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Sebastian St. Cyr #3
Why Mermaids Sing
In 1811 London, murder stalks the city's elite as the sons of prominent families are found in public places, with their bodies mutilated and strange objects stuffed in their mouths, and Sebastian St. Cyr takes time out from his shaky relationship with actress Kat Boleyn to track down the killer.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2007
358 people are currently reading
3669 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Harris
23 books2,984 followersCandice Proctor, aka C.S. Harris and C.S. Graham, is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen novels including the Sebastian St. Cyr Regency mystery series written under the name C.S. Harris, the new C.S. Graham thriller series co-written with Steven Harris, and seven historical romances. She is also the author of a nonfiction historical study of the French Revolution. Her books are available worldwide and have been translated into over twenty different languages.
Candice graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude with a degree in Classics before going on to earn an MA and Ph.D. in history. A former academic, she has taught at the University of Idaho and Midwestern State University in Texas. She also worked as an archaeologist on a variety of sites including a Hudson's Bay Company Fort in San Juan Island, a Cherokee village in Tennessee, a prehistoric kill site in Victoria, Australia, and a Roman cemetery and medieval manor house in Winchester, England. Most recently, she spent many years as a partner in an international business consulting firm.
The daughter of a career Air Force officer and university professor, Proctor loves to travel and has spent much of her life abroad. She has lived in Spain, Greece, England, France, Jordan, and Australia. She now makes her home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, retired Army officer Steve Harris, her two daughters, and an ever-expanding number of cats.
Candice graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude with a degree in Classics before going on to earn an MA and Ph.D. in history. A former academic, she has taught at the University of Idaho and Midwestern State University in Texas. She also worked as an archaeologist on a variety of sites including a Hudson's Bay Company Fort in San Juan Island, a Cherokee village in Tennessee, a prehistoric kill site in Victoria, Australia, and a Roman cemetery and medieval manor house in Winchester, England. Most recently, she spent many years as a partner in an international business consulting firm.
The daughter of a career Air Force officer and university professor, Proctor loves to travel and has spent much of her life abroad. She has lived in Spain, Greece, England, France, Jordan, and Australia. She now makes her home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, retired Army officer Steve Harris, her two daughters, and an ever-expanding number of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 855 reviews
January 20, 2025
3.5* rounded up
Another enjoyable novel from Sebastian St. Cyr series. A historical mystery set in 1811 London. There is some heartache here and a plot twist i did not care much about but I am glad we got rid of a certain character. At least, for a while. I was not expecting though.
Another enjoyable novel from Sebastian St. Cyr series. A historical mystery set in 1811 London. There is some heartache here and a plot twist i did not care much about but I am glad we got rid of a certain character. At least, for a while. I was not expecting though.
December 20, 2018
a solid 4 stars
This is book 3 in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical fiction/mystery series. It is an excellent series and I highly recommend it to lovers of this genre. Sebastian is the only surviving son of the Earl of Hendon, and has the title of Viscount Devlin. He often helps a magistrate friend, Sir Henry Lovejoy, solve murders. Sebastian served in the army on continent, specializing in military intelligence and has skills and contacts that come in handy when investigating crime.
This book takes place in the fall of 1811, when someone is murdering the sons of some London's most prominent families. Sebastian does solve the murders, but there are several twists and turns in the plot which comes to a satisfying end.
Some other characters in the book:
Kat Boleyn, Sebastian's lover
Tom, a pickpocket lad who Sebastian has hired because of his ability to shadow people and discover secrets
Paul Gibson, an Irish Doctor friend from Sebastian's army days.
Lord Jarvis, the power behind the Regency
I read this library book in 3 days
This is book 3 in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical fiction/mystery series. It is an excellent series and I highly recommend it to lovers of this genre. Sebastian is the only surviving son of the Earl of Hendon, and has the title of Viscount Devlin. He often helps a magistrate friend, Sir Henry Lovejoy, solve murders. Sebastian served in the army on continent, specializing in military intelligence and has skills and contacts that come in handy when investigating crime.
This book takes place in the fall of 1811, when someone is murdering the sons of some London's most prominent families. Sebastian does solve the murders, but there are several twists and turns in the plot which comes to a satisfying end.
Some other characters in the book:
Kat Boleyn, Sebastian's lover
Tom, a pickpocket lad who Sebastian has hired because of his ability to shadow people and discover secrets
Paul Gibson, an Irish Doctor friend from Sebastian's army days.
Lord Jarvis, the power behind the Regency
I read this library book in 3 days
March 7, 2016
Sebastian takes on another puzzling and gruesome case at the behest of Magistrate Lovejoy. Young men are being murdered, their bodies brutally treated with objects placed in their mouths. The case takes him down interesting and surprising paths.
This story is the best yet, written nimbly but without sacrificing the author's extraordinary skill in descriptively creating a strong sense of time, place and social atmosphere. I felt like I could see, feel and smell early 19th century London. The case was difficult but assembling clues wasn't, allowing the reader to get there with Sebastian. Yet, I'm still not sure I was prepared for the outcome.
There are some startling surprises revealed near the end of the story with far-reaching implications. I am SO hooked on this series and can't wait to continue. Outstanding!
This story is the best yet, written nimbly but without sacrificing the author's extraordinary skill in descriptively creating a strong sense of time, place and social atmosphere. I felt like I could see, feel and smell early 19th century London. The case was difficult but assembling clues wasn't, allowing the reader to get there with Sebastian. Yet, I'm still not sure I was prepared for the outcome.
There are some startling surprises revealed near the end of the story with far-reaching implications. I am SO hooked on this series and can't wait to continue. Outstanding!
April 9, 2023
4.5★
“Sir Henry Lovejoy, chief magistrate at Queen Square, Westminster, stood at the edge of the Old Palace Yard. Thrusting his hands into the pockets of his greatcoat, he forced himself to look at the mutilated body sprawled before him.
Dominic Stanton lay on his back, his arms flung wide, his eyes open to the misty sky above.”
It is obvious from the start that the storyline is going to be a bit grim, but Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, doesn’t shy away when he’s asked to look into the how and why of this young man’s murder. Devlin served for some years in the army, fighting for England against France, and has seen more horrors than most, memories of which often wake him at night.
His lover, Kat Boleyn, has seen her own share of horrors when her Irish parents were slaughtered in front of her by the English, so she has a secret allegiance to France.
“Everything Kat had done for France she'd done in their memory, to hurt the English so that Ireland might one day be free. She would never regret what she had done, although she had cut her ties to the French months ago, when Devlin came back into her life. Her dedication to Ireland remained, but she could not in all conscience accept Devlin's love while working to aid those against whom he had fought.”
She’s had what we might politely call a colourful life and is now a well-known actress, a career which is held in pretty much the same low esteem as her previous one. Devlin loves her, whore, actress, whatever, and is desperate to marry her. She absolutely refuses. He must never know she is a spy.
“’If you truly loved me, you would rescue me from the matrimonial machinations of my family by marrying me yourself.’
‘You need a Lady Something-or-other as a wife.’
‘No. I need you.’
‘I would destroy you.’ Her voice was a torn whisper.”
The characters that readers have come to care about are just as engaging in this book, with young Tom taking over more and more responsibility for investigating some of the pubs and waterfront places frequented by possible plotters.
Some of the people Devlin questions are extremely influential and men (mostly men) you’d never want to turn your back on. Here, Kat is getting up to see what the ruckus was in the middle of the night and finds Devlin.
“She followed him, carefully lifting the hem of her dressing gown as she stepped over the bloody corpse on her stairs.”
Its reassuring to know Devlin can handle himself. He plays the part of rakish young lord well when it suits him but also “dresses down’ in secondhand clothes as needs be to impersonate an investigator. There are more murders. This is London in 1811, a city of the very rich and the unbelievably poor.
“Sebastian hesitated in the cool morning shadows of the ancient arcade, his gaze on the gentlewoman ladling porridge at a table set at the far end of the courtyard.
The poor and hungry of the city pressed past him, their gaunt frames clad in filthy rags, their faces drawn and desperate. The smell of unwashed bodies, disease, and coming death mingled with the dank earthy scent of the old stones around them.
Once, before Henry VIII cast his covetous eyes upon the wealth of the church, this had been the cloisters of a grand convent. Now it was a half ruin that served as an open-air relief center, part of a vast yet woefully inadequate network of private charities. . .”
Things don’t change. So many governments still rely on charities to help those in strife. I'd better not get started on that. This is an exciting read with a good balance of history and description and appropriate language to set the scene without hitting us over the head with dry facts.
The relationships between these characters are always interesting, especially the to and fro between Sebastian and Kat, and this is one book whose bombshell ending isn’t going to allow me to postpone reading the next one for very long!
Great series!
My review of #1, What Angels Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And #2 When Gods Die
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“Sir Henry Lovejoy, chief magistrate at Queen Square, Westminster, stood at the edge of the Old Palace Yard. Thrusting his hands into the pockets of his greatcoat, he forced himself to look at the mutilated body sprawled before him.
Dominic Stanton lay on his back, his arms flung wide, his eyes open to the misty sky above.”
It is obvious from the start that the storyline is going to be a bit grim, but Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, doesn’t shy away when he’s asked to look into the how and why of this young man’s murder. Devlin served for some years in the army, fighting for England against France, and has seen more horrors than most, memories of which often wake him at night.
His lover, Kat Boleyn, has seen her own share of horrors when her Irish parents were slaughtered in front of her by the English, so she has a secret allegiance to France.
“Everything Kat had done for France she'd done in their memory, to hurt the English so that Ireland might one day be free. She would never regret what she had done, although she had cut her ties to the French months ago, when Devlin came back into her life. Her dedication to Ireland remained, but she could not in all conscience accept Devlin's love while working to aid those against whom he had fought.”
She’s had what we might politely call a colourful life and is now a well-known actress, a career which is held in pretty much the same low esteem as her previous one. Devlin loves her, whore, actress, whatever, and is desperate to marry her. She absolutely refuses. He must never know she is a spy.
“’If you truly loved me, you would rescue me from the matrimonial machinations of my family by marrying me yourself.’
‘You need a Lady Something-or-other as a wife.’
‘No. I need you.’
‘I would destroy you.’ Her voice was a torn whisper.”
The characters that readers have come to care about are just as engaging in this book, with young Tom taking over more and more responsibility for investigating some of the pubs and waterfront places frequented by possible plotters.
Some of the people Devlin questions are extremely influential and men (mostly men) you’d never want to turn your back on. Here, Kat is getting up to see what the ruckus was in the middle of the night and finds Devlin.
“She followed him, carefully lifting the hem of her dressing gown as she stepped over the bloody corpse on her stairs.”
Its reassuring to know Devlin can handle himself. He plays the part of rakish young lord well when it suits him but also “dresses down’ in secondhand clothes as needs be to impersonate an investigator. There are more murders. This is London in 1811, a city of the very rich and the unbelievably poor.
“Sebastian hesitated in the cool morning shadows of the ancient arcade, his gaze on the gentlewoman ladling porridge at a table set at the far end of the courtyard.
The poor and hungry of the city pressed past him, their gaunt frames clad in filthy rags, their faces drawn and desperate. The smell of unwashed bodies, disease, and coming death mingled with the dank earthy scent of the old stones around them.
Once, before Henry VIII cast his covetous eyes upon the wealth of the church, this had been the cloisters of a grand convent. Now it was a half ruin that served as an open-air relief center, part of a vast yet woefully inadequate network of private charities. . .”
Things don’t change. So many governments still rely on charities to help those in strife. I'd better not get started on that. This is an exciting read with a good balance of history and description and appropriate language to set the scene without hitting us over the head with dry facts.
The relationships between these characters are always interesting, especially the to and fro between Sebastian and Kat, and this is one book whose bombshell ending isn’t going to allow me to postpone reading the next one for very long!
Great series!
My review of #1, What Angels Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And #2 When Gods Die
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 2, 2016
Book number 3 and this series keeps getting better and better. This one starts of interestingly enough and then just gains more and more momentum. I could not put it down. I thought I could predict the situation with Kat and I could not have been more wrong. What an eye opener!!! Sebastian grows more and more likable as does young Tom. The mystery is pretty intense and gruesome but really it took second place to the family dramas. I loved it all and want to start the next one right now!
October 8, 2016
This is the third in the St Cyr Regenct mystery series and the best so far. Perhaps that because The characters are becoming so familiar now and are all really interesting but maybe it's also because the plot was very dynamic, twisting and turning in different directions.
Sebastian St Cyr, Lord Devlin, has proved himself to be a super sleuth in the past and very adept at flushing out criminals in high society. So when a series of young men are found to have been killed in disturbing ways magistrate Lovejoy asks Sebastian to investigate. What he uncovers is a tale of revenge and a very dark secret indeed that men are prepared to kill to keep hidden.
Sebastian's family and personal life continues to be complicated and there are some further revelations about his lover actress Kat Boleyn that I didn't see coming. All in all an enjoyable read with a good mystery, lots of action, character development and a promise of more revelations about Sebastian to come. Can't wait to read the next instalment!
Sebastian St Cyr, Lord Devlin, has proved himself to be a super sleuth in the past and very adept at flushing out criminals in high society. So when a series of young men are found to have been killed in disturbing ways magistrate Lovejoy asks Sebastian to investigate. What he uncovers is a tale of revenge and a very dark secret indeed that men are prepared to kill to keep hidden.
Sebastian's family and personal life continues to be complicated and there are some further revelations about his lover actress Kat Boleyn that I didn't see coming. All in all an enjoyable read with a good mystery, lots of action, character development and a promise of more revelations about Sebastian to come. Can't wait to read the next instalment!
January 26, 2023
Reread/listened to audiobook Jan'2023:
5+ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
This is a dark, compelling mystery and of the best in this fantastic series. The audiobook versions narrated by Davina Porter are phenomenal.
Original Rating/Review Nov'2020:
5+ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
This is a brilliant, fantastic mystery that's shocking, gruesome, thrilling, and heartbreaking! The previous two books were really good, but this is just amazing! I love Sebastian's character, and I'm looking forward to more from this outstanding, addictive series! Big 5 stars!
5+ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
This is a dark, compelling mystery and of the best in this fantastic series. The audiobook versions narrated by Davina Porter are phenomenal.
Original Rating/Review Nov'2020:
5+ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
This is a brilliant, fantastic mystery that's shocking, gruesome, thrilling, and heartbreaking! The previous two books were really good, but this is just amazing! I love Sebastian's character, and I'm looking forward to more from this outstanding, addictive series! Big 5 stars!
August 30, 2018
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is asked to investigate the murder and dismemberment of some young men. While discovering what shady shit their parents got up to, he also attempts to save his girlfriend from blackmail via marriage proposal only to GET DUMPED because blood is thicker than water.
1. OH MY GOD THIS DRAGS.
2. This is 90% because I do not care for Kat SORRY NOT SORRY. The secret-keeping spy-games are just not worth the price of admission and also I have no interest in reunited young lovers tropes. I AM COLD AND BITTER.
3. The plot was: whatever. It kept me intrigued enough to finish while I was eye-rolling the SHIT out of the Kat-marriage-nonsense.
4. I will say that I noticed the writing suffered the slightest amount in this: descriptions of characters were recycled almost verbatim from their original introductions earlier in this same book. And the introductions are almost identical from the books before which I usually do not mind because it's a series! You need a shorthand to communicate your characters to any potential new audience! But this just felt clumsy.
(Here is where I reveal that my ideal handling of "here are my unique and special characters" introductions is OBVIOUSLY the Babysitter's Club intros that could give you two lines and you KNEW MARTIN WAS DESCRIBING THE FABULOUS CLAUDIA KISHI AND NO OTHER!!!)
(Don't worry: I judge myself plenty.)
5. HERO JARVIS I'M ROOTING FOR U.
1. OH MY GOD THIS DRAGS.
2. This is 90% because I do not care for Kat SORRY NOT SORRY. The secret-keeping spy-games are just not worth the price of admission and also I have no interest in reunited young lovers tropes. I AM COLD AND BITTER.
3. The plot was: whatever. It kept me intrigued enough to finish while I was eye-rolling the SHIT out of the Kat-marriage-nonsense.
4. I will say that I noticed the writing suffered the slightest amount in this: descriptions of characters were recycled almost verbatim from their original introductions earlier in this same book. And the introductions are almost identical from the books before which I usually do not mind because it's a series! You need a shorthand to communicate your characters to any potential new audience! But this just felt clumsy.
(Here is where I reveal that my ideal handling of "here are my unique and special characters" introductions is OBVIOUSLY the Babysitter's Club intros that could give you two lines and you KNEW MARTIN WAS DESCRIBING THE FABULOUS CLAUDIA KISHI AND NO OTHER!!!)
(Don't worry: I judge myself plenty.)
5. HERO JARVIS I'M ROOTING FOR U.
December 7, 2017
Another excellent mystery and quite a gruesome one. Sebastian is my Regency book boyfriend so back off everybody! Kat Boleyn is now out of the picture although I suspect it’s a temporary thing. We’ll see.
Annoying that the first half of the series (except maybe the first) is unavailable on kindle, but the series is good enough to make it worth getting the real books. ( I do love real books but kindle is so much kinder on my eyes!)
Annoying that the first half of the series (except maybe the first) is unavailable on kindle, but the series is good enough to make it worth getting the real books. ( I do love real books but kindle is so much kinder on my eyes!)
February 20, 2016
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: It's September 1811, and someone is killing the wealthy young sons of London's most prominent families. Partially butchered, with strange objects stuffed into their mouths, their bodies are found dumped in public places at dawn. When the grisly remains of Alfred, Lord Stanton's eldest son are discovered in the Old Palace Yard beside the House of Lords, the local magistrate turns to Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help.
Ranging from the gritty world of Thames-side docks to the luxurious drawing rooms of Mayfair, Sebastian finds himself confronting his most puzzling--and disturbing--case yet. With the help of his trusted allies--young servant Tom, Irish doctor Paul Gibson, and his lover Kat Boleyn--Sebastian struggles to decipher a cryptic set of clues that link the scion of a banking family to the son of a humble Kentish vicar. For as one killing follows another, Sebastian discovers he is confronting a murderer with 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.
My Review: Book three keeps on going at a very high level
This series is a continuing pleasure, I'm thrilled to say. WHY MERMAIDS SING is one of the most disturbing books I've read in a long time, right up there with THE WASP FACTORY. The things that Harris has the killer do to these young men are truly scary. Even more disturbing to me is the who and the why of these violent violations of the young victims.
Harris has, as is standard in the series, made Regency London as real as anything in this room I'm writing in. The smells, the sights, the incredible inequality of income that assaults modern sensibilities. The characters, the veneers they wear, the stark contrast between their insides and outsides. It's a pleasure to read a good writer's strong writing and follow a plot that shows inventive ingenuity of a high order.
St Cyr is a terrific guide to London, as his ancestry (he's a viscount) opens doors that his disgrace (undeserved, I assure you) would otherwise close. That's as true down the social order as it is up. The fact that he ends this book with a rather new set of problems and issues, well...Harris...that is....
Oh my heck. Jeemenee Christmas. Holy Mongolia.
There aren't words...none that I know...for me to describe this entry's Big Reveal. It is truly a reveal, and "big" is a paltry small word for what goeth on here.
It makes perfect sense, in context, but it has a wallop that rocks my world.
Yeah. Make that two big reveals, each bigger than the last and holy maloley can I ever not wait for volume four to get here. NOW!!!!
The Publisher Says: It's September 1811, and someone is killing the wealthy young sons of London's most prominent families. Partially butchered, with strange objects stuffed into their mouths, their bodies are found dumped in public places at dawn. When the grisly remains of Alfred, Lord Stanton's eldest son are discovered in the Old Palace Yard beside the House of Lords, the local magistrate turns to Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help.
Ranging from the gritty world of Thames-side docks to the luxurious drawing rooms of Mayfair, Sebastian finds himself confronting his most puzzling--and disturbing--case yet. With the help of his trusted allies--young servant Tom, Irish doctor Paul Gibson, and his lover Kat Boleyn--Sebastian struggles to decipher a cryptic set of clues that link the scion of a banking family to the son of a humble Kentish vicar. For as one killing follows another, Sebastian discovers he is confronting a murderer with 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.
My Review: Book three keeps on going at a very high level
This series is a continuing pleasure, I'm thrilled to say. WHY MERMAIDS SING is one of the most disturbing books I've read in a long time, right up there with THE WASP FACTORY. The things that Harris has the killer do to these young men are truly scary. Even more disturbing to me is the who and the why of these violent violations of the young victims.
Harris has, as is standard in the series, made Regency London as real as anything in this room I'm writing in. The smells, the sights, the incredible inequality of income that assaults modern sensibilities. The characters, the veneers they wear, the stark contrast between their insides and outsides. It's a pleasure to read a good writer's strong writing and follow a plot that shows inventive ingenuity of a high order.
St Cyr is a terrific guide to London, as his ancestry (he's a viscount) opens doors that his disgrace (undeserved, I assure you) would otherwise close. That's as true down the social order as it is up. The fact that he ends this book with a rather new set of problems and issues, well...Harris...that is....
Oh my heck. Jeemenee Christmas. Holy Mongolia.
There aren't words...none that I know...for me to describe this entry's Big Reveal. It is truly a reveal, and "big" is a paltry small word for what goeth on here.
It makes perfect sense, in context, but it has a wallop that rocks my world.
Yeah. Make that two big reveals, each bigger than the last and holy maloley can I ever not wait for volume four to get here. NOW!!!!
June 2, 2017
Another fine installment in the series and I am officially hooked and in love with smart and dashing Sebastian! The twists-and- turns of the story are particularly breathtaking.
Once again Sebastian involved himself in solving a murder or, in this case, multiple brutal murders of several young wealthy men who had no apparent connection to each other.
There are themes of revenge and taboos as well as honor, self-sacrifice, and trust. It’s definitely not a “cozy” mystery but it also not a story that overindulges on gruesomeness and horror. Unlike other mysteries I read where I couldn’t wait to see “who did it”, I found myself enjoying the journey more than destination. In fact, the mystery was solved by a series of coincidence that required too much suspension of disbelief. But the trip was a smashing success.
The atmospheric setting of Regency England is as compelling and vividly drawn as in the previous installments. Each characters, no matter how minor, adds yet another tantalizing layer to the tale. A very flowing writing style lends itself to marathon reading. The author ties up a few multi-book plotlines while carefully laying the groundwork for more. Although, one particular plotline felt too contrived and is the reason for not being quite a 5-star read for me.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book and beyond.
Once again Sebastian involved himself in solving a murder or, in this case, multiple brutal murders of several young wealthy men who had no apparent connection to each other.
There are themes of revenge and taboos as well as honor, self-sacrifice, and trust. It’s definitely not a “cozy” mystery but it also not a story that overindulges on gruesomeness and horror. Unlike other mysteries I read where I couldn’t wait to see “who did it”, I found myself enjoying the journey more than destination. In fact, the mystery was solved by a series of coincidence that required too much suspension of disbelief. But the trip was a smashing success.
The atmospheric setting of Regency England is as compelling and vividly drawn as in the previous installments. Each characters, no matter how minor, adds yet another tantalizing layer to the tale. A very flowing writing style lends itself to marathon reading. The author ties up a few multi-book plotlines while carefully laying the groundwork for more. Although, one particular plotline felt too contrived and is the reason for not being quite a 5-star read for me.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book and beyond.
November 5, 2018
Oh, this was a really heartbreaking and horrifying mystery Devlin is called to solve!
And a study of what people will do to survive and cover up!
Truly horrifying!
Here the dynamics of Devlin's relationship with some of the secondary characters have changed.
Lovejoy has accepted Devlin's moral integrity and considers him a friend.
His relationship with Kat is brought to end in a very painful and unexpected way that I didn't see coming!
That revelation is linked with Devlin's family and his relationship with his father is crumbling under all the secrets he kept from Devlin!
I'm hooked to this series now!
And a study of what people will do to survive and cover up!
Truly horrifying!
Here the dynamics of Devlin's relationship with some of the secondary characters have changed.
Lovejoy has accepted Devlin's moral integrity and considers him a friend.
His relationship with Kat is brought to end in a very painful and unexpected way that I didn't see coming!
That revelation is linked with Devlin's family and his relationship with his father is crumbling under all the secrets he kept from Devlin!
I'm hooked to this series now!
December 8, 2019
This mystery was probably the best of the three, so far, and additionally this book gave us some juicy delights.
Thank you to Teresa who endured my shouty texts and speculation without giving anything away (not that she ever would).
I am incredibly happy where things went in this one in regards to the personal lives of some of our characters. I didn't buy certain reveals for a minute but that doesn't mean I'm not happy that the characters did. Why? Because I'm not sad to see a certain character maybe take a step back.. and maybe allow another to, eventually, step forward? Maybe?
M A Y B E
Thank you to Teresa who endured my shouty texts and speculation without giving anything away (not that she ever would).
I am incredibly happy where things went in this one in regards to the personal lives of some of our characters. I didn't buy certain reveals for a minute but that doesn't mean I'm not happy that the characters did. Why? Because I'm not sad to see a certain character maybe take a step back.. and maybe allow another to, eventually, step forward? Maybe?
M A Y B E
June 2, 2021
5 STARS
Well... this one blew it out of the water. So much happening here. I'm having a hard time closing my mouth. Shock. Disbelief. Outrage. Poor Sebastian. I'm reeling here. I was going to take a break after this one, but not anymore. My heart is breaking for him. I have to know what is going to happen next.
The case in this book was really involved and could have been it's own stand-alone book. Really fantastic writing is all I can say. Full marks this time around. Now on to book 4.
Go and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me where all past years are,
Or who cleft the devil's foot,
Teach me to hear mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy's stinging,
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
If thou be'st born to strange sights,
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand days and nights,
Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me,
All strange wonders that befell thee,
And swear,
No where
Lives a woman true, and fair.
If thou find'st one, let me know,
Such a pilgrimage were sweet;
Yet do not, I would not go,
Though at next door we might meet;
Though she were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet she
Will be
False, ere I come, to two, or three.
-John Donne
Well... this one blew it out of the water. So much happening here. I'm having a hard time closing my mouth. Shock. Disbelief. Outrage. Poor Sebastian. I'm reeling here. I was going to take a break after this one, but not anymore. My heart is breaking for him. I have to know what is going to happen next.
The case in this book was really involved and could have been it's own stand-alone book. Really fantastic writing is all I can say. Full marks this time around. Now on to book 4.
March 26, 2016
5 brilliant stars. This book was just amazing. The murder/mystery had a lot of twists. It kept me guessing the whole way through. I would have never in a million years guessed the villain.
Secrets were revealed and now there are more secrets to be reveled. The last few chapters felt like a run-away train and I was just hanging on while all of these life-changing events were happening one right after another. Of course I think Yates is "you know who." But, I'll just have to wait and see if I'm right.... And wondering if Sebastian would actually
This book was just fantastic and I loved it!
Secrets were revealed and now there are more secrets to be reveled. The last few chapters felt like a run-away train and I was just hanging on while all of these life-changing events were happening one right after another. Of course I think Yates is "you know who." But, I'll just have to wait and see if I'm right.... And wondering if Sebastian would actually
This book was just fantastic and I loved it!
December 20, 2019
Audio: 5 STARS!!
Story: 4.5 STARS!!
Story: 4.5 STARS!!
April 26, 2017
Three and a half stars
Ah, this was a tough one to rate for me. On the one hand, the murder mystery was interesting as this time around Sebastian finds himself on the hunt for a serial killer. The murders themselves are disturbing as is the story behind the killer's driving motivation. Secondary characters like Earl Hendon, Paul Gibson, and Lord Jarvis continue to add much appreciated flavor to the telling and Sebastian's interactions with them, however brief, usually give at least some clues to Sebastian's past in the war or with his family.
And then there's Kat. Here is a character that was written with a tragic past so I feel like I should feel something for her and yet...I don't. Rather, I find her bland, bland, bland and her supposed romantic interludes with Sebastian to be utterly lacking in any chemistry whatsoever. For someone who has spied for the French she sure is passive, allowing things to happen TO her rather than showing any real agency about well, anything. Other than being beautiful, I'm hard pressed to understand why exactly Sebastian even loves her. At first I thought it was just my own personal bias because I like "seeing" two characters fall in love. It's all about the journey, right? Except there was no journey with Sebastian and Kat because they already love each other when the series starts. So I'm "told", repeatedly and ad nauseum, how much they love each other and I. Just. Don't. Care. I would be tempted to feel guilty about this but judging from other reviews I've read about this series to date, I'm not alone in feeling this way. There was more Kat in this book than in the previous two, which is about the only negative thing about this book that I can say. That said, things in their relationship take a definite shift. Personally, I'm hoping that they will be permanent but I'm not holding my breath. I'm still invested in Sebastion and the rest of the characters enough that I'm not willing to let Kat's mere existence stop me from moving forward but there are limits. If Kat and her melodrama continue to eat up increasing page time then I fear I may reach those limits sooner rather than later.
Reread in March 2016: This was my first time rereading this book. The mystery aspect is still solid. In fact, I couldn't recall the identity of the guilty party and didn't manage to figure it out prior to Sebastian. I didn't remember how much Kat was in this book and that's still the only negative thing about this book for me. Having just read the 11th book in this series (just released this month), I want to give Sebastian a hug and tell him to hang in there because things will get better, more so than he could have ever imagined.
Ah, this was a tough one to rate for me. On the one hand, the murder mystery was interesting as this time around Sebastian finds himself on the hunt for a serial killer. The murders themselves are disturbing as is the story behind the killer's driving motivation. Secondary characters like Earl Hendon, Paul Gibson, and Lord Jarvis continue to add much appreciated flavor to the telling and Sebastian's interactions with them, however brief, usually give at least some clues to Sebastian's past in the war or with his family.
And then there's Kat. Here is a character that was written with a tragic past so I feel like I should feel something for her and yet...I don't. Rather, I find her bland, bland, bland and her supposed romantic interludes with Sebastian to be utterly lacking in any chemistry whatsoever. For someone who has spied for the French she sure is passive, allowing things to happen TO her rather than showing any real agency about well, anything. Other than being beautiful, I'm hard pressed to understand why exactly Sebastian even loves her. At first I thought it was just my own personal bias because I like "seeing" two characters fall in love. It's all about the journey, right? Except there was no journey with Sebastian and Kat because they already love each other when the series starts. So I'm "told", repeatedly and ad nauseum, how much they love each other and I. Just. Don't. Care. I would be tempted to feel guilty about this but judging from other reviews I've read about this series to date, I'm not alone in feeling this way. There was more Kat in this book than in the previous two, which is about the only negative thing about this book that I can say. That said, things in their relationship take a definite shift. Personally, I'm hoping that they will be permanent but I'm not holding my breath. I'm still invested in Sebastion and the rest of the characters enough that I'm not willing to let Kat's mere existence stop me from moving forward but there are limits. If Kat and her melodrama continue to eat up increasing page time then I fear I may reach those limits sooner rather than later.
Reread in March 2016: This was my first time rereading this book. The mystery aspect is still solid. In fact, I couldn't recall the identity of the guilty party and didn't manage to figure it out prior to Sebastian. I didn't remember how much Kat was in this book and that's still the only negative thing about this book for me. Having just read the 11th book in this series (just released this month), I want to give Sebastian a hug and tell him to hang in there because things will get better, more so than he could have ever imagined.
December 31, 2017
4.5 - The most deliciously ghoulish of the first three, but I loved it and did not come close to guessing a number of developments, including the killer's identity. In this third book in the series, Sebastian is requested by Lovejoy to assist on a scandalous case filled with young men being butchered and whose bodies are subsequently left for display in very public areas. To add to the grisly deaths, all the men have an object of unknown meaning stuffed into their mouths. Sebastian at this point in the series seems for the first time to enjoy the art of detection and his skills rival now some of the best detectives in fiction. His evolution as a detective has been very believable and for the first time, I really felt that he has his calling in life. Of particular note too, Sebastian is quite the formidable athlete and is well served by his extraordinary eyesight and hearing.
The books as with the previous books have a number of developments aside from the very compelling murder case that takes up most of Sebastian's life here. He is still at odds with a very prickly, malcontent of a sister and it's not clear to me where this relationship is going. His relationship with his father is increasingly a tormented one and I am hoping that eventually they can find a way to each other, even despite the revelations of their history in this book. Lovejoy is firmly a friend now and that relationship has been deepening since the start of the series when they were pitted against each other. He has an intriguing relationship with Jarvis too, which is not entirely antagonistic, and I'm curious to see if the faint grudging respect they have for each other develops or if one of them kills the other first. Tom continues to endear himself into Sebastian's life and he is among one of a handful of children in this book that brings out the softer side of Sebastian and reveals him to be someone who genuinely cares for children. Hero appears briefly in a couple of scenes and continues to intrigue Sebastian while at the same time causes him to feel repelled, though I think his animosity toward her stems more from the fact that she seems to dislike him. It's clear at this point that these two characters are going to be thrown together and forced to sort out their feelings. Finally, the tortured relationship between Sebastian and Kat Boleyn may have reached its conclusion. I do not dislike Kat at all and actually find her very admirable in lots of ways. I kind of hope she sticks around as a secondary character. But the stories do not ever allow Sebastian and Kat to come together free of lies and miscommunication, and it's painful to read of Sebastian's unhappiness in nearly every scene he has with his lover.
Onto the next one. This series is ridiculously addictive!
The books as with the previous books have a number of developments aside from the very compelling murder case that takes up most of Sebastian's life here. He is still at odds with a very prickly, malcontent of a sister and it's not clear to me where this relationship is going. His relationship with his father is increasingly a tormented one and I am hoping that eventually they can find a way to each other, even despite the revelations of their history in this book. Lovejoy is firmly a friend now and that relationship has been deepening since the start of the series when they were pitted against each other. He has an intriguing relationship with Jarvis too, which is not entirely antagonistic, and I'm curious to see if the faint grudging respect they have for each other develops or if one of them kills the other first. Tom continues to endear himself into Sebastian's life and he is among one of a handful of children in this book that brings out the softer side of Sebastian and reveals him to be someone who genuinely cares for children. Hero appears briefly in a couple of scenes and continues to intrigue Sebastian while at the same time causes him to feel repelled, though I think his animosity toward her stems more from the fact that she seems to dislike him. It's clear at this point that these two characters are going to be thrown together and forced to sort out their feelings. Finally, the tortured relationship between Sebastian and Kat Boleyn may have reached its conclusion. I do not dislike Kat at all and actually find her very admirable in lots of ways. I kind of hope she sticks around as a secondary character. But the stories do not ever allow Sebastian and Kat to come together free of lies and miscommunication, and it's painful to read of Sebastian's unhappiness in nearly every scene he has with his lover.
Onto the next one. This series is ridiculously addictive!
January 12, 2022
A reread. Small world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2020
This one was excellent. This series gets better each book. The murder mystery was super creative. I'm doing this series on audio and the narrator is really good.
July 11, 2024
Review from 2016
B+ for both narration and content.
C.S. Harris’ series of mysteries set in Regency England featuring aristocratic sleuth Sebastian St. Cyr is one I’ve been meaning to get around to reading for ages, but with the series now comprising eleven books with more on the way, I shifted it from my TBR to my TBL pile earlier this year. I enjoyed book one, What Angels Fear, a great deal and as a result, decided to carry on with the series in audio format.
I’m now up to book three, Why Mermaids Sing. While the central mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the end, there are plot threads and character relationships that are carried across from book to book, so there will undoubtedly be spoilers for books one and two in this review.
Sebastian St. Cyr is in his late twenties and was, up until recently, in the army fighting on the Continent. The youngest of the Earl of Hendon’s three sons, the deaths of his older brothers mean that he is now his father’s heir, Viscount Devlin, but the relationship between the two men is strained.
In the first book in the series (What Angels Fear), Sebastian was implicated in the death of a young actress/courtesan and had to go on the run so he would have the chance to prove his innocence. During the course of his investigations, he crossed swords (metaphorically) with the chief magistrate, Sir Henry Lovejoy, a man of shrewd intelligence with whom Sebastian has since struck up a friendship based on mutual respect. This friendship leads to Lovejoy’s asking Sebastian for his help in investigating the recent murder of a young gentleman whose body was severely mutilated and found to have a strange object stuffed in the mouth. Sebastian isn’t keen on the idea of being drawn into another murder inquiry – his previous involvements were down to personal necessity (What Angels Fear) and royal request (When Gods Die), and he wants to focus more on the search for his mother – whom he had believed dead – and on persuading his lover, Irish actress Kat Boleyn, to marry him.
But Sebastian’s innate sense of honour and justice soon sees him asking questions and discovering that the murder of young Alfred Stanton is linked to the murders of other, similarly well-heeled young men, all of whom were killed, mutilated and then had something placed in their mouths. In spite of lies and denials on the parts of the fathers of most of the victims, who become ever more desperate to throw him off the scent, Sebastian soon begins to uncover the connections between the deaths, the families, the mutilations and the seemingly random choice of the objects left behind. Once these connections are all established, it’s a race against time to work out the identity of the next potential victim and get to him before the killer does.
The mystery is a complex and intriguing one as Sebastian gradually pieces together the evidence to discover the identity of the killer and what is motivating him. The final reveal is quite shocking and probably not for the faint of heart; Ms. Harris’ descriptions of some very grizzly deeds are not in any way gratuitous, but they are sickening, nonetheless.
While Sebastian is pursuing his various lines of enquiry, the author also picks up the other major plotline which has appeared in all three books so far (and looks set to continue) – which concerns the truth lying behind his uncomfortable relationship with his father. It’s clear that Hendon is not especially pleased to have his youngest son as his heir, especially given Sebastian’s somewhat rakish reputation and reformist sympathies, but there is more to their animosity than either of those things. In the previous book, Sebastian discovered that his mother was still alive and now he is searching for her; he is sure his father is keeping other secrets, too. Another issue lying between them relates to the woman Sebastian loves, Kat Boleyn, whom he believed his father had paid off six years ago before he went to war. Upon his recent return to England, however, Sebastian discovered the truth – that Kat refused his father’s money – and they have rekindled their affair. But Kat steadfastly refuses Sebastian’s frequent proposals of marriage, well aware that the difference in their stations means she is not a suitable bride for a viscount and future earl. And that’s not the only reason, as those familiar with the previous books will know.
C.S. Harris has done a great job here of combining a self-contained mystery with the larger, overarching mystery Sebastian is trying to unravel surrounding his past. The setting of Regency London is depicted so well that it’s almost like another character in the book, and all the ‘regulars’ – Lovejoy, Gibson (the surgeon and Sebastian’s former comrade), Tom (Sebastian’s tiger), Lord Jarvis, Hendon and Kat – are so strongly characterised that even if you don’t like them, you can’t help waiting for them to appear! As with the previous books, my main criticism is to do with the relationship between Sebastian and Kat. I can’t call it a romance, because it isn’t; their relationship is established before book one even starts, and pretty much consists of his proposing and her turning him down. There isn’t any real chemistry between them, although I do enjoy the scenes where the two of them talk through some of the things Sebastian discovers. She is a good sounding board for him, but I can’t buy them as a romantic couple. That said, a revelation that comes fairly late on in the story spells the end of the road for Kat and Sebastian, and I confess that it hasn’t come too soon for this listener.
Davina Porter is a huge favourite with many audiobook listeners as well as with my fellow AudioGals, and she narrates all eleven books in this series. It should be noted that while all of them are now available in audiobook format, books one to five were recorded after books six to ten for some reason; when I get to book six, I’ll let you know if there are any significant differences! Ms. Porter’s performance here is excellent, with all the characters portrayed appropriately according to age and station. She delivers both narrative and dialogue at a pace that feels just right, and her differentiation is very good; males and females are easily distinguishable from one another, and she successfully employs a variety of different regional accents – mostly Irish ones in this story – where needed. On that subject, however, I noted that Kat’s Irish accent disappears part way into the book. It comes back a chapter or two later and then vanishes for the rest of it, which, considering that Ms. Porter is a highly accomplished and experienced narrator is rather a surprising continuity error. My favourite of her portrayals is that of Tom, the young lad from the streets whom Sebastian has made his tiger (a kind of groom) and who is often deployed to pick up useful information from some of London’s less than salubrious areas. She raises the pitch of her voice, gives him a convincing cockney accent and a wonderfully disarming earnestness that never fails to make me smile. And Sebastian sounds just as he should; attractively masculine with a hint of danger beneath his outward aristocratic hauteur.
If you’re a fan of historical mysteries and haven’t already discovered this series, then I can heartily recommend the Sebastian St. Cyr stories. Because of the recurring plotlines, the books really do need to be listened to in order, but that’s no hardship; each of the three I’ve listened to so far has been very enjoyable and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.
B+ for both narration and content.
C.S. Harris’ series of mysteries set in Regency England featuring aristocratic sleuth Sebastian St. Cyr is one I’ve been meaning to get around to reading for ages, but with the series now comprising eleven books with more on the way, I shifted it from my TBR to my TBL pile earlier this year. I enjoyed book one, What Angels Fear, a great deal and as a result, decided to carry on with the series in audio format.
I’m now up to book three, Why Mermaids Sing. While the central mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the end, there are plot threads and character relationships that are carried across from book to book, so there will undoubtedly be spoilers for books one and two in this review.
Sebastian St. Cyr is in his late twenties and was, up until recently, in the army fighting on the Continent. The youngest of the Earl of Hendon’s three sons, the deaths of his older brothers mean that he is now his father’s heir, Viscount Devlin, but the relationship between the two men is strained.
In the first book in the series (What Angels Fear), Sebastian was implicated in the death of a young actress/courtesan and had to go on the run so he would have the chance to prove his innocence. During the course of his investigations, he crossed swords (metaphorically) with the chief magistrate, Sir Henry Lovejoy, a man of shrewd intelligence with whom Sebastian has since struck up a friendship based on mutual respect. This friendship leads to Lovejoy’s asking Sebastian for his help in investigating the recent murder of a young gentleman whose body was severely mutilated and found to have a strange object stuffed in the mouth. Sebastian isn’t keen on the idea of being drawn into another murder inquiry – his previous involvements were down to personal necessity (What Angels Fear) and royal request (When Gods Die), and he wants to focus more on the search for his mother – whom he had believed dead – and on persuading his lover, Irish actress Kat Boleyn, to marry him.
But Sebastian’s innate sense of honour and justice soon sees him asking questions and discovering that the murder of young Alfred Stanton is linked to the murders of other, similarly well-heeled young men, all of whom were killed, mutilated and then had something placed in their mouths. In spite of lies and denials on the parts of the fathers of most of the victims, who become ever more desperate to throw him off the scent, Sebastian soon begins to uncover the connections between the deaths, the families, the mutilations and the seemingly random choice of the objects left behind. Once these connections are all established, it’s a race against time to work out the identity of the next potential victim and get to him before the killer does.
The mystery is a complex and intriguing one as Sebastian gradually pieces together the evidence to discover the identity of the killer and what is motivating him. The final reveal is quite shocking and probably not for the faint of heart; Ms. Harris’ descriptions of some very grizzly deeds are not in any way gratuitous, but they are sickening, nonetheless.
While Sebastian is pursuing his various lines of enquiry, the author also picks up the other major plotline which has appeared in all three books so far (and looks set to continue) – which concerns the truth lying behind his uncomfortable relationship with his father. It’s clear that Hendon is not especially pleased to have his youngest son as his heir, especially given Sebastian’s somewhat rakish reputation and reformist sympathies, but there is more to their animosity than either of those things. In the previous book, Sebastian discovered that his mother was still alive and now he is searching for her; he is sure his father is keeping other secrets, too. Another issue lying between them relates to the woman Sebastian loves, Kat Boleyn, whom he believed his father had paid off six years ago before he went to war. Upon his recent return to England, however, Sebastian discovered the truth – that Kat refused his father’s money – and they have rekindled their affair. But Kat steadfastly refuses Sebastian’s frequent proposals of marriage, well aware that the difference in their stations means she is not a suitable bride for a viscount and future earl. And that’s not the only reason, as those familiar with the previous books will know.
C.S. Harris has done a great job here of combining a self-contained mystery with the larger, overarching mystery Sebastian is trying to unravel surrounding his past. The setting of Regency London is depicted so well that it’s almost like another character in the book, and all the ‘regulars’ – Lovejoy, Gibson (the surgeon and Sebastian’s former comrade), Tom (Sebastian’s tiger), Lord Jarvis, Hendon and Kat – are so strongly characterised that even if you don’t like them, you can’t help waiting for them to appear! As with the previous books, my main criticism is to do with the relationship between Sebastian and Kat. I can’t call it a romance, because it isn’t; their relationship is established before book one even starts, and pretty much consists of his proposing and her turning him down. There isn’t any real chemistry between them, although I do enjoy the scenes where the two of them talk through some of the things Sebastian discovers. She is a good sounding board for him, but I can’t buy them as a romantic couple. That said, a revelation that comes fairly late on in the story spells the end of the road for Kat and Sebastian, and I confess that it hasn’t come too soon for this listener.
Davina Porter is a huge favourite with many audiobook listeners as well as with my fellow AudioGals, and she narrates all eleven books in this series. It should be noted that while all of them are now available in audiobook format, books one to five were recorded after books six to ten for some reason; when I get to book six, I’ll let you know if there are any significant differences! Ms. Porter’s performance here is excellent, with all the characters portrayed appropriately according to age and station. She delivers both narrative and dialogue at a pace that feels just right, and her differentiation is very good; males and females are easily distinguishable from one another, and she successfully employs a variety of different regional accents – mostly Irish ones in this story – where needed. On that subject, however, I noted that Kat’s Irish accent disappears part way into the book. It comes back a chapter or two later and then vanishes for the rest of it, which, considering that Ms. Porter is a highly accomplished and experienced narrator is rather a surprising continuity error. My favourite of her portrayals is that of Tom, the young lad from the streets whom Sebastian has made his tiger (a kind of groom) and who is often deployed to pick up useful information from some of London’s less than salubrious areas. She raises the pitch of her voice, gives him a convincing cockney accent and a wonderfully disarming earnestness that never fails to make me smile. And Sebastian sounds just as he should; attractively masculine with a hint of danger beneath his outward aristocratic hauteur.
If you’re a fan of historical mysteries and haven’t already discovered this series, then I can heartily recommend the Sebastian St. Cyr stories. Because of the recurring plotlines, the books really do need to be listened to in order, but that’s no hardship; each of the three I’ve listened to so far has been very enjoyable and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.
January 9, 2020
This mystery series has been one that I have read and enjoyed but wouldn’t consider a favorite….until now. I picked up the later books in the series but hadn’t gone back to read the earlier books.
While I didn’t always feel out of place or lost in the plot, there were clearly nuanced relationships between the characters within the larger narrative that left me feeling not as invested in the series as I had hoped.
I read the first book a few years ago and thought it was good and at the time had planned to read the series in order, but I just didn’t have it in my reading calendar to do that. Well a few years went by and here I was over Christmas break and found that I had a clear schedule and nothing to read. The second book in this series was on sale so I downloaded it and devoured it in a day, needless to say I downloaded this one immediately following and was incredibly thankful for instant download because I couldn’t wait to see what Sebastian investigated next.
This summary nailed it. This book’s case is much more disturbing that I was expecting but it was fascinating and I was glued to the pages at any spare moment. As a result I finished this one in a day as well. It was well paced and there were lots of tantalizing red herrings and suspects that just didn’t seem to have anything in common. Like Sebastian, I was trying to figure out the connection. I loved unraveling this mystery, it was fantastic. I love this series because it’s a little on the gritty side which gives it an edgy feel for me.
I also loved that this book contained a little more romance. Sebastian has an established lover since book 1, but this book really got into their relationship more and explored their history together a little. This author has also written some romance novels and I could see subtle undertones of romance in this book but not so much that it distracted from the overall narrative.
The more I read, the more the later books make sense and I am enjoying reading the series from the beginning as it was intended. Sebastian is intelligent, brash, and borders on temperamental or moody—all of which I find sexy and exciting. I love his directness and that he is bold and unafraid to take risks. The author describes her character as Mr Darcy meets James Bond an I completely agree. He’s refined but yet a bit of a rogue bad boy. I can’t wait to see how the other books get on. I should add that as soon as I finished the second book, I immediately put the next 5 books on hold at the library because I knew that I wanted to keep reading all of them. I don’t see myself getting tired of Sebastian and the cast of other characters any time soon. This series went from ‘not bad’ to one of my all time favorites in the space of 4 days. Fantastic series that has made me fall in love with historical mysteries/thrillers all over again.
See my full review here
While I didn’t always feel out of place or lost in the plot, there were clearly nuanced relationships between the characters within the larger narrative that left me feeling not as invested in the series as I had hoped.
I read the first book a few years ago and thought it was good and at the time had planned to read the series in order, but I just didn’t have it in my reading calendar to do that. Well a few years went by and here I was over Christmas break and found that I had a clear schedule and nothing to read. The second book in this series was on sale so I downloaded it and devoured it in a day, needless to say I downloaded this one immediately following and was incredibly thankful for instant download because I couldn’t wait to see what Sebastian investigated next.
This summary nailed it. This book’s case is much more disturbing that I was expecting but it was fascinating and I was glued to the pages at any spare moment. As a result I finished this one in a day as well. It was well paced and there were lots of tantalizing red herrings and suspects that just didn’t seem to have anything in common. Like Sebastian, I was trying to figure out the connection. I loved unraveling this mystery, it was fantastic. I love this series because it’s a little on the gritty side which gives it an edgy feel for me.
I also loved that this book contained a little more romance. Sebastian has an established lover since book 1, but this book really got into their relationship more and explored their history together a little. This author has also written some romance novels and I could see subtle undertones of romance in this book but not so much that it distracted from the overall narrative.
The more I read, the more the later books make sense and I am enjoying reading the series from the beginning as it was intended. Sebastian is intelligent, brash, and borders on temperamental or moody—all of which I find sexy and exciting. I love his directness and that he is bold and unafraid to take risks. The author describes her character as Mr Darcy meets James Bond an I completely agree. He’s refined but yet a bit of a rogue bad boy. I can’t wait to see how the other books get on. I should add that as soon as I finished the second book, I immediately put the next 5 books on hold at the library because I knew that I wanted to keep reading all of them. I don’t see myself getting tired of Sebastian and the cast of other characters any time soon. This series went from ‘not bad’ to one of my all time favorites in the space of 4 days. Fantastic series that has made me fall in love with historical mysteries/thrillers all over again.
See my full review here
September 8, 2019
I am liking Harris a little more with each book. She seems to have created a more streamline approach to her writing as opposed to the ping pong match I experienced in the first book in this series. Sebastian is such a likeable character...he's flawed, haunted by what happened in the war, but at heart he is a caring person who wants justice in a world that he sees as being unfair (with rank and privilege). I love Sebastian's relationship with Lovejoy...they play off of each other well and I think they understand one another in a way others do not. At the core I think each man understands the others' need for answers and justice. Along with the regular cast of excellent characters (Tom the tiger, Kat, and Gibson) there are new characters introduced as part of the mystery. And Hero Jarvis was back in this installment...even though she and Sebastian have a strained relationship (with an undercurrent of what I perceive as respect), I like her. Hero is plucky and not afraid to speak her mind...I hope she is more prominent in future novels. The mystery in this 3rd installment was well produced...a rather grisly string of murders and a disturbing secret at the center of it all. But the plot was not a giveaway and had an ample number of interesting twists. The most important twist coming in Sebastians' own life...I can't wait to see how the results of this information impact Sebastian's life and the plotlines of the future novels. I'm ready for book 4!
November 10, 2015
Three books into this Regency mystery series and I'm hooked! Sebestian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is the dashing hero with a complex and mysterious past.....and with each installment, another layer of his backstory is revealed and long-held secrets begin to come to light. The plots are clever, fast-paced, and atmospheric -- from the palace of the Regent to the slums and gritty underbelly of London, St. Cyr is drawn in to help solve grisly cases of crime and murder. Rich period detail, intrigue, romance, suspense....this series has it all! Love it.
March 16, 2019
Wow. These are so good. I loved the pace of this one.
I'll be honest. The personal twist, I didn't see. Though, I suspect the other hinted at in the end of the book. I'm not really great at mystery. But the historical, atmospheric, and character-driven aspects of this book are so so good. (As are the secondary characters)
And man, a tortured hero just became more tortured and I'm a real sucker for that action.
I'll be honest. The personal twist, I didn't see. Though, I suspect the other hinted at in the end of the book. I'm not really great at mystery. But the historical, atmospheric, and character-driven aspects of this book are so so good. (As are the secondary characters)
And man, a tortured hero just became more tortured and I'm a real sucker for that action.
August 8, 2023
Enjoying more & more!
January 27, 2018
Excellently twisty.
November 9, 2024
A series that I have kind of hit and missed on. Read books 13, 18, and 19 in the series and then started at the beginning. Finally got around to this one and I’m starting to feel that although there are different murders and circumstances from book to book it looks to me like it’s basically the same story book after book. One of those kinds of series.
Yes, I admit that I became so disinterested in the story that I skimmed my way to the end just to get it over with. I do have another book in the series which I previously purchased but I won't be reading it, it's going to be a giveaway book.
If you are looking for a light mystery this series is probably good for you. The books are ok, kind of repetitive with nothing extraordinary about them. They're kind of like a cheesy soap opera, somewhat gross and graphic at times. Three stars is being generous.
Yes, I admit that I became so disinterested in the story that I skimmed my way to the end just to get it over with. I do have another book in the series which I previously purchased but I won't be reading it, it's going to be a giveaway book.
If you are looking for a light mystery this series is probably good for you. The books are ok, kind of repetitive with nothing extraordinary about them. They're kind of like a cheesy soap opera, somewhat gross and graphic at times. Three stars is being generous.
March 9, 2024
May I just say that I am thoroughly invested in Sebastian, Viscount Devlin’s, fragile world? The words, deep, dark and dangerous come to mind. Just when I think I have a grip on matters, Mrs. Harris blows my mind with something else.
November 20, 2019
Doing this series on audible. Great narrator and great stories! I think Hero plays a bigger role in the next book <3
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