Murder on Devil’s Ridge

Tate and Bell Mystery #8

by Irina Shapiro

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 listen for fans of Andrea Penrose, Anna Lee Huber, and the Lady Sherlock mysteries.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

To write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.

Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.

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Reviews

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and loved the previous books in the series, I was delighted to return to Gemma and Sebastian in Murder on Devil’s Ridge. This was an atmospheric and compelling mystery that had me hooked from the very first page.
The Victorian setting, eerie pagan rumours, and isolated village created the perfect backdrop for a gripping investigation. I particularly enjoyed the twists, secrets, and growing sense of urgency as the case unfolded.
Irina Shapiro once again delivers engaging characters, a strong mystery, and a story that kept me guessing until the end. An excellent addition to the Tate and Bell series, and I’m already looking forward to book nine

[Carrie]

July 28th