Cara Devlin’s *Shadow at the Morgue* is an enthralling dive into the chilling world of Spencer & Reid, a dynamic investigative duo with chemistry and grit. From the moment I picked up this book, I was pulled into its eerie atmosphere, where every shadow seemed to whisper secrets, and danger felt just around the corner.

Devlin’s writing is sharp and immersive, making me feel like I was walking those dimly lit hallways and unraveling the mystery alongside Spencer and Reid. The story is layered with tension and intrigue, with just the right touch of emotion to keep me fully invested.

This book is a perfect blend of suspense, heart, and brilliant character work. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to see what comes next for this captivating series. If you love mysteries with depth and edge, this one’s for you!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Cara Devlin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Shadow at the Morgue coming out January 25, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I have a couple books of hers, so I really wanted to check this one out. I am obsessed with Victorian mysteries. Jasper and Leonora are really fun characters. I really love the Scotland Yard detective stories. Leonora is a strong character. They argued but I feel like they worked well together. It reminded me of the show Miss Scarlet and the Duke. I’m excited to see what’s next.

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

"Shadow at the Morgue" is the first novel in a new and exciting mystery series from Cara Devlin.
Our two protagonists are both fascinating and have the perfect backstory to draw in the reader: Leonora Spencer and Jasper Reid are connected through a retired detective who has rescued them both from childhood traumas. Leonora has since been raised by her uncle, the local coroner, and Jasper is careful to keep the darker elements of his past a secret. Yet, both have a need to prove themselves and also are stubborn and wish to prove the truth, when everyone else would rather that they did not.
Set in Victorian London, I particularly enjoyed this story and how Leonora and Jasper worked together. With their individual backstories being revealed as their case progresses, there is plenty to hold the reader's interest. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.

This is a promising start to a new mystery series set in 1880s London. Leo Spencer gets drawn into an investigation as odd events at her uncle’s mortuary presage bigger mysteries to come. The investigation puts her in the path of Jasper Reid, an inspector who seems to want to use some of Leo’s insights without actually giving her a role in (or credit for) helping solve the mystery. Both characters have dark pasts, with some trauma in Leo’s case that still affects her, and there is tension in their relationship that I assume will continue to develop in future books. Because this is the first in the series, there are several loose ends and hinted-at developments to set up future entries. It’s a well done mystery and does indeed make you want to follow up in future books to see how the characters develop. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

This was a strong start to the Spencer & Reid Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the mystery of this book. The characters worked with the time-period and was engaged with what was happening. Cara Devlin always does a fantastic job in writing this book and the other books I read in this.

I discovered Cara Delvin’s Bow Street Duchess series earlier this year and devoured the audiobooks. Leo works in the morgue with her uncle and helps Jasper unravel a series of clues to solve the mystery of several murders that were connected. The story was well written with plenty of personal angst and possible romance amid the action of solving the murders. This was a great 5 star read.

I think this set the scene really well for the rest of the series, it allowed us to get to know the main characters and gave us a good understanding of Leonora and Jasper's back stories. I cant wait to read more of this series

Theres something about a series that i feel lacks the intensitity of a stand alone. Overall it was ok but i feel could ramp up the intrigue and excitement which for me was just not there. Cover is excellent though.

‘and thank you, for pulling me out of that grave.’

This historical cozy is perfect for fans of The Murdoch Mysteries or Miss Scarlet. Leo is unconventional by any means, taking on more and more duties at the morgue as her uncle and aunt’s health declines. Jasper is a street rat with possible gang ties that had been taken in and raised by a police officer and is now sitting behind the desk his adopted father once called his own. With plenty of secrets and tragedy in their pasts Leo and Jasper spar over a case that starts with a break in at the morgue and ends...impressively and with a hook that already has me itching to read book two.

This was a enjoyable read, but in places felt like a lecture.
What do I mean?
The story is strong and intriguing – a mystery involving cadavers at the morgue (seeming unlinked) and mysterious series of break-ins. What is so important that people keep dying? And what are the intruders searching for? Great stuff – and enough to keep me reading.
I also liked the setup with the interplay between the two central characters Leonora Spencer and Jasper Reid. Leonora is an unofficial mortuary attendant with a mind as sharp as a meat cleaver, whilst Jasper (her adopted brother) is a detective on the Metropolitan police force.
So far so good…
What diffused some of the magic for me was the over explaining and/or recapping. I didn’t need to know the backstory of every walk on character, and I didn’t need the repetition of the story brutal murder of Leonora’s parents and how she was found. It was as if the author has been watching too many popular documentaries where the narrator assumes the viewer can’t retain information over an ad-break and constantly recaps. OK – to be fair, I am exaggerating – but that’s how it felt to me.
If you love good historical mysteries with strong interplay of characters and a satisfying plot, then please don’t let me put you off. Just my personal opinion. A 3.5 stars (and a solid 4 if it hadn’t been for the repetitive elements).

First in a new series with rich backstories for the two MCs with tragic pasts. Good pacing and character development. Leo comes off as unreasonable at times by demanding to be involved in the investigation and I don’t blame Jasper for being frustrated. I’d like to see her accept that she can’t tag along and forge her own investigative path. The author has a great voice and I’m eager for book 2.

Review: Oh backstory, where is thy sting? One reviewer stated, or rather understated, that there was depth and complexity to the characters backstory. While this can be a good thing when doled out sparingly, it can stall the story line and diminish the characterization coupled with the lack of movement.

The MC just gives and gives under the veil of a broken past. So Stalwart, pretty, smart and independent, can find no faults as she works under a misogynist’s dictate. Add in that she has a near photographic memory and the stage is set for preternatural divinations against those most vile. Yawn.

There are intimations that love will fluoresce within a jaundiced procedural setting which only increased my cringe factor.

Some readers like the detailed English style of writing, yet I much prefer brevity coupled with good movement.

DNF

I received this ARC for an honest review.

Good new series with interesting characters and stories to unfold. Some similarities to other books in this genre. An intriguing read.

I am honestly surprised how much I enjoyed this book as it is a huge departure from my norm. It took me a bit of time to reconcile the story through modern eyes. At one point in time, Jasper got a piece of information to support his case and I mentally had him reaching for his phone to google the answer. I had the same thought with Leonora choice of a job, it did not seem to odd for a Bones fan. There, I decided for me, I had found the fun in story. I was reading a well plotted mystery but all the normal ways we solve mysteries in modern life don't exist. I had to watch Jasper use good old fashioned shoe leather to solve the case. I also got to watch Leo, Leonora's nickname, life her live on her own terms with no thought of societal norms. Her photographic memory made her a good match for our gumshoe. When I adjusted the lens through which I was reading, I enjoyed the book and am anxious to see how the other mysteries will unfold.
One thing between this book and modern times that does not change is the ability for people to be horrible as evidenced by the murder of Leo's family.. Leo is haunted and lives with PTSD, perhaps because she remembers more than she tells. Jasper is also broken. Neither allow themselves to be defined by tragedy, they are both suffering to come to terms with the past. I smell a cold case or two that will probably play out in future books. What is also interesting is Flora's reaction to her niece, could she know more than she is telling.
I don't normally specifically call out a character as unnecessary but Jasper's date is a wet blanket. She is so still and stiff and probably very time period accurate but a modern woman would want to scream at her for being such a silly simpering airhead. I couldn't believe when she asked Jasper why a lady would read the paper. It is hard to imagine someone actually thinking like that. Again, the modern lens distorts how we view the past, especially if you don't read a lot of period stories. Hopefully, the spark between Leo and Jasper becomes something more and Miss Hayes fades away.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I think this could be the start of an excellent series involving DI Reid and mortuary assistant Leonara Spencer. There is definitely scope for more to come and something to look forward to with this excellent author.
My thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

first-in-series, new-series, Victorian England, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, romance, mystery, suspense, Scotland Yard-detective, theft, PTSD, 1884, childhood-trauma, adopted, mental-illness, mental-health-issues, friendship, friction, unputdownable, unpleasant-relative*****

Leonora Spencer of the photographic memory works in the morgue with her uncle who has increasing hand tremors.
DI Jasper Reid is her foil, and they share a past filled with severe emotional traumas and were rescued by a widowed Scotland Yard Detective.
In their first (reluctant) case together there is plenty of suspense, angst, and personal tensions. Unputdownable!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
#ShadowAtTheMorgue #SpencerAndReidMysteriesBk1 by #caradevlinbooks #booksgosocialgroup #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #Mystery #barnesandnoble ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #historicalMystery #newseries #london

Yup. This was right up my alley. Cara Devlin has been a favorite author for years, so when I saw a new historical mystery from her I knew I needed to read it. I was not disappointed. Leo (leonora) works in the morgue with her Uncle and finds herself in the midst of a mystery after a break in. Her friend from the past is now a detective and looks to try and keep her out of the investigation but does not succeed. With the over arching mystery of what happened to her family, this mystery kept me on my toes!

As a fan of Devlin's "Bow Street Duchess" series and Victorian-era mystery-romances, I jumped at the chance to read this ARC of her new "Spencer and Reid Mysteries" series and I absolutely devoured it! I am strapped in for much more fast-paced mystery and adventure with slow-burn romance!

Leonora "Leo" Spencer survived the murder of her entire family as a 9-year-old and the case is still unsolved. Detective Gregory Reid, a kind police detective, took her in afterwards until her uncle and aunt could claim her and there, she met his adopted son Jasper. Jasper has a mysterious past himself and is now a police detective while Leo is an assistant to her uncle in the morgue. Together they are drawn into a twisty murder mystery that kept me fiercely turning pages.

There's a spark there! They both feel it. This is going to be a great friends-to-lovers romance series with individual mysteries (for standalone readers) and the overarching mysteries of Leo's family's cold case and Jasper's mysterious family (for series readers). I love how Devlin crafts her characters, plots and series. For fans of Miss Scarlett and the Duke on PBS, Anna Lee Huber, Deanna Raybourn, Andrea Penrose and so many more - this is one not to be missed!

Already hooked on Devlin’s new series. I loved the Bow Street Duchess series and was sad it ended so I’m happy to have another series to pick up. Leo and Jasper both have secrets in their past and Devlin does a great job, dropping bits of information about both of them throughout the book. I could see some things coming and am still curious and left wanting to know more. The mystery was intriguing but I was able to figure it out before the end. I’m hoping the next book makes the mystery a little bit trickier. I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully I can get it early on NetGalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Quite a good historical mystery. Nicely evocative of 1880s London, with interesting and complex protagonists The pacing could be improved - it dragged a bit in the middle, then seemed rushed at the conclusion. But I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.