This book is by far my favorite in the series yet. Not only do readers get the fast-paced mystery Irina Shapiro is so well known for, but we also finally get to see Gemma and Sebastian's romantic relationship solidify into a more substantial thing. In addition, we are introduced to a new character (Poppy) in this book who seems to be set up to continue her appearance in the next one. I'm even hoping that Poppy, a woman who was a nurse with Gemma in the Crimean War, might become a love interest for Dr. Collin Ramsey in the coming books. I can not wait for the next book in the series. I'm eager to see where Shapiro takes the series from here.

Another fabulous read from the author. Gemma and Sebastian are out solving murders again. I was able to figure out the villian early on, but how the two sleuths got to it was interesting. Their romance is also heading in the right direction.

#netgalley #MurderattheOrpheusTheatre

“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

This title in the Gemma Tate and Inspector Sebastian Bell Victorian mysteries started off rather dramatically where the lead actors in the play, Romeo and Juliet, didn’t arise from the death scene. Wow!
Turmoil is everywhere throughout this title, deaths pile up and Gemma becomes a tad resentful because Sebastian has to warn her off, due to the attitude towards her of his Scotland Yard boss. Not that Gemma took much notice. Their first fight!
Gemma investigates on her own in places it hasn’t occurred to Sebastian to look.
When Gemma’s life is in danger, Sebastian doesn’t hesitate. Moments before I’d thought, ‘My goodness! How’s Gemma going to get out of this! Where are you Sebastian!’
Shapiro highlights the social issues of the age, women in danger from their husbands, children thrown out on the street, the attitudes of the more powerful.
Old acquaintances are renewed. Sebastian faces change at Scotland Yard.
Another excellent episode from Shapiro featuring these two incredible people who really need each other but hesitate for so many reasons.
But, perhaps that horizon has shifted closer? Sigh!

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

1859 Gemina Tate and Sebastian Bell are attending a performance of Romeo and Juliet. But the play ends with both actors actually dead. Bell and Tate start their investigation, with all the cast and employees suspect. Most with secrets to hide.
An entertaining and well-written Victorian mystery with its very likeable main characters supported by a cast of varied personalities. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A night at the theater comes to a shocking end for inspector Sebastian and nurse Gemma when two actors mysteriously die on stage. Investigating a cast of suspicious characters, Sebastian strives to find the killer before Gemma becomes dangerously entangled with the culprit.

This book doesn’t shy away from the dark side of life in Victorian London. I enjoyed the diverse cast of well-drawn characters. The mystery is full of twists, and I honestly had no idea what direction it would go in. The audiobook added to the enjoyment of the story. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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

4.5/5 stars

I am still very much enjoying this historical mystery series, and this addition just solidified my opinion of it.

I love those mysteries that are set in a "closed set" of suspects so to speak. Here it's the theatre world, and there are quite a few suspicious folks to choose from and motives are wide-ranging. There's the cutthroat business of making money, jealousies (both professional and personal), and of course, various secrets and lies. And just as an aside, the denouement is both surprising and nail-biting.

But it's the mains, Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate, that are really the draw here for me. They are both flawed, either as characters themselves or as others perceive them to be. Alone, they are very interesting as their backgrounds have been fleshed out well by the author. But together, they are a wonderful team, complementing each other's strengths and abilities. And their sweet romance is lovely to watch as they hold each other in the highest respect and regard.

Another well-done outing by Shapiro, and I look forward to meeting up with this dynamic duo (hopefully) again in the near future.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing the free early arc of Murder at the Orpheus Theatre for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Another entertaining read about Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell. The murder takes place at the theatre and the pair have the task of finding the culprit. There are a variety of characters to consider which makes their task harder. There are also changes at the police station where Sebastian is an Inspector. Gemma did come up against some men’s attitude to women of intelligence. There is also domestic violence that is allowed by husbands towards their wives. I like the connection between the two main characters, how they understand each other and realise when they’ve made a mistake. I really look forward to the next book in this series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Irina Shapiro for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder at the Orpheus Theatre coming out February 25, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I am super obsessed with this author! I have pretty much all of her books. I’ve read several of them. This series is amazing and I love it so much! The time period and setting is perfect. Gemma and Sebastian are amazing. I love the dynamics between them. I loved that this book featured the theater. I am definitely excited to read more books in the series.

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

When two of the lead actors in a stage production are found dead – murdered in front of the audience, no less! – Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate are drawn into the investigation. What they learn provides them with so many suspects, it’s hard to know where to start. Sebastian is determined to keep Gemma safe while also identifying the killer, but in a world full of actors, how do you know who you can trust?

This is the fourth book in what has quickly become one of my favorite series. I really like both Sebastian and Gemma and the way they’re able to work together. Their strengths and talents complement each other, so they work well together. There were a lot of possible suspects, and plot twists and red herrings kept me guessing throughout. It wasn’t until just before the confrontation scene in the book that I figured out who the culprit was, and I was completely surprised by the revelation.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series and another visit with Sebastian, Gemma and the rest.

On a rare night out at the theatre for Sebastian, Gemma, Colin and his mother to see Romeo and Juliet, the tragic love story turns true as the leading actors are poisoned right in front of the audience. In order to solve these murders, Inspector Sebastian Bell delves into the theatrical world, as trained nurse Gemma again assists with her medical knowledge and skills in digging into the maze of Victorian society.

What keeps me coming back to the series, beyond the well-done murder mysteries, is how Shapiro gives us heartbreaking insight into a society where a married woman had abolutely no rights to her fortune or her own body. Where orphaned children can be tossed out in the street, left to survive as best they can. Where Sebastian and Gemma's budding relationship is hampered by her year-long mourning period, and how they can never be truly along together. But in spite of all that, their relationship deepens and grows and I can't wait for the time when they can truly be together.

I will admit the killer in this case was a total surprise to me, but I appreciated all the twists and turns that brought us to the answer. At times, I felt the plot seemed to stragnate, but overall another enjoyable read. 4 stars.

Irina Shapiro has done it again, but bigger and better and with a deadlier killer!

Guy Wearhers is the genius behind the newest Romeo and Juliet play at the Orpheus Theater. But his play may now be compromised because in the final scene, Esme and Christopher,his lead actors where poisoned with real morphine. It is now up to Gemma and Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard to figure out who of the many suspects is the killer before they strike again. You will never guess who the real killer is!

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this marvelous mystery!

Murder at the Orpheus Theatre is the fourth book in the Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate series. Sebastian and Gemma are attending a performance of Romeo and Juliet with friends when the two lead characters are murdered on stage. They immediately start investigating but with a theatre full of suspects, it proves to be a tough case. Also complicating matters are impending changes in the department that could affect Sebastian's job and Gemma is also dealing with a new nursing position as well. This is another good page turning mystery and slow burn romance with plenty of 19th century period detail. #Netgalley #MurderattheOrpheusTheatre

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of “Murder at the Orpheus Theatre.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Who’s murdered the two young leads in full view of the audience at a performance of “Romeo and Juliet?” Despite evidence to the contrary (“loved by all,” is the initial verdict), there will be no shortage of suspects, and police inspector Sebastian Bell, with assistance from his intuitive helper (and hoped for lady love) nurse Gemma Tate will find the path to a solution fraught with conflicts and eventually, personal danger.

Author Irina Shapiro delights in giving readers a diabolical killer and dares us to solve the case alongside Sebastian, in this fourth book in the series. With Gemma’s help, of course, even though his police colleagues have no use for an intelligent woman -- it’s “unnatural.” (There might be some good news on that front; the new superintendent introduced in the book may have more enlightened ideas.) Speaking of intelligent women, Gemma does go off and undertakes some investigating on her own, which puts her in conflict with Inspector Bell. The relationship these two have keeps the series fresh, and perhaps we’ll see even more growth, now that Inspector Bell can expect a little more in his paycheck (thanks, new superintendent!)

As in many a mystery, there are secrets galore, and “Murder at the Orpheus Theatre” is no exception. Expect bold characters and red herrings, to keep everyone guessing. Our ending sees an age-old motive for murder with links to the past. Inspector Bell gets to right some wrongs, which is never a bad thing, and Gemma gets a happy birthday gift. Fans will appreciate how well their relationship is progressing.

A night at the theater turns into a murder investigation when the actors playing Romeo and Juliet die on stage. Because he was in the audience when the two actors were poisoned, Scotland Yard Inspector Sebastian Bell is assigned to the case. When she’s not busy taking care of her elderly charge, Gemma does what she can to help Sebastian chase down leaves and find evidence against some of their suspects. There was a lot going on behind the scenes at the theater, and there is a long list of suspects who had solid motives to poison both Romeo and Juliet.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first three novels in the Tate & Bell Mystery series, and it was no different for MURDER AT THE ORPHEUS THEATRE. The novels can be dark and gritty, showing the underbelly of London in the mid-1800s. Gemma is a sympathetic yet strong character. She served as one of Florence Nightingale’s nurses during the Crimean War. She’s lived through circumstances that Sebastian cannot even begin to imagine, and, while he is determined to protect her, he knows she can accomplish far more than what society deems appropriate for a young, unmarried woman. The plot is intriguing, and it keeps the reader engaged until the very end. I highly recommend the Tate & Bell Mystery to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.

During a performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” the eponymous characters consume a lethal dose of morphine and die on stage. What is an accident, suicide, or murder? In Irina Shapiro’s “Murder at the Orpheus Theater,” Gemma Tate and Inspector Sebastian Bell are in the audience and jump into action. There are few clues and even fewer evident motives, but then another victim is found…and another. Gemma and Sebastian know that time is of the essence and they must find the killer before the murderer targets them.

This is the fourth book in the Tate and Bell historical mystery series. The pacing is excellent and the clues for the reader are intriguing. Gemma and Sebastian’s relationship is sweet and they are clearly committed to each other even though Gemma is still in mourning for her brother. Underlying the mystery are thoughtful discussions about the different ways that people fall through the cracks in society.

This story is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and slow burn romances.

TW: discussion of domestic violence, addiction, family loss, and suicide ideation.

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

I absolutely love this series from Irina Shapiros, featuring Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell, 4th book. Great standalone book to read and I don’t feel I have missed out on previous ones.

Good plot, great twists and surprise outcome of who murdered the Romeo and Juliet casts on stage.

Great read and highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

This is the fourth book in the "Tate and Bell Mystery Series". I recently finished the third book, but even if you haven't read any of the previous books it is easy to get into as the author supplies the necessary background.

I found the mystery and the theatrical setting to be intriguing and the plot held my interest. The two main characters, Nurse Gemma Tate and Scotland Yard Inspector Sebastian Bell, work together in a complimentary fashion to solve the murder mystery. Bell and Tate are very likable and a lot of time is spent on their budding romance.

There are lots of "red herrings" as you don't know who's testimony to trust. I did not figure it out until the author revealed it at the end. Be warned that some descriptions go slightly beyond that of a "cozy mystery".

I highly recommend this series.

Gemma and Sebastian are really finding their style together and I find myself enjoying them all the more. They bring such balance to one another and a lot of the barriers holding them back, personally and professionally, are dealt with in this story. I love how both of their brains work and together they each explore angles and access points that round out the investigations. Murder at the Orpheus Theatre is a well written mystery that explores all aspects and possibilities of “who did it”. I was truly a bit surprised at the end and must admit, I didn’t see it coming. The continuation of characters we have come to know is there and brings extra layers to the storyline. I can’t wait to see where Gemma and Sebastian go next and know that wherever it may be, I will be right there, front and center, ready to experience the next adventure with them.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Murder At The Orpheus Theatre.

Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate are spending the night at the theatre but what it supposed to be a fun evening turns deadly when the two lead actors are found murdered on stage in front of the audience. It is hard it investigate when everyone involved in the play wears a mask.

I really wanted to like this book but I could not get into it. I have never really been into any kind of theater so I think that is why I had a hard time getting into the book.

Before the first chapter is over Murder at the Orpheus Theatre had grabbed my attention never letting go. Book 4 of Tate and Bell Mysteries by Irina Shapiro, this is the most difficult case to solve yet. However, it is the most public of murders too, at least for the first two. Even when I thought I knew who the murderer was, I was still surprised. Not only are the actors in Romero and Juliet play good at what they do, there is someone else who wins the acting award.

Truly an atmospheric murder mystery. This is an addictive series with more emphasis on the plight of women during this time n British history. It will make every woman glad that they are living now, not then. It made me hope that Sebastian and Gemma would run off to the US and join the Pinkertons Agency.

Fan of Sherlock Holmes stories or Kelley Armstrong’s Rip Through Time (Though not a time travel like the Rip series) will love this series especially Murder at the Orpheus. I am so glad that I discovered Irina Shapiro’s books!