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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Gemma Tate’s brother dies only hours after witnessing a murderer discard a body, and she’s determined the two are linked. Inspector Sebastian Bell is the man assigned the case of the Highgate Angel: the women murdered and displayed in a cemetery on All Hallows Eve. When Gemma approaches Inspector Bell about the link between her brother’s death and the body found in the cemetery, they start to work together toward a common goal: catching a murderer.
This book definitely has you putting puzzle pieces together once the investigation starts, and it came to a very satisfying conclusion. It felt like Shapiro was spoon feeding the readers a bit along the way. If a character is nervous during an interview, shifting in his seat or not making eye contact, leave it up to the audience to interpret what that means. There was a tendency for both characters, Gemma and Sebastian, to over explain every clue to make sure the reader picked up on it. This is also a book that had a lot of “gut instincts”, whether it was that a witness was telling the truth or where to look for a clue, it felt a bit much, and I would’ve liked a little bit more deduction from the detective. I usually like to end mysteries by looking back at the clues I missed, but I didn’t have with this one.
I didn’t know going into this book that there would be such explicit detail about sexual assault cases, so here is a warning to future readers incase that is something you would like to avoid.
I don’t know if I felt the connection between Gemma and Sebastian like I was supposed to, but can appreciate a slow burn and look forward to what Sharpiro has in stall for the next book.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!
This book definitely has you putting puzzle pieces together once the investigation starts, and it came to a very satisfying conclusion. It felt like Shapiro was spoon feeding the readers a bit along the way. If a character is nervous during an interview, shifting in his seat or not making eye contact, leave it up to the audience to interpret what that means. There was a tendency for both characters, Gemma and Sebastian, to over explain every clue to make sure the reader picked up on it. This is also a book that had a lot of “gut instincts”, whether it was that a witness was telling the truth or where to look for a clue, it felt a bit much, and I would’ve liked a little bit more deduction from the detective. I usually like to end mysteries by looking back at the clues I missed, but I didn’t have with this one.
I didn’t know going into this book that there would be such explicit detail about sexual assault cases, so here is a warning to future readers incase that is something you would like to avoid.
I don’t know if I felt the connection between Gemma and Sebastian like I was supposed to, but can appreciate a slow burn and look forward to what Sharpiro has in stall for the next book.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Got potential
1858, London
Gemma Tate, a nurse, is shocked to hear of her twin brother’s death in an accident. Soon, she realizes he could have been murdered based on his last-minute notes in the pocketbook.
Inspector Sebastian Bell is assigned to handle the murder of a young woman in the Highgate Cemetery. It doesn’t take him long to realize that the stakes are high.
Gemma and Sebastian find a common point in the cases. However, Sebastian is worried that Gemma wants to investigate. After all, it could put her life in grave danger. But the case needs to be solved and the killer caught.
The story comes in Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
I like Victorian mysteries dealing with the darker side of London. This one belongs to the same category. Geema is a twenty-seven-year-old nurse who previously worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimea. Her twin brother, Victor, is a writer and a journalist.
Inspector Sebastian Bell isn’t who he was before tragedy struck. Now, he relies too much on alcohol and opium to numb the pain. This case could make or break it for him. Despite the not-so-appealing introduction, it is easy to like Sebastian. He is dedicated to solving the crime without taking shortcuts.
Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to characters likely to feature in the coming books. Even otherwise, the cast is quite large. We can follow the case without confusion. However, talking multiple times about a character that isn’t active anywhere in the book doesn’t help. Not likely that all readers will remember him for the next one.
The content is dark and deals with triggering topics (check TW). There’s some fluff in the middle, which leads to a rushed ending and sudden confessions. Spacing this would have helped.
I was rather surprised by the direction the case took. While it does show the ugly side of things, I wasn’t sure if the connection was realistic. The conclusion is decent, though I’m not impressed. (So, some people from one Abrahamic religion show interest in converting to another monotheistic religion, while the culprits use pagan rituals to satisfy their lusty cravings. Ugh!)
Gemma and Sebastian don’t meet until we cross the first third of the book. However, that is a natural progression of the plot. Of course, it’s clear that Gemma has a good brain and uses it. She is also someone who can put people in place and stand firm despite her grief.
Given the setting and the period, the case is mainly handled by Sebastian. I did expect this. However, halfway through, the book feels more like the MMCs while the FMC becomes a side character. If the series is named Tate and Bell, the Tate lady has to have an equal role!
Moreover, the chemistry between the two is non-existent at this point. That’s okay since both have different immediate concerns. But there seems to be a slight progress that happened off-page and is casually mentioned in a line. That can be an issue if the trend continues.
There’s a lead for the next book, so I will read it and then decide. I like the easy writing style, so despite the hard topics, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming.
To summarize, The Highgate Cemetery Murder is an intriguing mystery and a decent series starter. I had greater expectations and felt the book could be better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder
Minor: Vomit
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A woman is found brutally murdered, terrifyingly posed in a cemetary. Hours later, Gemma’s brother is killed in what appears to be a carriage accident. Detective Sebastian Bell, quietly assisted by Gemma Tate are in a race against the media to solve the crimes and have the killers put away.
I enjoyed this crime mystery, with the setting and story being reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. Whilst the crime and investigation was the focus of the book, the characters were well developed and I enjoyed the exploration of themes of gender, class and profession.
Gemma’s character was interesting, and I look forward to learning more of her in later books. The public perception of nursing was particularly compelling.
The story was darker and more grisly than I anticipated due to the nature of the crime. This felt appropriate and not gratuitous, but I would suggest checking trigger warnings if you are concerned.
I’m glad I picked this up as an audiobook - the narration was great. The various character voices were engaging and articulate. The ending was satisfying, and the development of the relationship of the main characters is well set up for later books in the series.
Thank you Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
1858 English historical murder mystery. With the press reporting as fast if not faster than the police there isn’t time to lose. Inspector Bell is trying to figure out this case which might just be last. This murder mystery has it all while maintaining historical appeal.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It has been a minute since I’ve read a procedural mystery. I adored the historic setting that gave Sherlock Homes vibes. I forgot how much questioning of subjects there is in these types of mysteries, and I’m not sure how I feel about it pace-wise.
I liked the writing, but nothing about it stood out to me.
The characters were three-dimensional and I am sensing some satisfying tension between them. Definitely excited to see where the friendships lead!
Overall this is a fantastic start to a series and I am highly looking forward to the next book!
Thank you Irina Shapiro, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy. My opinions are my own. The Highgate Cemetery Murder is out now!
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 3
Character Development - 4
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.25-4.5⭐️
Tate and Bell Mystery book 1
Historical fiction set in Victorian England. I had the audiobook read by Imogen Church. A favourite narrator for me, and a clincher for choosing the book as the author is unknown to me. As usual Imogen did an excellent performance, I’d recommend the audiobook 💯
I had anticipated a cosy historical mystery from the era and book cover, but was pleasantly surprised by the darkness it contains. It may contain triggers for some. Plus for a mystery it’s got a decent pace, as mysteries can be on the slower side. It’s dark but not gritty, so doesn’t register on my gore score.
Gemma a returned Crimea nurse teams up with a constable after her brother died in an omnibus incident, after seeing the scribbling in his diary she became suspicious. She calls upon Sebastian for help, he already has his hands full looking into the death of an aristocrat.
Sebastian has his own problems to contend with, one being the much used of the times opium addiction. Gemma defies the conventions of the time by being an independent woman. I enjoyed their partnership,along with the will they won’t they adding to the storyline I found them both likeable.
The author gives a good description of the times, including people’s opinions and societal expectations, one example being the views that people held of the returning Crimea nurses. The language used gave a good feel for the era. The plot had a decent level of complexity.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I’m on the cusp of really enjoying it and loving it. It will suit those who enjoy murder mysteries. Not cosy, but doesn’t stray into gritty, it spans the two nicely.
I’m looking forward to the next one in the series, as it looks it be set up for a sequel. I hope that they keep the same narrator 🤞
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Highgate Cemetery Murder is the first instalment in a new historical mystery series that is set in 1958, in Victorian London, featuring Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell. We embark into a world full of intrigues and suspense with danger and secrets that are being uncover in every corner.
The writing is simply amazing, and the plot is so full of twists and turns making it so interesting and impossible to put down. Tate and Bell are unlikely companions, navigating their own demons while they join forces, and I must say we could feel the tension between them. I cannot wait to see how their relationship develops.
Overall, this is an amazing book, especially for those who enjoys a historical mystery. We have amazing characters with such an intricate plot that can make you feel the atmosphere of it and keep you on the edge until it’s over. It is a dark story and can be a bit too much for sensible readers but it’s so good at the crime solving.
Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first read from Irina Shapiro and I have to say, it won't be my last!
This was a gritty and often dark book that is beautifully written in a very historically accurate way.
I enjoyed the characters and thought that the main protagonists were strong and beautifully flawed. I can smell a sequel and can't wait to read it and see the circumstances that Sebastian and Gemma find themselves in.
As far as crime novels go, it was as violent and often gruesome as they go but not overly so, and the historical context highlighted how it was back then for people of different classes and social standards.
I appreciated Sebastians work ethic and the fact that it didn't waver even though he was dealing with people of all backgrounds. Cotton needs his comeuppance and I'd love to see Colin with a sweetheart... just my thoughts for a sequel!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a gritty and often dark book that is beautifully written in a very historically accurate way.
I enjoyed the characters and thought that the main protagonists were strong and beautifully flawed. I can smell a sequel and can't wait to read it and see the circumstances that Sebastian and Gemma find themselves in.
As far as crime novels go, it was as violent and often gruesome as they go but not overly so, and the historical context highlighted how it was back then for people of different classes and social standards.
I appreciated Sebastians work ethic and the fact that it didn't waver even though he was dealing with people of all backgrounds. Cotton needs his comeuppance and I'd love to see Colin with a sweetheart... just my thoughts for a sequel!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was not the best historical mystery I've read, nor was it the worst. I unfortunately didn't connect with the characters and the mystery was a lot more gruesome than I expected. I wish that there was even a spark of brightness here for balance, but it felt like every character was miserable and depressed and/or grieving a devastating loss, which, combined with the grisly details of the murder, made the tone darker than I prefer. I may or may not pick up the second book if I find out there's some kind of light at the end of the tunnel for our main characters, but this was a miss for me.