“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Murder at the Orpheus Theatre (A Tate and Bell Mystery #4) by Irina Shapiro  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This title in the Gemma Tate and Inspector Sebastian Bell Victorian mysteries started off rather dramatically where the lead actors in the play, Romeo and Juliet, didn’t arise from the death scene. Wow!

Turmoil is everywhere throughout this title, deaths pile up and Gemma becomes a tad resentful because Sebastian has to warn her off, due to the attitude towards her of his Scotland Yard boss. Not that Gemma took much notice. Their first fight!

Gemma investigates on her own in places it hasn’t occurred to Sebastian to look.

When Gemma’s life is in danger, Sebastian doesn’t hesitate. Moments before I’d thought, ‘My goodness! How’s Gemma going to get out of this! Where are you Sebastian!’

Shapiro highlights the social issues of the age, women in danger from their husbands, children thrown out on the street, the attitudes of the more powerful.

Old acquaintances are renewed. Sebastian faces change at Scotland Yard.

Another excellent episode from Shapiro featuring these two incredible people who really need each other but hesitate for so many reasons. 

But, perhaps that horizon has shifted closer? Sigh!

A Storm invitation ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.