cassiecat 's review for:

The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro

4.5

mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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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 🤞