The girl lies on the ancient stone, her brown hair falling loosely onto the crude altar. Her narrow little arms are crossed just beneath the strange, angular dagger protruding from her chest.
Nurse Gemma Bell and her new husband, Inspector Sebastian Bell, are visiting his family in Suffolk when a neighbor discovers the brutal murder of a young girl, high on Devil's Ridge. Left alone to examine the body while Sebastian breaks the devastating news to the girl's father, Viscount Ravenel, Gemma finds disturbing wounds that suggest calculated ritual, not random violence. And before long, whispers from the village reach her of Pagan sacrifice and ancient blood offerings.
With no local police, the desperate viscount begs Sebastian and Gemma to investigate. And as the couple question the manor's servants and family, they uncover forbidden desires, bitter resentments, and desperate ambitions lurking behind respectable façades.
When another child vanishes from her bed, the investigation takes on terrible urgency. Racing against time to prevent another death, Gemma risks everything to uncover the truth. But in this close-knit, isolated community, could the killer's next target be the outsider nurse who knows too much?
A richly atmospheric Victorian mystery. The next thrilling read for fans of Andrea Penrose, Anna Lee Huber, and the Lady Sherlock mysteries.
About the Author :
Irina Shapiro lives in New Jersey, and is the bestselling author of over 50 novels spanning six acclaimed series, including the Tate and Bell Mysteries, the Redmond and Haze Mysteries, and the Echoes from the Past series, as well as standalone psychological thrillers. Her gripping Victorian murder mysteries and emotional time-slip novels have captivated millions of readers worldwide, blending rich historical detail with suspense, romance, and a touch of the uncanny. When she's not crafting her next page-turner, she's researching forgotten scandals, exploring old cemeteries, or imagining what secrets might lie hidden behind crumbling walls.
Review :
"So good I could hardly put the book down... Once you start, you may as well forget everything else." Reader review, 5 stars
"Highly recommend this for anyone interested in historical mystery... and for fans of Deanna Raybourn, Andrea Penrose, and Anna Lee Huber." Reader review, 5 stars
"I was absolutely gobsmacked at who the killer was... I really couldn't put the book down till the end, a real page-turner. I can't wait to get the next book... must-read series." Reader review, 5 stars
"Absolutely in love with this book and halfway through I bought another book by this author. Now to read all things Irina Shapiro!" Reader review, 5 stars
"Grips you from the very beginning and pulls you in... If you're a fan of Miss Scarlet and the Duke and Enola Holmes, then you will love Gemma Tate's wits and tenacity." Reader review, 5 stars
"I loved this one. The mystery was fantastic, and I read as quickly as I could to discover whodunit... I was shocked when the killer was revealed. I never saw it coming! The suspense really kept me on edge. As wonderful as the mystery was, however, it's the characters in this series that will keep me returning for more." Reader review, 5 stars
"I was hooked... The story is so extremely gripping that it's hard to put the book down." Reader review, 5 stars
"I'm in this one for the long-haul folks and I cannot get enough of Tate and Bell!" Reader review, 5 stars
"Whew nonstop action!... Keeps you guessing until the end!... This was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and clues! Hold on and get ready for the ride and thrilling conclusions! Bravo." Reader review, 5 stars
