I really enjoy Victorian mysteries with a side of romance. This series definitely hits my sweet spot. Inspector Sebastian Bell tracks down clues for a corpse found inside a trunk at the train station. It seems from the start that it will be impossible since there is no identifying information for the murdered woman. With the help of Nurse Gemma Tate, Bell starts to figure out where the woman was murdered, but still doesn’t know who she was.

I like the way that Tate and Bell work together. The author also explores the plight of women in this age. Even though Gemma had served in Crimea as a nurse, her skills are still not respected in the mid 19th century.

The characters are interesting and I enjoy their interactions as they pursue the clues.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. This is the latest in the series about Inspector Bell and Gemma Tate set in Victorian London. A body found at Paddington Station sets the scene for the investigation. I love the description of the locations with a suitable atmosphere created. The relationship between the characters is developing nicely in the series.
I can recommend this to lovers of historical crime fiction.

I did think this was another good murder mystery. I like Gemma and Sebastian, they work well together.. I did think the story dragged at times. I’m ready for Gemma and Sebastian to get together. Looking forward to the next one in this series.

Sebastian Bell is at Paddington station to meet his brother, they have not spoken for years ever since Sébastien left home to become a policeman. Now an Inspector at Scotland Yard, Sebastian is hopeful of patching things up with his brother. However before his brother has even arrived Sebastian finds himself involved in a murder case, the body of a young woman is found in a trunk, she has been stabbed and the weapon, a Bo in, is still sticking out of her chest.
Although he asks his brother to wait, he disappears before Sebastian can be free and despairs they will ever make up.
An enjoyable murder mystery set in Victorian London which sets Sebastian and his friend nurse Gwen Tate on a dangerous path to find the culprit.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

BOOK: MURDER ON PLATFORM FOUR
AUTHOR: IRINA SHAPIRO
PUB DATE: JULY 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Irina Shapiro here again with another amazing entry in the Bell and Tate Series. This series is still blowing hot, and I can hardly wait until the next book is out! It's always nice to see the way Sebastian and Gemma solve cases, especially Gemma, with the limitations of her job (a nurse) and her gender. Both of them work well together.
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The case here was different with the body of an unknown woman dropped unceremoniously at a train station, and Sebastian had to solve it in only two days (even less) because the case was 'unimportant'. I was not disappointed as Sebastian and Gemma turned over all the stones as usual to solve this case. It was amazing watching the both of them solve the case from an unknown angle to something closer to home. I really liked it.
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In the former books in the series, there was always mention of Sebastian's brother, Simian, and I got to see him here! It was really nice to see both of them mend broken fences and get closer. It provided context to Sebastian as a character. For Gemma, I really want to see her potential out there, and I feel like she's shrivelling as a home/personal nurse. I really hope there's a change in her situation in the next book. As for Gemma and Sebastian as a couple, there was not much because of the urgency of the storyline. But, I still felt their connection and chemistry. Again, more of them next book!
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Anyway, the book was a good, exciting one. The crime was solved, the perp was arrested and sentenced and the characters were kinda satisfied. I would definitely recommend this and the entire series!
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If you love a smart, engaging historical mystery with characters you'll adore, definitely pick this one up. It's got that fantastic old-fashioned whodunit vibe – think clever plots, no phones, and a surprisingly gruesome murder (a body turns up in a trunk at the train station!).

What makes this book shine is how it pulls you right into 1858 London. The author just brings the world and its characters to life; it's the kind of immersive read that grabs your brain, heart, and soul. Sebastian, the detective, and Gemma, the nurse, make an amazing team, separately digging for clues and then pooling their findings. You get both their viewpoints, and the mystery itself is so well-crafted, you'll be guessing the culprit right up until the very end!

Beyond the thrilling case, it's genuinely lovely to see Gemma and Sebastian's personal lives moving forward. That hint of romance between them adds such a sweet touch to the whole story.

With plenty of suspects, surprising twists, and determined sleuthing, this book is hard to put down.

4.5 stars!

Irina Shapiro never fails to deliver an intriguing plot, unexpected developments, and great characters! In this one, Gemma and Sebastian get caught up in a murder investigation involving a young woman’s corpse found in a trunk at the railway station. First, they need to figure out who she is, and then, of course, who killed her and why. As always, the killer was unexpected. It’s also fun to read about the love developing between Gemma and Sebastian. This is a wonderful series, and I always eagerly await the next one.

Another in the series with Gemma Tate and DI Sebastian Bell. This time a body is found in a trunk in Paddington Station with no clue as to the identity of the deceased or where the met her demise. The major legwork is undertaken by Sebastian while Gemma endures a somewhat tetchy relationship with the family she works for, caring for the elderly mother of the pathologist she wants to support and assist. the plot is suitably tortuous and has a number of possible suspects before a chance finding leads to the revelation of the killer. As a sideline we see Sebastian get back in touch with his family and then he and Gemma start to make plans for a future together. Once again, the book makes a point of developing a strong female character yet despite being highly competent is not given the same opportunities that a man would be in the same situation. All in all, a really enjoyable read.

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Irina Shapiro for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I can't believe we are already at book #5 in this series (Tate and Bell Mysteries); my thirst for the next book is still as strong as when I finished book #1 and I am now looking forward to reading book #6.

Quite a lot has happened to our two main protagonists - Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard and nurse, Miss Gemma Tate, so I would recommend reading this series in order to fully appreciate how these two characters have developed under the watchful eye of our author, Irina Shapiro.

While standing at Paddington station's Platform Four awaiting the arrival of the next train which will herald a reunion (of sorts) between Seb and his brother Simian, Inspector Sebastian Bell overhears a conversation between an alarmed young porter explaining to his superior that he'd just discovered a dead body. Announcing himself to the rail staff as an Inspector from Scotland Yard, Sebastian is taken to the Luggage Room at the end of the Platform where he finds the body of a young woman crammed into a steamer trunk. The woman had been stabbed in the heart with what looked like some sort of knife and to Sebastian's mind had been dead for some time. With no clues as to her identification – the woman had no reticule or any other identifying information on her - it was always going to be a difficult case. Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery Sebastian has the body delivered to his friend, Colin Ramsay who he hopes will provide him with some clue as to how the woman died.

The story, written from the third-person POV of Sebastian and Gemma moves well. In this instalment there is little interaction between our main protagonists, each seem to be running their own parallel investigation. While I will always champion a strongminded female protagonist, this reader was becoming a little frustrated with our FMC as some of her decision making related to this case seemed rather thoughtless and selfish. She did have a tendency to pout like a primary schooler scolded when reminded of her place - …..girl, what did you expect? We are, after all, in 1850s London!

Shapiro writes a solid mystery and I will always appreciate the intricacies of these – each one is refreshingly different and both the method and investigation of the murder are thoroughly explored – so that's a big tick from me. The author's attention to the historical detail of the time period doesn't go unnoticed and if you enjoy reading historical fiction novels with an attention to detail, you will enjoy this series.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially, Storm Publishing 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 30, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters reminded me of a delightful blend of Maisie Dobbs, Detective Murdoch, and the dynamic between Miss Scarlet and the Duke—familiar, compelling, and full of charm.

The plot was thoughtfully constructed with several twists—some expected, others genuinely surprising. Irina Shapiro’s writing style is immersive and engaging; I was completely hooked and ended up finishing the book in under a day.

This was my first time reading anything by Irina Shapiro, and I’m excited to dive into the earlier books in the series. I’ll definitely be picking up the first four installments to explore more of Sebastian and Gemma’s backstory.

3 Stars
One Liner: Okay, but the series is losing momentum

Inspector Sebastian Bell arrives at Paddington station to reconcile with his estranged brother but ends up finding the dead body of a woman stabbed with a strange-looking knife. With no clue to identify her, his superior is not interested in the case.
Gemma makes crucial observations when a nameless woman’s body is brought for an autopsy. Her discoveries could help Sebastian, who is determined to solve the case despite his superior’s lack of interest. But as the clues lead them to someone close home, the duo will have to make some tough decisions.
The story comes in Gemma and Sebastian’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
The fifth book in the series should work as a standalone. Not much happens anyway.
This time, the MMC is at the crime scene first, though for a personal reason. While I can see the need for this track with the brother, it just didn’t work as it should. I initially sympathized with the MMC, but his brother ended up handling it better.
The FMC has some role in the mystery, but I’m starting to be annoyed by her actions. There’s something called common sense, which she lacks because of her ‘noble’ intentions. Sadly, it is not attractive when it puts others at risk because she wants to be a hero.
The mystery was decent and had enough red herrings, though I could guess who the killer was. The investigation parts were good, and I continue to like the MMC’s new boss. He balances it well.
There aren’t many interactions between the lead pair, and almost no development to their track. While I appreciate the FMC’s love for her dead brother, detailed conversations with him are starting to feel repetitive. NGL, I skimmed over those.
I’m sure they can move on to the next stage and still solve cases. In fact, that might lead to more drama and tension than this never-ending pining for each other.

To summarize, Murder on Platform Four has its moments and discusses a few dark themes, but doesn’t really hit the mark. I hate to see a series lose steam because of the reluctance to take the overarching plot forward.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A pleasant read that does not exactly excite but which may have been improved by first reading the previous four books of the series and knowing a bit more about the main characters.. Many will like.
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Another pure delight! I felt like this was a faster read than the previous books in the series and that’s not a bad thing. Wish we would have gotten to read more about the brothers. At times it felt like there were too many characters to keep up with. I also wish we got to see Gemma and Sebastian together more. Excellent writing as always and easy to follow.

4.5 stars

Murder on Platform Four is the fifth book in Irina Shapiro’s Tate and Bell Mysteries.

The main characters in this series are Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate. Gemma is a nurse currently tending to the aging mother of Dr. Colin Ramsey. Colin is a friend of Inspector Bell’s who often helps him by performing autopsies on murder victims.

Inspector Bell is at the train station when the body of a young woman is discovered in a trunk. The body is sent to Colin, but he is sick, so Gemma takes it upon herself to inspect the body. She’s helped Sebastian with cases in the past, the two of them work to identify the woman and find out what happened to her.

I’ve read all of the books in this series so far and have enjoyed each one. The mysteries have been excellent, and this book is no exception. I also love getting to know these characters more and more throughout the series.

One of the things I enjoy about historical mysteries is the lack of modern forensics, technology, etc. There are no fingerprints, no DNA, no Google searches, or text messages to share the latest clue. Everything is done face to face. This book is another great example of that detective work.

While I've loved all of Irina Shapiro's Tate and Bell mystery novels so far, this one was lacking for me. We got very few interactions between Gemma and Sebastian, which was upsetting. The reconciliation between Sebastian and his brother also felt like it was forced and didn't add anything to the plot of the novel. It seemed like the only reason the reconciliation was added to the plot was to give Sebastian a reason for being at the train station. Ultimately, I was pretty disappointed with the storyline of this book. It unfortunately just fell flat.

Ms Shapiro has written another nail-biting installment in the Tate & Bell mysteries. I loved it! The story kept me up far too late on a work night, and my brain kept turning over pieces of the puzzle to try and solve it before Gemma and Seb did (I was not successful). Very well done tale and super excited to read the next one as relationships continue to deepen and grow.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Inspector Sebastian Bell is waiting for his brother to arrive by train, with hopes of a reconciliation. When a station hand finds a body in the luggage room, Inspector Bell begins an investigation, even though he is not on duty. He has no starting point because there is no identification with the body. Nurse Gemma Tate is on duty at the surgeon's house where the body is brought for autopsy. Can she help Inspector Bell solve the case, and can he mend the relationship with his brother at the same time?

Irina Shapiro's books never disappoint. I have read several titles in this series and I've loved them all. The characters seem very real, and the vivid descriptions of places and events make it easy for the reader to imagine them exactly. The mystery is satisfying with no loose ends, and readers will long for the relationship between Sebastian and Gemma to move forward just as they do.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

There have been a few series that I’ve loved but over time began to fizzle a bit and feel formulaic.
Not so with the Bell and Tate mysteries. It really has become a favorite series for me, and Murder on Platform Four, its fifth installment, was another great addition.

A killer could’ve gotten away with the perfect murder if two things had not occurred: the trunk carrying a woman’s body missed the train to Oxford, and Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard arrived at Paddington Station at the same time the body was discovered. There to meet his brother Simian and repair the rift in their relationship, Sebastian immediately heads up the investigation into the woman’s death. With very little to go on and police resources stretched thin, it’s a very grateful Sebastian who is assisted off the record by Gemma Tate. Gemma’s help proves invaluable, and I love how Sebastian takes it in stride that she needs to keep busy and feel useful and doesn’t resent her help or worry excessively about her safety, especially in light of his own tragic history. He accepts her for who she is, and in addition to the mystery, I also enjoyed seeing their relationship progress. And, refreshingly, progress without an inordinate amount of spanners thrown into the works for the sake of drama, as some writers fall back on.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another great entry in the Tate & Bell series! There were two mysteries for Sebastian and Gemma to solve - the identity of the victim and the events leading up to their murder. As with most mysteries, some of what Sebastian was able to piece together came about through luck as much as skill - kind of a right-place-right-time thing. As with the other books I always wish Gemma got more to do in actually solving the cases but she once again finds many crucial pieces of evidence and figures out the identity of the killer. I was not happy with Colin's reaction to Gemma's news that she had conducted a very basic review of the victim's body - after knowing her for so long and working alongside her on other autopsies his comments that she was not qualified to do "man's" work. I wanted to reach onto the page and smack him. That actually made me not like him and prior to that I had thought he respected Gemma's skills. Sebastian does not want Gemma involved for her safety, but he does respect her skills. When it comes to Sebastian and Gemma's relationship I have liked the way the author moves them forward with each book without jumping right to getting them married. Prior to this book I was wondering if the series would end with Sebastian and Gemma moving to America to become private investigators, but with comments made throughout this book that seems less likely. I am very much looking forward to the next book!

Not an unbiased review as I really like this series. Disclaimer #2: I am a history geek and retired RN with forensic interests. And I dearly love a well-executed investigation into a diabolically complex murder. This series tickles all of my favorite things and this episode has some new insights and interesting sidelines into the regular characters. Inspector Sebastian Bell, a man haunted by the murder of his wife and child, and nurse Gemma Tate who was a nurse in the Crimean War, (October 1853–February 1856) have progressed to 1859 and a more comfortable understanding between Sebatian and his brother. Riveting and exceptionally well researched.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected e-galley from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
Pub Date Jul 30, 2025 ***** #review #goodreads #bookbub @librarythingofficial #storygraph
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