This is the third book in Irina Shapiro's Tate and Bell Mystery series, set in London circa 1858-1859 and featuring Inspector Sebastian Bell and nurse Gemma Tate. This book builds on Gemma's background as a nurse and caregiver, employed at the Foundling Hospital, the scene of a murder of a young girl.

"At first glance, she was just a delicate child, but she was a child on the verge of womanhood who would have invited a very different kind of attention from grown men had she not died so suddenly."

Inspector Bell is once again between a rock and a hard place, with Superintendent Lovell urging him to solve the crime as soon as possible, and the Matron of the hospital with quite different objectives:

"Matron would do everything in her power to thwart the investigation, and even if the truth came to light, the governors would no doubt prefer to deal with the culprit internally and administer their own brand of justice."

The author crafts another dense-plotted mystery with some interesting elements (a mysterious Russian ring, a tiny doll), a quest to discover Amanda's birth mother, and a dynamic ending that pulls everything together in an exciting conclusion.

Again, the author gives modern readers a nuanced insight into how difficult and perilous everyday life was like in Victorian London. The Foundling Hospital employs many former residents who cling to the safety of the familiar, knowing that without such a safety net, their lives would be bleak and short. Even the best alternative to being executed or thrown in prison, being transported to Botany Bay is horrific - "they'd still perished, only much slower as they starved to death or fell victim to illness."

But as the book ends, Gemma has some new employment and a relationship between Sebastian and Gemma seems more likely, and I eagerly anticipate the next book in this series. 5 stars.

Murder and mystery!

The body of a young girl is found in the laundry of the Foundling Hospital where Gemma Tate works as a nurse. The hospital is a place reserved for the illegitimate children of ‘deserving’ mothers.
Detective Inspector Sebastian Bell is summoned.
The matron, Matron Holcombe is effected by the child’s death but highly antagonistic towards Sebastian’s investigations. She and the Board of Directors want the murder swept under the carpet. Any scandal could affect the hospital’s all important donor support.
Sebastian has Gemma help him, albeit quietly.
Eventually the clues that are revealed are puzzling.
It’s only after Gemma is almost killed that the murderer is unmasked
The tale however is complex and murky.
Sebastian is facing pressures from work, as is Gemma.
The Tate and Bell mysteries continue to intrigue, as does the developing relationship between the two.
Another great Victorian mystery read from Shapiro

A Storm ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I very much like this kind of story. Again, Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell work together to solve a murder, this time at the Foundling Hospital. The Matron is working against the investigation. Does she have a reason for it? Or is this just behavior due to the rigid rules of the Institution? Several twists happen in the story. The end is quite a surprise.

Murder at the Foundling Hospital is a gripping historical mystery that pulls you into the heart-wrenching world of 19th-century orphanages. Nurse Gemma Tate’s dedication to her young charges shines through as she grapples with the tragic murder of one of the children under her care. Irina Shapiro skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue, and the somber setting of the Foundling Hospital creates a palpable tension that drives the story forward.

The dynamic between Gemma and Inspector Sebastian Bell adds depth to the narrative. Their partnership evolves as they work together to uncover the truth, despite the obstacles posed by the curt matron and the secrets that lie within the hospital’s walls. The introduction of the small wooden doll found with the victim is a haunting detail that propels the mystery and adds layers to the investigation.

Shapiro excels at creating a rich atmosphere filled with emotional depth, and the shadows of the past linger throughout the story, hinting at darker secrets. While the pacing slows in some parts, the unraveling of the mystery kept me engaged, and the twists toward the end were both surprising and satisfying.

Overall, Murder at the Foundling Hospital is an evocative and thrilling read that combines heartbreak with suspense. Fans of historical mysteries will appreciate Shapiro’s ability to blend compelling characters with a captivating plot.

I'm a relative newcomer to Irina Shapiro's writing. I was delighted to see that I was granted an advance reader copy of "Murder at the Foundling Hospital" by NetGalley.
Ms. Shapiro has a wonderful way of portraying both a Victorian era investigation and slow burn romance.
In this novel, Nurse Gemma Tate plays a key roll because the murder takes place at her place of work, the Foundling Hospital. Sebastian Bell is a Scotland Yard detective, and he has to rely on evidence collected by Gemma. At every turn, Sebastian runs into roadblocks perpetrated by the Matron of the home. Interviews are limited, he's not allowed to search key areas, and his general access to records is thwarted.
Shapiro has an intriguing couple as main characters and well represented reoccurring side characters.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was good, although it was a bit slow. Overall I enjoyed it, especially the second half when it picked up a bit more. Overall, I did enjoy it.

This is the first book of this series that I have read, I therefore don't know the character's back stories but did enjoy reading this book although I don't often read crime fiction. It certainly brings to life the terrible conditions that people lived in during the time of the Crimean war and the lack of options for orphans. I did become engrossed in the book following Gemma and Sebastian as they tried to find the killer of a young girl, with both struggling against the expectations of the time. I will have to one day to go back and read the first two books in the series to find out how they first met and started solving crimes.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

4.75 ⭐ rounded up.

“Love can make one kill just as easily as hate.”

I enjoyed this cozy, period piece murder mystery. From the very first chapter I fell in love with Gemma and Sebastian. Their chemistry was palpable and I love their budding relationship.
Despite this being my first book in the series, I was able to easily follow along and pick up on their past woes. So I got a sense of what their characters were like and that made the book enjoyable for me as well.

The mystery was well crafted and written. It was tense, twisty and uncovers many long buried secrets along the way. Not only was it filled with suspense, but it was also an emotional read at times. I love how I felt transported into 1800s London and how atmospheric this book was.
There was a never a dull moment at all.
I am now mildly obsessed with these characters and can't wait to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Irina Shapiro for my eARC of this book.
Pub Date October 21st, 2024.

Gemma is broken-hearted when she learns that one of the young girls at the Foundling Hospital has been killed, and insists on helping police inspector Sebastian find the responsible party. The hospital’s matron puts obstacles in their path at nearly every step, effectively shutting down Sebastian’s investigation, so Gemma must look into things surreptitiously if they want to learn the truth.

This has become one of my new favorite series, and Ms. Shapiro a new favorite author. I love her Redmond and Haze series, and this one is just as good – if not better. I like both Gemma and Sebastian, and the way they work together despite their different backgrounds. I like that he respects her experiences and opinions, unlike many men of their time. They have good people around them, and although we didn’t see much of him in this story, I love Gustav the cat.

There were plenty of twists, turns and red herrings in this book, with plenty of names being added to – and then later removed from – the suspect list. I was on the right track for identifying the culprit, but I had the wrong individual at the top of my list, and didn’t quite have the motive nailed either.

I look forward to reading the next book featuring Gemma and Sebastian, but will probably pick up a Redmond and Haze book while I wait :)

This is book three in the Tate and Bell Mystery series, in this series we follow Nurse Gemma Tate who is devastated by the death of one of her younger nurses. While Gemma has the upmost faith that police inspector Sebastian Bell (such an amazing name), will stop at nothing to uncover the truth of what happened to such a young soul. This book is a curvy, twisty, intricately woven web of lies, deceit, and action-packed thriller full of people's darkest secrets. They will stop at nothing to keep them just that a secret. When Sebastian finds an item in the clutches of the young dead girls' hands, Gemma whose heard whispers of a deadly and shadowy romance will stop at nothing to find out what happened to the nurse within the hospital's haunted walls. As time begins to run out will they solve the crime or will it go unsolved and remain a mystery.

As with all investigations some people will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out, the same is the case in this novel the hospital's Matron fears the loss of her job. Takes it upon herself to begin asking questions raised by the Hospital’s wealthy benefactors, she was quickly closing ranks. DI Bell has a limited open window in which to solve this crime before Matron cuts of his access. Thankfully, he has insider help, in the form of Miss Tate, who is able to covertly assist the Inspector with his enquiries.

Irina Shapiro has an intricate was of writing rich and full of descriptive filled books. The mysterious threads are creatively plotted and historically accurate (which is always a breath of fresh air, when an author has their facts right). This author makes it very complicated to try to guess the villain, with plot twists and red herrings to thrown in to keep you on the top of your sleuth game.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Irina Shapiro for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder at the Foundling Hospital coming out October 21, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’m obsessed with this series and this author! I love Sebastian and Gemma’s characters so much and I think they work amazingly together. I was hoping for a little more from them in their personal lives, but they did have a lot going on with this mystery. I loved it! I enjoy the historical backstory and research as well. I’m definitely reading the next book in the series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian mysteries!

So I was completely hooked on this murder mystery by Irina Shapiro.
I couldn't put. It down. The story is fully of character and twists and turns while they try to solve the murder..

This is the 3rd book in the series, but there is enough background given that it can be read as a standalone. Gemma Bell, nurse veteran of Crimea, feels fortunate to find a position as a nurse at a foundling hospital. The rules are strict for both staff and children, so how was Amanda Carter murdered in the laundry in the middle of the night? Sebastion Bell, Scotland Yard Inspector and Gemma's suitor, is called to the scene.
Gemma is already in Matron's black books for favoring young Lucy and even more for attempting to help Sebastion find clues to the murder.
The restrictions on women of the era are strangling, viewed from the present day, and these had been relaxed from earlier!
Between them, Gemma and Sebastion find many suspects, from fellow inmates, teachers, the victims birth family, and jealous rivals of her beauty. As they race to find the culprit before the influential Board of Governers have the investigation shut down, Gemma is in danger of not only being dismissed without a character (a virtual death sentence) but of actual physical danger. The shocking truth of who murdered Amanda and why is a blow to the reputation of the institution and Gemma is the scapegoat.
I love the history, not just of the era, but the odd (to us) customs and restrictions on both men and women. And it is wonderful to see the relationship develop between Gemma and Sebastion, despite their past traumas.
I highly recommend this book and the others before.

Irina Shapiro never disappoints! This murder mystery is filled with intense emotions and perplexing clues. I was truly surprised when the murder’s identity was revealed. It was also a real pleasure to read about the slowly developing relationship between Sebastian and Gemma. I highly recommend this book!

This was a well written, thoughtful thriller. It would help if you had previous in the series, but it stands alone well. The book centres on the murder of a long term resident of an orphanage but the identity of the killer is hard to predict amongst the red herrings making this a proper Victorian murder mystery. The book gives an insight into lives that are blighted by poverty at a time when Britain was one of the most wealthy and powerful nations in the world. All in all, a well worth read

I think this is the last book in the series for me. I read the first two, and each of those were good enough to make me want to read the next, but I'm just not making it through Murder at the Foundling Hospital. It all just feels formulaic and melodramatic. The dialogue and action are what one expects. This may be a result of my being maxed out on this genre, so I'm not posting a critical review where I usually would.

*No spoilers* I always enjoy a good mystery and this book has it all. There’s a perfect amount of mystery and suspense with also enough character development that you are easily drawn in. The fact that I did not guess what occurs in this book is an added bonus. The MMC (Sebastian) and FMC (Gemma) are both very likable yet flawed characters. With the setting taking place at a hospital (orphanage) in London in 1858 the insight to the historical references of what possibly day-to-day life might look like made this an interesting read. If you like reading Victorian fiction and love a good mystery, this is the book for you.

Disclaimer: this is book #3 in this series but it can also be a standalone book in my opinion. I also was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.

This is Irina Shapiro at her best!
I've read Book 1, 2, and 3 from this series. I love the characters and the author's vivid descriptions of the Victorian era and this dreary orphanage in London. This historical mystery delves into the murder of a fourteen-year-old girl who lives in the Foundling Hospital. A Tate and Bell mystery, Nurse Gemma Tate works at the Foundling Hospital, and Inspector Sebastian Bell from Scotland Yard have worked together in the past and successfully solved 2 murders. They team up again to try and solve this one. There are many suspects and with Nurse Tate as an insider, she is bound to stumble upon the killer.
I love Ms. Shapiro's historical mysteries! She has a fabulous imagination and the wonderful attention to detail she includes makes one feel as if they are in the story with the characters. None of her plots are repetitive and I look forward to Book 4 in this series if there is one.

If you've read the first two books in this series, you'll enjoy this one, too.

For those who haven't, it's not exactly a cozy mystery, because it's missing the lighter side that usually comes with that. But it's clean, and this has the least gore of the series.

Plot summary: Gemma Tate is working as a nurse at the Foundling Hospital in the late 1800's. a British orphanage. After a child is found murdered, inspector Sebastian Bell, who Gemma has a working relationship, and perhaps a romantic relationship with, is called on to find the killer.

As usual, this is very atmospheric, and the story reads easily. I can't say it was page-turning, but it was certainly enjoyable. I like this mystery better than the other two. I would have liked the romantic part to have progressed more than it did.

I believe I saw somewhere that this was only going to be three parts, but it didn't seem to close that way. I hope there are going to be more.

3.5/5, rounded up to 4.

Book three in this series and just as good as the previous ones. It’s a good detective procedural mystery. It’s a fast moving mystery that kept me guessing to the end. I can’t wait to see what Gemma and Sebastian get into next.