Category: Historical Mystery

Murder at Traitors’ Gate by Irina Shapiro

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Murder at Traitors' Gate (A Tate and Bell Mystery #2)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Tate and Bell Mystery #2
Publication Date: 6/24/24
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 320

This dark, complex, mysterious story continues the tale of Crimean War nurse, Gemma Tate, and intrepid Inspector Sebastian Bell of Scotland Yard. Both of our protagonists have moved on from the events in the first book – Gemma has changed jobs and moved out of the home she once shared with her much-loved twin brother, and Sebastian has shaken his addictions and is working diligently to heal from the injuries he received in the last case. However, neither has quit thinking of the other, but neither has acted on those thoughts.

Sebastian was summoned to Traitor’s Gate at the Tower of London where the body of a brutally murdered man was discovered – hanging from a very large meat hook. Who is the victim? There is nothing on the body to identify him, but Sebastian recognizes him as Jacob Harrow, a newspaperman, and witness to the death of Gemma Tate’s brother. Why was his body displayed as it was and in such a disgraceful place? What message is the murderer sending?

Gemma and Sebastian struggle to untangle the twisted threads of the crime back to the Crimea and the sordid things that happened in those fetid battlegrounds. However, the crime comes much closer to home when there is another murder and an attempt on Sebastian’s life.

I found myself staying up late into the night reading ‘just one more chapter’ because there were so many potential criminals and victims and I just had to know ‘who done it’. I had the perpetrator figured out before the end of the book, but I sure didn’t have the motive figured out. If you love stories with complex characters, intriguing mysteries, and a tad of a budding romance, you will enjoy this book. Be warned, it is a dark book dealing with dark, sad times. However, most of this author’s works are dark – but then, murder is dark isn’t it?

I am already looking forward to the next installment in the series which should be released in October.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Deceptive Composition by Anna Lee Huber – Release Day Blitz

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Release Day BlitzLeave a comment

A Deceptive Composition (Lady Darby Mystery, #12)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Darby #12
Publication Date: 6/18/24
Period: October, 1832
Number of Pages: 384

This book reminded me of a Tilt-a-Whirl with all of the plots and characters spinning in different directions simultaneously. Who were the good guys? Who were the bad guys? What was the motive? It was such a fantastic read that I wanted to start reading it again as soon as I was finished. For me, that isn’t an unusual reaction to this author as I don’t believe I have ever read one of her books that I didn’t love.

The opening of the book finds Kiera, Gage, seven-month-old Emma, and their servants still at the home of Gage’s father, Lord Gage. Lord Gage has been recovering from the near-fatal injury he suffered in the last book, and he’s coming along nicely. Gage and his father have always had an extremely contentious relationship and even that is evening out. So, all is right in their world at the moment – until a letter from Lord Gage’s long-estranged family arrives. Though he hasn’t been to his family’s home in over fifty years, his Aunt Amelia is asking him to come right away because his uncle has died – and she thinks it was murder.

Set in the beautiful, though harsh and unwelcoming, Cornish coast of England, our protagonists find themselves surrounded by people who don’t wish them to be there. What was the real purpose of luring them to Cornwall? Was there really a murder? His uncle has been buried for a while, so what is there to investigate? Can they even investigate? It seems there is something around every corner that causes the hairs on the backs of their necks to tickle. Does someone wish them ill?

This author does an exceptional job of conveying the fear, the anxiety, the anguish, the animosity, and she brings you and those feelings into situations that are both dangerous and poignant. With smugglers, murderers, kidnappers, and more than enough secrets to go around, there is never a dull moment.

Once you begin reading, you won’t be able to put it down, so be prepared with an extra-large drink, a snack or two, a comfy reading spot – and maybe a potty break. The mystery is engrossing, challenging, and interesting while the characters are very life-like and relatable – even the villains.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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