the crime comes much closer to home when there is another murder and an attempt on Sebastian’s life.

I found myself staying up late into the night reading ‘just one more chapter’ because there were so many potential criminals and victims and I just had to know ‘who done it’. I had the perpetrator figured out before the end of the book, but I sure didn’t have the motive figured out. If you love stories with complex characters, intriguing mysteries, and a tad of a budding romance, you will enjoy this book. Be warned, it is a dark book dealing with dark, sad times. However, most of this author’s works are dark – but then, murder is dark isn’t it?

I am already looking forward to the next installment in the series which should be released in October.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Before reading this book I went back to find the first in the series, I’m so glad I did. Both can stand alone as well written, absorbing stories but to read them in order gives more depth to the characters and the telling of the Victorian crime drama.
Sebastian Bell is a complex character with dark secrets and still grieving for his wife, Gemma Tate is a women struggling to cope having lost her brother in a callous murder. Together they form a great team and following their search for the truth and, of course, the murderer leads us through some wonderful descriptions of Victorian life, the people and the circumstances many found themselves in and they had to cope the best they could, man or woman. References to the Crimean war run through both books and Murder at Traitors Gate ties many characters to the war and their friendships, or acquaintances that they met whilst fighting there, or for Gemma and the other women as they nursed.
The writing was so well paced it made for a flowing story, hard to put down and really gave the atmosphere of the time along with the emotions of the characters.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Irina Shapiro’s books, her detail and research of the time brings the characters to life and makes you want to find out what they do and where they go next.

This is a good second book in this series. It took me a couple chapters to get into the story. It moves fairly quickly and has some surprises along the way.
I like Sebastian and Gemma together and am looking forward to their next mystery

Police Inspector Sebastian Bell is called to the scene of a brutal murder. The victim is a well-known journalist with a reputation for questionable ethics. The victim also had a connection to Gemma Tate’s recently deceased brother. Sebastian and Gemma put their heads together and soon discover what appears to be a connection between the victim and his service in the Crimean War. Another equally brutalized victim sets the investigation into overdrive as the killer seems to be circling closer and closer.

In the midst of the mystery, Sebastian is still dealing with the loss of his wife three years earlier and Gemma is still mourning the recent loss of her brother as she settles into a middling boarding house and her new position as a nurse at the Foundling Hospital. Sebastian and Gemma are interesting characters. The supporting characters are well thought out and add to the complexity of Sebastian’s and Gemma’s lives. Gustav, a grumpy yet loveable cat, is a delight.

Irina Shapiro’s “Murder at Traitor’s Gate” is a quick read that keeps you guessing until the end. The developing relationship between Sebastian and Gemma is sweet. The atmosphere of the series is somewhat dark, and the descriptions of the victims are moderately graphic. I like that the series somewhat explores the nature of British society, particularly the precarious nature of the lives of single women. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

“Murder at Traitor’s Gate” is the second story in the Bell and Tate series.

This book is great for readers who enjoy atmospheric Victorian era mysteries.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Storm Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Inspector Sebastian Bell was called to Traitor's Gate on the edge of the river, where a body was hanging by a meat hook from the gate, brutally murdered. When the identity of the man became known - Jacob Harrow, journalist and disliked by many - Sebastian immediately directed his investigation to the man's place of work. Sebastian had been injured in his previous case, and was still recovering. But he was determined to find the killer, although he wasn't having any luck with the investigation. Everything pointed to the war in Crimea, where Harrow had served, along with Sebastian's friend Gemma Tate (nurse) and other persons of interest. When another nurse friend of Gemma's was murdered in her bed, Sebastian was worried Gemma would be next.

As Gemma helped the Inspector unravel the mystery, he was getting pressure from his superiors to make an arrest. But he didn't want to arrest an innocent man, even though there was one who fitted the bill. Was his gut feeling wrong?

Set in London, 1858, Murder at Traitors' Gate is the 2nd in the Tate & Bell Mystery series by Irina Shapiro and I enjoyed it very much. The only issue I had was the amount of characters, and the similar names. But aside from that, it was a fast paced, gritty historical mystery which entertained me from start to finish. I'm finding both Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate to be exceptional characters, and I'm looking forward to #3. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Inspector Sebastian Bell has a new murder case to solve, but as he learns more about the victim, he learns he’s going to need help from Gemma Tate. She was a nurse during the Crimean War and knows some of the parties involved, so he hopes she will be able to provide answers to some of the relevant questions as he conducts his investigation. The deeper they dig, though, the more they realize that they are both in grave danger.

This is the second book in a new series by an author I really like, and this book was just as good as all the others. Sebastian reminds me a bit of Armand Gamache, from Louise Penny’s series set in Three Pines, and Gemma brings to mind the main character in Charles Todd’s Bess Crawford series. I like the way they work together, despite what society rules dictate as ‘proper’ behavior. The attitudes of some of the people they encounter are shocking, and I’m not surprised that they’re an accurate representation of the times. I loved having Constable Daniel Haze, from the author’s Redmond & Haze series, show up in this book just when Sebastian needed help; it was definitely something Constable Haze would do :)

The primary murder victim here turned out to be not as popular as was first assumed, and there was quite a list of those who disliked him enough to want him dead. My mental list of most likely culprits kept changing, and one of them was even a victim later in the story. I wasn’t able to figure out who the killer was until it was revealed in the book, and at that point, the motive was pretty obvious.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series to find out what happens next with Sebastian, Gemma and their friend Colin.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Irina Shapiro for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder at Traitors’ Gate coming out June 24, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’m obsessed with this series! It has the perfect dark and gothic Victorian vibes. I love Gemma and Sebastian as characters. I think there was some real growth from the first book. They are slowly learning to rely on each other. They’re working together and getting things done! I was glad to seem some vulnerability as well. I was so excited about the ending and the way things are progressing. I’m definitely excited to check out the next book!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Victorian murder mysteries!

I love the mystery aspect of this series. The author does a great job of setting up really interesting crimes with a large assortment of suspects. My only complaint here is that it takes forever for Gemma to get involved in the story. I know for this time period it would have been unrealistic to get her more involved in the crime solving part, but considering this series is supposed to be about both her and Sebastian this one felt like mostly Sebastian. On the topic of Gemma, I did enjoy how her relationship with Sebastian has been allowed to develop slowly so it doesn't feel forced or rushed - I am also glad that it looks like it will get to progress a little further in the next book. As for the mystery, I had my suspicions about what was going on pretty early, but probably only because the reason for the blackmail wouldn't have necessarily occurred to someone at that time in history. I thought the murderer was a little sloppy at the end by going after Sebastian and without that having occurred it probably would have taken him longer to figure everything out. I have really appreciated how this book shows more of what it was like to live in London at that time when you didn't have a title. So many books focus on the peerage that you tend to not realize/forget/pretend there wasn't terrible poverty from which most people would never escape. Overall, this is a really enjoyable read.

One of my fav series! Love Emma and Bell and historical London where they solve their cases! (despite Bell being worried about Emma's safety). Well paced, the pages turn themselves and leave you wanting more. In one word, Brilliant!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review! More, please!

This is the second of the Tate and Bell mysteries, I loved the first one 'The Highgate Cemetery Murder' and this is also a cracker. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this but it will give you more background to the main characters and for me it was also a five-star read. This book begins with the discovery of the gruesome murder of Jacob Harrow, a journalist hung up by a meat hook at the Traitors’ Gate of the title. Sebastian Bell is the police officer assigned to investigate the murder, like in the previous mystery there is a connection to the Crimean War and Bell seeks to renew his acquaintance with Gemma Tate, who had served as a nurse in the Crimean War and knew the victim.

This is London in the late 1850s, the nurses who had returned from the Crimea are viewed unjustly with suspicion, as what honorable woman would go to such a place? There is a lot of prejudice against women shown throughout the story; a woman’s reputation was precious and could be easily be besmirched through no fault of her own. Inspector Bell has to tread carefully when meeting up with Miss Tate as her boarding house landlady doesn’t approve of any male guests even if they work for the police.

Sebastian Bell needs a result or his job is on the line, his superiors are not too bothered if the wrong man is arrested provided the case is ‘resolved’ but Bell is dogged in pursuing the truth and follows up each lead with due diligence.

Tate and Bell make a good team, even though Gemma Tate has no hope in those times of working for the police in an official capacity, she has a position as a nurse in a Foundling Hospital for orphans and abandoned children, Gemma is keen to help the investigation despite Bell’s misgivings “the thought of investigating gave her something of a rush.”

There are many people happy Jacob Harrow is dead as aside from his journalism he had a lucrative line in blackmail often coming from information learned at the Scutari hospital in Turkey, where wounded soldiers would confess their darkest secrets to their nurses, who might share that incriminating information with Harrow for a price.

The story is gripping and fast paced, the historical detail is for the most part very good, I particularly liked the description of the smells of 1850s London. There was again one anachronistic reference to Botany Bay (the last convicts were shipped to New South Wales in 1850 almost a decade before the events in the book). The ending was satisfying and I look forward to future books in the series.

Expected publication June 24, 2024

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC, I leave this review voluntarily.

Second in the Tate and Bell series, but there's enough detail to catch you up so it can be read as a standalone.

When journalist Jacob Harrow is brutally murdered - and hung at Traitors' Gate - Inspector Sebastian Bell has to investigate. Harrow was a journalist at Crimea, and the next victim was also there... so what's the connection?

Gemma Tate was a nurse at Crimea and knew both the victims. Sebastian (who worked with her on a previous case) seeks her help, and gradually starts to unpeel the layers to discover the true link between the victims and what happened in Crimea. He's worried that Gemma might be the next victim, but while the main suspect is locked up there's an attempt upon Sebastian's life, too.

Nicely twisty plot, good period detail, and good characters. An enjoyable read.