helenh 's review for:

Murder on Platform Four by Irina Shapiro

4.0

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of Murder on Platform Four. All opinions and comments are my own. 

 

A sad case, this turns out to be.  That is, one that proves that human nature brings out the worst in people, and Inspector Sebastian Bell knows that only too well.  

 

In Murder on Platform Four, the fifth in the entertaining Tate & Bell series by Irina Shapiro, Inspector Bell is caught up with catching the killer of a what turns out to be a visitor to London.  And among the suspects (which came awfully handy, at least to me) are the residents of his own boarding house.  And while he’s busy figuring out the who, the when and especially, the why, Gemma Tate is assisting as best she can in her unofficial capacity, and rather helpful she is.  

 

We see the strictures of Victorian society against women, a side plot of Sebastian reuniting with his brother (who gives him a helpful gift), and eventually, how tried and true motives for murder prove solvable with a bit of luck and perseverance.  And in Murder on Platform Four author Irina Shapiro teases readers with further insight into the ongoing relationship of nurse Gemma and said inspector.  It’s nice to see something good happening to these two characters.  Then again, when you have commitments outside your own lives, choices must be made, and “true love never did run smooth.”