What a captivating start to a series! Admittedly, I'm a Cara Devlin fan and am predisposed to liking her work. I can already tell that this is a series I'll be devouring as each story comes out.

Once again, we have a fascinating backstory unfolding here. Our main characters are connected through a father/father figure and past tragedy. Leonora Spencer is the sole survivor after her family was killed and has a photographic memory that helps her assist her uncle, a medical examiner. Jasper Reid is a police detective at Scotland Yard who begrudgingly accepts Leonora's assistance, but would prefer her to stay far away from danger.

While the backstory is explored, there's definitely more to be revealed, which makes me eager for the next book! The investigation is compelling and I'm excited to see how Leo's abilities help Jasper in the future. You know there's a slow burn romance in the works here, but there's a long way to go before things are settled.

As usual, I'll be reading this again when my physical copy shows up. I love Devlin's work and always find myself wanting a physical copy of her books!

“Shadow at the Morgue” kicks off a new series from Cara Devlin. Leonora Spencer works with her uncle at a morgue and Scotland Yard’s Jasper Reid solves crimes. They each have secrets and a past, but it’s not exactly what you might think.

When Leo is locked in a broom closet by a knife-wielding burglar she realizes there is more to the story than the burglar wanting a worthless bag from one of the bodies in the morgue. Her suspicions are confirmed when another body in the morgue is suddenly missing a locket. At first Jasper is unconvinced that there’s anything truly sinister going on, but then the bodies start piling up. Are these murders related or are there just unfortunate connections between the victims?

Leo is a smart and bold heroine who will do what it takes to get the answers to the mystery. Jasper is an excellent detective who respects Leo’s knack for ferreting out the truth, but is also terrified that something bad will happen to her.

Like Devlin’s previous Bow Street Duchess series, the Spencer and Reid Mystery series promises to be twisty, turny, and fabulously entertaining. I can hardly wait for the next one!

This book is great for readers who like slow-burn romance historical mysteries and/or mystery series.

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

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

Cara Devlin is an auto-buy for me. Her other 2 series are phenomenal examples of historical fiction with a bit of romance, and this one promises to be just as captivating and addicting as the previous.

The premise of this series opener is unique: a young woman (Leo) who helps her elderly uncle in the morgue must join forces with a newly-minted Detective Inspector in the Metro Police (Jasper) to help solve a series of murders. Leo and Jasper have a complicated, intertwining history as well as traumatic childhoods (about which we learn very little in this installment, but future installments will be sure to flesh out fully). There was plenty of tension and sniping between the two, and moments - little hints, really - of a future romance to come. This promises to be a slow burn, indeed, and I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

Highly recommend!

This is the first book that I am reading written by the author, Cara Devlin. Shadow at The Morgue is a historical fiction thriller that will keep you on your toes. Our main FMC, Leo lost her entire family as a young girl in a mass murder and it remains unsolved. She is soon taken in by by her aunt and uncle. Leonora soon assists her uncle with his autopsy duties. This was a time when women were not allowed to work in a morgue. This is something she is reminded. There are secrets that will be unveiled. I appreciate that we get a backstory. I think that the character and world building were well written. I like that Leo was written as a strong character, sharp, independent, and feisty. Not only that, but I also enjoy that this historical fiction gives you dark and gothic vibes. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I also enjoyed the banter between characters! If you like slow-burn, you'll definitely enjoy it in this book. Overall, this was such a fun and thrilling book, and I will absolutely love to read the next installment.

I really enjoyed this fast paced novel!! Even though I sometimes resented Leo's recklessness as I found it rather stupid, I liked the way she goes on about her work in the morgue. I also liked the strong sense of family irradiating from Leo and Jasper. I found a positive point that the novel mostly focuses on the mystery to be solved rather than romance. I will definitely read book two!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley, and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Shadow at the Morgue is the first book in Cara Devlin’s Spencer and Reid Mysteries series, and it is off to a great start.

Leonora Spencer helps in her uncle’s morgue, although much of her work she has to do in secret because society doesn’t think women should be part of autopsies and such. When something is stolen from the morgue, Detective Inspector Jasper Reid becomes involved. As the mystery unfolds, Jasper tries to follow the letter of the law while Leo does her own investigating (much to Jasper’s dismay).

Leo and Jasper have known each other since childhood, and each have their own childhood secrets and pains. Now as adults, there is some workplace tension, but also a building tension that is sure to develop into something more as the series continues.

I was immediately drawn into this book! The writing style made it easy to read and the characters were wonderfully developed. The mystery stands on its own, but there are some lesser storylines that will have me (impatiently) waiting for the next books in the series.

This was my first book by Cara Devlin, and it certainly won’t be my last.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for making this book available. All opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining start to a new mystery series. Set in Victorian England with a variety of different sorts of characters, the author has created an intriguing world that promises to provide future interesting sequels.

Leonora survived the brutal murder of her entire family when she was a child and is now living with her aunt and uncle who is a coroner. She helps him with his work on corpses even though he might lose his job if anyone knew he let her help. While sewing up one corpse, a man breaks into the morgue and sets off a fast-paced mystery. The Scotland Yard inspector, Jasper Reid, investigating the murder is an old-time acquaintance of hers, and he really wants her to stay out of the whole business of tracking down a murderer. But she has a lot of curiosity and is quite plucky.

I suspect that they’re going to be unwilling partners investigating future murders while fighting their attraction to each other. And we’ll probably find some more clues to the unsolved murders of her family. I look forward to following along with this new series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Leonora is not your typical woman she helps her uncle in the morgue and she has a quirkiness about her. So when someone comes into the morgue for something she is lucky to be left unhurt. Jasper can’t believe that she helping in the morgue but he is glad that she is unhurt. Now he just has to make sure that she keeps away from his new case. Leo can’t seem to keep away from looking for clue as to why anyone would want all the victims dead and she is angry & hurt when Jasper tries to keep her away. But will they be able to work together to solve the case?
They both start seeing each other in a different light and where will that lead them?
A very good read. A big surprise wasn’t expecting to like both characters and hoping for them to develop into something more one day.
Leo hasn’t always had a good life her family we’re all murdered but she was saved. She still doesn’t know why. Will she ever find out the truth?
Jasper has so much pressure on him to be as good as his adopted father the inspector and he only wants what is best for Leo as he does care for her. But could they ever be anything more?
Great characters & storyline.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

I really enjoyed this first book of the series. Leo works with her Uncle in the morgue and has an eye for detail. So when the morgue is robbed she decides to help Chief Inspector Jasper Reid investigate which leads them to multiple murders.

Haunted by her family’s unsolved murder sixteen years ago, Leonora Spencer is familiar with death. As an assistant in her elderly uncle’s London morgue, she uses her photographic memory to catalogue details for his coroner reports. She also isn’t opposed to helping during postmortems, when his skilled hands begin to shake. After a thief breaks into the morgue and steals a locket from a corpse, Leo is determined to understand why, even if it means going against Detective Inspector Jasper Reid’s express orders to keep her nose out of it.
I eagerly awaited this new series by Cara Devlin as I really enjoyed the last series featuring Audrey and Hugh. This is shaping up nicely, Leonora helps her uncle in his role of Coroner for the police but he is elderly and unwell so Leo pitches in. This places her on the fringes of polite society, whereas Jasper having been adopted by Inspector Reid as a boy, has his own secrets which could also be detrimental to his aspirations of being a gentleman. I can't wait for book two. My huge thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of Shadow at the Morgue.

This was a fast moving new mystery series that gained my interest from the start and I found very hard to put down. The mystery is complex and the characters interesting. I'm looking forward to more as this is a favourite author of mine. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Shadow at the Morgue” is a gripping start to the Spencer & Reid Mysteries series. This historical mystery had a dark and atmospheric vibe, with a great female lead, that reminded me of the TV show “The Alienist”, with its vivid depiction of Victorian London and the unsettling underbelly of society.

Leonora (or Leo) Spencer is the sassy and determined main female character and, in my opinion, is the standout of the book. I loved her sharp wit, resourcefulness, and the way she blatantly defied societal expectations to get to the truth and be herself. Her banter with Detective Inspector Jasper Reid added a layer of humour and tension that kept me hooked….and giggling. The chemistry between the two of them promises even more intrigue and laughs in future books.

I thought the plot was cleverly crafted, with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. From stolen lockets to sinister blackmail plots, the story unfolded at a satisfying pace, although I would have loved a bit more backstory in a couple of places. I guess that’s what the future books are for!

Overall, an exciting mix of mystery, strong characters, and some history. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for Leo and Jasper.

If you like a good mystery, or if you’re a fan of The Alienist, you’ll likely enjoy this one!

As a fan of Devlin's "Bow Street Duchess" series and Victorian-era mystery-romances, I jumped at the chance to read this ARC of her new "Spencer and Reid Mysteries" series and I absolutely devoured it! I am strapped in for much more fast-paced mystery and adventure with slow-burn romance!

Leonora "Leo" Spencer survived the murder of her entire family as a 9-year-old and the case is still unsolved. Detective Gregory Reid, a kind police detective, took her in afterwards until her uncle and aunt could claim her and there, she met his adopted son Jasper. Jasper has a mysterious past himself and is now a police detective while Leo is an assistant to her uncle in the morgue. Together they are drawn into a twisty murder mystery that kept me fiercely turning pages.

There's a spark there! They both feel it. This is going to be a great friends-to-lovers romance series with individual mysteries (for standalone readers) and the overarching mysteries of Leo's family's cold case and Jasper's mysterious family (for series readers). I love how Devlin crafts her characters, plots and series. For fans of Miss Scarlett and the Duke on PBS, Anna Lee Huber, Deanna Raybourn, Andrea Penrose and so many more - this is one not to be missed!

Already hooked on Devlin’s new series. I loved the Bow Street Duchess series and was sad it ended so I’m happy to have another series to pick up. Leo and Jasper both have secrets in their past and Devlin does a great job, dropping bits of information about both of them throughout the book. I could see some things coming and am still curious and left wanting to know more. The mystery was intriguing but I was able to figure it out before the end. I’m hoping the next book makes the mystery a little bit trickier. I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully I can get it early on NetGalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Haunted by a family tragedy, morgue assistant Leonora works with detective inspector Jasper to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. A deadly blackmail plot puts them into the killer’s sights as they race against time to expose a murderer.

Fast-paced and full of twists, this mystery has well-developed characters and an atmospheric setting. It’s a compelling start to a new series. I look forward to reading more.

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

I think what I liked most about this book was the many layers the story contains. There's Leo's tragic past and the mystery surrounding the murder of her parents, her relationship with her aunt and uncle, her unconventional choice of occupation, her relationship with the Inspector, her complicated relationship/history with Jasper, and the actual murder mystery being solved. With all of that going on it could have been easy for this book to feel like too much was going on, but Shadow at the Morgue never felt that way to me. The mystery had a lot of great twists and the conclusion managed to surprise me (maybe other readers picked up on it earlier, but I did not). It is one of those tough ones though that the victims were pretty awful so it was difficult to fully feel bad for them. But then the murderer goes too far and it was easy to want to see them get what they deserved as well. I only wish there had been a little more about how the one person got involved in everything (I don't want to give anything away but I am sure other readers will know to what I am referring). You are told how this person knew one of the players in the whole thing but not how they would have convinced them to do what they did. I am also a big fan of Miss Scarlet & The Duke and this had some of those same vibes to it. Part of me is looking forward to seeing how Leo and Jasper's relationship changes over the series and the other part of me is kind of hoping they will take on more of a brother-sister relationship (rather than a romantic one) partly because it would just be something new/different for a series like this. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series and to learn more about what happened to Leo as a child.

I am honestly surprised how much I enjoyed this book as it is a huge departure from my norm. It took me a bit of time to reconcile the story through modern eyes. At one point in time, Jasper got a piece of information to support his case and I mentally had him reaching for his phone to google the answer. I had the same thought with Leonora choice of a job, it did not seem to odd for a Bones fan. There, I decided for me, I had found the fun in story. I was reading a well plotted mystery but all the normal ways we solve mysteries in modern life don't exist. I had to watch Jasper use good old fashioned shoe leather to solve the case. I also got to watch Leo, Leonora's nickname, life her live on her own terms with no thought of societal norms. Her photographic memory made her a good match for our gumshoe. When I adjusted the lens through which I was reading, I enjoyed the book and am anxious to see how the other mysteries will unfold.
One thing between this book and modern times that does not change is the ability for people to be horrible as evidenced by the murder of Leo's family.. Leo is haunted and lives with PTSD, perhaps because she remembers more than she tells. Jasper is also broken. Neither allow themselves to be defined by tragedy, they are both suffering to come to terms with the past. I smell a cold case or two that will probably play out in future books. What is also interesting is Flora's reaction to her niece, could she know more than she is telling.
I don't normally specifically call out a character as unnecessary but Jasper's date is a wet blanket. She is so still and stiff and probably very time period accurate but a modern woman would want to scream at her for being such a silly simpering airhead. I couldn't believe when she asked Jasper why a lady would read the paper. It is hard to imagine someone actually thinking like that. Again, the modern lens distorts how we view the past, especially if you don't read a lot of period stories. Hopefully, the spark between Leo and Jasper becomes something more and Miss Hayes fades away.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I think this could be the start of an excellent series involving DI Reid and mortuary assistant Leonara Spencer. There is definitely scope for more to come and something to look forward to with this excellent author.
My thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

first-in-series, new-series, Victorian England, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, romance, mystery, suspense, Scotland Yard-detective, theft, PTSD, 1884, childhood-trauma, adopted, mental-illness, mental-health-issues, friendship, friction, unputdownable, unpleasant-relative*****

Leonora Spencer of the photographic memory works in the morgue with her uncle who has increasing hand tremors.
DI Jasper Reid is her foil, and they share a past filled with severe emotional traumas and were rescued by a widowed Scotland Yard Detective.
In their first (reluctant) case together there is plenty of suspense, angst, and personal tensions. Unputdownable!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
#ShadowAtTheMorgue #SpencerAndReidMysteriesBk1 by #caradevlinbooks #booksgosocialgroup #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #Mystery #barnesandnoble ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #historicalMystery #newseries #london

Yup. This was right up my alley. Cara Devlin has been a favorite author for years, so when I saw a new historical mystery from her I knew I needed to read it. I was not disappointed. Leo (leonora) works in the morgue with her Uncle and finds herself in the midst of a mystery after a break in. Her friend from the past is now a detective and looks to try and keep her out of the investigation but does not succeed. With the over arching mystery of what happened to her family, this mystery kept me on my toes!

This was a strong start to the Spencer & Reid Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the mystery of this book. The characters worked with the time-period and was engaged with what was happening. Cara Devlin always does a fantastic job in writing this book and the other books I read in this.

I discovered Cara Delvin’s Bow Street Duchess series earlier this year and devoured the audiobooks. Leo works in the morgue with her uncle and helps Jasper unravel a series of clues to solve the mystery of several murders that were connected. The story was well written with plenty of personal angst and possible romance amid the action of solving the murders. This was a great 5 star read.

I think this set the scene really well for the rest of the series, it allowed us to get to know the main characters and gave us a good understanding of Leonora and Jasper's back stories. I cant wait to read more of this series

‘and thank you, for pulling me out of that grave.’

This historical cozy is perfect for fans of The Murdoch Mysteries or Miss Scarlet. Leo is unconventional by any means, taking on more and more duties at the morgue as her uncle and aunt’s health declines. Jasper is a street rat with possible gang ties that had been taken in and raised by a police officer and is now sitting behind the desk his adopted father once called his own. With plenty of secrets and tragedy in their pasts Leo and Jasper spar over a case that starts with a break in at the morgue and ends...impressively and with a hook that already has me itching to read book two.

First in a new series with rich backstories for the two MCs with tragic pasts. Good pacing and character development. Leo comes off as unreasonable at times by demanding to be involved in the investigation and I don’t blame Jasper for being frustrated. I’d like to see her accept that she can’t tag along and forge her own investigative path. The author has a great voice and I’m eager for book 2.

This is a promising start to a new mystery series set in 1880s London. Leo Spencer gets drawn into an investigation as odd events at her uncle’s mortuary presage bigger mysteries to come. The investigation puts her in the path of Jasper Reid, an inspector who seems to want to use some of Leo’s insights without actually giving her a role in (or credit for) helping solve the mystery. Both characters have dark pasts, with some trauma in Leo’s case that still affects her, and there is tension in their relationship that I assume will continue to develop in future books. Because this is the first in the series, there are several loose ends and hinted-at developments to set up future entries. It’s a well done mystery and does indeed make you want to follow up in future books to see how the characters develop. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

One of the best historical cozies I have ever read! This was my first book by Cara Devlin, but it won't be my last. I loved the idea of a historical cozy that features a strong heroine in a nontraditional occupation and has an unapologetic manner.

Leo (Leonora) Spencer assists her uncle in the morgue. She is interrupted on evening by an unexpected intruder who locks her in a closet bring back traumatic memories from her past. She is rescued by Inspector Jasper Reid, the son of the policeman who rescued her on evening long ago. Jasper was adopted by the same policeman, Gregory Reid, who saved Leo many years ago. They have known each other since children. They both are fighting demons from their pasts and as well as an attraction to each other.

The intruder at the morgue leads them to a murder (or more) and lots of twists and turns and intrigue. The story never slows down. It had me from the first page.

I loved the characters of both Leo and Jasper. Leo's spunk and determination to be her own woman and use her brains, although she is attractive as well. Jasper hides his affection for Leo behind a gruff, exasperated by the book demeanor, While the book does wrap up this case it leaves Leo & Jasper's personal struggles ongoing for the next installment. The next book cannot come soon enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.

Leonora Spencer, haunted by her family’s unsolved murder and now assisting her uncle in his London morgue, is drawn into danger when a thief steals a locket from a corpse, leaving valuable jewels behind. Determined to uncover the truth, she teams up with Detective Inspector Jasper Reid, a former street orphan determined to prove his worth at Scotland Yard, despite his reluctance to involve Leo in his investigation. As they unravel a deadly blackmail plot tied to the locket, suspicious deaths, and a powerful secret, they find themselves hunted by a killer intent on keeping the past buried.

I’ve seen this author’s books before, though this is my first time reading any of her works. Historical mysteries are some of my favorite genres to read and I’m always eager to find a new author to follow. Leonora Spencer was an interesting heroine to follow. We get hints at her backstory through the narrative, making a reader eager to know the truth. Jasper Reid was an equally interesting character, though his broodiness annoyed me quickly.

These two are presented as friends. I think. It was hard to pin down if they had really been childhood friends, given their connection with Jasper’s adopted Inspector father, or if circumstances had simply thrown them together. They certainly didn’t treat each other like friends, since they argued over EVERYTHING. And I was more sympathetic to Jasper’s view of things and was annoyed with Leonora.

Overall, the mystery was an interesting one. It is a bit dark so some might find it difficult to read. I think readers who have enjoyed the author’s previous works or simply enjoy an atmospheric, darker mystery may enjoy this one.

Startling events at the morgue!

A series of seemingly unrelated deaths come to the attention of Leonora Spencer and Detective Inspector Jasper Reid. A young woman has been crushed beneath the wheels of an omnibus, a necklace she wore is missing, a gunshot victim connected to a gang, the East Rips, turns up, and a missing man who ends up as a dead John Doe in the morgue.
Adding to the chaos is the undeniable fact that Leo’s aunt is suffering deteriorating mental fitness. Leo’s assists her uncle the coroner, supposedly typing reports. He is beginning to be not as steady as he once was. More and more her uncle is forced to leave her by herself to close incisions and tidy up the morgue before leaving. If discovered he and she would have their employment terminated.
When Leo is attacked in the morgue and articles belonging to the body she’s finishing up on are taken how is that going to be covered up. Who would break into a morgue and why?
The answers will reveal more corruption in high places.
On the personal side there’s Reid’s relationship with Miss Constance Hayes to consider. Mmm!
An excellent chronicle of Spencer and Reid!

An ARC via the author and NetGalley.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Having devoured Cara Devlin's entire Bow Street Duchess series at a breakneck pace last year, I should have expected this book would feature yet again a bold, unconventional heroine, an honorable and competence-is-sexy hero, a dark, twisty mystery plot, and the slowest, burniest of slow burns. I was excited for the beginning of this new series, and it did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of these characters (I too am shocked that Jasper Reid could replace Hugh Marsden in my heart, believe me) and am eagerly awaiting the next adventure! March can't come soon enough.

I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions are my own.

This book, has a great opening sentence.
A mystery that is impossible to crack,at least I could not geuss anything.

A draw back about the book? Honestly, there is none. It is a perfct read.
Love the characters, the setting, the plot. The writing.
And the chapters had numbers before them and beautiful illustration.

This is the first in a series, I am anticipaiting the next book in the series.

Thank you, netgalley and booksgosocial for this book.
This book is published, the 25th of january.

Cara Devlin’s *Shadow at the Morgue* is an enthralling dive into the chilling world of Spencer & Reid, a dynamic investigative duo with chemistry and grit. From the moment I picked up this book, I was pulled into its eerie atmosphere, where every shadow seemed to whisper secrets, and danger felt just around the corner.

Devlin’s writing is sharp and immersive, making me feel like I was walking those dimly lit hallways and unraveling the mystery alongside Spencer and Reid. The story is layered with tension and intrigue, with just the right touch of emotion to keep me fully invested.

This book is a perfect blend of suspense, heart, and brilliant character work. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to see what comes next for this captivating series. If you love mysteries with depth and edge, this one’s for you!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Cara Devlin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Shadow at the Morgue coming out January 25, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I have a couple books of hers, so I really wanted to check this one out. I am obsessed with Victorian mysteries. Jasper and Leonora are really fun characters. I really love the Scotland Yard detective stories. Leonora is a strong character. They argued but I feel like they worked well together. It reminded me of the show Miss Scarlet and the Duke. I’m excited to see what’s next.

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

"Shadow at the Morgue" is the first novel in a new and exciting mystery series from Cara Devlin.
Our two protagonists are both fascinating and have the perfect backstory to draw in the reader: Leonora Spencer and Jasper Reid are connected through a retired detective who has rescued them both from childhood traumas. Leonora has since been raised by her uncle, the local coroner, and Jasper is careful to keep the darker elements of his past a secret. Yet, both have a need to prove themselves and also are stubborn and wish to prove the truth, when everyone else would rather that they did not.
Set in Victorian London, I particularly enjoyed this story and how Leonora and Jasper worked together. With their individual backstories being revealed as their case progresses, there is plenty to hold the reader's interest. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.