I am still enjoying this historical mystery/romance series and am always happy to find a new one dropping. This outing finds Sebastian dealing with an unidentified body found in a trunk left at Paddington station, his reconnection with his estranged brother and his growing but sometimes frustrating relationship with Gemma.

Even though it seems to be evolving at a very slow pace, I enjoy the interactions between Sebastian and Gemma, the respect and admiration they share for each other both as people and as professionals in their work environments. As far as the romance goes, there were a few developments, but it's taken awhile to get to this point. I have a feeling the next book will really see more advancement in that area.

The mystery is interesting as we watch how the body is finally identified, her circumstances unearthed and the surprises of who might wish her ill. Gemma really shines in this one as she steps out on her own to aid Sebastian even at the expense of being reprimanded/censored by those around her. She's a spunky, intelligent woman, and even though I always want more Sebastian/Gemma time together, it's also satisfying to follow them on their own and be privy to their thoughts and deductions apart from each other.

Well done addition to the series, and as always, looking forward to more.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing the free early arc of Murder on Platform Four for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of Murder on Platform Four in exchange for an honest review.

Murder on Platform Four is the fifth installment in the Tate and Bell Mystery series as Irina Shapiro’s detective series continues to get better and better. Book five is on par with its predecessors in that it’s a wonderfully woven fast paced and gripping tale sure to leave you continually theorizing who the murderer may be.

Sebastian Bell has found himself in the midst of yet another murder investigation as he arrives to Paddington station to collect his estranged brother. While waiting for his arrival, a porter discovers a woman shoved into a trunk with an object sticking out of her chest. First on the scene, Sebastian wastes no time getting to work and questioning witnesses of both the station and nearby hotel. Sebastian quickly has the body transported back to Colin’s home where an autopsy will be performed, not knowing that Colin and his mother are both ill. Because time is of the essence, Gemma steps in to perform a preliminary assessment of the victim in Colin’s absence in hopes of being of use to Bell with her nursing background. From this point forward, Tate and Bell are on the case in a rush to catch the killer before he skips town, if he hasn’t already. Over the course of three days, Tate and Bell are able to hone their skills and combine forces to bring the killer to justice in heroic fashion.

I simply cannot get enough of this series. The historical significance and graphic depictions of the time period transport you effortlessly back to 1859 London. The thought and research that Irina has put into this series is no small feat and it has paid off in spades. Historical fiction isn’t usually my forte, but for this series I will always make an exception. My one plea goes out to our esteemed author: please give us the Tate and Bell romantic union we all crave! Every novel comes so close and then we are yet again left with another cliff hanger. Irina certainly has it mastered in the way she keeps her readers coming back for more! I highly encourage you to pick up this series as you will surely not be disappointed. All 5 books are a continuation of the previous, so please do start at the beginning and enjoy the ride!

After years of estrangement, Sebastian is reuniting with his brother Simian. Sebastian shows up at Paddington Station and notices something is off. A woman has been dumped inside a large luggage and was found with a knife sticking out of her chest. As Gemma and Sebastian begin to work the case, there are several suspects, but the real killer is someone very close to them.

I am always happy for Gemma and Sebastian's return. They are lovely, strong, and well-rounded characters. I am eager for them to finally be together as a married couple. Irina Shapiro always brings great murder mysteries, good, loveable characters, and strong women.

Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

This is yet another captivating read in this series. As usual Gemma comes up against prejudice because she is a woman, when making her investigations. Gemma and Sebastian make a good team and I like the way that Sebastian appreciates Gemma’s help and sees that she gets credit for it. I’m also pleased that their relationship seems to be advancing. There is quite a mystery about the murdered woman and they find themselves in dangerous situations. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and another difficult to put down read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the fifth book in the series, I have only read one of the previous ones but will have to go back and fill in with the others when I have time. Inspector Sebastian Bell is waiting for his estranged brother to arrive at Paddington station when a woman's dead body is discovered. He and Gemma are drawn into the investigation of her murder.
I was really engrossed in this story which managed to recreate the gritty realism of life in Victorian London. I certainly was trying to follow the twists and turns in order to find out the identity of the poor woman and who was responsible for her murder. There is also the simmering romance between Sebastian and Gemma, which you hope manages to finally be acknowledged and acted upon. Definitely recommend if you enjoy murder mysteries set in Victorian London.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

My Rating = 4.5 Stars

This excellently crafted story caught my attention from the first page and didn’t let go until long after I’d finished the last page. The author does an excellent job of presenting both the victim and the perpetrator as both sympathetic and immoral – not that we’re ever led to think murder is moral. With a plethora of suspects, Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell will have to pull at every thread to uncover the true villain.

While I’m aware this is a mystery, I am also a romantic and am growing tired of the continuous obstacles to Gemma and Sebastian being together. This book continues with those obstacles and it is the fifth book in the series. Should that continue with the sixth book, I will likely discontinue reading the series because I want BOTH the mystery and the romance.

I was delighted to see Gemma showing the gumption to perform her own inspection of the victim without Colin’s consent, but I was very disappointed in Colin’s reaction to it. It also saddened me that Sebastian spent so little time with his estranged brother, so I look forward to seeing what develops in that relationship.

If you love a well-thought-out mystery with relatable characters, this book is for you. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As the result of being a nurse in the Crimean War Gemma had seen some pretty dark stuff and despite it being 'not the done thing' for her to be involved, her insights are valuable for Sebastian's investigation into the murder of a young woman whose body was found in a trunk at the railway station. It is well written atmospheric tale but I did not engage fully with the characters. I found them both slightly annoying for various reasons. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another engrossing read in a series that continues to give the reader a wonderful read. The characters are well-written, and the story is very well thought out. The story keeps you turning the page with expectation and guessing to see who the murderer is. There are so many suspects thrown in the pot, but the story is still easy to follow. The relationship between Emma and Sebastian continues to move forward, and I look forward to the next book when Emma is finally out of mourning. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of “Murder on Platform Four.” All opinions and comments are my own.

A sad case, this turns out to be. That is, one that proves that human nature brings out the worst in people, and Inspector Sebastian Bell knows that only too well.

In “Murder on Platform Four,” the fifth in the entertaining Tate & Bell series by Irina Shapiro, Inspector Bell is caught up with catching the killer of a what turns out to be a visitor to London. And among the suspects (which came awfully handy, at least to me) are the residents of his own boarding house. And while he’s busy figuring out the who, the when and especially, the why, Gemma Tate is assisting as best she can in her unofficial capacity, and rather helpful she is.

We see the strictures of Victorian society against women, a side plot of Sebastian reuniting with his brother (who gives him a helpful gift), and eventually, how tried and true motives for murder prove solvable with a bit of luck and perseverance. And in “Murder on Platform Four” author Irina Shapiro teases readers with further insight into the ongoing relationship of nurse Gemma and said inspector. It’s nice to see something good happening to these two characters. Then again, when you have commitments outside your own lives, choices must be made, and “true love never do run smooth.”

Inspector Sebastian Bell arrives at Paddington station through thick Victorian mist, hoping to reconcile with his estranged brother, Simian. 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. Nurse Gemma Tate is at work when the nameless woman is brought in for an autopsy. Realizing how desperate Sebastian is for a lead, she risks a forbidden examination and makes two tragic discoveries: the woman recently gave birth, and she wears a wedding ring with the inscription “G loves H”. Determined to get justice, Sebastian and Gemma pursue answers to the woman’s wretched fate.
The fifth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own, I came late to this series & I’m gradually reading the first couple of books. I really like both Sebastian & Gemma & like how their relationship is slowly changing. The case is intriguing & there are twists, turns & red herrings before it is solved. Poor Gemma does court danger. A well written engrossing book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

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
🕵🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♂️
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.
👮🏼‍♂️🕵🏼‍♀️
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.
🕵🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♂️
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.
👮🏼‍♂️🕵🏼‍♀️
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!
👮🏼‍♂️🕵🏼‍♀️
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!
🕵🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♂️

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.