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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
|| Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review ! ||
Sadly my hopes after reading book 4 weren't satisfied: there were no big leap in time, so there is no real progress with Gemma and Sebastian's romance in this book, even if the ending leads up to a new change (even if it'd still be slow considering how this ended). So it's my biggest frustration with this book 5.
Otherwise the story itself and the investigation was interesting, while being less eventfull (besides the ending) than previous books. I enjoyed that this time it was both far from our MCs yet still being close to them as well, it was well nuanced. As always, I loved following the investigation besides Sebastian and Gemma and trying to find the murderer by myself ; this time it was more subtle and a bigger story than expected - even if I was frustrated a bit by Sebastian not interrogating someone before they vanished, but that's game!
I will gladly continue on reading this series, as I still love following their adventures, even if I really truly hope the next book won't happen only 1 week later than this one - there is a big need of a leap in the storyline to stop reader being frustrated and finally giving them some hope.
Sadly my hopes after reading book 4 weren't satisfied: there were no big leap in time, so there is no real progress with Gemma and Sebastian's romance in this book, even if the ending leads up to a new change (even if it'd still be slow considering how this ended). So it's my biggest frustration with this book 5.
Otherwise the story itself and the investigation was interesting, while being less eventfull (besides the ending) than previous books. I enjoyed that this time it was both far from our MCs yet still being close to them as well, it was well nuanced. As always, I loved following the investigation besides Sebastian and Gemma and trying to find the murderer by myself ; this time it was more subtle and a bigger story than expected - even if I was frustrated a bit by Sebastian not interrogating someone before they vanished, but that's game!
I will gladly continue on reading this series, as I still love following their adventures, even if I really truly hope the next book won't happen only 1 week later than this one - there is a big need of a leap in the storyline to stop reader being frustrated and finally giving them some hope.
mysterious
fast-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:
No
“Murder on Platform Four” is the fifth volume in Irina Shapiro’s Tate and Bell mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but is much richer when read as part of the series.
While waiting to pick up his estranged brother at the train station, Inspector Sebastian Bell becomes involved in a murder investigation when a young woman’s body is discovered in a trunk left on the platform. It seems to be a crime of passion…and a crime of deliberation. Nurse Gemma Tate takes custody of the victim’s body on behalf of her ill employer who is a medical examiner. Being naturally curious and somewhat of an expert at solving crimes, Gemma does an initial examination of the body and shares her insights with Sebastian. The two begin investigating the clues and quickly come to the conclusion that the killer is uncomfortably close to them, but which suspect is the true culprit?
This is a twisty-turny mystery that keeps the reader engaged to the end. Chance encounters and off-hand remarks add to the puzzle. Gemma and Sebastian’s relationship continues to develop, but Gemma is still in mourning for her brother.
This story is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a slow-burn romance.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Storm Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I know these books are not romance, per say, but every book little by little Sebastian and Gemma get closer and realize that they're in love. I do wish they could just move out of their lodgings and move into their own place, then go and adopt Lucy. A girl can dream.
I was impressed that Gemma did the autopsy. She probably is more knowledgeable than Colin is about such matters anyway.
Thank you to Storm for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
I was impressed that Gemma did the autopsy. She probably is more knowledgeable than Colin is about such matters anyway.
Thank you to Storm for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Crime solving the old fashioned way. Inspector Sebastian Bell is at the railway station to meet his estranged brother Simian. But crime follows him around and despite it being his time off, he's caught up with the discovery of a woman's body in a travelling trunk.
His investigation leads him to many suspects, and its with the help of tenacious Gemma Tate that the perpetrator is brought to justice.
I love this series, the crime and mystery are the big part of the storyline but its the development of the characters that brings it to life, as each novel unfolds we're treated to further involvement in their lives
His investigation leads him to many suspects, and its with the help of tenacious Gemma Tate that the perpetrator is brought to justice.
I love this series, the crime and mystery are the big part of the storyline but its the development of the characters that brings it to life, as each novel unfolds we're treated to further involvement in their lives
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Murder and secrets
I love this series and this installment of the historical whodunit series staring Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate. Like the other books in the series, it had a layered storyline, an intriguing mystery, surprising plot twists, and suspense which made it hard to put down once I started. This author always manages to take simple ink on paper and create a living breathing place full of three dimensional beings that feels real. This type of immersive reading that involves my brain, my heart and my soul is the best kind. Sebastian and Gemma are portrayed as real, relatable and complex people who have flaws and scars, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans. Still in mourning for her brother, Gemma is a nurse in 1858 London who now works as a live in nurse/companion for Dr Colin Ramsey’s mother who suffers from dementia. Sebastian is a Scotland Yard detective and a widower. Sebastian and Gemma enjoy puzzling out a case together and have recently admitted they want to court once Gemma is no longer in mourning. At the train station to pick up his brother, Sebastian is in the perfect place just when a dead body in a trunk is found and he is once again involved in a murder with an over abundance of suspects and a messy investigation. The investigation leads Sebastian - and to some extent Gemma - to unlikely places, dead ends, plot twists, secrets, and surprising revelations. As always, there are smaller personal story arcs and social commentary which enrich the main plot line and give the characters even greater dimension. I love these characters and this series.