Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of Murder at Traitor's Gate in exchange for an honest and independent review.

Irina Shapiro has done it again in her second Tate and Bell Mystery series! I was so excited for the second installment of this one and was shocked (and excited) when it came out shortly after the release of her first book, which was a favorite of mine and quite outside of the realm of what I normally read in the best way possible.

A short time after the conclusion of the first novel, Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell have found their way into each others atmospheres a second time in order to solve another murder that has roots going all the way back to Gemma's days in the Crimean war where she served as a nurse. When Jacob Harrow, a journalist with a history rooted deeply in Crimea as well, is brutally murdered and put on display at Traitor's Gait as a message to all, Sebastian has no choice but to seek out Gemma and enlist her help in weaving their way through a complicated list of suspects all shielding their own secrets and wrongdoings from the light of day.

Things escalate quickly when Gemma's friend and long time nursing acquaintance from the war is also brutally murder in a similar fashion. Suddenly, time is of the essence in tracking this killer before Gemma too finds herself in harms way with her ties back to Crimea and her association to those who have been murdered thus far.

I don't want to give too much away on this one, BUT I can declare that this second installment is headed exactly where I had hoped it would after the conclusion of the first novel. Sebastian and Gemma's characters are just impossible to not love and their play off each other just draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Gemma is a strong, intellectual and independent woman in mid 1800 London and I'm loving it. Sebastian has his demons, and he's working through them with the help of Gemma and the companionship they've built with each other. The end of the second book has the perfect set up to the start of the third installment, which will be out later this year and I AM SO EXCITED! I continue to be such a fan of these and I cannot wait to see what Shapiro comes up with for the next one. Make sure to pick this one up June 24th (and the first one as well if you have yet to read it)!

Victorian London and Inspector Sebastian Bell is called to Traitors Gate at the Tower of London where the body of journalist Jacob Harrow has been left hanging from a meat hook. Having dealt with Mr Harrow previously Sebastian is aware the list of potential culprits is long. In his job Jacob could've antagonised various people. But the evidence links back to the Crimean War so again Bell enlists the assistance of Gemma Tate who was also acquainted with Mr Harrow.
I loved the first Bell/Tate murder mystery and I'm pleased that Irina Shapiro has continued with the series. This book gripped me from the start, engaging characters and storyline helped the chapters rush by. Already looking forward to the next installment

This is book 2 of 3. I suggest reading them in order. The story did grab me from the beginning and held my attention. The ending was a complete surprise. I will go back and read them in order.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Shapiro pulled me in from the very first page. Not quite as gruesome as the first book (thank you!), but still a horrendous series of crimes that Bell and Tate have to search for the solution (culprit) before they become the next victim. Tightly told story with minimal red herrings but an abundance of clues and motives, Murder at Traitors Gate is a delightfully atmospheric work.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

The second novel with Inspector Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate, and I'm loving it!

It can be read as a stand alone, but I do suggest reading the first novel prior. Gemma's has moved into a boarding house and is working in the local orphanage, but still in occasional touch with Sebastian. Until her brother's former colleague, Jacob Harrow is murdered in a gruesome fashion.

The tangled web of unlikely connections from the Crimean war abound, and things really get sticky when a friend of Gemma's is also murdered in a very similar way to Jacob. Who is hiding what? And who else knows about the secrets? I particularly love the cameo's from Gustav the cat.

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Irinia Shapiro for the eARC.

You know that feeling of anticipation, excitement and giddiness when you begin reading a book that is right up your alley? Well this was THAT book!

I love a well-written historical mystery set in other countries- especially England. And Ms. Shapiro delivered exactly what I was hoping for! It is the year 1858 in London. Inspector Bell is investigating the murder of Jacob Harrow- a veteran of the Crimean War and now a journalist who is gruesomely murdered and left to hang by a meat hook on the gates of The Tower of London. Through his investigation, Bell discovers that all connections and clues lead to people that were acquainted with Harrow during his time in Crimea.

There were so many things I liked about this book! I loved the realistic descriptions of London at the time. This is not the romanticized, picture perfect London we see in many regency novels. It is a dark and honest portrayal where the author weaves vivid images depicting everyday life at this time- for people of all economic levels. We see what it was truly like in the city, at the hospitals, at boarding houses. I felt like I was walking with the characters as the story unfolded. And the descriptions of London were strewn throughout the story, making the city itself a major character.

The characters! Inspector Bell, Gemma Tate (his friend who is a nurse and helps with investigation), Colin Ramsey, and the others involved in the case. Each of the characters (especially the main 3) are coping with despair/loneliness. Yet the author also shows how they have hope in their circumstances through their developing friendships with each other.

The investigation. I am always fascinated to read historical mysteries. You have to approach this type of story by first getting rid of your 21st century perspective. The persistence and determination to discover, hunt down and connect all the information and people is a puzzle. There are no computers, google searches, etc. The tension is racked up when one of the characters is in danger- but they cannot just call someone for help! And keeping it all straight- well at first I had to jot a few notes, but as the story continued, there was an ebb and flow that made sense!

The conclusion was well done. I figured out the culprit at about 85%. But boy did I have the motive wrong! And yet, it was even better than what I thought!

I highly recommend this if you liked Caleb Carr's The Alienist, Sarah Pinborough's Mayhem, Louis Bayard's The Pale Blue Eye, the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C.S. Harris, Lyndsay Faye's The Gods of Gotham series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is the second book in the Tate and Bell mystery series.

As per the previous book, the past of Gemma comes back hunting her and Sebastian asks for her help in solving a murder.

The mystery part is well designed and until the very end I was not sure who the culprit was. This is a page-turner and it kept me guessing while trying the devise a theory on what happened.

The characters were well depicted and I found the addition of several people from the Redmond and Haze series a really nice touch.

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

This was a gripping, well written novel that brought to life Victorian London. It had a strong focus on the aftermath of the Crimean war and the senseless loss of life that became apparent to the general public after the event. It made a point that is applicable to all warfare that the trauma for an individual lasts long after the conflict has finished. The context is a murder mystery and the pressures to secure a conviction are exposed as the novel reaches its denouement. While there is violence in the book, we are spared too much grisly detail, just enough to make this tense and authentic. The plot is well worked giving a few red herrings on the way that are methodically ruled out be an indefatigable yet vulnerable detective who also develops a love interest, a surprisingly adept nurse who augments his logic with some lateral thinking.

Title: Murder at Traitors' Gate by Irina Shapiro - A Gripping Historical Mystery with Intrigue and Suspense

Having had the privilege of reading "Murder at Traitors' Gate" by Irina Shapiro as an ARC reader, I found myself thoroughly immersed in the atmospheric world of Victorian London, where intrigue and danger lurk around every corner.

The story follows Gemma Tate, a nurse haunted by her experiences in the Crimean war, and Sebastian Bell, a determined police inspector. When journalist Jacob Harrow, with ties to Gemma's past, is gruesomely murdered, Gemma finds herself pulled into the investigation. As Sebastian delves into Harrow's dark secrets from the war, he realizes he needs Gemma's insight to unravel the mystery.

Shapiro masterfully sets the stage with vivid descriptions of a wintry London, drawing readers into a world of fog-shrouded streets and shadowy alleyways. The historical backdrop adds depth to the narrative, with details of the Crimean war and its lingering impact on the characters enriching the story.

The dynamic between Gemma and Sebastian is one of the novel's strengths. Gemma's resilience and determination to uncover the truth, despite the risks, make her a compelling protagonist. Sebastian's steadfast dedication to his duty, even as he grapples with his own demons, adds layers to his character, making him equally engaging.

As the investigation unfolds, the tension mounts, with dark betrayals and secrets coming to light. Shapiro skillfully weaves a web of intrigue, keeping readers guessing until the final revelation. The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep you eagerly turning the pages.

What sets "Murder at Traitors' Gate" apart is its richly drawn characters and its exploration of the lasting scars of war. Shapiro delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the search for redemption, creating a story that resonates long after the final chapter.

In conclusion, "Murder at Traitors' Gate" is a gripping historical mystery that will appeal to fans of Andrea Penrose and Sherlock Holmes. With its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and twisty plot, it's a must-read for anyone who loves a good whodunit set in the Victorian era.

My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Irina Shapiro for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for June 24, 2024.

One of the many enjoyable things about reading is that you can travel through space and time without ever leaving the comfort of your armchair. Prior to picking up this read, I was on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, when the D-Day operation had just begun. In Murder at Traitor's Gate, I'm even further back in time, in 1850's London. And after this, my next read will bounce me forward into the Spring of 1925 in Somerset, England. Fun Fact: Did you know that reading lights up your entire brain? A 2013 study out of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, measured readers MRI scans as they read a book and found that the deeper readers went into a story, the more areas of their brain were actively engaged.

This second book in Shapiro's addictive and atmospheric Tate and Bell mystery series is just as good as the first, so I'm already champing at the bit to read the third instalment.

Tuesday, December 14, 1858, and the story opens with a body found hanging from Traitor's Gate. The dead man was found suspended from the Gate by a large, sturdy meat hook which was wrapped around the victim's neck. But that wasn't the worst of the man's injuries. Someone had removed the victim's tongue. The perpetrator was sending a message.

Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard has been given the unenviable task of not only identifying the victim but has been ordered to find the malefactor responsible for this crime. Now remember, this is 1858, there's no such thing as DNA or fingerprint evidence. In fact, it wasn't until 1911 in People v. Jennings that a criminal trial used fingerprints evidence. Bell has to rely on his own intuition and his ability to read people's reactions to questioning.

Bell was able to ascertain that the victim's name was Jacob Harrow. It's here where the author makes clever case connections to both Harrow and Gemma Tate. The victim, Jacob Harrow was the journalist who reported on the Highgate Angel case (in book #1). And Gemma Tate? Well, after successfully solving the murder of her brother, Victor Tate in the previous book, Bell and Gemma have formed a friendship. He becomes concerned for Gemma's safety when he learns of her connection to Harrow through her time as a nurse in the Crimean War. As Bell continues his investigations, he uncovers secrets that others want to remain buried. When Gemma’s friend, another nurse from Crimea, is found murdered in her boarding house it's now a dangerous race for Bell to uncover the truth, solve the case, and more importantly, keep Gemma safe.

Shapiro's writing is rich and full of descriptive text. The mystery threads are creatively plotted. As a reader, I had wondered how the author was going to incorporate Gemma Tate into further stories, but it seems as though my reservations were entirely unjustified.

Book 3 in the series is not due out until October 2024, so you have plenty of time to catch up!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

All I can say is this is a Wonderful book.
I enjoyed the first in this series and had high hopes for the second and was not disappointed. This book almost reads itself it is that good and i devoured it in 2 days. The main characters are all here again and are are written so well that I was cheering them on but also worried when I needed to be.
I cannot wait for the next installment of what in my opinion is a must read series of books for those you enjoy a darn good old fashioned read without stacks of scientific help to solve the crimes.

Inspector Sebastian Bell must find a brutal killer, and in the process finds tendrils of the crime back in the medical tents of the Crimean war. Each person is linked to the next and they all seem to have secrets which lead to blackmail and murder.

I have enjoyed other titles by this author and this one was equally as good. Characters are multi-dimensional and the settings are easily imagined from the vivid descriptions. The mystery keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

So I didn't realize that this was the second book in a series but honestly I was born to keep up pretty well. There was enough context clues to understand what you might have missed and the book was super good

Murder at Traitors’ Gate is the second in a series (Tate and Bell). I read it as a standalone, however it would have been beneficial to read the first one to better know the main characters. That said, it is an interesting and enjoyable mystery. The setting, in 1850s London, is highly detailed and incredibly atmospheric. Victorian London is a character in itself; as a reader you are swept up in daily life, the city streets, the types of homes, medical limitations, and class distinctions. Sebastian Bell, a Police Inspector, is challenged to solve the murder of a journalist. Gemma Tate, a nurse, is brought into the mix since she has ties to the Crimean War, also connected to the murder victim. There are many suspects and the story moves seamlessly as Shapiro brings you to its conclusion. I recommend it. With thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC. My opinions are my own. susanh_bookreviews

Haunted by her Crimean War trauma, nurse Gemma seeks a new beginning—until a journalist’s brutal murder drags her into a perilous investigation. She and detective Sebastian race against time and escalating betrayals to expose the truth, even as her relentless pursuit puts her own life at risk.

This engrossing mystery is full of twists that kept me guessing. The main characters are likeable, and I enjoyed the growing relationship between them.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Irina Shapiro’s books just keep getting better and better. This just may be the best one yet! Inspector Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate once again team up to tackle a puzzling case. Two bodies, mutilated in the same way, reveal a twisted tale with lots of suspects, founded in war experiences in Crimea. How do these two murders fit together? All evidence seems to point to Dr Godfrey Price, but Sebastian knows in his gut that there are too many missing pieces to this story. When Sebastian and Gemma combine their wits, things start to fall into place, but it takes an attempt to kill Sebastian to make it all clear.

I love the way Sebastian and Gemma work together, sifting through the evidence and putting the pieces of the puzzle together. And I really love the Epilogue!

Shapiro fans will not be disappointed. This is the gripping second installment in another fabulous series. I highly recommend this one!

The second entry in this series set in 1850s London is excellent like the first. Sebastian has to investigate the brutal murder of a journalist, and when he finds a link to the Crimean war, he has an excuse to bring nurse Gemma back into his work. This book focuses more on Sebastian than Gemma, a nice counterpoint to the first book. The mystery is well done and engaging, and both the main and side characters are vividly drawn. The historical details are seamlessly woven in, and you get a sense of daily life at the time with all its deprivations and challenges. I’m already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.