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!

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).