Irina Shapiro

Murder at the Mill was an entertaining mystery with lots of twists and turns, but it certainly was darker than the previous two entries. I have developed a fondness for the two male protagonists, Captain Redmond and Inspector Daniel Haze, and enjoy learning more about them as they learn each other's strengths and weaknesses when working together. While the first two mysteries were interesting, this ones delves into a more uncomfortable scenario of the times, something that I liked seeing as show more the time period was definitely a difficult time for people. The subject matter should make you feel uncomfortable, but the author handled it with sympathy and great deftness, in my opinion.
This series is fast becoming a favourite of mine. show less

Murder in the Crypt is the first book in the Redmond and Haze Mysteries, and honestly, I don't know why it took me so long to get to this series as it has a lot of the things I like. It follows an American soldier who inherits a title and property after his British grand-father dies. Having fought for the union in the American Civil War and spending time in prison, he was looking for peace and quiet. What he discovers is a village full of intrigue, and a murder.

I thought both the character show more and plot development were good, even if I did figure out who the culprit.
This was also a great look at 19th century society and the restrictions imposed on people, from the commoners through the wealthy. Personally, I thought all aspects of the novel were fascinating, and although I love mysteries and enjoyed the twists and turns, especially Haze's story line, I really enjoyed the subtle discussions of the morals and values of this time period. show less

It is 1858 in London and Gemma Tate has recently returned to England from Crimea where she trained as a nurse under Florence Nightingale. When ahe learns that her twin brother has fallen under the wheels of an omnibus and has died, she is grief-stricken. The police are convinced it was a tragic accident but, after reading his notebook, she is sure he was murdered. She takes the notebook to Scotland Yard, determined to convince the detective in charge of the investigation and to offer her show more help.

Detective Sebastian Bell has developed an addiction to opium after a personal tragedy and is just barely holding onto his job. When he is assigned a new case of a gruesome murder in the Highgate Cemetery, he knows that, if he doesn’t solve it and quickly, he’ll be finished at the Yard. When it is discovered that the victim is the daughter of a Viscount, the odds against him grow even higher. When Gemma shows him the notebook, he realizes that the two murders are linked and that her brother has left cryptic clues to the murder’s identity if only he can figure out their meaning. Grudgingly, Sebastian accepts her offer of help and the two form an uneasy alliance to find the killer.

The Highgate Cemetery Murder is the first book in a new historical mystery series by Irina Shapiro and it is very compelling but also very dark. I was sucked into the story from the first page. Gemma and Sebastian are both interesting and likeable and I found myself caring about them.

However, it must be noted that this is definitely not a fun easy read. The author does an amazing job of showing attitudes towards women, especially nurses, in Victorian England as well as contrasting the horrors of the slums with the opulences of the upper classes. The murders are gruesome and there is a great deal of extreme violence including gang rape. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the denouement was shocking.

Overall, I found this to be a real pageturner and look forward to reading future books in this series. But I would suggest that people should be aware of how dark parts of it are and consider that before picking it up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review show less

Murder most foul!

A murder screams from the newspapers headlines. Not only because it’s bizarre, but it garners even more attention when the victim’s identity is revealed. A young society heiress, the Honorable Miss Adelaide Seaborne, daughter of the Viscount Dalton and granddaughter of the Earl of Caledon. Adelaide did not die easily.
Up until Inspector Sebastian Bell is put on the case the young woman’s been dismissed as a doxy, not worth police time.
Sebastian’s superior tasks him show more with solving the murder yesterday. He’s beginning to suspect his days with Scotland Yard might be numbered. Sebastian has been taking opium to counter a personal sorrow. Now he’s been given an unsolvable case. He’s toying with the idea of applying to the Pinkerton Agency as an investigator. A move to America is looking more and more attractive.
Gemma Tate was a nurse during Crimea. No stranger to death and more. When she receives the news that her twin brother, a journalist, was killed in an accident, crushed by an omnibus she’s bereft.
However on perusing Victor’s notebook she begins to suspect he was murdered, and that it’s related to the graveyard killing.
These two unlikely characters, Bell and Tate join forces to find the killer.
A dark mystery set in Victorian London. Atmospheric and urgent. The dénouement is shocking.
Rereading parts whilst considering my review I actually upped the stars from 4 to 5
After all who doesn’t love a tragic, occasional opium seeking hero trying to drown his memories in whatever release afforded, as he attempts to solve cases with integrity and diligence.
And by the same token, our heroine has faced unimaginable hours on the war front and given very little in the way of thanks or acknowledgment once home. Finding her brother’s killer gives her purpose.
An excellent pairing of characters. I’m looking forward to more from these two.

A Storm ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. show less