When Maidens Mourn (Sebastian St. Cyr Series, Book Seven): C.S. Harris

"Tales of King Arthur and the Lady of Shalott provide inspiration for this latest gripping installment in the Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series.  Just four days wed, the aristocratic investigator and his fiercely independent bride, Hero Jarvis, become caught up in a twisted intrigue involving ancient legends and a deadly family curse.

"Regency England, August 1812:  Sebastian's plans to escape the heat of London for a honeymoon are shattered when the murdered body of Hero's good friend Gabrielle Tennyson is discovered drifting in a battered boat at the site of a long-vanished castle known as Camlet Moat.  A beautiful young antiquary, Miss Tennyson recently provoked an uproar with her controversial identification of the island as the location of Camelot.  Missing and presumed dead are also Gabrielle's two young cousins, nine-year-old George and three-year-old Alfred.

"Still struggling to define the nature of their new marriage, Sebastian and Hero find themselves occasionally working at cross-purposes as their investigation takes them from London's medieval Inns of Court to its grimy back alleys, and from a newly built country estate to a rural enclave where ancient Celtic beliefs still hold sway.  Probing deeper, Sebastian discovers dark secrets at the heart of the Tennyson family and an enigmatic young French lieutenant who is concealing mysteries of his own.

"As Sebastian and Hero race to unmask a ruthless killer and unravel the puzzle of the missing children, they soon realize that both their lives and the growing love for each other are at risk, threatened by powerful men in high places...and by a tall, dark stranger who may hold the key to Sebastian's own parentage."

This is, unfortunately, another severely delayed review.  I finished reading this book in August of 2019 and, as I mentioned in another review I just posted, I was so frustrated with myself for having accidentally deleted a rather lengthy review that I simply stopped reviewing my books as I read them (that, and I was extremely distracted because we were also purchasing a new home and I was 6 months pregnant in August!).  *Edit:  I was able to figure out how to backdate my review to post on the correct date that I finished this book; the review was written on May 19, 2020.

This was a fitting installment in the Sebastian St. Cyr series of period mysteries.  As always, Harris did not disappoint with her rich, captivating narrative and complex plot.  She remained true to her brilliant, headstrong characters and darkly twisted mystery.  I was exited to see Arthurian mythology playing a prominent role in this particular story.  As a bit of a British literature and history buff, I don't think we see much of an acknowledgment of this in popular literature (unless someone blatantly chooses to write about it with characters and plots specifically set within said mythology).  I even once wrote an entire presentation on the importance of the Arthurian legend in British culture -- specifically how King Arthur makes a resurgence in times of need and strife.  He represents a very specific brand of nationalism (and this happens to tie in perfectly with the plot of this particular book!).  I loved how much this came into play - not only with Gabrielle's claims that Camlet is THE Camelot, but with the mystery surrounding the circumstances of her death.

The plot takes you in a winding journey from suspect to suspect - each seemingly more guilty than the last.  All the while, the simmering tension and desire between Sebastian and Hero is at war with their respective desires to be "in charge."  Each is brilliant in his/her own right, yet they cannot seem to let go of the longstanding battle of wills that stands between them.  As they attempt to work together to solve this mystery, they discover the growing strength of their own relationship and fresh marriage.  This presents a nice undertone to the mystery and tragic murder of Hero's friend.

In this case, solving the murder is not enough.  There is still the matter of the missing boys.  Who has the means and motive to kill the intelligent young woman and kidnap her cousins?  What role does the dashing Frenchman play in all of this?  Could a jealous relative be behind the murder, or is there something much larger at play here?  Could Hero's father have been behind it all along?  If so, what does that mean for the relationship between Hero and Sebastian; or Hero and her father, for that matter?

Another undercurrent in this book is the mystery surrounding Sebastian's true parentage.  We encounter a very intriguing stranger who may just have all the answers -- if he was willing to talk...

The multifaceted nature of this story (in fact, the entire series) makes for a very compelling read.  The period nature of this plot creates a dark and gritty (almost gothic) setting, perfect for those of us who have an interest in period literature.  The characters are all richly crafted and the mysteries are complex and keep you guessing until the very end.  Overall, I am still thrilled with this series and look forward to moving to the next one.

Where Shadows Dance (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Book Six): C. S. Harris

“Regency London, July 1812:  How do you set about solving a murder that no one can reveal has been committed?

“That’s the challenge confronting C. S. Harris’s aristocratic soldier-turned-sleuth, Sebastian St. Cyr, when surgeon and anatomist Paul Gibson illegally buys the cadaver of a young man from London’s infamous body snatchers.  A rising star at the Foreign Office, Mr. Alexander Ross was reported to have died of a weak heart.  But when Gibson discovers a stiletto wound at the base of Ross’s skill, he can turn only to Sebastian for help in catching the killer.

“Described by all who knew him as an amiable young man, Ross at first seems an unlikely candidate for murder.  But as Sebastian’s search takes him from the Queen’s drawing rooms in St. James’s Palace to the embassies of Russia, the United States, and the Turkish Empire, he plunges into a dangerous shadow land of diplomatic maneuvering and international intrigue, where truth is an elusive commodity and nothing is as it seems.

“Meanwhile, Sebastian must confront the turmoil of his personal life.  Hero Jarvis, daughter of his powerful nemesis Lord Jarvis, finally agrees to become his wife.  But as their wedding approaches, Sebastian can’t escape the growing realization that not only Lord Jarvis but Hero herself knows far more about the events surrounding Ross’s death than they would have him believe.

“Then a second body is found, badly decomposed but bearing the same fatal stiletto wound.  And Sebastian must race to unmask a ruthless killer who is now threatening the life of his reluctant bride and their unborn child.”

This installment in the world of Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries was one of my quicker reads by Harris.  I thought the plot twists and sheer number of suspects did a very good job of keeping the truth behind the murder of Alexander Ross well hidden from the readers, as well as ensuring a good pace to the plot.

Sebastian is called to Gibson’s surgery after the anatomist discovers a very suspicious wound inflicted upon a corpse which he obtained through dubious means.  Little does Sebastian know that investigating the hidden murder will not only reveal massive secrets within the government, but it also puts Sebastian’s own life at stake, and that of those he cares about.

Still struggling to come to terms with the fact that Hendon is not his true father, Sebastian remains firm in his resolve that he’ll not allow his own child to suffer the stain of illegitimacy – he finally convinces Hero Jarvis to accept his hand in marriage, much to the chagrin of both their families at odds over politics and personal vendettas.  Unfortunately for Hero, tying her name to a well-known aristocratic sleuth means she becomes a target for those trying to dissuade and distract Sebastian from his meddlesome crime-solving.  Sebastian must manage his perceptive, nosy, hesitant-bride-to-be all while ensuring his own hide is kept safe as he skillfully maneuvers between social and political circles.  Diplomats, shipping magnates, ambassadors, military notables, foreign spies, and even the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs all rank somewhere amongst his seemingly-endless list of suspects.  He discovers there are far more lies, subterfuge, and exchanges of gold and secrets taking place within the Regency government and between England and other Continental nations during this tumultuous wartime.  But which of his suspects is the most likely to have wanted Ross – a seemingly well-liked gentleman professional, loyal to both his government and his lovely young betrothed – dead?  And what do the United States have to do with all of it?  Whoever it was nearly got away with the murder…had it not been for Gibson and his body-snatching contacts.

As the bodies begin to pile up, Sebastian must determine which – if any – of them are related…and figure out just how many killers are out there before time runs out.  The ensuing manhunt risks Sebastian’s life and the stability of his own country’s government.

I found this book to be intriguing and entertaining.  It is, of course, another murder-mystery, so it is certainly not without its gruesome gore.  This is another book that’s not for the faint-of-heart or weak-of-stomach.  The violence and death aren’t gratuitous, just a present aspect of this series and genre – I just wanted to provide fair warning so you’ll know what you’re getting into!  I didn’t see the ending until it exploded right in front of me.  The twists and turns kept the author’s aim well disguised and made me want to keep on reading.  The only shortcoming to this was that I don’t feel like I really, truly appreciated Sebastian’s brilliance in this book.  The beauty of the other books was watching his mind work out the murders and leads.  It’s clear that Harris is capable of revealing just enough to keep the readers guessing because this is what she managed to do with the other books in this series.  For this book, all the pieces seemed to fall into place after the fact, so it almost felt too convenient or the thought process too hidden to actually appreciate from my standpoint.  This means that this book was not my favorite one in this series, though I did still enjoy it.  I like the rollercoaster I experience while reading these books and following Sebastian’s investigations, but I wanted to feel more “involved” than I did while reading this installment.

I look forward to watching the characters’ various relationships develop:  Sebastian and Hero, Hendon and Sebastian, Sebastian and Lord Jarvis, even Sebastian and Kat (who was, for the most part, very absent from this book).  One of the greatest successes of this series is Harris’s ability to weave together hints of romance and very personal emotions with the murder-mystery.

Happy reading!

What Remains of Heaven (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Book Five): C. S. Harris

“The latest request for help from Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin—from the Archbishop of Canterbury, no less—is undeniably intriguing:  The bodies of two men have been found in an ancient crypt, their violent deaths separated by decades.  One is the Bishop of London, the elderly Archbishop’s favored but controversial successor.  The identity of the other seems lost in time, although his faded velvet attire marks him as a gentleman of the eighteenth century.

 

“To Sebastian’s consternation, the last person to see the Bishop alive was none other than Miss Hero Jarvis, a woman whose already strained relationship with St. Cyr has been complicated by a brief, unexpectedly passionate encounter.  Not only that, but it soon becomes obvious that her powerful father had reasons of his own for wanting the Bishop out of the way.  In an investigation that leads from the back alleys of Smithfield to the power corridors of Whitehall, Sebastian amasses a list of suspects that ranges from some of the Prince Regent’s closest cronies to William Franklin, embittered son of famous American patriot Ben Franklin.

“Then the second corpse is identified, and Sebastian finds himself confronting the well-guarded secrets of his own family’s history.  Now each step he takes toward the killer brings him closer to a devastating truth that could ultimately force him to question who – and what – he really is.”

Here's my last belated May review!  It feels so good to be caught up again!

I seem to be on a bit of a C.S. Harris kick lately – not that this is a bad thing, but I typically try to “mix it up” more than I have been.  I think I’m going to have to force myself to branch out and find some more reading materials and new authors.  If I’m smart about it, I’ll start compiling a list of new and interesting books and authors because I will be going on maternity leave in a few months (yay!) and there’s a chance it could be sooner with my medical history, so I’ll have to find a way to occupy myself so I don’t go stir-crazy waiting for baby boy to arrive.  What better way to pass the enforced downtime than putting my feet up and enjoying the escape into some amazing books?

Now, to the review:  As usual, C.S. Harris enthralls and entertains with her dark (and sometimes disturbing) Regency murder-mysteries and her captivating hero, Devlin.  Still mourning the loss of his love, Kat, Sebastian struggles to come to terms with his new existence – little does he know that life as he knows it is about to be dealt an even more crippling blow as he dives into the investigation of the murders in a country crypt.

I feel I must issue a warning.  While all of the books in this series involve horrible murders and some gruesome autopsies, I admit that I found this book to be particularly off-putting when I attempted to read it during my lunch breaks at the office…  The repeated descriptions of the mummified cadavers in the crypt – while brilliantly done in vivid detail – were stomach-turning (and I really cannot blame it on my slightly weakened pregnancy tummy).  All I mean to say is that you should be forewarned.  This book is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach (and I like to think I’m not particularly squeamish).  If you can get past this, then the rest of the book is quite interesting.

As usual, Devlin is a fascinating, intelligent investigator.  He doesn’t allow threats to deter him from his mission, no matter that his own life may be at risk.  His inquiries seem to take him all over London and the countryside as he tracks a seemingly endless list of suspects.  His investigations uncover the hidden past of a seemingly-Godly bishop, the depravity and general dislike toward the man who is now the murdered corpse in the crypt, and a dark secret from Devlin’s own family history.  Aided by Paul Gibson and his urchin-turned-tiger, Tom, Devlin doggedly follows his leads, all while dodging a man from his past who seeks vengeance against Devlin for a perceived slight when they were both in the army.  He also (somewhat reluctantly) seeks out the assistance of Hero Jarvis, though he knows doing so might very well endanger the investigation when her own father is on his list of suspects.  Doing so brings him closer to Hero…and to the realization that she may be keeping a very, very big secret from him.

What Devlin discovers about the murders involves old family secrets, the American Revolution, and the determination to keep those secrets hidden, no matter the cost.  What comes to light not only changes Devlin’s life, but the lives of those around him in irrevocable ways.

I enjoyed the suspense and the many twists and turns of this story.  Devlin, as per usual, is a captivating lead.  He’s intelligent, intense, flawed, and charming.  His sense of right and wrong is like his religion, something he seeks out with such fervor that it spurs him on when other, weaker men might have given up or refused to continue on.  The settings are vivid and the story is fast-paced and wildly interesting.  I didn’t see the ending until it hit me in the face.

Not to give away any spoilers, but I am pleased that Devlin finally learned about his family’s big secret – we readers have been privy for some time now and I am extremely interested to see where this takes Devlin.

Where Serpents Sleep (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Book Four): C. S. Harris

“London, 1812.  The brutal slaughter of eight young prostitutes in a house of refuge near Covent Garden leaves only one survivor—and one witness:  Hero Jarvis, reform-minded daughter of the Prince Regent’s cousin, Lord Jarvis.  When the Machiavellian power broker quashes any official inquiry that might reveal his daughter’s unorthodox presence, Hero launches an investigation of her own and turns to Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help.  Still struggling to come to terms with the loss of his lover, Kat Boleyn, and the resultant estrangement from his father, Sebastian is at first reluctant to agree.  But the callous violence of the murders—combined with the opportunity to provoke his archenemy, Jarvis—prompts him to act.

 

“Working in uneasy alliance, Hero and Sebastian focus their efforts on one particular victim of the carnage:  Rose Jones, the terrified nineteen-year-old girl, with the unmistakable accent of a gentlewoman, who died in Hero’s arms.  As they unravel a dangerous thread of lies and deceptions, Hero and Sebastian follow a trail of clues leading from the seedy brothels and docksides of London’s East End to the Mayfair mansion of a noble family with dark secrets of its own to hide.  Risking both their lives and their reputations, the two must race against time to stop a killer whose ominous plot threatens to shake the nation to its very core.”

This is another May read that I'm finally getting around to posting...

Here we have yet another installment of the Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries, and this one definitely did not disappoint.  This book takes place several months after the conclusion of Why Mermaids Sing and we find Devlin still grasping to come to terms with the life altering revelation at the conclusion of the last book.  His life and his love are forever changed and he isn’t sure how or if he can move on from the woman he was so certain he would marry – the woman he’d loved for years.  He’s taken to living the life man who has nothing for which to live.  He drinks himself into a stupor, eats and sleeps very little, and has become a shade amongst men.  To add to this, he is unable to face or forgive his father for his secrets and Devlin blames him for the demise of his hopes and dreams.  It seems that nothing can wrench Devlin free of his despair…until Hero Jarvis, daughter of Devlin’s enemy, seeks out his assistance.

Though we lose Kat as a foil to Devlin’s point of view, we gain Hero’s unique perspective.  She is, in fact, the catalyst for the investigation contained within this plot.  Reform-minded Hero is busy working on a theory that most prostitutes do not pursue their lifestyle willingly or out of some lack of morality, but, rather, that extenuating circumstances force them to sell their bodies or risk death or injury.  She’s busy interviewing a woman who has sought refuge in a home set up by the Quakers as a way to help get women off the streets and train them for a new way of life.  While performing her interview, the home is invaded and the women are killed.  Hero and the woman she knows as Rose are able to escape to the alley, but Hero is the only one to leave alive.  Hero knows there is more to the attack than it seems.  When her father brushes off her concern and makes her promise not to go to Bow Street, Hero realizes there’s only one man to whom she can turn.  She seeks out Devlin and, using his animosity toward her father to her advantage, she convinces him to assist in her investigation.  Though reluctant at first, Devlin finds some solace in the familiarity of investigating the brutal murders.  What he discovers involves deep dark secrets of a noble family, a woman who was not who she seemed to be, and a nefarious plot against the government which could have horrible consequences.  He quickly recognizes the asset he has in Hero’s quick mind and determined nature.  Though they are at odds most of the time, both know they have a powerful ally in uncovering the motive and murderer(s) in one another.  It becomes apparent that the person who committed these crimes is willing to continue to kill in order to cover his trail and Devlin knows this means Hero’s life could be in grave danger.  She refuses to heed his warnings, determined to crack the case and see justice.  This, unfortunately, brings both Devlin and Hero to a point where neither of them may see the light of day again.  And, if they happen to survive by some miracle, their lives will forever be changed.

This fast-paced plot was well-written with a ton of twists and turns.  Each time I thought Hero and Devlin were moving forward in their investigation, there were still more layers to come.  Though the plot wasn’t my favorite in the series – I didn’t find it as captivating, though I’m uncertain why – I thought the interplay between Devlin and Hero was particularly interesting.  They never got along well, so asking them to work so closely together provided some entertaining repartee.  Hero is a strong woman determined to remain self-sufficient and undeterred by the pressures of both her father and society.  She is headstrong and very intelligent, which makes her a very good foil for Devlin.  Though he’s always recognized these qualities in Hero, even Devlin seems surprised with just how much she’s able to contribute to the investigation.

Together, they slowly unravel the mysteries of “Rose” and the complex underworld of London’s prostitution houses.  The network of cutthroats and chillingly calculating proprietors, lies and secrets make for a difficult journey for these two investigators.  Their jobs aren’t easy and a multitude of traps and danger lie in wait for them.

The conclusion was explosive and one I could not predict.  I really look forward to seeing how this will influence upcoming books in the series.  I ardently hope that we’ll get to see more interactions between Hero and Devlin!

Why Mermaids Sing (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Book Three): C. S. Harris

“It’s September 1811, and someone is slaying the wealthy young sons of some of London’s most prominent families.  Partially butchered, with strange objects stuffed in their mouths, the bodies are found dumped in public places at dawn.  When the grisly remains of the eldest son of Alfred, Lord Stanton, are discovered in the Old Palace Yard beside the House of Lords, local magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy turns to Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help.

“Ranging from the gritty world of London’s docks to the luxurious drawing rooms of Mayfair, Sebastian confronts his most puzzling—and disturbing—case yet.  With the help of his trusted allies—his young servant Tom, the Irish doctor Paul Gibson, and his lover, Kat Boleyn—Sebastian struggles to decipher a cryptic set of clues that links the scion of a banking family and a lord’s heir to the son of a humble Kentish vicar.  For as one death follows another, Sebastian starts to believe that the murderer has both a method and a purpose to his ritualized killings, and that the key to it all may lie in the enigmatic stanzas of a haunting poem…and in a secret so dangerous that men are willing to sacrifice their own children to keep the truth from becoming known.

“As she did in What Angels Fear and When Gods Die, C.S. Harris once again employs her dazzling command of history and her rich storytelling to draw us into a dark and glittering world.”

This was a May read that took a long time to finally review and post.  Sorry for the delay!

The twists and turns in Harris’s well-crafted world of Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, keep on coming in this fast-paced, tension-filled installment.  She has a knack for creating an undercurrent of suspense that makes you loathe putting down the book.

Picking up shortly after the prior book finishes, Devlin is sucked into yet another mysterious slew of murders – this time, of sons from very prominent families, their bodies left mangled in gruesome public displays.  Someone has a tremendous amount of hate for these young men – or, perhaps, their families, as Devlin suspects – but why?  What could make someone commit such horrific and, seemingly unprovoked, atrocities?  What could their message possibly be?  As he performs his inquiries, Devlin finds himself once more entangled in the life and past of the powerful Lord Jarvis, which seriously deepens the danger.  What could these murders have in common?  More importantly, Devlin knows there will be more…but who and when?

I was particularly pleased with this story’s ability to keep me guessing.  I truly didn’t know who was at the heart of the mystery until Devlin revealed it at the very end.  This is one of the highest compliments I can give a writer, because I pride myself on not being particularly easy to fool.  I enjoyed the twists and turns along with the vibrant characters Devlin encounters as he attempts to follow the murder’s twisted path.  The truth he discovers is far more sinister than he ever could have imagined, and it’s a secret over which more than one man is willing to kill over.  Not only is Devlin’s own life at stake, but that of his lover, Kat Boleyn.  As usual, the undertone of his romance with Kat provides a logical sounding board for his inquiry, as well as a pleasant reprieve from what might otherwise become far too dark a book.  I’ve always been a fan of Harris’s ability to interweave gruesome mystery with the romance between Kat and Devlin – it works surprisingly well.  However, a secret revealed at the end of this book could ruin that forever!

The settings were, as usual, highly descriptive and captivating.  I thoroughly enjoy the seedy, grimy underbelly of London Harris portrays – so different from what I am used to reading.  It suits her stories and her characters perfectly.  She has a way with crafting these vivid settings which aid in creating a complimentary tone for the story to go along with the plot.

This installment fit in perfectly well with the rest of the series thus far.  It has set up the potential for a volatile continuation with the surprise ending and I look forward to seeing what lies in store for Devlin – especially as it concerns his future with Kat.

When Gods Die (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Book Two): C.S. Harris

“The young wife of an aging marquis is found murdered in the arms of the Prince Regent.  Around her neck lies a necklace said to have been worn by Druid priestesses – that is, until it was lost at sea with its last owner, Sebastian St. Cyr’s mother.  Now Sebastian is lured into a dangerous investigation of the marchioness’s death – and his mother’s uncertain fate.

“As he edges closer to the truth – and one murder follows another – he confronts a conspiracy that imperils those nearest him and threatens to bring down the monarchy.”

*I wrote this review on 1/21/19.  We're only in February and I've already messed up my monthly reading count for the year!  We've, unfortunately, had a lot of tragic things going on lately and they've yanked me away from any of my simple pleasures in life -- my reading and reviewing being among the most important.  A few weeks later and I'm finally getting around to actually posting this review.  I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.  I think it's a great addition to the Sebastian St. Cyr series and an excellent segue from the first installment.*

This is the second installment in the Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery series and it fits in quite smoothly with the beginning of the series.  We encounter Sebastian, Viscount Devlin, a few months after the conclusion of his first investigation (and the clearing of his name).  While life has returned to some semblance of normal for Devlin – he’s taken on Tom as his tiger and he’s begun a comfortable (if somewhat secretive) relationship with the love of his life, Kat Boleyn – it cannot last.  While in attendance at a party thrown by the Prince Regent, the guests are thrown into chaos when Prinney is discovered with a beautiful, young, dead woman in his arms.  There are those who would suspect that Mad King George’s insanity is catching – that his heir is just as twisted and addled – but those behind the monarchy do their best to deflect suspicion by insisting the marchioness died by suicide.  By knife.  In her back.

Given the suspicious circumstances, Jarvis invites Devlin to examine the situation and the body; it quickly becomes apparent to the intelligent, observant viscount that the death is not all that it seems to be.  As the investigation begins in earnest, it is obvious that suicide was not the manner of death…and that Devlin’s past may very well have come back to haunt him.

Similar to the first installment, this book is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing pretty much up until the very end.  The plot is multifaceted and complex, making for a well-paced and exciting read.  The suspects were continually changing and shifting.  I would bet that Devlin was right in his suspicion of someone only to have my mind changed in a chapter or two; then, I would believe someone innocent only to have new, damning evidence come to light.  It was a rollercoaster of a book filled with intrigue, subterfuge, and a nefarious subplot.  Could the Prince Regent have lost his mind and killed a woman who didn’t accept his advances?  Or is there something more sinister afoot – a plot attempting to discredit the monarchy and be rid of the lush, unsteady Regent?  Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous England unsure whether the virus of revolution will spread from France, these are troubled times where danger lurks around just about every corner.

In addition to Devlin (of course), this book also sees the return of Kat and Tom.  Devlin has made Tom his tiger and the boy has taken to his role.  It’s clear how much he admires and appreciates Devlin, and witnessing Devlin’s attachment to the quick-witted lad is touching and humanizing.  He doesn’t play as large a role in this book, but he does manage to help with the investigation – and land himself into some peril.  The romance between Kat and Devlin has blossomed once more in the months between the first book and the second.  I enjoy the degree to which their relationship features thus far in the series.  There’s enough to make us realize the depth of their attachment and passion – to see just how they can be true helpmates to one another – but it doesn’t take over the plot or turn it into a romance novel.  I enjoy their dynamic and the diversity of their backgrounds.  Devlin doesn’t care what society will think of their relationship, while Kat, on the other hand, isn’t willing to risk Devlin’s future by marrying him – not to mention she has a dark secret of her own, one she doesn’t believe he’ll ever be able to overlook.

Overall, I found the plot exciting and fast-paced.  The rapid twists and turns kept me guessing, which, I suppose, is the best anyone can hope for in a book of this genre.  The setting (mainly London) is vivid and richly-crafted, playing to all of your senses, often engulfing you in Devlin’s world and experiences.

One comment I do feel I must make is that Devlin is chased quite a bit in this book.  And by “quite a bit,” I mean “a lot.”  Almost to the point of excessive.  I feel like he made a run for it every couple of chapters.  It wasn’t quite to the point of being inauthentic and I do realize that the plot involved a complex network of some very bad men who would do anything to protect their aim, but it did seem to take up a good amount of the story.  It went something like, “Oh, Devlin is going for a night out.  Oh, no!  Someone is after him.”  A few chapters later:  “He’s following another lead and…he’s being chased again!  Hope he makes it out okay!”  A few chapters later, “He’s off again!  And…he’s being chased.  Again.”  Catch my drift?  Additionally, there was another murder mentioned in this book.  I may have missed something, but it felt very unresolved and almost forgotten by the conclusion.  Maybe it was a set up for another book?  We’ll just have to wait and see!

Overall, this was a very good book.  It has mystery, history, intrigue, murder, complex plot twists, subterfuge, and a touch of romance.  While I will admit that I found the end of the book came on rather suddenly, I still find the book worthy of the read.  I’m particularly excited to see what some of the discoveries mean for Devlin’s own future – and past.  This is worth the read for fans of period books, mysteries, and those who aren’t too squeamish (since this book does deal with a grisly murder and the darker sides of London’s underbelly).

What Angels Fear (Sebastian St. Cyr Mysery, Book One): C. S. Harris

"The year is 1811.  As old King George III sinks deeper into madness, and the threat of social unrest and revolution haunts the privileged classes, a beautiful young woman is found raped and savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient parish church not far from Westminster Abbey.  An ornate dueling pistol discovered tangled in the blood-soaked folds of Rachel York's cloak and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars.  When a vicious attack during his arrest leaves a constable near death, Sebastian must run for his life.

"Now a fugitive, Sebastian calls upon his experience as an agent during the war to embark on a desperate quest to catch a brutal killer and prove his own innocence.  Ranging from the glittering ballrooms and sedate salons of Mayfair to the squalid back alleys and fetid churchyards of St. Giles, Sebastian accumulates a band of unlikely allies, including a street urchin named Tom, an opium-eating Irish doctor, and a lovely but mysterious actress who calls herself Kat Boleyn.  Years ago, Kat broke Sebastian's heart.  Now she may hold the key to his salvation -- or doom him to destruction.

"For as he plunges into a world of intrigue and espionage, Sebastian discovers that Rachel York was more than what she seemed.  When the twisted path leads from a French spymaster to a Machiavellian power broker, and from there to the future Prince Regent, Sebastian begins to realize that Rachel's death holds ominous implications not only for Sebastian's own family, but also for the future of the British monarchy.

"Seamlessly weaving historical fact and an intimate knowledge of the period with a multilayered and compelling story, What Angels Fear is a stunning fiction debut by a powerful new master of mystery and suspense."

I stumbled across a later installation of this series on the New Release shelf at my local library.  Anyone who reads this blog knows I've been on a bit of a mystery/suspense kick as of late, and I particularly favor period mysteries.  This one fit in perfectly.  To my surprise, my local library actually had the first book in the St. Cyr series and I very much looked forward to cracking it open.  I was hoping that it would be a captivating blend of murder-mystery and period drama; I was not left disappointed.

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is implicated in the gruesome murder of a young actress in a church.  He's known to have some strange characteristics and abilities, making people suspicious of the young lord newly returned from the violence of the Napoleonic battlefields.  Perhaps the horrors of war have scarred him too deeply to allow him to walk freely amongst the people of London.  With the impending announcement of the Regency, England is uneasy and wary of any nobleman who might get away with such a violent, twisted crime.  There are calls for Devlin's blood and he does the only thing he can do:  He runs.  Though he knows the timeline for the murder is impossible -- he's entirely innocent of any such crime on English soil -- no one believes him.  And matters are only made worse when the unfortunate injury of a constable during Devlin's arrest appears to mark him as the violent animal everyone believes him to be.  Calling upon his skills attained on the Continent from his time spent as a spy for the British cause, as well as his unnatural physical abilities, Devlin manages to evade capture as he doggedly sets out to prove his innocence and seek justice for the slain young woman.

What Devlin does not expect to uncover is the complex web of lies and alliances, the network of political subterfuge, and the multitude of pawns in play on the intricate board that is Europe during the early nineteenth century.  Each fact he discovers seems only to reveal more questions, leading him down yet another wending path with blind turns and danger as his only companion.  Along the way, Devlin realizes that his family is more involved in the scandal than he originally believed.  Still, he remains determined to uncover the truth, even if it means the ruin of the St. Cyr name.

Along the way, we meet a band of lively characters.  The undercurrent of romantic tension with Kat Boleyn was a pleasant and tense layer to this multifaceted story.  The history between them is complicated, to say the least -- each of them extremely stubborn.  Devlin knows Kat has connections and skills which could very well save his life; however, he doesn't know the dark secrets Kat must withhold even from the man she secretly loves.  Though Devlin suspects she's somehow embroiled in the complex web, he has no idea just how deep the connection runs.  And Kat will do everything she can to keep it that way.  Tom is a street urchin Devlin meets when the boy tries to pick his pocket at an inn shortly after Devlin's initial escape from custody.  The boy has remarkable skill and drive, lending an air of complexity to his character.  He has a deep sense of loyalty and a seemingly endless supply in the belief that the truth triumphs, despite the hints that his past has proven anything but.  His sense of humor and quick wit lend levity to an otherwise dark and heavy plot.  Though Devlin resists at first, he quickly learns that Tom can come in handy.  Even with Devlin's skills and abilities, Tom has a way with people and a knowledge of the streets which Devlin puts to very good use.  Tom even manages to help Devlin out of a few close calls along the way.  In addition to these very prominent secondary characters (though Kat is a bit more complex than a simple "secondary character" because several chapters are, indeed, from her point of view), Devlin encounters several others whom liven up the plot and aid him in his search for the true killer.  His old friend, an opium-addicted doctor from the war, uses his medical knowledge to clarify the facts of Rachel's death, revealing truths which reveal hidden motives and startlingly grim truths about the murderer.  Devlin even forms a connection with a well-dressed grave robber, an expert at procuring bodies for medical and...personal...purposes.  Along with these men come a bevy of possible suspects ranging from Devlin's own family to those in the higher echelons of the monarchy; a Frenchman in exile who is more than he appears; an Italian artist with remarkable talent and a fascination with the beautiful dead woman.  Readers are left guessing almost until the very last chapter who is responsible for Rachel's death.

Harris weaves together an intricate fictional storyline with historical and political fact.  The settings are remarkably detailed and vivid, revealing the truly ugly sides of nineteenth century London.  Even with the filth and grime, there's a morbid beauty in these descriptions of London which call to mind the glorious poems of William Blake (see his works "London" and "The Chimney-Sweeper" for excellent examples, if you're interested -- I can absolutely see echoes of Blake's work here).  The marked differences between the suffering of the people and the privilege of the aristocracy are made painfully blatant in this book, adding notes of reality to the plot.  This is, perhaps, one of the things which pulled me in the most.  There were no romanticized depictions here, only harsh, bleak realism.  This was a very different approach than what I am used to when reading period fiction and I, for one, appreciated it, especially because it was handled so artfully.  I felt transported; sometimes in a way which made me uncomfortable.  It was a new sensation which, to be honest, made me start and stop a few times within the first half of the book.  The delay in my reading had nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the interesting nature of the story, and everything to do with the fact that it made me think and it made me experience emotions I'm not necessarily accustomed to when reading.  These ended up being what make this story so special.  The story is violent and dark, twisted and mysterious.  It's not going to be a book for everyone, but, man, does it end up being an exciting, thought-provoking read.

Devlin was a fantastic lead.  A lot of the mystery/suspense books I've read lately are told from the first-person; I ended up enjoying the fact that this book was not.  It's a format I'm more used to and I find that I'm more drawn to a narrator who is more removed from the story -- I don't always want to feel like "I" am the main character because it can sometimes read a little bit like a Fanfiction.  It was very interesting to see the way in which his mind worked and to experience his abilities as we do.  At first, I thought his yellow eyes, heightened senses and reflexes were a bit over-the-top (more like the author was attempting to create a cool, superhero-like main character than one who was realistic, which felt slightly out of place in the hyper-realistic setting), but I was very pleasantly surprised to discover in the Author's Note that Devlin's abilities and physical attributes are part of a very real genetic mutation (I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff).  This made me appreciate him all the more and it turned a once-unbelievable main character (though cool, nonetheless) into one who was perfectly suited for the life of a spy and to get himself out of what appears to be a hopeless and impossible situation.

As this book is the first in a series, the conclusion sets up the possibility for more adventures.  It also leaves a great deal of unanswered questions about the heavily-guarded secrets of Devlin's family history -- things for which some would be willing to pay dearly and others would do anything to protect.  With his drive and talents, I think Devlin makes a captivating main character and I really am looking forward to seeing where the series takes him.

While the story took me a few days to really get into (which I've already explained above), the plot moved at an excellent clip and contained so many twists and turns that I was often left spinning, just like Devlin.  I was invested in his search for the murderer, and I desperately wanted to see him clear his name.  The subplot of his complicated romance with Kat was an excellent touch and really fleshed him out.  It gave him a rich backstory even more intricate than his just having an uneasy relationship with his surviving family members, and the fascinating time he spent at war.  The hints of PTSD were a realistic touch to his character.  Devlin is strong and unique, but not infallible.

I will reiterate that this book will not be for everyone.  Like most murder-mysteries, it has some very intense violence and grim themes.  The vivid writing style, however, can make this even more disturbing to some readers, so I will caution you if you're weak of stomach or have an averse reaction to such things.  This is not a happy book on any level, but it is a fascinating one.  It keeps you guessing, it makes you think, and you don't see the end coming until it practically slaps you across the face.  Kudos to an author who managed to hide the truth from me for about 300 pages -- this is no easy feat.  I hope the same can be said of the other books in this series.  Another part of what makes this book so masterful is the fact interwoven with the fiction.  Harris is an accomplished scholar and it is certainly apparent in her knowledge of the time period in which this book is set.  I recommend this book to those with a strong continence, a love of intrigue, an admiration for strong male leads who have a soft spot for a strong woman, and who enjoy more than a little suspenseful mystery.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of Devlin in reviews to come.