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
#MurderOnPlatformFour by @irina_shapiro_author #TateAndBellMysteriesBk5 #stormbooks_co #NetGalley #barnesandnoble #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #BritishDetective #MurderInvestigation #historicalmystery #historicalmysteryseries #victorianmysteryfiction #siblings #amateurdetective #ScotlandYardInspector

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.