Penrose and Pyke go together like fire and kerosene in this first-in-series Victorian era mystery.Trouble’s brewing in the Devil’s Half Acre. A death in an alleyway, a tragic accident in a factory, rumours of a murderer loose on the streets. It’s enough to give a genteel lady a fit of the vapours. Fortunately, Grace Penrose isn’t one to swoon at the sight of blood. All she wants is the chance to become the first female doctor in the colony. Instead, she must confront the harsh realities of the city’s most notorious sweatshop.When the police prove reluctant to investigate the deaths, she turns to a constable who is already up to his neck in trouble. Grace Penrose and Constable Charlie Pyke must figure out which deaths are accidents and which are murders, because the next victim might well be one of their own.The Penrose & Pyke Mystery series is set during a remarkable period of social upheaval in 1890s New Zealand. The fight for women’s rights has never been such deadly fun.

An art hoarder’s suspicious death paints a nasty picture for Nero Wolfe. No matter how fabulously he’s being courted, infamously dour “art hog” Arthur Wordell isn’t keen on favoring the new Guggenheim Museum with his extensive collection. Even at the urging of his beloved daughter, Nadia. Then, the night after the museum’s fête, Arthur takes a twenty-story plunge from the window of his Times Square office. Nadia thinks it’s no mere coincidence.   Eccentric, yes. Suicidal, no. Private investigator Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, agree. Especially after eyeballing Arthur’s enemies and sycophants, including his ex-wife, a covetous curator, a troika of obsequious advisors, and an outré Greenwich Village artist anxious to see her work out of storage and on the walls of the “Guggie.”   For Wolfe, there’s a problem: Arthur didn’t leave a will. Without a beneficiary not a soul in Arthur’s circle is set to benefit from his death. Nor do they show any customary indication of guilt. If anybody can solve a seemingly unsolvable masterpiece of murder, it’s Wolfe. Unfortunately, this time, New York’s artful investigator is, admittedly, stumped.   Continuing the acclaimed series—which also includes The Battered Badge, Archie Meets Nero Wolfe, Murder in the Ball Park, Archie in the Crosshairs, and Murder, Stage Left—Nero Award–winning author Robert Goldsborough “does a masterly job with the Wolfe legacy” (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, ?????