What do you think?
Rate this book
Spencer & Reid Mysteries #1
Shadow at the Morgue
An acquaintance with death
Haunted by the unsolved murder of her family fifteen years ago, Leonora Spencer has always been familiar with death. And now, as an assistant to her uncle in his London morgue, she uses her photographic memory to catalogue details for his coroner’s reports. When a thief steals a seemingly worthless locket off a young woman’s corpse but leaves valuable jewels behind, Leo is determined to understand why—even if it means going against Detective Inspector Jasper Reid’s express orders to keep her nose out of it.
A closely guarded past
Born and bred on the streets, Jasper Reid’s recent promotion to the detective’s branch at Scotland Yard is a long step up from his murky past, and he’s resolved to prove he earned his chance fair and square. The last thing he needs is a convoluted case concerning the well-known eccentric Leo Spencer. And to make matters worse—the criminals he once associated with as a lad may also be involved.
A murderer closing in
When the missing locket and a handful of suspicious deaths point to a mysterious buried object that could ruin a prominent figure, Jasper grudgingly accepts Leo’s help to locate it. But after another break-in at the morgue, they realize someone is watching them, and the more they uncover about a deadly blackmail plot, the closer Leo and Jasper get to becoming the killer’s next targets.
Shadow at the Morgue is the first book in Cara Devlin’s new Spencer & Reid historical mystery series.
Haunted by the unsolved murder of her family fifteen years ago, Leonora Spencer has always been familiar with death. And now, as an assistant to her uncle in his London morgue, she uses her photographic memory to catalogue details for his coroner’s reports. When a thief steals a seemingly worthless locket off a young woman’s corpse but leaves valuable jewels behind, Leo is determined to understand why—even if it means going against Detective Inspector Jasper Reid’s express orders to keep her nose out of it.
A closely guarded past
Born and bred on the streets, Jasper Reid’s recent promotion to the detective’s branch at Scotland Yard is a long step up from his murky past, and he’s resolved to prove he earned his chance fair and square. The last thing he needs is a convoluted case concerning the well-known eccentric Leo Spencer. And to make matters worse—the criminals he once associated with as a lad may also be involved.
A murderer closing in
When the missing locket and a handful of suspicious deaths point to a mysterious buried object that could ruin a prominent figure, Jasper grudgingly accepts Leo’s help to locate it. But after another break-in at the morgue, they realize someone is watching them, and the more they uncover about a deadly blackmail plot, the closer Leo and Jasper get to becoming the killer’s next targets.
Shadow at the Morgue is the first book in Cara Devlin’s new Spencer & Reid historical mystery series.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2025
1173 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Cara Devlin
38 books441 followersCara is an author, reader, and history lover. She reads and writes across genres, but her heart is reserved for romantic historical fiction and mystery. Her Bow Street Duchess books are fast-paced historical mysteries featuring a slow-burn romance taking place in Regency London. The series begins with Murder at the Seven Dials. Cara lives in rural New England with her family, where she is at work on her next series, the Spencer & Reid Mysteries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
October 8, 2025
FREE ON AMAZON! Pick up book one to a great series!’
A Great Start to a New Mystery Series!
This was a gripping, fast moving mystery and it set a great foundation for this new Victorian mystery series. I really enjoyed the setting of Scotland Yard in late Victorian England and the working class main characters.
Leo, was a strong female lead, working in the morgue with her medical examiner uncle. She’s known for her perfect memory and slight oddness, and is working through trauma from her childhood. Sometimes she was a bit inconsistent in her intelligence and made a few moves that made me cringe with their lack of self preservation but it made sense that she needed to take those risks or be shut out of the investigation altogether because she was a woman.
Jasper was a grouch who couldn’t handle his growing feelings for Leo, and was very concerned for appearances and career advancement. This caused conflict between the two as he would try to leave her out while taking advantage of her insights into the case at hand. Frustrating, but in a good way as every woman has experienced having her work devalued and the same work being given applause when a male colleague does it. Maddening!
The mystery was tense, fast-paced and well constructed. I did guess who the villain was pretty early, but I’m extremely good 💅, and I was still gripped by how it played out. (Also a good cozy should lead you to the villain and then have you doubt yourself, imo).
I enjoyed this greatly, but wanted a bit more consistency with Leo, but there is so much goodness in this book to build on throughout the series. I’m really excited for the next book.
Thanks to Cara Devlin for the ARC, these opinions are my own.
And thanks to me for forcing Dab to read this with me. 😃
**********************************************
Got the arc! So excited for this series and for forcing my bestie Dab into reading it with me!
A Great Start to a New Mystery Series!
This was a gripping, fast moving mystery and it set a great foundation for this new Victorian mystery series. I really enjoyed the setting of Scotland Yard in late Victorian England and the working class main characters.
Leo, was a strong female lead, working in the morgue with her medical examiner uncle. She’s known for her perfect memory and slight oddness, and is working through trauma from her childhood. Sometimes she was a bit inconsistent in her intelligence and made a few moves that made me cringe with their lack of self preservation but it made sense that she needed to take those risks or be shut out of the investigation altogether because she was a woman.
Jasper was a grouch who couldn’t handle his growing feelings for Leo, and was very concerned for appearances and career advancement. This caused conflict between the two as he would try to leave her out while taking advantage of her insights into the case at hand. Frustrating, but in a good way as every woman has experienced having her work devalued and the same work being given applause when a male colleague does it. Maddening!
The mystery was tense, fast-paced and well constructed. I did guess who the villain was pretty early, but I’m extremely good 💅, and I was still gripped by how it played out. (Also a good cozy should lead you to the villain and then have you doubt yourself, imo).
I enjoyed this greatly, but wanted a bit more consistency with Leo, but there is so much goodness in this book to build on throughout the series. I’m really excited for the next book.
Thanks to Cara Devlin for the ARC, these opinions are my own.
And thanks to me for forcing Dab to read this with me. 😃
**********************************************
Got the arc! So excited for this series and for forcing my bestie Dab into reading it with me!
January 12, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed Cara Devlin's "Bow Street Duchess" series and have looked forward to reading the first book of the new series. Part of what I like about mysteries is guessing who did it and why. This book kept me guessing till the end. Clues were given as the twists and reasons for the murders were laid out. I could feel Leo's frustration with the constraints placed upon women in 1884. I think the author does a brilliant job writing about the era where women are just beginning to enter the work force and great change is coming. I did think the plot was a little slow in the beginning as the back story of each character is being introduced. I look forward to the next book in the series due out soon.
August 7, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
SHADOW AT THE MORGUE (Spencer & Reid Mysteries Book #1) by Cara Devlin is an exciting start to a new historical mystery series set in Victorian London in the 1880’s and featuring a young woman who does not conform to society’s rules and a newly promoted Detective Inspector. This is a story that starts off strong and continually kept me turning the pages with each new clue and twist in the case.
Fifteen years ago, Leonora ‘Leo’ Spenser was the sole surviving member of her family who were all brutally murdered. Now living with her uncle and aunt, she is an unofficial assistant to her uncle in a London morgue. With her photographic memory and her curiosity, she catalogues details for his coroner’s reports. Her best friend is a young female matron in the women and children’s side of the city jail while all others find her work in the morgue strange and unladylike.
Leo’s uncle is called away one evening and a man with a knife threatens Leo and locks her in a back room and then leaves after stealing a dead man’s case. Detective Inspector Jasper Reid is called and discovers Leo in the back room. While Jasper is wondering what was so important in the case, with Leo’s memory she knows nothing important was in it, but a dead woman in the morgue is missing a locket.
As Leo and Jasper follow the clues, more dead bodies are discovered and tied to the case. Then they uncover a blackmail plot that ties all the missing pieces together, but it also places them in the killer’s path and makes them disposable.
This is a great introduction to these new protagonists, and the mystery plot was full of red herrings and twists that continually surprised me. I love intelligent characters like Leo who buck convention and are ahead of the times they live in, but she also has a mystery in her past that can play out in future books. Jasper also has a past that was only touched on and I am sure will play into future stories. The dialogue between the two is snappy and while it can seem as if they are fighting like siblings, their feelings are a little more involved than that. The emotional ties between Leo and Jasper will be interesting to follow and see how they progress in future books. The author does an excellent job with her descriptions of atmosphere and historical depictions of London.
I highly recommend this new historical mystery and am looking forward to reading many more in this series!
SHADOW AT THE MORGUE (Spencer & Reid Mysteries Book #1) by Cara Devlin is an exciting start to a new historical mystery series set in Victorian London in the 1880’s and featuring a young woman who does not conform to society’s rules and a newly promoted Detective Inspector. This is a story that starts off strong and continually kept me turning the pages with each new clue and twist in the case.
Fifteen years ago, Leonora ‘Leo’ Spenser was the sole surviving member of her family who were all brutally murdered. Now living with her uncle and aunt, she is an unofficial assistant to her uncle in a London morgue. With her photographic memory and her curiosity, she catalogues details for his coroner’s reports. Her best friend is a young female matron in the women and children’s side of the city jail while all others find her work in the morgue strange and unladylike.
Leo’s uncle is called away one evening and a man with a knife threatens Leo and locks her in a back room and then leaves after stealing a dead man’s case. Detective Inspector Jasper Reid is called and discovers Leo in the back room. While Jasper is wondering what was so important in the case, with Leo’s memory she knows nothing important was in it, but a dead woman in the morgue is missing a locket.
As Leo and Jasper follow the clues, more dead bodies are discovered and tied to the case. Then they uncover a blackmail plot that ties all the missing pieces together, but it also places them in the killer’s path and makes them disposable.
This is a great introduction to these new protagonists, and the mystery plot was full of red herrings and twists that continually surprised me. I love intelligent characters like Leo who buck convention and are ahead of the times they live in, but she also has a mystery in her past that can play out in future books. Jasper also has a past that was only touched on and I am sure will play into future stories. The dialogue between the two is snappy and while it can seem as if they are fighting like siblings, their feelings are a little more involved than that. The emotional ties between Leo and Jasper will be interesting to follow and see how they progress in future books. The author does an excellent job with her descriptions of atmosphere and historical depictions of London.
I highly recommend this new historical mystery and am looking forward to reading many more in this series!
January 16, 2025
4 Stars
One Liner: Intriguing
1884
Leonora Spencer, a twenty-five-year-old, has been haunted by the unsolved mystery of her family’s death for years. She is her uncle’s apprentice and helps him perform post-mortems of the dead (police surgeon) and keep the records. What starts as a simple thievery in the morgue leads to a potential gang war. No way, Leonora (Leo) is going to sit idle and let others lead.
Jasper Reid became the Inspector after his father’s retirement. As someone born and bred on the streets, he is determined to keep his past separate from his present. He would abide by the laws and follow the rules. However, when Leo doesn’t let him handle the investigation alone, Jasper needs to uncover the mystery quickly. After all, both their lives are in danger.
The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
I read the first book of the author’s previous series (Bow Street Duchess) with a grand plan to continue with all the subsequent books. But I couldn’t do it back then, so one day, I’ll binge on those books. Now, I’m again determined to follow this series and read all the books around the release dates. Fingers crossed!
Since this is the first of the series, it takes time to establish the setting and the backstories of the characters. There’s some repetition as well but considering the steady pace and action, it doesn’t bother me much.
Leo and Jasper are intriguing characters with dark pasts. They are currently frenemies and likely to become lovers as the series progresses. The tension is easy enough to spot, though I guess it’ll take them a while to make the move. Not gonna deny I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds (I have three theories already).
Admittedly, I oscillated between liking Leo and Jasper, though both are decent. Jasper’s backstory is bound to be as interesting as Leo’s. Likely that these will form the overarching plot and will be resolved closer to the end of the series.
The mystery starts out simple but gets complex as new details emerge. Leo does act impulsively and needs to keep her mouth shut sometimes. Hopefully, she’ll learn that some information should be kept secret when an investigation is underway. It’s not like she can’t keep a secret! Jasper scores higher in this area.
The book ends on the right note. The case has been solved, though a couple of teeny questions don’t get answers. I presume we’ll meet one of those characters again and know more. Let’s see.
There are too many characters, and some of them will be regular repeats. Makes sense since there are police, and they have a fairly large staff.
To summarize, Shadow at the Morgue is a solid start to a new historical mystery set in the darker side of London. The next book will be out in March, so I hope to get the ARC in Feb!
I have to mention that I don’t like this new trend where Indian women seem to fall head over heels in love with the colonizers (Britishers). There may have been a few cases but let’s be honest. Many women were forcefully kept as mistresses by the white rulers to enjoy in another country while their dainty wives lived in England. I’m sure it’s the same in most countries they plundered. It wasn’t just the natural resources they abused.
Thank you, BookSirens and the author, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Intriguing
1884
Leonora Spencer, a twenty-five-year-old, has been haunted by the unsolved mystery of her family’s death for years. She is her uncle’s apprentice and helps him perform post-mortems of the dead (police surgeon) and keep the records. What starts as a simple thievery in the morgue leads to a potential gang war. No way, Leonora (Leo) is going to sit idle and let others lead.
Jasper Reid became the Inspector after his father’s retirement. As someone born and bred on the streets, he is determined to keep his past separate from his present. He would abide by the laws and follow the rules. However, when Leo doesn’t let him handle the investigation alone, Jasper needs to uncover the mystery quickly. After all, both their lives are in danger.
The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
I read the first book of the author’s previous series (Bow Street Duchess) with a grand plan to continue with all the subsequent books. But I couldn’t do it back then, so one day, I’ll binge on those books. Now, I’m again determined to follow this series and read all the books around the release dates. Fingers crossed!
Since this is the first of the series, it takes time to establish the setting and the backstories of the characters. There’s some repetition as well but considering the steady pace and action, it doesn’t bother me much.
Leo and Jasper are intriguing characters with dark pasts. They are currently frenemies and likely to become lovers as the series progresses. The tension is easy enough to spot, though I guess it’ll take them a while to make the move. Not gonna deny I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds (I have three theories already).
Admittedly, I oscillated between liking Leo and Jasper, though both are decent. Jasper’s backstory is bound to be as interesting as Leo’s. Likely that these will form the overarching plot and will be resolved closer to the end of the series.
The mystery starts out simple but gets complex as new details emerge. Leo does act impulsively and needs to keep her mouth shut sometimes. Hopefully, she’ll learn that some information should be kept secret when an investigation is underway. It’s not like she can’t keep a secret! Jasper scores higher in this area.
The book ends on the right note. The case has been solved, though a couple of teeny questions don’t get answers. I presume we’ll meet one of those characters again and know more. Let’s see.
There are too many characters, and some of them will be regular repeats. Makes sense since there are police, and they have a fairly large staff.
To summarize, Shadow at the Morgue is a solid start to a new historical mystery set in the darker side of London. The next book will be out in March, so I hope to get the ARC in Feb!
I have to mention that I don’t like this new trend where Indian women seem to fall head over heels in love with the colonizers (Britishers). There may have been a few cases but let’s be honest. Many women were forcefully kept as mistresses by the white rulers to enjoy in another country while their dainty wives lived in England. I’m sure it’s the same in most countries they plundered. It wasn’t just the natural resources they abused.
Thank you, BookSirens and the author, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
October 12, 2025
This was enjoyable and gripping. The mystery was well crafted and the Victorian setting very realistic.
I appreciated Leo’s unusual profession and the bond Leo and Jasper shared. There were hints of chemistry between the two, some banter, some push and pull, but no romance (yet).
The mystery was complex, but well paced and very exciting to read. I had my issues with Leo being a little clumsy in her investigation and Jasper a little too dismissive of her, but since it’s the first installment, I hope it’s because we need room for improvement.
I can’t wait for the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——
Thanks to the author for the arc and Kristina for the buddy read, it was fun!
I appreciated Leo’s unusual profession and the bond Leo and Jasper shared. There were hints of chemistry between the two, some banter, some push and pull, but no romance (yet).
The mystery was complex, but well paced and very exciting to read. I had my issues with Leo being a little clumsy in her investigation and Jasper a little too dismissive of her, but since it’s the first installment, I hope it’s because we need room for improvement.
I can’t wait for the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——
Thanks to the author for the arc and Kristina for the buddy read, it was fun!
January 8, 2025
I'm giving this title three stars as a way of saying I'm withholding judgement.It's the start of a new series that may or may not go somewhere.
What I Like:
• The lead female character who has a photographic memory and helps her uncle do autopsies, which is not high on the list of "ladylike things for Victorian women to spend time doing"
• The honesty (so far as it goes) about the lack of choices for women and the difficulty they have supporting themselves and family
• The complex relationships among multiple crimes and the changing ways the leads view these connections over time
What I Didn't Like
• The leads have complex back stories, which may prove to be a plus in the future, but at the moment it means readers can feel like they're playing catch-up, even though there are no previous titles in this series
• The relationship between the two leads suggests that this series will have a romance arc, as well as a mystery focus—and I am so freaking ready for a series where a man and woman work side by side without playing out the whole dislike-to-love sequence
• Some predictable moments in the last part of the book
What this all adds up to is that I'll have an eye out for the next volume, which I will read, and I think I'll have a better idea of how I view this series afterwards.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
What I Like:
• The lead female character who has a photographic memory and helps her uncle do autopsies, which is not high on the list of "ladylike things for Victorian women to spend time doing"
• The honesty (so far as it goes) about the lack of choices for women and the difficulty they have supporting themselves and family
• The complex relationships among multiple crimes and the changing ways the leads view these connections over time
What I Didn't Like
• The leads have complex back stories, which may prove to be a plus in the future, but at the moment it means readers can feel like they're playing catch-up, even though there are no previous titles in this series
• The relationship between the two leads suggests that this series will have a romance arc, as well as a mystery focus—and I am so freaking ready for a series where a man and woman work side by side without playing out the whole dislike-to-love sequence
• Some predictable moments in the last part of the book
What this all adds up to is that I'll have an eye out for the next volume, which I will read, and I think I'll have a better idea of how I view this series afterwards.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
January 24, 2025
Startling events at the morgue!
A series of seemingly unrelated deaths come to the attention of Leonora Spencer and Detective Inspector Jasper Reid. A young woman has been crushed beneath the wheels of an omnibus, a necklace she wore is missing, a gunshot victim connected to a gang, the East Rips, turns up, and a missing man who ends up as a dead John Doe, are all in the morgue.
Adding to the chaos is the undeniable fact that Leo’s aunt is suffering deteriorating mental fitness. Leo’s assists her uncle the coroner, supposedly typing reports. He is beginning to be not as steady as he once was. More and more her uncle is forced to leave her by herself to close incisions and tidy up the morgue before leaving. If discovered he and she would have their employment terminated.
When Leo is attacked in the morgue and articles belonging to the body she’s finishing up on are taken how is that going to be covered up. Who would break into a morgue and why?
The answers will reveal more corruption in high places.
On the personal side there’s Reid’s relationship with Miss Constance Hayes to consider. Mmm!
An excellent chronicle of Spencer and Reid!
An ARC via the author and NetGalley.
A series of seemingly unrelated deaths come to the attention of Leonora Spencer and Detective Inspector Jasper Reid. A young woman has been crushed beneath the wheels of an omnibus, a necklace she wore is missing, a gunshot victim connected to a gang, the East Rips, turns up, and a missing man who ends up as a dead John Doe, are all in the morgue.
Adding to the chaos is the undeniable fact that Leo’s aunt is suffering deteriorating mental fitness. Leo’s assists her uncle the coroner, supposedly typing reports. He is beginning to be not as steady as he once was. More and more her uncle is forced to leave her by herself to close incisions and tidy up the morgue before leaving. If discovered he and she would have their employment terminated.
When Leo is attacked in the morgue and articles belonging to the body she’s finishing up on are taken how is that going to be covered up. Who would break into a morgue and why?
The answers will reveal more corruption in high places.
On the personal side there’s Reid’s relationship with Miss Constance Hayes to consider. Mmm!
An excellent chronicle of Spencer and Reid!
An ARC via the author and NetGalley.
November 24, 2024
I really like Cara Devlin’s books, I read all the Duchess books and jumped at the chance of reviewing this book before publication. It again has an interesting heroine, with an unusual occupation - she helps her uncle at the morgue, and a hero who is a Scotland Yard detective. There are a lot of interactions between the protagonists, a complicated series of murders to solve, and as can be seen from the dates for reading I literally could not put it down and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
March 26, 2025
I devoured Cara Devlin's fantastic Bow Street Duchess series last year, and when I saw this book was the start of a new series, I knew I absolutely had to read it. Once again, we are treated to a smart and unconventional heroine and an honorable yet sexy hero. Together, they team up to solve a dark, twisty mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
There's just something about Victorian
London, with its gas lights and fog filled streets that make an amazing backdrop
for murder. It doesn't get any more perfect than that, and this was a particularly well plotted mystery. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns that made Shadow at the Morgue a true page turner.
I loved the banter between Leo and Jasper! If you like slow-burn, you'll definitely
enjoy it in this book. Overall, this
was so very enjoyable! I can't wait for the next book, and I'm really looking forward to the building romance in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
There's just something about Victorian
London, with its gas lights and fog filled streets that make an amazing backdrop
for murder. It doesn't get any more perfect than that, and this was a particularly well plotted mystery. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns that made Shadow at the Morgue a true page turner.
I loved the banter between Leo and Jasper! If you like slow-burn, you'll definitely
enjoy it in this book. Overall, this
was so very enjoyable! I can't wait for the next book, and I'm really looking forward to the building romance in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 14, 2026
First time reading this author and what a delightful surprise! Plus the stellar narration by Allie Rose was a treat!
Leonora (Leo) Spencer is an intelligent and beautiful woman who has a photographic memory. She also has quite a story.
Detective Inspector Jasper Reid is a complicated man - he’s going to be dealing with complicated situations that involve Leo and really tear at the core of him
As a child, Leo was the only one who miraculously survived when the rest of her family were all struck down and brutally murdered in their home. An orphan at the age of 9 with nowhere to go, her uncle took her in.
Her uncle works at the London Morgue, and as Leo grows and becomes an adult, she feels completely indebted to her uncle for all he’s done for her and wants to help him in Morgue to make things easier for him. However, a woman working in a morgue around dead bodies is not socially acceptable for the time. AND THERE BEGINS the start of a tiny loose thread that is going to unravel little by little into a thread shredder!! What a page turning frenzy I enjoyed, surrounded by interesting witty intelligent characters, murder, a very dangerous thief, mysterious clues, and unanswered questions searching for the answers and the truth.
The plot is strong, the pace is perfect, arousing strong interest from beginning to end.
Will definitely look forward to reading next in series!
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Leonora (Leo) Spencer is an intelligent and beautiful woman who has a photographic memory. She also has quite a story.
Detective Inspector Jasper Reid is a complicated man - he’s going to be dealing with complicated situations that involve Leo and really tear at the core of him
As a child, Leo was the only one who miraculously survived when the rest of her family were all struck down and brutally murdered in their home. An orphan at the age of 9 with nowhere to go, her uncle took her in.
Her uncle works at the London Morgue, and as Leo grows and becomes an adult, she feels completely indebted to her uncle for all he’s done for her and wants to help him in Morgue to make things easier for him. However, a woman working in a morgue around dead bodies is not socially acceptable for the time. AND THERE BEGINS the start of a tiny loose thread that is going to unravel little by little into a thread shredder!! What a page turning frenzy I enjoyed, surrounded by interesting witty intelligent characters, murder, a very dangerous thief, mysterious clues, and unanswered questions searching for the answers and the truth.
The plot is strong, the pace is perfect, arousing strong interest from beginning to end.
Will definitely look forward to reading next in series!
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 24, 2025
Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf
Rating: 4.5 Stars
CW: Murder; death; blood; gore; violence; death of a parent/sibling/child; grief; classism; sexism; dementia; confinement; cancer/terminal illness; suicide; references to physical abuse and child pornography
When I saw Cara Devlin had a new book coming out in 2025, I was SO EXCITED. I absolutely love her Bow Street Duchess Mystery series, and when I saw she was launching another detective series with a slow burn romance, you know I HAD to read that.
As the first book in a new series, Shadow at the Morgue has a lot of work to do to introduce us to new characters and a new setting of Victorian England, as well as set in motion broader series plot points while also having its own self-contained mystery. I don’t like a lot of first books in a series because of this reason, but Devlin does a fantastic job with it! Her characterizations are incredible, and she knows how to set up and start teasing out threads that you can tell will play a bigger role in future books. I was hooked and am SO excited to see where she takes these characters and this series.
As the series name of Spencer and Reid Mysteries implies, we have two main protagonists – Lenora “Leo” Spencer and Detective Inspector Jasper Reid. Both were taken in by Chief Superintendent Gregory Reid when they were younger, even though Leo went on to live with her aunt and uncle while Jasper was adopted by Gregory Reid
Leo is not your typical Victorian lady. She’s unconventional in my ways, mainly because she has no problems around dead people as she assists her uncle in the morgue, including with autopsies (even if she’s legally not supposed to.) Plus, she has a photographic memory, which makes her a bit unusual. However, Leo is smart, clever, fierce, and practical. I love how determined she is to continue doing what she thinks is right and how she knows how to trust her gut. If you tell her no, she will find another way to do what she thinks is right. In addition to this, she has a very interesting, and not fully explored yet backstory. Her entire family was murdered when she was a child, which remains an unsolved mystery to this day. As the sole survivor, she harbors survivor guilt and a lot of questions about why she was spared. Devlin hints that there is more to this backstory, and I’m very excited to see where she takes this, as I have no idea where Leo’s story is going.
If Leo is a bit unconventional, Jasper Reid is the very definition of a by-book stickler for the rules. Part of that is because he wants to prove his skills and worth as a Detective Inspector to show he didn’t get this role based on his last name. He can be a tad frustrating, as he believes in some of the views around gender roles in society of that time, but I’m excited to see how that changes throughout the series as he works more closely with Leo. Like Leo, he seems to have some secrets in his past that are slowly being teased, but we still don’t know precisely what they are yet. But I have some suspicions about what they may be, and I cannot wait to see if I’m right or wrong about his backstory.
Central to the story is Jasper and Leo’s partnership. It’s a bit of an unwilling partnership as far as Jasper wants Leo nowhere near a police investigation, especially one that has to do with murder. But she’s determined, and, as she accidentally got swept up in the crime, she feels she NEEDS to help solve the mystery. He begrudgingly accepts her participation in the investigation but also values her input and instincts, especially when she notices or turns up helpful information that he wouldn’t have uncovered or thought of.
I love a good mystery, and Devlin delivers! Wow, this had so many different elements to it that it took a while to put the pieces together. But once they clicked and the full picture became clear, it was devastating. I love a mystery that can keep me on my toes, with lots of twists and turns, and that’s exactly what Devlin delivered in Jasper and Leo’s first investigation. The ending was the perfect amount of high-stakes dramatics that I love, and it also packs an emotional punch in a way I didn’t expect.
While there is no obvious romance in this, you get the hints that there is more to Jasper and Leo’s relationship than just an investigational partnership. I am a sucker for a slow burn like this, and I am SO excited to see how Devlin draws out the tension between them throughout the series. I was eating it up already, even if it’s so subtle in this book. I know she does a GREAT job with that, considering how she handled Hugh and Audrey’s relationship in the Bow Street Duchess Mystery series, so I have very high hopes for how this may play out over the series.
Outside of the core elements of the story, I really loved how Devlin explores the different relationships Jasper and Leo have with Gregory Reid. Grief and loss have shaped all three of them in different ways. Unfortunately, Gregory Reid is ill and dying, and I dread having to say goodbye to him already. He’s a father figure to Jasper and Leo and seems like a genuinely good man whose life was defined by tragedy. We know the end for him is coming sooner rather than later, and I know that’s going to pack an emotional punch for Jasper and Leo, as well as myself, when the time comes to actually say goodbye.
It’s safe to say I am already counting down the days until I can get my hands on book 2, Method of Revenge, as I am HOOKED. By the end of Shadow at the Morgue, I was already invested in these characters, and I cannot wait to see what Devlin does with this series! Luckily, we don’t have to wait long, as the next book is out in March 2025. If you love PBS’s Miss Scarlet or Veronica Speedwell or the Lady Sherlock book series – check this series out as I think you’ll love it!
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC! All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
CW: Murder; death; blood; gore; violence; death of a parent/sibling/child; grief; classism; sexism; dementia; confinement; cancer/terminal illness; suicide; references to physical abuse and child pornography
When I saw Cara Devlin had a new book coming out in 2025, I was SO EXCITED. I absolutely love her Bow Street Duchess Mystery series, and when I saw she was launching another detective series with a slow burn romance, you know I HAD to read that.
As the first book in a new series, Shadow at the Morgue has a lot of work to do to introduce us to new characters and a new setting of Victorian England, as well as set in motion broader series plot points while also having its own self-contained mystery. I don’t like a lot of first books in a series because of this reason, but Devlin does a fantastic job with it! Her characterizations are incredible, and she knows how to set up and start teasing out threads that you can tell will play a bigger role in future books. I was hooked and am SO excited to see where she takes these characters and this series.
As the series name of Spencer and Reid Mysteries implies, we have two main protagonists – Lenora “Leo” Spencer and Detective Inspector Jasper Reid. Both were taken in by Chief Superintendent Gregory Reid when they were younger, even though Leo went on to live with her aunt and uncle while Jasper was adopted by Gregory Reid
Leo is not your typical Victorian lady. She’s unconventional in my ways, mainly because she has no problems around dead people as she assists her uncle in the morgue, including with autopsies (even if she’s legally not supposed to.) Plus, she has a photographic memory, which makes her a bit unusual. However, Leo is smart, clever, fierce, and practical. I love how determined she is to continue doing what she thinks is right and how she knows how to trust her gut. If you tell her no, she will find another way to do what she thinks is right. In addition to this, she has a very interesting, and not fully explored yet backstory. Her entire family was murdered when she was a child, which remains an unsolved mystery to this day. As the sole survivor, she harbors survivor guilt and a lot of questions about why she was spared. Devlin hints that there is more to this backstory, and I’m very excited to see where she takes this, as I have no idea where Leo’s story is going.
If Leo is a bit unconventional, Jasper Reid is the very definition of a by-book stickler for the rules. Part of that is because he wants to prove his skills and worth as a Detective Inspector to show he didn’t get this role based on his last name. He can be a tad frustrating, as he believes in some of the views around gender roles in society of that time, but I’m excited to see how that changes throughout the series as he works more closely with Leo. Like Leo, he seems to have some secrets in his past that are slowly being teased, but we still don’t know precisely what they are yet. But I have some suspicions about what they may be, and I cannot wait to see if I’m right or wrong about his backstory.
Central to the story is Jasper and Leo’s partnership. It’s a bit of an unwilling partnership as far as Jasper wants Leo nowhere near a police investigation, especially one that has to do with murder. But she’s determined, and, as she accidentally got swept up in the crime, she feels she NEEDS to help solve the mystery. He begrudgingly accepts her participation in the investigation but also values her input and instincts, especially when she notices or turns up helpful information that he wouldn’t have uncovered or thought of.
I love a good mystery, and Devlin delivers! Wow, this had so many different elements to it that it took a while to put the pieces together. But once they clicked and the full picture became clear, it was devastating. I love a mystery that can keep me on my toes, with lots of twists and turns, and that’s exactly what Devlin delivered in Jasper and Leo’s first investigation. The ending was the perfect amount of high-stakes dramatics that I love, and it also packs an emotional punch in a way I didn’t expect.
While there is no obvious romance in this, you get the hints that there is more to Jasper and Leo’s relationship than just an investigational partnership. I am a sucker for a slow burn like this, and I am SO excited to see how Devlin draws out the tension between them throughout the series. I was eating it up already, even if it’s so subtle in this book. I know she does a GREAT job with that, considering how she handled Hugh and Audrey’s relationship in the Bow Street Duchess Mystery series, so I have very high hopes for how this may play out over the series.
Outside of the core elements of the story, I really loved how Devlin explores the different relationships Jasper and Leo have with Gregory Reid. Grief and loss have shaped all three of them in different ways. Unfortunately, Gregory Reid is ill and dying, and I dread having to say goodbye to him already. He’s a father figure to Jasper and Leo and seems like a genuinely good man whose life was defined by tragedy. We know the end for him is coming sooner rather than later, and I know that’s going to pack an emotional punch for Jasper and Leo, as well as myself, when the time comes to actually say goodbye.
It’s safe to say I am already counting down the days until I can get my hands on book 2, Method of Revenge, as I am HOOKED. By the end of Shadow at the Morgue, I was already invested in these characters, and I cannot wait to see what Devlin does with this series! Luckily, we don’t have to wait long, as the next book is out in March 2025. If you love PBS’s Miss Scarlet or Veronica Speedwell or the Lady Sherlock book series – check this series out as I think you’ll love it!
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC! All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 1, 2024
I had complete faith in Cara to create another crime solving duo I’d loved as much as in Bow Street Duchess.
Leo, a female morgue assistant that possesses photographic memory. Jasper, a male detective inspector that rose from previously being a street urchin. Take note that Leo and Jasper have known each other since childhood. Both are not raised by their biological families. Both are burdened with dark memories and secrets that I’m not in a hurry to see unfold until later series. Both are regarding the adult version of each other in a new light…
I’m excited because I’m not reading a duplicate of Audrey and Hugh, but I still experience the same adrenaline hit of the prospects and richness in Cara Devlin’s story. The duo is conspicuous, the writing is captivating and beautiful, the tone is smooth and impish. And if murder with a bit of romance tension is your type of cozy read, then Cara Devlin is the queen.
Last, I say this with high recommendations, sometimes I read to feel something, but I don’t want my heart torn out. Sometimes I dive into a fiction novel, and need to come out clear-headed and still able to function my daily activities, Cara Devlin’s books are definitely the best to turn to.
I received an ARC and leaving this review voluntarily.
Leo, a female morgue assistant that possesses photographic memory. Jasper, a male detective inspector that rose from previously being a street urchin. Take note that Leo and Jasper have known each other since childhood. Both are not raised by their biological families. Both are burdened with dark memories and secrets that I’m not in a hurry to see unfold until later series. Both are regarding the adult version of each other in a new light…
I’m excited because I’m not reading a duplicate of Audrey and Hugh, but I still experience the same adrenaline hit of the prospects and richness in Cara Devlin’s story. The duo is conspicuous, the writing is captivating and beautiful, the tone is smooth and impish. And if murder with a bit of romance tension is your type of cozy read, then Cara Devlin is the queen.
Last, I say this with high recommendations, sometimes I read to feel something, but I don’t want my heart torn out. Sometimes I dive into a fiction novel, and need to come out clear-headed and still able to function my daily activities, Cara Devlin’s books are definitely the best to turn to.
I received an ARC and leaving this review voluntarily.
January 2, 2025
What a captivating start to a series! Admittedly, I'm a Cara Devlin fan and am predisposed to liking her work. I can already tell that this is a series I'll be devouring as each story comes out.
Once again, we have a fascinating backstory unfolding here. Our main characters are connected through a father/father figure and past tragedy. Leonora Spencer is the sole survivor after her family was killed and has a photographic memory that helps her assist her uncle, a medical examiner. Jasper Reid is a police detective at Scotland Yard who begrudgingly accepts Leonora's assistance, but would prefer her to stay far away from danger.
While the backstory is explored, there's definitely more to be revealed, which makes me eager for the next book! The investigation is compelling and I'm excited to see how Leo's abilities help Jasper in the future. You know there's a slow burn romance in the works here, but there's a long way to go before things are settled.
As usual, I'll be reading this again when my physical copy shows up. I love Devlin's work and always find myself wanting a physical copy of her books!
Once again, we have a fascinating backstory unfolding here. Our main characters are connected through a father/father figure and past tragedy. Leonora Spencer is the sole survivor after her family was killed and has a photographic memory that helps her assist her uncle, a medical examiner. Jasper Reid is a police detective at Scotland Yard who begrudgingly accepts Leonora's assistance, but would prefer her to stay far away from danger.
While the backstory is explored, there's definitely more to be revealed, which makes me eager for the next book! The investigation is compelling and I'm excited to see how Leo's abilities help Jasper in the future. You know there's a slow burn romance in the works here, but there's a long way to go before things are settled.
As usual, I'll be reading this again when my physical copy shows up. I love Devlin's work and always find myself wanting a physical copy of her books!
January 18, 2025
Haunted by the unsolved murder of her family fifteen years ago, Leonora Spencer has always been familiar with death. And now, as an assistant to her uncle Claude in his London morgue, she uses her photographic memory to catalogue details for his coroner’s reports. When a thief steals a seemingly worthless locket off a young woman’s corpse but leaves valuable jewels behind, Leo is determined to understand why. Born and bred on the streets, Jasper Reid’s recent promotion to the detective’s branch at Scotland Yard is a long step up from his murky past, and he’s resolved to prove he earned his chance fair and square. The last thing he needs is a convoluted case concerning the well-known eccentric Leo Spencer. When the missing locket and a handful of suspicious deaths point to a mysterious buried object that could ruin a prominent figure, Jasper grudgingly accepts Leo’s help to locate it.
The start of a new series & another very well written page turner. The story starts quite slowly as we are introduced to Leo & Jasper & learn some of their backstory but the more you read the more the pace increases. I was drawn in from the start & I read it in a couple of sittings. There are some seemingly unrelated events but the more Jasper & Leo delve the more these are related, there are twists & turns & some took me by surprise. I loved both Leo & Jasper both had suffered as children until rescued by Gregory Reid, there are mysteries surrounding their childhoods, why had Leo been saved & by whom & who is Jasper? I loved their relationship she’s tenacious & he’s focused on his job but whilst they constantly annoy each other there’s a chemistry that can’t be denied plus whilst investigating the murders they feed off each others ideas & bring out the best in each other. I look forward to learning how their relationship deepens & progresses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The start of a new series & another very well written page turner. The story starts quite slowly as we are introduced to Leo & Jasper & learn some of their backstory but the more you read the more the pace increases. I was drawn in from the start & I read it in a couple of sittings. There are some seemingly unrelated events but the more Jasper & Leo delve the more these are related, there are twists & turns & some took me by surprise. I loved both Leo & Jasper both had suffered as children until rescued by Gregory Reid, there are mysteries surrounding their childhoods, why had Leo been saved & by whom & who is Jasper? I loved their relationship she’s tenacious & he’s focused on his job but whilst they constantly annoy each other there’s a chemistry that can’t be denied plus whilst investigating the murders they feed off each others ideas & bring out the best in each other. I look forward to learning how their relationship deepens & progresses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
December 2, 2024
What a great start to a new series. Loved the characters and how thoroughly they were developed. The storyline built at a great pace and had some surprising twists. There were also a few things left open for the next book in the series.
Looking forward to more adventures with Leo and Jasper.
I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Looking forward to more adventures with Leo and Jasper.
I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2024
Shadow at the Morgue gets the Spencer and Reid mystery series off to a great start. Spencer and Reid have an uneasy comraderie because of the societal pressures against women performing traditionally male roles. However, Leo is so good at recognizing and following clues that others miss that she earns grudging regard but still not full acceptance. There is mystery, danger and challenges galore with non-stop action. I thank the author for an advance review copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
January 25, 2025
⭐ARC REVIEW⭐
Victorian Detective Mystery (mild romance, slowburn, isn’t the main focus)
Strong heroine: stubborn, strong-willed and daring.
Protective hero: confident, dedicated to his work, serious.
🕵️♂️❤️🕵️♀️
When I saw Cara Devlin had a new book coming out, a Victorian Detective series, I knew I had to get the ARC. This is a genre I absolutely love and let me tell you, this first installment of the Spencer & Reid series did not disappoint! Au contraire, I found this book absolutely BRILLIANT.
First, right off the bat, Cara Devlin does a wonderful job at writing likeable, fascinating, multi-layered characters. Leo Spencer and Jasper Reid have a shared past, a connection. Now, Leo has the unusual job of working at the morgue, assisting her uncle. Jasper works as a detective inspector and takes his job very seriously. There is murder investigation & mystery that involves Leo at the morgue and Jasper is reluctant to have Leo help him. We soon see his Victorian views around gender roles are because Leo holds a special place in his heart, he wants to protect her. Through the story, we get both of their POV and it really helps the reader understand the characters better -something that was clearly lacking in a show like Miss Scarlet and The Duke, where we are five seasons in and still do not know what is going on in Eliza’s mind! You will get none of this frustration with Shadow at the Morgue. We clearly understand the characters and why they are acting like they are.
The story kept me guessing until the end, with so many twists and turns it was hard to put down this book…I didn’t get much sleep the first time I read it. It is so good, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything (especially about our two main protagonists’ past), I read it a second time last week!
To be truthful, I was a sad Miss Scarlet and the Duke fan after Duke left, but this new book series gave me the same “vibe” with Leo & Jasper having this special childhood connection, and Jasper constantly feeling torn between wanting to protect her but also admiring her determination. He values her intelligence and input on his cases. So YES: I am HOOKED on this new series!
If you like a good mystery (I even think this book would please someone who likes detective novels that aren’t set in the victorian era), if you like a murder investigation with surprising twists, I highly recommend Shadow at the Morgue.
Victorian Detective Mystery (mild romance, slowburn, isn’t the main focus)
Strong heroine: stubborn, strong-willed and daring.
Protective hero: confident, dedicated to his work, serious.
🕵️♂️❤️🕵️♀️
When I saw Cara Devlin had a new book coming out, a Victorian Detective series, I knew I had to get the ARC. This is a genre I absolutely love and let me tell you, this first installment of the Spencer & Reid series did not disappoint! Au contraire, I found this book absolutely BRILLIANT.
First, right off the bat, Cara Devlin does a wonderful job at writing likeable, fascinating, multi-layered characters. Leo Spencer and Jasper Reid have a shared past, a connection. Now, Leo has the unusual job of working at the morgue, assisting her uncle. Jasper works as a detective inspector and takes his job very seriously. There is murder investigation & mystery that involves Leo at the morgue and Jasper is reluctant to have Leo help him. We soon see his Victorian views around gender roles are because Leo holds a special place in his heart, he wants to protect her. Through the story, we get both of their POV and it really helps the reader understand the characters better -something that was clearly lacking in a show like Miss Scarlet and The Duke, where we are five seasons in and still do not know what is going on in Eliza’s mind! You will get none of this frustration with Shadow at the Morgue. We clearly understand the characters and why they are acting like they are.
The story kept me guessing until the end, with so many twists and turns it was hard to put down this book…I didn’t get much sleep the first time I read it. It is so good, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything (especially about our two main protagonists’ past), I read it a second time last week!
To be truthful, I was a sad Miss Scarlet and the Duke fan after Duke left, but this new book series gave me the same “vibe” with Leo & Jasper having this special childhood connection, and Jasper constantly feeling torn between wanting to protect her but also admiring her determination. He values her intelligence and input on his cases. So YES: I am HOOKED on this new series!
If you like a good mystery (I even think this book would please someone who likes detective novels that aren’t set in the victorian era), if you like a murder investigation with surprising twists, I highly recommend Shadow at the Morgue.
December 7, 2024
I was very anxious to read the new HR/mystery series by Devlin. I just loved her debut series about Hugh and Audrey so I wondered if this one would be as good.
Fans can rest easy, this is another compelling story with well developed characters that you must know more about, accompanied by an intriguing plot.
While I didn’t really care for Leo’s occupation (as a coroners assistant) it does add suspense to the plot and provides a plausible reason for her to be involved with Jasper. It also shows she is smart and capable.And she has the courage to pursue leads on her own plus a fascinating ability to make inspired deductions. I do love that she is a crappy cook. Lol. Jasper is a prickly police inspector who is very concerned about his checkered past and works so so hard to be responsible and respectable. It captured my interest that they’ve known each other since they were children and yet have lost touch for a while.
I really enjoy this part of the story arc where we get to see the beginning of the romance. Jasper in particular realizes he has tender feelings for Leo and surprises Leo with a few demonstrations of that. Somewhat like the scene where Darcy squeezes Elizabeth’s hand (Matthew MacFadyen and Keira Knightly). Devlin didn’t copy that scene but it gave me the same exciting vibe. I just love this part where the MMC and FMC are confused about their feelings, a bit antagonistic to each other but also drawn to each other.
The mystery is a good solid one. I admit to being totally taken in by the red herring and was surprised at who the perpetrator was.
There are some excellent side characters which we will see more of in the future no doubt. My least favourite was Insp. Wylie, I think we’ve lol met someone like him!
Devlin has left a few threads hanging and I will be excited to see what happens in book 2.
All in all, an excellent follow up to her first series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Fans can rest easy, this is another compelling story with well developed characters that you must know more about, accompanied by an intriguing plot.
While I didn’t really care for Leo’s occupation (as a coroners assistant) it does add suspense to the plot and provides a plausible reason for her to be involved with Jasper. It also shows she is smart and capable.And she has the courage to pursue leads on her own plus a fascinating ability to make inspired deductions. I do love that she is a crappy cook. Lol. Jasper is a prickly police inspector who is very concerned about his checkered past and works so so hard to be responsible and respectable. It captured my interest that they’ve known each other since they were children and yet have lost touch for a while.
I really enjoy this part of the story arc where we get to see the beginning of the romance. Jasper in particular realizes he has tender feelings for Leo and surprises Leo with a few demonstrations of that. Somewhat like the scene where Darcy squeezes Elizabeth’s hand (Matthew MacFadyen and Keira Knightly). Devlin didn’t copy that scene but it gave me the same exciting vibe. I just love this part where the MMC and FMC are confused about their feelings, a bit antagonistic to each other but also drawn to each other.
The mystery is a good solid one. I admit to being totally taken in by the red herring and was surprised at who the perpetrator was.
There are some excellent side characters which we will see more of in the future no doubt. My least favourite was Insp. Wylie, I think we’ve lol met someone like him!
Devlin has left a few threads hanging and I will be excited to see what happens in book 2.
All in all, an excellent follow up to her first series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
December 5, 2024
Best Mystery that I have read this year! It has taken 12 months to finally read a good story, it's unique and well-written, and it kept my interest. I highly recommend it. The female protagonist is Leo, who moved in with an Aunt and Uncle after the murders of her entire family when she was a young girl, she survived by being rescued by one of the assailants, she thinks. The few memories still haunt her, and she knows that she must confront them soon. Our male protagonist is Jasper, he was a child of the streets in the rougher part of London, being alone and having been recently beaten, taken in by the kind Inspector of Scotland Yard, Inspector Reid, who is now dying, which is sad, you come to care for him, Jasper loves him like a father, for the Inspector adopted him, and Jasper has followed in his footsteps, he is now Inspector Reid. Leo had been taken in by the kindly Inspector after losing her family, thankfully she has an Uncle and Aunt who have taken her in, teaching her the unusual trade of performing autopsies, something women could not do during this period. I dislike this job for her, on the other hand, it is a plausible way for the two of them to be working on a case together. A unique story that I know will be a hit, Cara Devlin has gotten better book to book, and this is the best one yet! I highly recommend that you read it, you will love this couple as much as I do. Thank you.
carolintallahassee
carolintallahassee
December 3, 2024
I am a huge fan and reader of Cara Devlin’s Bow Street Murders Series. This new series started off with trolling through the dark underbelly of crime with an unexpected protagonist, Leo. Unexpected in many ways, unconventional to say the least. Leo was a sole survivor of a tragedy to her family, who luckily was brought into the fold temporarily of an inspector. This tied her to him and his son, Jasper, who followed in his footsteps. They work together to stop a crime and killing spree, making connections no one else seems to see. Why is that? There is much about Leo that goes against societal expectations. Her proclivities are odd for a women, her strong sense of self, and being unapologetic make you want to cheer for her each time she goes against the expectations. Leo helps her uncle at the morgue, while typically sticking her nose into Jasper’s cases. Curious to see where this new serious will go. I received this book to review for free.
January 9, 2025
3.5 this isn’t a cozy mystery and I was expecting a little more romance but it was an interesting start. Both our MC have person mysteries/battles that they are dealing with which I believe will be multiple book arcs in addition to our main mystery. I think that this was a realistic mystery with out being “gritty” there was acknowledgment of class/society differences without being overly detailed (which I did appreciate). I liked that the MFC had a unique job for a woman in the morgue. I think that the ending felt a little dramatic and messy for a book that really seemed grounded in realty and didn’t seem over the top. But I’m very interested in what’s next. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 22, 2024
I loved this book. If you are looking for something to soothe the pain of Miss Scarlet and The duke, then this is absolutely it! Cara is always so clever at telling the story without being over explanatory and it is very easy to picture the whole story like a film inside the head.
There were the occasional grammar/missing words in the ARC I received, that have been, I understand edited in the final copy and that just goes to show how diligent Cara is, and open to constructive criticism.
I cannot wait for the next book, and feel that the romance in this one will be an ultra slow burn (which is my favourite!!) so I can’t wait :)
There were the occasional grammar/missing words in the ARC I received, that have been, I understand edited in the final copy and that just goes to show how diligent Cara is, and open to constructive criticism.
I cannot wait for the next book, and feel that the romance in this one will be an ultra slow burn (which is my favourite!!) so I can’t wait :)
February 19, 2025
This one was just okay for me. I liked the still-yet-to-figure-it-out romance between Leo and Jasper. I liked the mystery and story. But it wasn’t really intriguing or interesting. Interesting, but not REALLY interesting. I wanted to know what happened next but not in-a-way like I gotta know NOW. Towards the end it did get more intriguing, but it was still just an okay read for me. There was no language or any other regrettable activities that some may not like to have in their reading, so I will recommend to everyone who likes a mystery and crime. Thank you to #NetGalley, the author, and publishers for opportunity to read #ShadowAtTheMorgue with my honest thoughts and insights.
December 12, 2024
Did not expected anything less from this author. I totally enjoyed this book. the woman character was intelligent, forceful and got the job done {with a little help} from her counterpart.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
February 24, 2025
So I just started reading Cara Devlin last year, 2024 and read her Bow Street Duchess Mystery Series which I really liked. Surprisingly because she hardly had any sex in her books but I really enjoyed them. They were well written and interesting. Not really my genre or my trope but they were good. I ran across this book and thought I'd try her again.
I really enjoyed this book. Even though this was also not my usual genre or trope, I liked it. I think mainly because growing up I said I wanted to be a coroner (I used to watch Quincy, M.E.) and then later on I wanted to be a cop (Yes, I watched Police Woman). So this story was great for both those curiosities. :) There is still no sex again it didn't matter with this type of trope. I liked Leo and Jasper's characters. I liked their interactions. I'm excited to read book 2 in this series.
I really enjoyed this book. Even though this was also not my usual genre or trope, I liked it. I think mainly because growing up I said I wanted to be a coroner (I used to watch Quincy, M.E.) and then later on I wanted to be a cop (Yes, I watched Police Woman). So this story was great for both those curiosities. :) There is still no sex again it didn't matter with this type of trope. I liked Leo and Jasper's characters. I liked their interactions. I'm excited to read book 2 in this series.
January 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this fast paced novel!! Even though I sometimes resented Leo's recklessness as I found it rather stupid, I liked the way she goes on about her work in the morgue. I also liked the strong sense of family irradiating from Leo and Jasper. I found a positive point that the novel mostly focuses on the mystery to be solved rather than romance. I will definitely read book two!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley, and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley, and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
February 1, 2025
A pretty good mystery.
I feel like the author was introducing us to the characters in this book. I greatly appreciate that everything didn’t work out perfectly. It had characters that were not redeemed. So many of the murder mysteries set in this time period make everything work out for an upper echelons of society. This time no. I am impressed.
I feel like the author was introducing us to the characters in this book. I greatly appreciate that everything didn’t work out perfectly. It had characters that were not redeemed. So many of the murder mysteries set in this time period make everything work out for an upper echelons of society. This time no. I am impressed.
November 28, 2024
Absolute Miss Scarlet and The Duke vibes! Loved it and can’t wait for more in this series!
January 16, 2025
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.
I received an arc from NetGalley
I received an arc from NetGalley
August 30, 2025
A Victorian Era Murder Mystery with a lady coroner’s assistant and a street-smart Scotland Yard detective was too tantalizing to pass up. Cara Devlin is an author I was meaning to try when I spotted her Duchess of Bow Street series, but then the Spencer and Reid series caught my eye so it was here that I leaped in.
Leo has a dark past after surviving the murders of her whole family and landing with her uncle. Her unorthodox background of having a photographic memory and training as her uncle’s assistant leaves her eager to tackle this latest case after a man breaks into the mortuary and demands the unknown corpse’s effects.
Meanwhile, Jasper who is a newly-made detective is determined to prove to everyone that he got the job on his own merit. Growing up on the tough streets of London, he is making good with his life and distancing himself from that life. This is why he has to keep the impulsive Leo from butting into his case. She doesn’t know the meaning of discretion or having a care for safety when she’s on the hunt.
Their acrimonious beginnings and struggles to get the result when this proves to have some darker twists and turns the deeper they dig have Jasper fearing this is tangled with a gang of roughs from his past and Leo is in over her head.
Shadow at the Morgue felt like a first book in a series. It took a while to build the backstory and situation before getting moving. I didn’t mind for the most part, but I did get impatient a few times. But this wasn’t entirely due to the world development.
I get it that Leo has a chip on her shoulder about being taken seriously as a woman, but, in truth, some of the stuff she budged in on and got Jasper riled up over would have riled up a woman cop in this day and age about her partner. Leo had brains and even skills, but no discretion or common sense at times. Jasper was the steady head in this partnership.
That said, I was thoroughly engaged with the story and want to see what comes next especially since there were a few dangling minor plot threads to tease the reader/listener forward.
Allie Rose was a first time listen for me. Her narration and voicing the characters took a bit of adjustment period and I never did fully get into her voices. At times, it sounded exaggerated. However, I found things worked better when I sped up the audio file and got used to her style.
All in all, a solid first outing with the author’s writing, narrator, and first in series. Those who like an unorthodox Victorian era detecting team should give Shadow at the Morgue a try.
I rec'd a digital audio from Tantor Audio to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy on 9.21.25.
Leo has a dark past after surviving the murders of her whole family and landing with her uncle. Her unorthodox background of having a photographic memory and training as her uncle’s assistant leaves her eager to tackle this latest case after a man breaks into the mortuary and demands the unknown corpse’s effects.
Meanwhile, Jasper who is a newly-made detective is determined to prove to everyone that he got the job on his own merit. Growing up on the tough streets of London, he is making good with his life and distancing himself from that life. This is why he has to keep the impulsive Leo from butting into his case. She doesn’t know the meaning of discretion or having a care for safety when she’s on the hunt.
Their acrimonious beginnings and struggles to get the result when this proves to have some darker twists and turns the deeper they dig have Jasper fearing this is tangled with a gang of roughs from his past and Leo is in over her head.
Shadow at the Morgue felt like a first book in a series. It took a while to build the backstory and situation before getting moving. I didn’t mind for the most part, but I did get impatient a few times. But this wasn’t entirely due to the world development.
I get it that Leo has a chip on her shoulder about being taken seriously as a woman, but, in truth, some of the stuff she budged in on and got Jasper riled up over would have riled up a woman cop in this day and age about her partner. Leo had brains and even skills, but no discretion or common sense at times. Jasper was the steady head in this partnership.
That said, I was thoroughly engaged with the story and want to see what comes next especially since there were a few dangling minor plot threads to tease the reader/listener forward.
Allie Rose was a first time listen for me. Her narration and voicing the characters took a bit of adjustment period and I never did fully get into her voices. At times, it sounded exaggerated. However, I found things worked better when I sped up the audio file and got used to her style.
All in all, a solid first outing with the author’s writing, narrator, and first in series. Those who like an unorthodox Victorian era detecting team should give Shadow at the Morgue a try.
I rec'd a digital audio from Tantor Audio to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy on 9.21.25.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews