An delightful novel set in Victorian London centred around a death at a foundling hospital. Follows the investigation from a nurses view who works at the hospital and her detective friend. Crosses over into a bit of a love story too between the two, but due to her recent widow status they cannot be seen to take things further.

Even though its the third story in a series it can be read as a standalone novel.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

A really good story which can be read as a standalone book. Cleverly written as it takes you right back to the past. A twisty story which had me gripped. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Book #3 - Another book in the Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell mystery series. It was okay. I suggest reading the books in order.

Another fantastic story in the Tate and Belle Mystery series! I really enjoy that each of these books just continues to build off each other and builds on the character development as the series goes on.

I loved that Gemma Tate took a bigger role in this book with helping solve the mystery of a death at the Foundling Hospital where she worked. I enjoyed learning about the inner workings of an orphanage in the 1800s and how the children are cared for.

If you are a history buff this book continues to provide an excellent description of London in the 1800s. I also appreciate that there is lots of description of the medical field during this time as well.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I really enjoy Irina Shapiro's stories, and this one is no exception. I had a great time reading it.

Shapiro’s Tate and Bell Mystery series follows the lives of two main characters: Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell from Scotland Yard and nurse Miss Gemma Tate. The pair first met in the first book when Detective Inspector Bell investigated the murder of Gemma’s brother, Victor. Since then, they have developed a strong friendship, each holding a deep mutual respect for the other's abilities.
Somehow I've missed the second installment, but I am correcting that mistake right away.
In "Murder at the Foundling Hospital," Shapiro places our female protagonist, Miss Gemma Tate, at the center of the story.
On December 26, 1858, Boxing Day started with the finding of a young girl's body in the laundry area of the Foundling Hospital.
The Foundling Hospital was not a medical facility in the modern sense. Instead, it acted as a sanctuary for unwanted children, created over a century ago primarily for the illegitimate children of mothers deemed worthy. It was more than just an orphanage; the institution not only cared for the children but also prioritized their education, equipping them with vital life skills and getting them ready for life beyond its walls.
Gemma, a nurse at the Foundling Hospital, was aware that having favorites among the children was not advisable. Nonetheless, she had developed a special affection for a five-year-old girl named Lucy. When alarms went off due to an incident in the laundry, Gemma fervently wished that Lucy was not the one found motionless in that tub.
The Matron, anxious about her standing and the scrutiny from affluent benefactors, was tightening her grip. DI Bell had a limited timeframe to resolve the case before she curbed his access to essential information. Fortunately, he received discreet assistance from Miss Tate, who was supportive of his investigation.

Shapiro's writing is wonderfully rich and packed with descriptive detail. The mystery threads are cleverly woven together and grounded in historical accuracy. This author keeps readers on their toes, making it difficult to guess the culprit with unexpected twists and red herrings leading you astray. Multiple threads emerge—most leading nowhere, with just one pointing to the true killer.

I’m thoroughly enjoying how the author is developing these characters, and I'm eager to discover what lies ahead for this duo.

Special thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much-appreciated ARC.

I was absolutely hooked. I could not put it down. I will be looking for more books from this author because it was so well written

Nurse Gemma assists inspector Sebastian in investigating the murder of a child at the foundling hospital where Gemma works. Their investigation uncovers dark secrets within the orphanage walls, putting Gemma’s own life at risk.

This intriguing and atmospheric mystery does a good job of conveying the high stakes and frustration of an investigation into a shocking crime with few clues to go on. The puzzle pieces are revealed gradually as the relationship between Gemma and Sebastian grows. I loved the audiobook narration.

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

This is the third book in the series. It can be read as a standalone but it's much better if you start at the beginning. It has now become my go-to series as they are released. It’s a wonderful read with a well-thought-out plot and engaging characters. The mystery kept me guessing with lots of twists and turns. I really enjoy how the murderer is found without all the modern tools. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

I went into reading this book without having read either of the two previous books in the series, purely requesting a review copy because the book description and cover image shown interested me. Despite this being the third book in the series, I didn't feel like I was missing any crucial character or previous plot information, with the references to the previous books being informative and intriguing rather than creating massive holes. That being said, if you want to know about how characters and relationships develop I would recommend reading the series in order.

This book gave me a real sense of deja-vu and felt very familiar at the beginning, but I can't think of any other books I might have read or any films or TV series I may have watched that are similar.

The story grabs you right from the start, throwing you right into the mystery surrounding the unexplained murder of one of the young girls residing in the Foundling Hospital in Victorian London, a residence for unwanted children to be raised, educated and prepared for life outside the walls of the hospital.

I found myself very quickly drawn to and liking certain characters and very quickly disliking/ being frustrated by others, but understanding their views and decisions.

The author does a fantastic job of keeping the mystery alive, utilising red herrings, plot twists and multiple plausible culprits and motives, whittling it down until you're left with the truth.

Based on how much I enjoyed this book, I would be very interested to go back and read the first two books in the series.

Ohhhh, this was very good!! I am so glad that I took a chance on this series!!

Well-written, with a very god, very intriguing mystery [I had NO idea and was shocked when the reveal happened], this was probably the best of the series, though that is not to cast shade on the others as they were very good as well [the first book blew me away with its mystery and content]. It was fascinating to learn more about the workings of a foundling hospital [the good AND the bad] and some of the parts in that made me so very sad. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be a child in that atmosphere.

Gemma and Sebastian work so well together, and I love seeing how they figure each mystery out and I like how Sebastian admires and respects Gemma [even as she does things that make him crazy with worry] and strives to help her expand her freedom; it is such a joy to read. I also really like how he respects the space she has erected around herself and isn't pushing for anything other than deep, abiding friendship. The end was very good and since I just found the synopsis of the new book, sets that up perfectly.

IF you love good historical mysteries [or just good mysteries in general], I highly recommend this series. It has been such a joy to read them.

Thank you to NetGalley, Irina Shapiro, and Storm Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder At The Foundling Hospital is the third installment in the Tate and Bell Mystery series, and I highly recommend to also read the previous books because are all masterfully written.

This book was a little hard to read, because the victim is a young girl, killed in the safest and only place she knew, the foundling hospital. The investigation is difficult and annerving because DI Bell and the nurse Tate aren't free to roam for the building and to follow their leads for the strict rules abiding at the hospital.

I like that Gemma and Sebastian feel like they have to protect each other. I wish their relationship becomes easier, but I still adore the small gestures of appreciation and support they exchange without anyone noticing.

Irina Shapiro is really good to highlight the difficulties of the Victorian age, and to portray these pathetic and miserable characters that live only for themselves without taking into consideration the consequences of their actions.

Recommended! Gripping storyline, captivating setting.

In my opinion, Irina Shapiro can do no wrong! This historical fiction mystery series is outstandingly researched and she has the tone and mood of the time perfectly. She can transport you back to Victorian London as quick as a flash and you will know exactly what to see, hear and even smell as if you were actually there.

I love the characters Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell and couldn't believe that it had only been 4 months (in book time) since the first three books had all happened. I appreciate how Gemma is a no nonsense lady with a heart of gold and an exceptionally caring and nurturing side. She is a heroine of the times having nursed in Crimea and she is a couragous and honest. Sebastian is an honest man in a profession that many can and have corrupted. He lives through the trauma of losing his family every day and the diligence of wanting to only put away the actual criminals and not just any handy scapegoat. I keep waiting for the romantic side of their relationship to develop but since it has only been 4 months since they met I can understand the delay.

This tale, was unputdownable and I was so sure that I had figured out the reason for the murder, cleverly, before the protagonists too...but...alas...I hadn't. The ending was put together very well indeed and I enjoyed every minute of the telling. Can't wait for the next book in the series and to see how Gemma gets on at her new job.

Thanks very much to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Irina Shapino for a cracker of a book to read as an ARC. All viewpoints are my own.

Irina Shapiro never disappoints! Each novel draws me in and this was no exception. You really get a sense for Gemma's love for the children, especially little Lucy! I like that we get to see more of Gemma in her responsibilities as a nurse this time around. And more Inspector Bell is always welcome 😁.

If you've read the rest of the series, you won't want to miss this installment. If you haven't, I'd recommend going back to Book 1 first. While you'd still enjoy the story, there's a lot of background information you'd be missing out on.

This is another great addition to the Tate & Bell series, which I am really beginning to love. Sebastian and Gemma are genuine, and are just trying to build a nice life for themselves. It feels like their relationship is progressing naturally, flaws & insecurities and all. The mystery is engaging but not convoluted or overly complicated. It’s a nice job of introducing suspects and clues, but then ruling them out one by one. The atmosphere is also spot on for the late fall/early winter season.

Murder at the Foundling Hospital is book 3 in the series. I enjoyed this mystery. I think it's written well, and it kept my attention. There was a few times I thought I knew who done it then I was like no its this person lol.. I was wrong lol.. I look forward to book 4.

Gemma and Sebastian are back together, solving crimes in their additive way. Sebastian is a brilliant Scotland Yard Detective who has a knack for solving even the toughest crimes. He continues to fight his own demons, but it is so nice to see him alive and thriving as he pursues this newest case. Gemma is working at the Foundling Hospital and has found a place to engage her nursing and caregiving talents. Once again, Sebastian and Gemma are thrust together when a crime is committed at the Foundling Hospital. I really liked seeing the growth and friendship develop between these two. There is definitely more there, but they are wise and intelligent in their pursuit and the way they handle their growing feelings. I love them seeing work together, complimenting each other’s style and abilities. Gemma certainly exerts her abilities a little more in this book and I loved it! I found the story to be intriguing, captivating, and engaging. I did not predict the end, which is always a win for me. I really cannot wait to see what else is in store for these two. If you have not read the first two stories in this series, you can pick up just fine, but it will be appreciated even more if you read them first.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Murder at the Foundling Hospital is book 3 in the Tate and Bell mystery series and while you could probably pick this one up and muddle through all the missing backstory, I don't recommend it. You should definitely read this series from book one as you truly do get to know Gemma and Sebastian throughout which is what I think makes this series that much more interesting.

In this installment, Gemma's place of employment is at the heart of the story as one of the children at the Foundling Hospital has been killed. When Sebastian is brought in to work the case, she knows he will do whatever he can to solve the case, but she also knows that he will need her help because not everyone at the orphanage is willing to be as open and honest as they need them to be.

Gemma is determined to figure out what happened, not only for the sake of the murdered girl, but also for those children still at the orphanage. The mystery also takes a turn when Sebastian finds a small wooden doll in the murdered girl's hand and when Gemma hears there was a secret romance, they both start asking some questions that put a lot of people within the walls of the orphanage in uncomfortable positions. Unfortunately for Gemma and Sebastian, that also puts Gemma in danger and Sebastian isn't always able to protect her. I can't say too much about the mystery here as I don't want to give it away but I will say that Shapiro kept me guessing here. There were a lot of questionable characters and I don't blame Gemma and Sebastian for considering each and every one of them.

I also appreciate the progress being made with Gemma and Sebastian's relationship. Obviously, Sebastian has a pretty big thing in his background that he has to make sure he's prepared to move forward from and Gemma has to make sure she's ready to trust that he is. I'm hoping that with her new job that this isn't going to derail anything with them...and I'll leave it at that. I'll be looking forward to the next book in this series and if you haven't picked this one up, consider doing so!

The 3rd in the Tate and Bell Mystery series but my first read. Nurse Gemma Tate works at the Foundling Hospital where she has become attached to one of the orphans, which is highly frowned upon. This read well as a stand-alone, although it was clear to me that there must have been previous books in the series.

Briefly, when a 14 year old orphan, Amanda Carter, is found dead in the laundry in suspicious circumstances Gemma knows that her friend, police inspector Sebastian Bell, will do his utmost to ensure Amanda’s killer is apprehended, but that won’t stop her helping! At every turn the homes matron seems to be doing her utmost to hamper the investigations and Bell’s boss is keen for a quick resolution.

Some good twists and turns kept the tension high and the killer hidden. Well written and captivating storyline and I did enjoy the two main characters. Narrative clearly illustrates the restrictive social life in this era for women and the harsh life in the orphanages. An enjoyable and entertaining read.

I am a little biased and like all Shapiro books. They are raw, have plenty of twists and turns and the characters with depth and flaws.

Gemma and Sebastian are so lonely, I just need these to get married and support each other all the time. The mystery plot was fabulous, there were a lot of red herrings and sub plots. As always it was fast paced.

#netgalley MurderattheFoundlingHospital

Nurse Gemma Tate is devastated when she learns that a young girl that was in her charge iat The Foundling Hospital is dead. She is further heartbroken when it appears that the girl was murdered. She has faith that police inspector Sebastian Bell will be able to figure out what happened, but she will need to help him navigate the reclusive world of the orphanage. As the two work together, things are not what they seem, and there are shocking secrets to be revealed.

This is the third story in the Tate/Bell series, and it is just as good as the others! Once again, Ms. Shapiro does a fantastic job of using the setting and atmosphere of the place as an invisible character. The darkness and tension add to the pace of the story. I couold not put this book down!

i love the development of each of the characters, and the slow reveal of their truer selves. Gemma is at the center of this story, and she continues to be caring and persistent in all things that matter to her. Sebastian is learning to trust her instinct and observations, and they make a terrific team. The romantic tension continues to grow as each character strives to balance professionalism with growing passion.

The crime and mystery are heartbreaking, yet it is so well written and representative of the times. The plot is developed nicely, and I would try to guess what would happen based on the clues and information revealed.

I love this series, and this author! If you love a good Victorian mystery with authentic characters, a well written plot, and a dark and sometimes creepy atmosphere- this is the book and series for you!!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.