Inspector Sebastian Bell arrives at Paddington station through thick Victorian mist, hoping to reconcile with his estranged brother. Instead, he discovers a young woman's body in an abandoned trunk, stabbed with a peculiar bone-handled knife.
But with no clues to her identity and his new boss dismissing the case, Sebastian's investigation seems doomed.
Book 5 of the Tate and Bell series does not disappoint - each instalment are solid Victorian murder mysteries and can be read as stand alone or as part of the series in which you can follow the budding relationship of Tate and Bell. I adore this series and am always excited to get into the latest book. The stories are full of historical references and the description of the era and setting of London provides a great backdrop for the murders. The characters of Tate and Bell, along with other regulars of Colin, Ransome and more are all well rounded and a joy to follow.
The Murder at Platform 4 is eerie and full of intrigue and red herrings to throw you off the scent of the mystery. I never guess the endings of these books which is fantastic.
Thank you for the advanced copy as always!

This series just keeps getting better. This one was a real page turner! Looking forward to the next one!

Murder on Platform Four delivers another compelling case for Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate—one that hits closer to home than either of them expects. Shapiro’s detailed research brings Victorian London vividly to life (yes, I googled the Great Western Hotel), and the mystery unfolds with steady tension and a satisfying twist.

Gemma really comes into her own here—less bystander, more partner—and while I wish the romance would pick up the pace (five books and still no engagement?), the slow burn continues to smolder. It’s a strong installment in a well-built series. Best read in order, but you could jump in here if you're feeling bold.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

I like this series, but it starts dragging, and I’m getting impatient.

The murder mystery was slightly boring and rather forgettable. I enjoyed some of the twists, but it wasn’t as gripping as the previous installments. Something felt off about this book, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it’s because of Gemma and Sebastian?

In general, I like their dynamic, they work well together, both personally and professionally, and I was really hoping for some progress in their relationship; more sleuth-brainstorming, and generally more scenes together. Instead, it felt like they were running two separate investigations and barely speaking. Their relationship wasn’t moving forward, and it annoyed me. I’m getting tired of Gemma’s mourning and the general dread. Yes, life’s tough, we’ve established that. I would really appreciate something to lighten it up.

Furthermore, I was frustrated that Sebastian kept neglecting his brother because of new leads in the case. The guy is obsessed with his job, and it’s unhealthy.

On top of that, Gemma has a very annoying habit of being TSTL, and she went above and beyond here. Girl!! What were you thinking?!

I’m giving this book three stars because I still enjoyed reading about these characters, and I’ll continue the series, but this one was not my favorite.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book 5 of 5 - A Tate and Bell Mystery. A story where you won’t see the ending coming. I was surprised. I suggest reading all the books in order.

Inspector Sebastian Bell was at Paddington Station awaiting the train his brother Simian was arriving on, when he overheard a young porter telling his superior he'd found a body. Of course Sebastian immediately became involved, with the body of a young woman found in a large trunk, stabbed through the heart. With the Inspector getting no help from Scotland Yard (budget cuts and lack of constables), Sebastian brought Gemma Tate on board, which she was thrilled about. Her sleuthing and Sebastian's investigation left them frustrated though, as no evidence was forthcoming. Until suddenly Gemma knew who the killer was...

Murder on Platform Four is the 5th in the Tate & Bell series by Irina Shapiro and once again it was a well written and executed historical mystery novel. Set in 1858 London where Gemma is a nurse, doing in home care for Dr Colin Ramsay's mother Anne, after Gemma had returned from Crimea. She's still mourning the loss of her twin brother from some months before, but enjoys her work with the man she's come to care for. I love this series and am really looking forward to #6. Highly recommended (but read from the beginning)

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

While waiting for his estranged brother Simian’s train, Sebastian notices a commotion at the station. Going to find out what is happening, he discovers a body in an abandoned trunk, stabbed with an unusual knife. Even though his new boss dismisses the case as unsolvable, Sebastian and Gemma work together to figure out who the woman was, who killed her and why.

This series has become one of my favorite historical mystery series. I really like both MCs, Sebastian and Gemma, and most of the people around them. Sebastian is very good at his job, but has a past that comes back to haunt him on occasion. Gemma, who was a nurse in the Crimean War, is also good at her job but is frustrated by the limitations imposed on her simply because she’s a woman, even by some of the people who know her best.

We know nothing about the murder victim except that she’s a young woman, so at first, there were absolutely no suspects to consider. As Sebastian and Gemma investigate, though, and we learn more about her, several possibilities emerge. I really hoped that one character would be the culprit, but that didn’t happen. The killer was on my list of suspects, so I wasn’t completely surprised when his identity was revealed. The motive was to be expected given the time period, but it made me angry just the same.

I am already eager to read the next book in this series, but am glad I have several books from the author’s other series to read while I wait :)

Fun cozy mystery with a Sherlock Holmes vibe. The story was well paced and the ending was quite a surprise!

The Tate and Bell Mystery Book 5 finds Gemma and Sebastian trying to move forward in their lives and relationship, but life interferes! After Sebastian stumbles onto another mysterious murder while attempting to mend fences with his long-lost brother, Gemma is being run ragged by an illness that has stricken Anne and Colin Ramsey. While both are doing their best to solve the mystery, this time they aren't working together but each on their own. Will these two ever get their happy ever after? I'll keep reading to find out! 4-1/2 Stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

A body of a young woman in a trunk is discovered at Paddington Station, where Inspector Sebastian Bell is waiting for his brother, Simian. Bell arranges for the body to be transported to Dr Colin Powell's cellar for an autopsy, but Powell is ill and Gemma Tate takes the opportunity to have a look at the body herself, much against the conventions of the time. Gemma and Sebastian spend a lot of time frustratingly apart in this story, they work best when allowed to work together. Gemma is working as a nurse for Colin's elderly mother but wants a more stimulating life. The characters feel very real, Irina Shapiro's prose brings late 1850s London to life with the food, the noises and the smells. I have loved every book in this series, the plot is gripping with some surprising twists and we are rooting for the two central characters hoping they will solve the mystery and some day soon get together officially when Gemma is finally out of her widow's weeds. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of the book, I leave this review voluntarily.

I am still enjoying the tales of Gemma and Sebastian! A new book means a new death. Gemma is starting to feel the constraints of her time and wishes for more. I am curious to see how this desire plays out, especially set against the time period and with the burgeoning feeling between Gemma and Sebastian. I will keep returning!

Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell is at the train station to meet his estranged brother, not get involved in a strange (even for Victorian London) murder. Sebastian and his friend (and perhaps more) nurse, Gemma Tate investigate the unknown woman's death and concealment in a trunk in left luggage.
They struggle with Sebastian's superintendent's reluctance to investigate a murder that is unlikely to be solved, especially if it gets into the papers. Sebastian and brother, Simian try to sort out their differences and make amends for years of estrangement. Gemma deals with the dismissive attitudes of everyone, except Sebastian, as she attempts to find out who, where, and why the murder took place. Sometimes it helps to be just a nosy woman; people will be less guarded than with a policeman.
As the clues add up and several suspects are identified, the murderer is watching them as well, and may be closer than anyone imagines.
I really enjoy this series, especially the way Sebastian and Gemma make each other grow and work through their past tragedies and traumas. Also happy for Gemma to FINALLY be coming out of mourning for her parents, sister-in-law, and beloved brother.
This is a great series and can't wait to see what happens next.

This was another strong entry in the Tate and Bell series, atmospheric as usual, with a good balance of the mystery and the human side of the story.

Plot summary: When a body is found in a trunk on a train platform, inspector Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate need to find the murderer before it's too late.

Their personal relationship doesn't progress much here. The author is moving the timeline very slowly so that Gemma is still in mourning and can't get engaged, and she pushes it off even further here as Gemma is asked to stay on to help Mrs. Ramsey, whom she cares for in her capacity as a nurse, after she is hurt.

There is a colorful cast of characters with many suspects for who could be the murderer. I enjoyed the side story of Sebastian meeting with his brother.

However, there were some weak parts here. There were too many coincidences to move the plot, and Gemma's thoughts about female empowerment didn't fit the time. There were some loose ends that weren't tied up well enough at the end, to me.

I'm looking forward to the next installment.

3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Irina Shapiro for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

Irina Shapiro has found her stride with Gemma Tate and Inspector Bell. I adore these mysteries. Gabe and Gemma are on a new case, and with newfound freedom as there is a mutual care and respect in Gemma’s contributions and Gabe’s appreciation of her abilities. Gemma finds herself taking the lead in new ways that are absolutely perfect at showcasing her talents and demonstrating how she balances Gabe so well. Meanwhile, Gabe is settling into a new routine with the new superintendent at the station and understands the importance of not only solving this latest mystery but solving it quickly. There are some well-timed obstacles in this case, but they really do serve to showcase each of their talents. I loved some of the happy side trails offered in this story and I cannot wait for future installments to see what else may in store for these two. You can enjoy as a standalone and won’t feel like you are out of place, but reading in order will provide so much depth and backdrop to these amazing characters.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Thank you Storm Publishing for the ARC of Murder on Platform Four. I enjoy thrillers and mysteries and this book was unique as a mystery. Unique because the entire story centered on solving a murder and carefully walked the reader through.the investigative process which was interesting for me. It was easy to follow and side stories were kept to a minimum making the murder the main thread of the story. I particularly like anything set in London and this didn't disappoint. I look forward to reading the other books in the series with these characters and more Irina Shapiro books.

[3.5/5 rounded to 4/5]

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.

What a truly gripping page-turner. It had everything and more than I could have wished for. A dramatic storyline , interwoven with a cast of memorable characters.

While waiting at the train station for the arrival of his estranged brother, Inspector Sebastian Bell finds himself caught up in a murder investigation when a young woman’s body is found in an abandoned trunk. The victim had been stabbed to death, and it does not take Bell long to determine that she had been staying at a nearby hotel. Now Bell must not only find the killer, but determine the woman’s identity and figure out what she was doing in London and who she was there to see. Nurse Gemma Tate has helped Bell with several past cases, and she offers valuable assistance again in getting justice for the murdered woman.

I am a big fan of the Tate and Bell Mysteries. The historical series is set in London in the mid-1850s, and Shapiro brings the setting to life. MURDER ON PLATFORM FOUR is full of suspense and red herrings. Several suspects are close to either Sebastian or Gemma, and that adds to the drama and the urgency to uncover the killer. But to find the killer, they must first figure out the identity of the dead woman. Despite Scotland Yard’s lack of interest in the murder, Sebastian continues to work on the case while Gemma conducts her own investigation behind the scenes.

Atmospheric, Smart, and Suspenseful.

Murder on Platform Four is a beautifully written and atmospheric Victorian mystery. Inspector Bell and Gemma Tate are drawn into a suspicious death on a railway platform, uncovering a layered story of loss, secrets, and survival. The plot is tight and engaging, the historical detail feels authentic, and the characters especially Bell and Tate continue to shine. Irina Shapiro balances mystery with emotional depth perfectly. Highly recommended for fans of historical crime fiction! Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

1858 London; Scotland Yard detective Sebastian Bell is at Paddington to meet his brother after many years of separation. He's just at the tight place when a body is found in an abandoned trunk but then practically ignores his brother so the family reunion starts on a rather down note. Nurse Gemma Tate is currently nursing a lady with dementia but has the advantage of a live-in position, she's nearing the end of her mourning period for her twin brother and is contemplating what the future might hold. She and Sebastian have admitted feelings to each other but there are always things in the way. The body is of a young woman, stabbed with a bodkin and bled to death. Who is she, was she meeting someone? What was she doing in London? Where is she from? No papers for identification other than a scrap giving an address in the street in which Sebastian lodges. The body is taken for autopsy and Gemma, whilst not intruding, does an external examination - totally frowned upon by her patient's son, Colin, who does the formal autopsies. There is a lot of surmising and thought going on and this does get repetitive at times. It's good to see some of these, however, given the lack of evidence and the lack of the familiar 21st century technologies. Medics of various sorts are highly involved, there's blackmail, revenge, accidental death and a whole lot more dealing with the murder. Sebastian is the solid, practical sort, a doggedly determined policeman and coming to terms with the murder of his wife and unborn child. There is also a lot about Gemma's thoughts and frustrations of being a women in these times where she can nurse and mop fevered brows but given, mostly, little consideration as to having a brain let alone using it for anything other than womanly jobs. At least Sebastian appreciates her. Another good read that can be read as a standalone. Excellent descriptions of the times and conditions in London, especially of the majority who are poor and desperate. Look forward to the next installment. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.