“Murder at the Orpheus Theatre” by Irina Shapiro is the fourth book in the Tate and Bell Mystery series. The book is set in Victorian London and follows Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate as they investigate the murders of two lead actors during a theatrical performance at the Orpheus Theatre.
The book is a captivating historical mystery that is a thrilling read with a well-crafted plot, intriguing characters, and is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end. I really enjoy this historical mystery book with its touch of romance. If you love a good historical crime fiction book, then you will love this book. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I got through this book in one sitting. There were too many potential murderers and I didn’t have an inkling as to who it would be. I liked hearing more about Gemma’s experiences during the war and was pleased when she was reunited with one of her Nurse friends. I think it will be good for her to have someone who can relate to her experiences/past. I found the situation with Bell’s boss to be a bit confusing at times but was happy with the resolution. The ending of this book definitely has the characters' lives looking like they are on an upswing and I hope to see some good things for them in the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book

Was it self-interest or ‘Droit du seieneur ’ that drove the person to kill the actors? That was the dilemma facing Tate and Bell.
Book 4 of this series proved to be a twisty, unpredictable thriller that has believable characters and understandable motivations. Truly, an exhilarating time spent reading this historical novel.

Thank You NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC for review.

This is the fourth of the Tate and Bell Victorian murder mysteries set in 1850s Victorian London. I love the series so far and this is no exception. You don’t need to have read the first books to enjoy this but they will give you more background to the main characters. Gemma Tate and Sebastien Bell are enjoying an evening at the theatre, watching Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers die in the final scene but so do the actors playing them, poisoned! But who killed them? Inspector Bell investigates and despite dire warnings from his boss he allows nurse Gemma Tate to help him. They make a formidable pairing, even though women were not allowed to work for the police at the time.

The story is gripping and fast paced, the theatre world throws up a number of suspects amongst the actors, the backstage staff and various outside visitors. The historic detail feels accurate and immerses you in the time period. A very enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Irina Shapiro for an advance reader copy, here I am leaving my honest review.

4th in the series, Murder at the Orpheus Theater is another investigation by nurse, Gemma Tate and Scotland Yard inspector, Sebastian Bell.

We met them a few books ago when Gemma's brother was the murder victim and they have remained close comrades.

In this installment, Gemma and Sebastian find a case while attending the theater. An iteration Romeo and Juliet takes a deadly turn when both actors lie murdered before the audience. Everyone in the buidling is suspect, and Sebastian gets straight to work, and may have his work cut out for him.

I admit I have only read the first, but this installment is just as good! Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review prior to it's March release date.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

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 February 25, 2025.

Shapiro’s Tate and Bell Mystery series revolves around the lives of two main characters, Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard; and nurse, Miss Gemma Tate. The pair first met when, in the first book, Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell investigated the murder of Gemma’s brother, Victor. Since that time the pair have become firm friends, which each having a healthy mutual respect for the other’s abilities.

Murder at the Orpheus Theatre is the fourth book in the Tate and Bell Mystery series and while it could serve you well as a stand-alone, I would encourage you to pick up this series from the beginning.

Set in London during 1858 – and if you can remember your history – it's just after the end of Crimean War, where women played a vital role as nurses, cantinières and army wives. One of the most remembered nurses during this time was Florence Nightingale, who is remembered today as the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale trained and managed her nurses, as well as organised care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople and reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards. Nightingale brought a level of professionalism to the nursing cohort. Whereas previously, considered mostly working-class, Nightingale set about encouraging well educated, respectable women into nursing. This was a double-edged sword – on the one hand helping to transform the public image of nurses; on the other, it changed women's way of thinking – there was more to life than family, motherhood, and the idea that the woman’s responsibilities were to love and respect her husband before anything, and perform all of the duties and chores for the household. Rather than just working "alongside" men, women were paving a way to occupying their own workspace.

As this reader has come to expect, Shapiro's writing is rich and full of descriptive text. The mystery threads are creatively plotted and historically accurate.

When the story opens; Gemma, together with Sebastian, Colin, and his mother are enjoying a rare night out at the theatre to celebrate Mrs Ramsay's birthday. The play, 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of Mrs Ramsay's favourites and Gemma was grateful that her charge seemed to be enjoying herself. But the joyful evening was cut short when, after the final curtain close, the night took a sinister turn. Esme Royce and Christopher Hudson, the young actors playing the star-crossed lovers, were discovered dead on stage.

Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell has his work cut out for him to solve this mystery. All cast members seem to be hiding secrets and the theatre (building) itself is full of mystery and intrigue. Bell will need to unravel loyalties, relationships, lies and red herrings to uncover the truth about how this young couple seemed to mysteriously die on stage.

Although this was my least favourite story of the series to date, it was still a very engaging read. Shapiro is maturing and developing her main cast of characters, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the pair next.

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

Another great entry to this amazing series!

This is historical mystery at its best, a gripping story, a culprit almost impossible to discover and a slow burning romance.

This time we find ourselves catapulted to the theatre with a rendition of Romeo and Juliet coming to excruciating life.

Gemma and Sebastian investigate but the number of possible suspects increases steadily.

All the characters we love are there and I thought Poppy a nice addition.

Can't wait for the next book!

I have received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

I enjoyed this fourth book in the series. It works as a standalone, but if you've gotten to know the characters and backstory, it adds an extra layer of depth.

Usually the prologue in this series is fairly gory, but this one wasn't at all. It does open with a murder though, as usual, and inspector Sebastian Bell and his budding romantic partner Gemma Tate start investigating.

There are several side issues that add complexity, including how Bell deals with an abusive husband, whether Colin, the surgeon, is going to find someone to spend his life with, and how Gemma's experience as a nurse during the Crimean war has impacted her life decisions. These are all woven into the story very well.

I can't say I was surprised at who the murderer was, but the leadup was very well done, unexpected and interesting.

As always, the historical fiction part is excellent and the overall feel is atmospheric. I do wish Gemma would stop putting herself into harm's way, but I suppose that is the basis of this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Irina Shapiro for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

Another strong entry in this enjoyable series set in 1850s London. Sebastian and Gemma are drawn into an investigation at a theater when Romeo and Juliet really do die onstage during a performance. They have to unravel old hurts, new relationships, and additional deaths, all while dealing with the politics around Sebastian’s job at Scotland Yard and the social restrictions and expectations put on Gemma as an unmarried woman. The mystery itself is compelling and well-plotted, but this series is also excellent at drawing out the personal relationships of the regular characters. Their interactions show realistic growth and help make each character feel like a complete person, which is not always the case with these kinds of series. 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 and offered voluntarily.

In this 4th book of the Tate and Bell Series, we have Gemma getting bolder, Sebastian getting more concerned, and a twisty mystery with an ending I didn't see coming. There was, also, an introduction of a new character who shows potential as a love interest for Colin. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Gemma and Sebastian grow more hopeful and stronger, and can't wait to see what will happen next! 4-1/2 stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

I was drawn in from the first page to the end. A lovely book full of interesting twists and characters. Another new author for me which I'll add to my ever growing list. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another fabulous story from Irina Shapiro! The team of Emma Tate and Sebastian Bell is a perfect match of mutual attraction and just enough uncertainty to keep the tension high. And, of course, they work well together to solve mysteries. The dramatic deaths of the actors playing Romeo and Juliet has no shortage of suspects with motives for the murders, but Emma and Sebastian have excellent investigative instincts, and nothing seems to be an exact fit for the facts as they know them. I love Emma’s strength and willingness to take risks to uncover the truth in a time when women were considered less intelligent than men. It’s also refreshing that Sebastian recognizes her abilities and supports her. The very dramatic conclusion had me on the edge of my seat, unable to turn off the light and go to sleep until I had read the very last word. There were lots of surprises in this compelling story. Don’t miss the latest installment of this exciting series!

cozy-crime, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, murder-investigation, poisons, read, Scotland Yard, Victorian London, working-partners, actors, stage plays*****

A chance to watch a production of Romeo and Juliet brings Inspector Sebastian Bell nurse Gemma Tate face to face with a double murder. Plenty of suspects and backstory. Valuable addition to a most enjoyable series!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Feb 25, 2025
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Back on the gritty streets of Victorian London in the 4th Bell and Tate mysteries.
Enjoying a night at the theatre watching a performance of Romeo and Juliet the night takes a sinister turn when the star crossed lovers do not wake after the final curtain drops.
Leading actors Esme and Christopher have drunk a lethal cocktail of morphine and the list of suspects are vast. Inspector Bell works hard to discover who killed them with input from Gemma Tate, using her knowledge of medicines from her job as a nurse.
This is another strong novel, I love the main characters, their slow burn romance is endearing. I was taken aback by the villain didn't suspect that person at all.

#4 in the Tate and Bell Mystery, what an amazing series! The adventures/mysteries are fresh and engaging. One of my personal favorite historical mystery series with just a touch of romance. Looking forward to the next!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review, I honestly lov3d it.

An exciting tale of Romeo and Juliet being dead not by suicide but by murder. Not as good as her time travel series like the Hands of Time books, but still engrossing. I love this author's time travel books and hope she will soon be starting a new series of them soon. But this was a good read.

*2.5 rounded up to 3 stars

This wasn’t my favorite Tate and Bell installment, but it wasn’t bad either. The mystery was well-constructed, and I appreciated that the resolution caught me off guard—it’s always nice when the culprit isn’t who you expected. That said, the relationships in this book felt a bit forced. The situation with Lovell, in particular, was tied up so neatly that it left me waiting for a climactic twist that never came, which was disappointing.

I did appreciate the decision not to force a confrontation between Colin and Gemma about his feelings for her, and the introduction of Poppy as a potential romantic interest for Colin felt natural and promising for future books. Sebastian’s gift for Gemma at the end of the story was touching, but I couldn’t help but hope it would be a ring, signaling more progress in their relationship. While this book had its moments, it didn’t quite meet the bar set by earlier installments in the series.

Part of a series featuring Sebastian and Gemma. Romeo and Juliet are murdered in the theatre,a twisted trail to discover the murderer

Another excellent Tate and Bell mystery. There were heaps of suspects for the double murder on stage, but gradually Gemma and Sebastian work it all out. It was a very clever plot, and I also enjoyed the look at aspects of people's everyday lives and the issues of the time. The look at justice through Sebastian's eyes was also interesting, especially the treatment of Rose and the Modines. I thoroughly enjoy this series, and eagerly await the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an opportunity to read and review this book.