In a city haunted by fear, some secrets refuse to stay buried—and it may be safer to forget them.London, 1888Mira Blayse is determined to uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths in 1870. With an artist’s eye, she notices what others miss—but her investigations thus far have led nowhere. One morning at a café, she sketches a mysterious stranger, unaware that she is capturing the features of the man who will help her solve the case once and for all.Byron Constantine is a brilliant detective, but his mind is fractured. He lives day-to-day, desperately fighting to hold onto his memories, only for them to slip away as he sleeps.Assuming the role of his secretary, Mira’s sharp eye for detail is the perfect complement to Byron’s deductive genius. More than an assistant, she bridges the gaps in his memory. Together, they tackle a case from Scotland Yard: the suspicious death of airship operator Clement Pennington.With the Whitechapel murders dominating London, they uncover hidden schemes and shadows of a secret society that may hold answers about Mira’s own mystery. As the danger closes in, their partnership deepens—and Byron realizes there may be one memory he cannot afford to lose.The first book in a gripping historical mystery series best enjoyed in order.

"Taylor constructs an entertaining, sometimes enchanting world" in this historical mystery about a grieving man who confronts the specter of ghosts (People).1786, Jerusalem College, Cambridge The ghost of Sylvia Whichcote is rumored to be haunting Jerusalem ever since student Frank Oldershaw claimed to have seen the dead woman prowling the grounds and was locked up because of his violent reaction to these disturbed visions. Desperate to salvage her son's reputation, Lady Anne Oldershaw employs John Holdsworth, author of The Anatomy of Ghosts—a stinging account of why ghosts are mere delusion—to investigate. But his arrival in Cambridge disrupts an uneasy status quo as he glimpses a world of privilege and abuse, where the sinister Holy Ghost Club governs life at Jerusalem more effectively than the Master, Dr. Carbury, ever could. And when Holdsworth finds himself haunted—not only by the ghost of his dead wife, Maria, but also by Elinor, the very-much-alive Master's wife—his fate is sealed. He must find Sylvia's murderer, or else the hauntings will continue. And not one of this troubled group will leave the claustrophobic confines of Jerusalem unchanged. CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger winner Andrew Taylor returns with an outstanding historical novel that will simultaneously keep the reader riveted, and enchant with its effortless elegance."[A] masterful thriller. . . . Fans of Michael Cox and Charles Palliser will relish this sophisticated period puzzle, which takes an intriguing look at the age-old question of the reality of ghosts." —Publishers Weekly, starred review"[An] engaging premise and . . . evocative setting." —Booklist

His heart pounding, the man scribbles the words in his notebook as fast as he can: “Woman dead in Highgate. Man in caped coat. Milky way and red streaks. I’m being followed.”Hours later, the man’s cold body lies in the city mortuary, alongside the woman he couldn’t save. And his sister, unconventional nurse Gemma Tate, tracks down troubled police inspector Sebastian Bell to unravel the truth.Sebastian has enough pressure to solve the murder of an aristocratic heiress without Gemma meddling in his case. But the cryptic sentences she brings him from her brother’s notebook could be a crucial lead. If only they knew what “milky way” meant. But as the trail of clues takes them away from the gilded drawing rooms of the nobility and into the dangerous slums of London, how far will their partnership be tested on the quest for justice, and will they both emerge unscathed?Fans of Andrea Penrose, Deanna Raybourn and Miss Scarlet and the Duke will be hooked on this intricate, compelling mystery set in Victorian London.Readers love The Highgate Cemetery Murder…“I was hooked, basically. The story is so extremely gripping that it’s hard to put the book down.” Reader review, ?????“The characters are so real and likeable. I was absolutely gobsmacked at who the killer was… I really couldn’t put the book down till the end a real page-turner. I can’t wait to get the next book in this series and will add to my must-read series.” Reader review, ?????“So good I could hardly put the book down… Once you start, you may as well forget everything else.” Reader review, ?????“Grips you from the very beginning and pulls you in… If you’re a fan of Miss Scarlet and the Duke and Enola Holmes, then you will love Gemma Tate’s wits and tenacity.” Reader review, ?????“Absolutely in love with this book and halfway through I bought another book by this author. Now to read all things Irina Shapiro!” Reader review, ?????“Spellbound!… Shapiro’s writing is sublime, transporting you to the vibrant streets of Victorian London. You'll feel like you're accompanying Gemma and Sebastian as they track down clues and uncover the truth… A must-read… Five stars!” Reader review, ?????“Highly recommend this for anyone interested in historical mystery, particularly set in Victorian England, and for fans of Deanna Raybourn, Andrea Penrose, and Anna Lee Huber.” Reader review, ?????“This was a fantastic read! I absolutely LOVED it! I look forward to seeing more in this series!” Reader review, ?????“So gripping and twisted I could not put it down… Both Gemma and Sebastian are quite damaged but they can rely on each other. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for them!” Reader review, ?????“I immediately fell in love with the complexity of both characters… I honestly cannot wait to see where this series leads as I think this is a stunning beginning for both Bell and Tate.” Reader review, ?????“A highly engaging plot, with a richly atmospheric, almost gothic-like setting, and compelling characters… read this in one sitting. A must-read for historical mystery fans.” Reader review, ?????Readers love Irina’s historical mysteries…“I loved, loved, loved this story… I couldn’t put the book down… What better way to spend the day but wrapped in a warm blanket and being transported to an adventure.” Reader review, ?????“I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.” Reader review, ?????“I absolutely loved this! The plot twist and storyline left me reeling in the best way possible.” Reader review, ?????