In my opinion, Irina Shapiro can do no wrong! This historical fiction mystery series is outstandingly researched and she has the tone and mood of the time perfectly. She can transport you back to Victorian London as quick as a flash and you will know exactly what to see, hear and even smell as if you were actually there.

I love the characters Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell and couldn't believe that it had only been 4 months (in book time) since the first three books had all happened. I appreciate how Gemma is a no nonsense lady with a heart of gold and an exceptionally caring and nurturing side. She is a heroine of the times having nursed in Crimea and she is a couragous and honest. Sebastian is an honest man in a profession that many can and have corrupted. He lives through the trauma of losing his family every day and the diligence of wanting to only put away the actual criminals and not just any handy scapegoat. I keep waiting for the romantic side of their relationship to develop but since it has only been 4 months since they met I can understand the delay.

This tale, was unputdownable and I was so sure that I had figured out the reason for the murder, cleverly, before the protagonists too...but...alas...I hadn't. The ending was put together very well indeed and I enjoyed every minute of the telling. Can't wait for the next book in the series and to see how Gemma gets on at her new job.

Thanks very much to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Irina Shapino for a cracker of a book to read as an ARC. All viewpoints are my own.