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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Story didn’t catch my attention like I thought it wpuld
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Suicide, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Overall, it was an interesting read! I give it a 3.5 rounded up.
I loved the mix of armchair detective vs the actual detective. I enjoyed the era this took place in - very Sherlock Holmes vibes. The mystery itself was very interesting and I like how it unfolded.
I enjoyed the audiobook as well!
I loved the mix of armchair detective vs the actual detective. I enjoyed the era this took place in - very Sherlock Holmes vibes. The mystery itself was very interesting and I like how it unfolded.
I enjoyed the audiobook as well!
This was an interesting start to the series. I liked Sebastian, Gemma, Colin, and the other supporting characters, and the mystery was intriguing. Sometimes it felt like there was a bit too much detail (I do recognize the importance of following up with the brothers who were targets of attacks but don't know if it needed to result in the entire chase scene, as an example). However, I'll definitely pick up the next in the series.
This is the first book by Irina Shapiro that I’ve read and I can’t wait to dive into her other works after this. Her writing style was easy to follow and kept me interested with the suspense and intricately crafted dark historical mystery. I haven’t picked up a mystery book in a while so this was a sweet treat back into the genre.
The story takes places in a London in the Victorian era. A woman was found dead at high gate cemetery in a gruesome display with a heart strung around her body. A journalist, Victor finds the body and runs franticly away from the scene. His intentions were to report the crime but also to escape from the ominous silhouette that seems to be tailing him. Later on, the journalist is found dead. Gemma, a nurse and Victor’s sister believes his death wasn’t an accident. Victor is too careful of a person to end up run over and the notepad he left behind seems all too suspicious. The police inspector assigned to the murder case of the woman is walking on thin ice. He is plagued by addiction due to grief and will be let off if he doesn’t solve this murder.
I loved Gemma’s and Sebastian’s dynamic as they tackle on this murder case. You get to watch their relationship blossom while following along this mystery filled journey. This isn’t a negative on how the author wants to move the plot but as the story progresses, I hope the two main leads stay as friends instead of love interests showing that two people of the opposite sex can remain good friends and still have a fulfilling life. Its just a preference and I’ll still enjoy the story nonetheless.
I loved that it wasn’t just a mystery book. You get to watch these flawed characters fight their demons and develop with the help of each other. But the story wasn’t really as balanced as I would have liked (character pov wise). Gemma was on the sidelines most of the time compared to Sebastian. I wanted her to contribute more to the case like Watson does for Holmes but I understand that the author wanted to remain authentic with the time period where gender discrimination was heavier compared to present day.
Thank you netgallery, publisher and Irina Shapiro for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
The story takes places in a London in the Victorian era. A woman was found dead at high gate cemetery in a gruesome display with a heart strung around her body. A journalist, Victor finds the body and runs franticly away from the scene. His intentions were to report the crime but also to escape from the ominous silhouette that seems to be tailing him. Later on, the journalist is found dead. Gemma, a nurse and Victor’s sister believes his death wasn’t an accident. Victor is too careful of a person to end up run over and the notepad he left behind seems all too suspicious. The police inspector assigned to the murder case of the woman is walking on thin ice. He is plagued by addiction due to grief and will be let off if he doesn’t solve this murder.
I loved Gemma’s and Sebastian’s dynamic as they tackle on this murder case. You get to watch their relationship blossom while following along this mystery filled journey. This isn’t a negative on how the author wants to move the plot but as the story progresses, I hope the two main leads stay as friends instead of love interests showing that two people of the opposite sex can remain good friends and still have a fulfilling life. Its just a preference and I’ll still enjoy the story nonetheless.
I loved that it wasn’t just a mystery book. You get to watch these flawed characters fight their demons and develop with the help of each other. But the story wasn’t really as balanced as I would have liked (character pov wise). Gemma was on the sidelines most of the time compared to Sebastian. I wanted her to contribute more to the case like Watson does for Holmes but I understand that the author wanted to remain authentic with the time period where gender discrimination was heavier compared to present day.
Thank you netgallery, publisher and Irina Shapiro for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Gemma Tate - a nurse, smart, independent and brave in a time where women were not equals to men. I enjoy her wit and practicality, her courage and grit.
Sebastian Bell - a detective with Scotland Yard. Observant, intelligent and open-minded in a field where others closed cases by picking a suspect and planting evidence needed to convict them. A widower struggling with the vice of an opium addiction to mask the pain of a tragic loss.
I love period pieces and the glimpse into history they give you. Small details like stopping the clock in the house when someone dies, the fact that women weren’t supposed to be reading newspapers added color to the story, immersing me completely in place and time.
I found myself pausing from the story only to google image words like “reticule” & “omnibus”, allowing me to more vividly picture the world that Gemma and Sebastian inhabited.
Absolutely in love with this book and halfway through I bought another book by this author. Now to read all things Irena Shapiro!
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC!
Sebastian Bell - a detective with Scotland Yard. Observant, intelligent and open-minded in a field where others closed cases by picking a suspect and planting evidence needed to convict them. A widower struggling with the vice of an opium addiction to mask the pain of a tragic loss.
I love period pieces and the glimpse into history they give you. Small details like stopping the clock in the house when someone dies, the fact that women weren’t supposed to be reading newspapers added color to the story, immersing me completely in place and time.
I found myself pausing from the story only to google image words like “reticule” & “omnibus”, allowing me to more vividly picture the world that Gemma and Sebastian inhabited.
Absolutely in love with this book and halfway through I bought another book by this author. Now to read all things Irena Shapiro!
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC!
This was my first book by Irina Shapiro. Not knowing anything about her back catalog, I expected more of a cozy mystery. However, that may be more of my fault and "operator error". However, now I know. She is a great writer and you really feel the dark and dreariness of the setting. Both the mcs, Sebastian and Gemma are lonely and I really hope some kind of relationship develops with future books. Please let their be at least a little romance. They both deserve love!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC
Holy shirt that was graphic. I read a review warning ⚠️ that it was and went in knowingly, but it was so violent and there was a disturbing amount of detail.
It didn’t see to be intended to disrespect the victims and it doesn’t skate over the consequences of violent crime, but go in prepared.
Trigger Warning: Graphic Rape, Gang Rape, Suicide, Assault, Islamophobia, Addiction
It didn’t see to be intended to disrespect the victims and it doesn’t skate over the consequences of violent crime, but go in prepared.
Trigger Warning: Graphic Rape, Gang Rape, Suicide, Assault, Islamophobia, Addiction
