Murder in the Grave

Redmond and Haze Mysteries #5

by Irina Shapiro

When the body of a newly appointed curate is found in a freshly dug grave, Inspector Haze and Lord Redmond are called to investigate. According to friends and family, the unfortunate man was a veritable saint who’d wanted nothing more than to dedicate his life to God and good works, but the savagery of his murder and the attempt to hide his corpse tell a different story.Facing increasing pressure to solve the case of the “Cleaved Curate,” Daniel and Jason must delve deeper into the life of Sebastian Slade, only to discover that even men of God have their secrets and that the reckoning can be biblical in its scope.Perfect for fans of C.S. Harris and Anne Perry

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Crime, Fiction

237 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2021

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.

Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars ...

This was the best one yet ...
in this super excellent series!!
Five thumbs up!
👍👍👍👍👍

[Shreyas Deshpande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings:- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first two books of this series and was recently reminded of it, so picked up on the fifth installment. Haze is the actual policeman and Redmond, a member of the nobility, uses his medical experience to conduct autopsies and assist in investigation of the murdered. As the story comes to a close after this investigation Redmond is named as a special assistant, making his participation official. A churchman has been murdered and during initial canvassing answers are few and far between. There are unsavory details uncovered pertaining to this man's actions with regard to young maiden girls.
It is a light read and moves slowly which was fine with me as I am fighting a virus.

Kindle Unlimited

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very satisfying entry into this series.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Redmond and his new bride have just returned from their honeymoon trip to Italy. Just in time for the newly wedded lord to land in the middle of another puzzling mystery.

Sebastian Slade, a young curate who had recently come to Upper Finchley from London, is covered over in a grave that had been prepared for another body. When Arthur Weeks, tasked with digging graves and making preparations for funerals, stopped by the grave early in the morning to make sure that all was shipshape he was surprised to find it not as deep as it should be. Thinking he must have made a mistake, he grabs his shovel and prepares to dig a little deeper and is shocked to find a body under the loose earth at the bottom. That same shovel was used to bash Slade over the head and bury him in the open grave. But who would have wanted to kill the new curate?

When Redmond and Inspector Haze begin to investigate, the answer seems to be "nobody." The man hadn't been in the area long enough to make enemies and everyone speaks of how kind and nice he was. But the longer they look, the more they find that the good man of God wasn't. Good, that is. He was sent to the country parish as punishment for butting heads with his superior in London. He had a taste for gambling. And an eye for a pretty face...especially if the pretty face was a bit on the young side. Did one of his creditors get tired of waiting for payment? Or did a relative of one of the girls he seduced decide to take revenge? Meanwhile, our detectives discover that Slade's niece was kidnapped and the trail seems to lead to Upper Finchley. Is there a connection to Slade's murder? Redmond and Haze need to find out before there is another death...

This series is turning into a bit of a comfort read for me. Comfortable characters with interesting interactions. Just enough background on the recurring characters to give them depth without bogging down the mystery with personal drama, angst, or hang-ups (like so many current authors like to weigh their detectives down with). And the plot in this one is a bit stronger than the previous four (not they weren't good). We got a nice little twist on the motive and I like the way Shapiro ties up all the loose ends from the two mysteries. A very strong entry. ★★★★ and 1/2. [rounded up here]

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good series of far as I am concerned.Enjoyed all I have read so far.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read all of the available books in the series before sitting down to write a review. These books are competently written, however as historical mysteries they are riddled with anachronisms. If you can get past those without being stopped every time a rural Maryland farmboy uses the word "posh" (chiefly British, from 1920 or so,) you will probably enjoy the books. I also have problems with the surgical procedures that the main character uses as I believe they're for the most part before their time. Antiseptics, anasthetics (Queen Victoria's use of chloroform for childbirth notwithstanding,) etc. Most of this could have been avoided by setting the novels twenty years or so later, but I suspect the author specifically wanted to use an ex Civil War soldier as her protagonist so unless he was older this means 1860s.

They're fair mysteries. The protagonists' use of deductive reasoning and logic is commendable, but in each case it seems like in the end it's sheer luck that actually uncovers the murderer.

All that said, I will admit that I'm very picky and most folk won't see any of this as a problem. I did read the entire series, and will read any future books that come out.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upper Finchley, England. Tuesday, August 6, 1867. Irina Shapiro’s Murder in the Grave (A Redmond and Haze Mystery, #5) finds Lord Redmond being summoned to the graveyard next to St. Catherine’s Church in Upper Finchley by Inspector Daniel Haze of the Brentwood Constabulary as a body has been found in a grave dug for a funeral to be held this day. Reverend Hodges of St. Catherine’s recognized the body as Sebastian Slade, the new curate of St. Catherine’s who had only been in Upper Finchley for a few weeks. Who could have known and wanted Sebastian dead when he had been in this small town only a few weeks? As inspector Haze asks people in the town what Sebastian was like, everyone says that he was kind, helpful, a true man of God, but was he? “For most men, women fell into one of several categories: respectable young lady, wife, whore, servant, spinster, relation, or target of seduction”. Did Sebastian Slade view women with these categories in mind? If so, which one or ones did Sebastian ‘see’ women? As this story is set in Victorian times, if Inspector Haze and Lord Redmond decide these last two questions, will they find his murderer? Or is the motivation something else entirely? 4 stars.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the mystery as decently done but there just wasn't a lot of meat to this story, imo. I was frequently bored. The investigation just wasn't laid out in a compelling, bread crumb enough type way to keep me focused. Much like Jason feels in this story, my brain felt underutilized.

I was most dismayed by the choices Mary made. It felt... off. I just didn't understand her reasoning and it wasn't communicated well by the author. It didn't feel true to the character. Mary seemed very practical from her previous representation. For her to leave all security behind to "prove her own way" felt totally asinine to me. If the author regretted bringing her into the story, there just seemed to be better ways than the callous ways everyone described Jason's relationship with Mary and subsequently, Micah.

I hope we (myself, Redmond and Haze) get backon track in the next installment.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in the Grave is book five in the Redmond and Haze Mysteries series by Irina Shapiro. When a newly appointed curator at a local church was found dead, Inspector Haze and the police surgeon Lord Redmond caught the case. However, at first, they could not work out the motive for Sebastian Slade's murder until they investigated his past. The readers of Murder in the Grave will follow Inspector Haze and Police Surgeon Lord Redmond to discover what happens.

Redmond and Haze Mysteries is a fantastic historical murder mystery series and Murder in the Grave is an excellent addition to this series. I engage with the story and the characters from the first page, and it continues until the end. I love Irina Shapiro's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Murder in the Grave was well-written and researched by Irina Shapiro. I like Irina Shapiro's description of the settings of Murder in the Grave, which complemented the book's plot.

The readers of Murder in the Grave will understand the devastation for families when their children go missing. Also, the readers of Murder in the Grave will learn about the role of the Police surgeon and advisor to the police in the Eighteenth Century.

I recommend this book.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favorite of the series, lectured like the plight of women at the time was unknown. For all the revealing evidence, we got law but no justices. Nothing satisfying about the reveal at all. Lost a bit of respect for Jason and even more for Daniel.
In parting info at the end from author asking for suggests, I'd say the children involved should appear in several years to confront our boys.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A curate has been killed in Upper Finchley. His body was concealed in a grave that had been dug for a funeral that was supposed to have taken place this morning. Had the gravedigger not noticed that the grave didn’t appear to be as deep as it should have been, no one would have been the wiser. No strangers have been seen in the village, so it stands to reason that it was one of his parishioners.”
“Who would kill a curate, and why?” Katherine asked, clearly intrigued.
“That, my dear, is the million-dollar question.”

Beneath the surface of some people is dark and sinister. This is what got the curate killed. It was an engrossing story. I like how the interplay of the characters' relationships fit well into the solving of the murders.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This mystery is full of surprises and shocks from start to finish! It is one of the most intricate and well developed mysteries that I have ever read! Lord Redmond and Inspector Haze do a tremendous investigation but each step they take leads to a dead end. The pieces are so diverse and, seemingly, unconnected that it seems impossible to reach a solution. Very exciting!

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it! I loved the twists and turns of the story and I loved the way the two characters worked together.

This is also the second book since the start of the series I’m giving a perfect rating to. I enjoyed it much more than the last one.

Looking forward to the next one!

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad tale. A lot of red herrings at the beginning. All is not as it appears. The motive is well hidden and the motive reveals the murderer.

[jaroiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zas o trochu zajímavější zápletka než minule.

[T.A. Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't figure this one out. The plotting is pretty clever.

[Carol Bisig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Disappointed!

Why do authors have to shove their liberal views down the throats of their readers, customers, or whatever you want to call those of us foolish enough to buy books and are lulled into a false sense of security, naively believing we are simply buying a good mystery to escape with for a few hours. This series takes place right after the American Civil War, the main protagonist lives in England, inheriting lordship, book 5, and we still don't know what he is, Baron or Marquis. Why don't we know? A simple fact left out, yet this book is full of pro-abortion rhetoric, seances, and religious animosity, these were not my reasons for buying these books! I am so ready for a rating system for the publishing world that is just like the movie system, it's not banning books, it's a heads up for naive buyers who believed they were getting a mystery, not lectures from a pro-abortion advocate.
I know Amazon will not publish this review, but I will.
carolintallahassee

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Aug 2024 - re-listened.
____________
Sept 2022
Another unexpected ending. One thing that I'm really enjoying with this series, is the character development of both Jason and Daniel. The very progressive Jason provides the more conservative Daniel with some radical ideas that broadens his outlook, whereas Jason himself has to learn to live within a very traditional environment. It's been very interesting seeing how they keep having to adjust their world views. Mary leaving her son behind seems a bit weird though.

The next book sounds like it's going to be a doozy.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel and Jason are on another murder case. The new curate is found buried alive in a freshly dug grave intended for another body. Initial investigations turn up no suspects or clues. The murder was one of opportunity, using the shovel and grave dug by the groundskeeper, not one of premeditation. Everyone says that Sebastian is a lovely man, kind and caring, without an enemy in the world. His sister, Iris, worships him, especially since her daughter, Grace's, abduction 3 years ago when she was just an infant. His vicar and townspeople like him well enough, although they don't know him very well since he has only been in town for a month, having been transferred from London. No outside visitors or strangers were in town the day that Sebastian was killed so it must be someone nearby but who? Eventually Daniel and Jason find cracks in Sebastians good guy facade. In addition to learning about his gambling debts, they discover that he was dismissed from his prior church over the vicar's treatment of a fallen woman, a teenager with child, who the vicar excommunicated from the church. Sebastian thought that this was too harsh and was dismissed for his efforts. His sister and a female acquaintance both said that Sebastian gave the girl money and helped set her up in a room when her father kicked her out of the house. When they visited the girl, Daniel and Jason learned that Sebastian was not just a Good Samaritan, he was the father of her baby! He groomed young girls to become his lovers and then cast them aside when they became too old or got pregnant. He was grooming a girl in his new town so her father immediately became a suspect but he was hardly aware of what was happening. Finally they find a clue when they learn that Mrs. Goodwin, recently back in the town with her family to care for her ailing father, used to work in London. When they go to visit the family, Jason recognizes the little girl as being Sebastian's kidnapped niece, Grace, by identifying a slight scar on her lip. Mrs. Goodwin was the child's nanny and orchestrated the abduction when she learned that she could not have her own children. Mr. Goodwin tries to protect his wife and family by shooting at the police but in the end they are both arrested and Mrs. Goodwin is hanged for killing Sebastian. In other news, Jason's wife, Katherine, is pregnant, Micha's sister, Mary, fled back to the US, leaving her infant son, Liam, behind, Mr. Sullivan returned to London and Micha is preparing to go to boarding school.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

More adventures for Daniel and Jason

I loved this historical whodunit staring Captain Jason Redmond and Constable Daniel Haze. Like the other books in the series, it had a layered storyline, an intriguing mystery, surprising plot twists, and suspense. Once again, I was pulled into the story from the first page and couldn’t put it down until they wrapped up the case. Jason and Daniel are portrayed as real, relatable and complex people who have flaws and scars, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans. I am especially enjoying their struggles with society rules and morals that do not seem to match their internal compasses. Captain Jason Redmond is an American surgeon who is currently living in England after inheriting the estate and title of his grandfather. He is recently married and his household is full of unusual people and not run like a “normal” estate for nobility. Daniel Haze is working as a detective inspector in nearby Essex and continues to give his all to his assigned cases. This story takes place several months after the last book. Jason and Daniel once again work together to solve a murder after a newly appointed curate is found in a freshly dug grave. The investigation leads Daniel and Jason to unlikely places, many dead ends, and surprising revelations. The smaller side personal story arcs which just enrich the main plot line continue with Jason‘s new marriage to Katherine, Daniel‘s recent fatherhood, and the men’s deepening friendship. The story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters, and a captivating storyline. I am excited to read more to this series.

[J E Suver · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better twist… but the character choices were baffling

By this point in the series, the Redmond household is growing—baby on the way, Micah off to boarding school—and then suddenly Mary disappears. Without her baby. And everyone knew. Mrs. Dodson knew. The staff knew. And the reason? Cockamamie doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Mary’s choices felt completely off and wildly out of character. She’d previously been portrayed as practical and grounded, so her decision to abandon security to “prove her own way” rang hollow and poorly explained. If the author regretted bringing her into the story, there were far better ways to handle it than turning Jason and Micah’s relationship with her into something so oddly callous.

The mystery itself was barely a mystery, though I will give credit where it’s due—the twist was handled better than in earlier books, and it does feel like the author is finally putting more effort into that part of the story.

What really pulled me out, though, were the anachronisms. Two very modern American phrases—“snap out of it” and “okay”—show up, and neither belongs anywhere near 1867 England. Google is free. Irina, please check your sources.

Murder of the Curate had some improvements, but between the baffling character decisions and the historical slip-ups, it was hard to stay fully invested.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in the Grave is the fifth Redmond and Haze mystery novel, and I am enjoying these books tremendously. Now, as someone with a history background, I do have to overlook some obvious errors when it comes to some of the things that happen in this book, more in the sense of surgical procedures that Captain Redmond uses as they are a bit before his time, but these are things that can be forgiven as they don't go too far beyond what was actually done during this time period. And I do find it fascinating how people responded to anything new when it was used and how superstitious people were when anything different was suggested. I do think the author highlights these aspects fo the time period quite well and includes them in the books quite seamlessly.

The mystery itself continues to be fascinating and I quite enjoy trying to figure out what is actually going on and how it all ties in with who and what we know of the time period. I would like to see Catherine and Sarah more involved in the cases as I enjoy it when the two men discuss their difficulties with their wives. Hopefully, they won't get too protective and we will see more of this. All in all, an enjoyable read. Now, off to listen to book six.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay Installment in Ongoing Mystery Series

While I have been enjoying this historical mystery series, I feel as if this is the weakest installment. I felt as if there was a lack of direction in the mystery and as if the two primary characters were in limbo throughout most of the book.

While the two primary characters are well developed, I felt as if the author has lost interest in several of the secondary characters or couldn't figure out how to further develop them. Instead of further developing them and incorporating them into the stories, she seems to be working on writing them out, and I'm disappointed with that.

The mystery itself moved very slowly this time around, and both Redmond and Haze had a hard time finding clues and a motive. Especially since the "victim" appeared to be an almost perfect person.

I am holding out hope that the next installment is a return to the previous stregths of this series.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure why this book has such great reviews.
#1. It was fairly obvious whodunit, by chapter 9. If not exactly the specific persons, by name, then motive was clear, at the very least.
#2. Took waaaaaay too long to get around to it.
Yes, I’ll admit it was nice to have a couple of surprises in the middle, but they weren’t good enough to make up for a trainwreck of an ending.
3. In the end, the author only tells us that one person was hanged for the murder, another committed suicide and then we don’t get any resolution on the other folks involved. A total let down. If the books were only about solving the puzzle, then we wouldn’t need all of the details and backstory on the main characters. Why not include any details about the other victims in the story? I’m ready to throw my hands up and quit this series. Ugh

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in an outstanding series. Our duo, Lord Jason Redmond and Inspector Daniel Haze have their hands full with this one, with no clues and no suspects for the murder of a young cleric. What they discover will definitely surprise you, all based on dogged investigative work.

Personal stories figure prominently throughout for both of our men, a hallmark of all of the books. Good times ahead for both the young policeman and the young nobleman, albeit one event that is bittersweet. Won't spoil it, you need to read it for yourself!

Enjoy Murder in the Grave for the well-written story it is, with good characterization, a great sense of time and place, and two enjoyable characters (and their families). Looking forward to the next one.

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes books tell you something about yourself. In this case I discovered that I don't like change. I mean, I wasn't bothered at all when Dr. Watson married Mary and moved out of Sherlock's digs, but the direction the author took us in MURDER IN THE GRAVE I found a bit unsettling.

Not Louis Penny unsettling, where I went from loving her Gamache series to hating it; but more like the shift in A ROGUE'S COMPANY (Sparks and Bainbridge) by Allison Montclair. It just caught me offguard.

This might sound negative but it's not. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it and the series.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birch Hill, England, August 1867. The body of a newly appointed curate is found in a freshly dug grave, and there seems to be no motive to murder this kind, generous man. Captain Jason Redmond and Inspector Daniel Haze have a hard time finding anyone who has anything negative to say about the victim, but when they finally do, it's a shocking scandal and they must act fast in order to avoid more casualties. Daniel Haze's family life is settling down, while Jason Redmond's is going through some unsettling changes. (3.5 stars)

[Mbsuther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in the Grave

I enjoy this series as it combines the two sciences of forensics and investigation. The stories have been fresh and interesting. This particular murder story was one that started one way (a well liked man of god), switched gears (the man was a predator), and finally a shocking reason for the murder (I will not divulge). This story had so many dead-end clues, it was almost a "will it be solved or not" style. The biggest clue was a huge surprise. As always, the characters were great. This is a good, well- paced series. A 4.6 out of 5 rating.