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Sebastian St. Cyr #11
When Falcons Fall
Ayleswick-on-Teme, England, 1813
Sebastian has come to this seemingly peaceful Shropshire village to honor a slain friend and to learn more about his own ancestry. But when the body of a lovely widow is found on the banks of the River Teme, a bottle of laudanum at her side, the village’s inexperienced new magistrate turns to St. Cyr for help.
Almost immediately Sebastian realizes that Emma Chance did not take her own life, but it is less easy to discern exactly how she died, and why. He and wife Hero soon discover that Emma was hiding both her true identity and her real reasons for traveling to Ayleswick.
Also troubling are the machinations of Lucien Bonaparte, the estranged brother of French Emperor Napoleon; held captive under the British government’s watchful eye, the younger Bonaparte is restless, ambitious, and treacherous.
Sebastian’s investigation takes on new urgency when he discovers that Emma was not the first, or even the second, beautiful young woman in the village to die under suspicious circumstances. Home to the eerie ruins of an ancient monastery, Ayleswick reveals itself to be a dark and dangerous place of secrets that have festered among the villagers for decades—and a violent past that may be connected to Sebastian’s own unsettling origins. And as he faces his most diabolical opponent ever, he is forced to consider what malevolence he’s willing to embrace in order to destroy a killer.
Sebastian has come to this seemingly peaceful Shropshire village to honor a slain friend and to learn more about his own ancestry. But when the body of a lovely widow is found on the banks of the River Teme, a bottle of laudanum at her side, the village’s inexperienced new magistrate turns to St. Cyr for help.
Almost immediately Sebastian realizes that Emma Chance did not take her own life, but it is less easy to discern exactly how she died, and why. He and wife Hero soon discover that Emma was hiding both her true identity and her real reasons for traveling to Ayleswick.
Also troubling are the machinations of Lucien Bonaparte, the estranged brother of French Emperor Napoleon; held captive under the British government’s watchful eye, the younger Bonaparte is restless, ambitious, and treacherous.
Sebastian’s investigation takes on new urgency when he discovers that Emma was not the first, or even the second, beautiful young woman in the village to die under suspicious circumstances. Home to the eerie ruins of an ancient monastery, Ayleswick reveals itself to be a dark and dangerous place of secrets that have festered among the villagers for decades—and a violent past that may be connected to Sebastian’s own unsettling origins. And as he faces his most diabolical opponent ever, he is forced to consider what malevolence he’s willing to embrace in order to destroy a killer.
355 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
405 people are currently reading
2330 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Harris
23 books2,985 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 585 reviews
November 22, 2020
4 stars for another pleasant read by C. S. Harris. Her historical fiction books are written with accurate descriptions of the clothes, speech and landscapes of England in early 1800s, sometimes called Regency England. This is book 11 in the series and I recommend that you start with book 1, as there are continuing plot developments in the personal life of Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin.
In this book, Devlin and his wife Hero, daughter to Lord Jarvis, have journeyed to a fictional village, Ayleswick-On-Teme, to do do 2 things: Find out more about Devlin's father and give a mechanical nightingale to Jamie Knox's grandmother. It was purchased by Jamie Knox for his grandmother. Jamie was murdered in book 10, partly due to his proximity to Devlin.
However, Devlin's fame at solving murders has spread to this small village, and the local magistrate, Archie Rawlins, only 5 months into his position, has asked Devlin to examine the body of a dead woman. Devlin realizes that a clever killer has murdered this woman and made it to look like suicide.
The resulting investigation reveals some deadly secrets, some going back decades, and a killer who is willing to kill to stop the truth from coming out. Devlin, Rawlins, and Hero do discover who the killer is, but there are many false clues and I was was not sure of who the killer was until the end.
Two quotes:
16th century portraits: "It's hard to believe women actually used to shave their foreheads and eyebrows, isn't it?' said Lady Seaton, pausing before a trio of sixteenth-century ladies with complexions so white they could have only come from makeup disastrously mixed with lead."
I learned something new about England. "By Endglish law, any sudden, violent, or unnatural death required an inquest. Sworn in by the county coroner,a jury of between twelve and twenty-four 'good and honest men' was impaneled to view the body of the deceased, hear testimony from relevant witnesses, and present its findings. More legal than medical in form and function, the inquest was a legacy from the days of the Norman Conquest, when the Crown's main interest had been in taxing any Saxon populations that could be found responsible for the murder of a Norman."
I read this library book in 4 days.
In this book, Devlin and his wife Hero, daughter to Lord Jarvis, have journeyed to a fictional village, Ayleswick-On-Teme, to do do 2 things: Find out more about Devlin's father and give a mechanical nightingale to Jamie Knox's grandmother. It was purchased by Jamie Knox for his grandmother. Jamie was murdered in book 10, partly due to his proximity to Devlin.
However, Devlin's fame at solving murders has spread to this small village, and the local magistrate, Archie Rawlins, only 5 months into his position, has asked Devlin to examine the body of a dead woman. Devlin realizes that a clever killer has murdered this woman and made it to look like suicide.
The resulting investigation reveals some deadly secrets, some going back decades, and a killer who is willing to kill to stop the truth from coming out. Devlin, Rawlins, and Hero do discover who the killer is, but there are many false clues and I was was not sure of who the killer was until the end.
Two quotes:
16th century portraits: "It's hard to believe women actually used to shave their foreheads and eyebrows, isn't it?' said Lady Seaton, pausing before a trio of sixteenth-century ladies with complexions so white they could have only come from makeup disastrously mixed with lead."
I learned something new about England. "By Endglish law, any sudden, violent, or unnatural death required an inquest. Sworn in by the county coroner,a jury of between twelve and twenty-four 'good and honest men' was impaneled to view the body of the deceased, hear testimony from relevant witnesses, and present its findings. More legal than medical in form and function, the inquest was a legacy from the days of the Norman Conquest, when the Crown's main interest had been in taxing any Saxon populations that could be found responsible for the murder of a Norman."
I read this library book in 4 days.
April 17, 2018
When Falcons Fall by C.S. Lewis is a 2016 NAL publication.
Sebastian and Hero travel to the remote area of Shropshire village, to honor his friend, Jamie, a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Sebastian. It is possible, that as Sebastian visits Jamie’s next of kin, that he may finally get a few long -awaited answers about his own family.
However, once he arrives, he finds himself working a difficult case in which a young widow, a newcomer to the village, has died. Initially, the death is thought to be a suicide, but Sebastian believes it was murder.
As the investigation deepens, Sebastian discovers this quiet, peaceful little village harbors a great many secrets, and a very sinister atmosphere enfolds it. But, who among them had a motive to kill the pretty, young widow?
I absolutely love this series!! I harbored a secret crush on Sebastian for years. 😉 But, in all seriousness, the series just keeps getting better with time. This was a nice little change as Sebastian enjoys a change of scenery. This story reads more like an old fashioned golden age mystery at times, as the suspects are contained in one place, and the murderer is found, almost by a process of elimination.
But, of course, the trademark moodiness of the series, creates a much darker atmosphere than the typical detective novel. The story also delves into the politics of the past, and makes a not so subtle statement regarding the double standards applied to women. Even though this book was published a couple of years ago, it amazingly seemed to mirror some of the same exact issues featured prominently in the headlines today. It would appear powerful men behaving badly and leaving a trail of shattered and broken lives in their wake, is a never- ending battle.
The personal connections for Sebastian cuts to the quick, as the suspense builds to a tense and heart pounding conclusion. As always, I was riveted to the pages, but I forced myself to slow down and savor this book because it such a rare and unique take on the Regency era, which is often remembered for its fluffy aristocratic dalliances, fancy balls and marriage marts. This series is dark and moody, deliciously scandalous, always exploring the underbelly of society, as well as the evil that lurks in the hearts and minds of those in power.
Once again, I’m in awe of Harris’ rich characterizations, the way she weaves such absorbing stories that never fail to draw me right into the past, embracing me with such a thick shroud, I have a hard time shaking it off, as I reluctantly return to the present. Harris keeps me alert and so utterly involved in the scenes unfolding right before my eyes, I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
4 stars
Sebastian and Hero travel to the remote area of Shropshire village, to honor his friend, Jamie, a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Sebastian. It is possible, that as Sebastian visits Jamie’s next of kin, that he may finally get a few long -awaited answers about his own family.
However, once he arrives, he finds himself working a difficult case in which a young widow, a newcomer to the village, has died. Initially, the death is thought to be a suicide, but Sebastian believes it was murder.
As the investigation deepens, Sebastian discovers this quiet, peaceful little village harbors a great many secrets, and a very sinister atmosphere enfolds it. But, who among them had a motive to kill the pretty, young widow?
I absolutely love this series!! I harbored a secret crush on Sebastian for years. 😉 But, in all seriousness, the series just keeps getting better with time. This was a nice little change as Sebastian enjoys a change of scenery. This story reads more like an old fashioned golden age mystery at times, as the suspects are contained in one place, and the murderer is found, almost by a process of elimination.
But, of course, the trademark moodiness of the series, creates a much darker atmosphere than the typical detective novel. The story also delves into the politics of the past, and makes a not so subtle statement regarding the double standards applied to women. Even though this book was published a couple of years ago, it amazingly seemed to mirror some of the same exact issues featured prominently in the headlines today. It would appear powerful men behaving badly and leaving a trail of shattered and broken lives in their wake, is a never- ending battle.
The personal connections for Sebastian cuts to the quick, as the suspense builds to a tense and heart pounding conclusion. As always, I was riveted to the pages, but I forced myself to slow down and savor this book because it such a rare and unique take on the Regency era, which is often remembered for its fluffy aristocratic dalliances, fancy balls and marriage marts. This series is dark and moody, deliciously scandalous, always exploring the underbelly of society, as well as the evil that lurks in the hearts and minds of those in power.
Once again, I’m in awe of Harris’ rich characterizations, the way she weaves such absorbing stories that never fail to draw me right into the past, embracing me with such a thick shroud, I have a hard time shaking it off, as I reluctantly return to the present. Harris keeps me alert and so utterly involved in the scenes unfolding right before my eyes, I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
4 stars
February 21, 2017
I just love this series. This is the 11th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr Series. I now have to wait for the next book to come out and wait like everyone else. So much has gone on in this series. It is so hard to write a review because I have friends that are still reading this series and I don't want them to know some of the changes. The books in this series just seem to get better and better.
Devlin cannot go anywhere without a murder happening in the vicinity. A young woman, Emma Chance, has been murdered with an attempt to make it look like suicide. The new squire suspects foul play though he’s not sure why so he calls on Devlin for help.
Devlin and Hero’s investigation soon discovers there is much more to Emma Chance than originally suspected. There’s also much more to the village including the presence of Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother. With the war going on, there is the potential for intrigue. Sebastian’s investigation takes on new urgency when he discovers that Emma was not the first, or even the second, beautiful young woman in the village to die under suspicious circumstances. How are they all connected or are they? Home to the eerie ruins of an ancient monastery, Ayleswick reveals itself to be a dark and dangerous place of secrets that have festered among the villagers for decades—and a violent past that may be connected to Sebastian’s own unsettling origins.
I highly recommend this series to all historical mystery fans. So much has happened in this series and I can go on and on, on how much I like it. To get the whole experience of this series I would suggest to start with book one and read them in order. I can not wait for the next book.
Devlin cannot go anywhere without a murder happening in the vicinity. A young woman, Emma Chance, has been murdered with an attempt to make it look like suicide. The new squire suspects foul play though he’s not sure why so he calls on Devlin for help.
Devlin and Hero’s investigation soon discovers there is much more to Emma Chance than originally suspected. There’s also much more to the village including the presence of Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother. With the war going on, there is the potential for intrigue. Sebastian’s investigation takes on new urgency when he discovers that Emma was not the first, or even the second, beautiful young woman in the village to die under suspicious circumstances. How are they all connected or are they? Home to the eerie ruins of an ancient monastery, Ayleswick reveals itself to be a dark and dangerous place of secrets that have festered among the villagers for decades—and a violent past that may be connected to Sebastian’s own unsettling origins.
I highly recommend this series to all historical mystery fans. So much has happened in this series and I can go on and on, on how much I like it. To get the whole experience of this series I would suggest to start with book one and read them in order. I can not wait for the next book.
March 26, 2016
What a fantastic series this is and what a great character is Sebastian St. Cyr. The Viscount Devlin. This one finds his lordship in Shropshire once again following leads that will lead to the answers of his parentage, that which he is always seeking. He finds himself embroiled in the case of a murdered young woman, who had been traveling under an assumed name. Dangerous deceptiond abound, and before the case is solved this small village will divulge its secrets aided by the tenacity of a man who can not let an injustice lie.
The characters are great but what I like most about this series is that the mystery is set against a background of the most intriguing history. The enclosure acts that were enacted and caused much harm to those making a living from the open land. Lucien Bonaparte and his stay in England with his wife and children. Lucien's son Charles who plays a key part in this story does go on to have a great future and distinguished career. The author always includes a note at books back explaining areas of historical note. So, a great story, a great time period, and a good storyline.
The characters are great but what I like most about this series is that the mystery is set against a background of the most intriguing history. The enclosure acts that were enacted and caused much harm to those making a living from the open land. Lucien Bonaparte and his stay in England with his wife and children. Lucien's son Charles who plays a key part in this story does go on to have a great future and distinguished career. The author always includes a note at books back explaining areas of historical note. So, a great story, a great time period, and a good storyline.
June 26, 2018
This is an excellent murder mystery in what is an excellent series. Sebastian and Hero has travelled to a small village in Shropshire to find out more about his father. While he is there a young woman on a sketching trip is found dead, supposedly by suicide but when Sebastian sees her body he finds signs that suggest murder. Drawn into the investigation, he uncovers many dark secrets from the past as well as the present. He also learns a little more about his parentage and the necklace owned by his mother but still has a long way to go to find his father. I love this series for the wonderfully drawn characters and the historical detail. Not only is life in the village described so that you get a very clear sense of daily life but the impact of current political events on the villagers and the gentry. In this episode, Napolean's younger brother Lucien is living under house arrest nearby so there is detail about the state of his campaign against the English. The effect of the enclosure act on the rural poor is also highlighted as Hero gathers facts for an article she is writing.
November 4, 2016
I think this was one of the best so far in this wonderful series of excellent books! I liked that there was a lot less political stuff to understand and also no Jarvis at all. His machinations are frequently beyond my comprehension. I also really enjoyed watching
Kudos to the author for delaying any real discovery about Sebastian's father for yet another book! After all he went to Aynswick specifically to find this out yet we are really no further ahead by the end of this book than we were at the end of the last one:) Clever lady, spinning it out!
Loved the book but now am sad I have to wait for the next one. Not too long I hope.
Kudos to the author for delaying any real discovery about Sebastian's father for yet another book! After all he went to Aynswick specifically to find this out yet we are really no further ahead by the end of this book than we were at the end of the last one:) Clever lady, spinning it out!
Loved the book but now am sad I have to wait for the next one. Not too long I hope.
November 19, 2016
Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife, Hero, head to Ayleswick, Shropshire to meet Jamie Knox's grandmother. He has something to deliver to her but hopes to learn more about his paternity. Unfortunately, he walks right into a suspicious death in the small village and the young, inexperienced squire enlists his aid in determining if the young woman, Emma Chance, committed suicide or was murdered.
I really liked this mystery because the pursuit revealed so much more about the town's history, spanning over two decades. It revealed so much about the political decisions that formed the societal norms in the present. Throughout, the parallels of Emma's exploration with Sebastian's own were contrasted skillfully. Jamie Knox's immediate and extended family were a separate fascination.
There were a host of suspects and Sebastian's methodical investigation helped to deconstruct the events leading up to Emma's death in a very interesting manner. Even though I guessed wrong, the clues were there. I really enjoyed this story, which also subtly presented Sebastian and Hero's deepening relationship (nicely done). I've enjoyed this series immensely and now will have to wait a few months for the next book's release.
I really liked this mystery because the pursuit revealed so much more about the town's history, spanning over two decades. It revealed so much about the political decisions that formed the societal norms in the present. Throughout, the parallels of Emma's exploration with Sebastian's own were contrasted skillfully. Jamie Knox's immediate and extended family were a separate fascination.
There were a host of suspects and Sebastian's methodical investigation helped to deconstruct the events leading up to Emma's death in a very interesting manner. Even though I guessed wrong, the clues were there. I really enjoyed this story, which also subtly presented Sebastian and Hero's deepening relationship (nicely done). I've enjoyed this series immensely and now will have to wait a few months for the next book's release.
September 17, 2023
5★
“In the tense silence, the shifting of the branches of the ancient yews in the churchyard sounded unnaturally loud. Sebastian could hear a trickle of unseen moisture and the rustle of some night creature –
And the metallic ‘snick’ of a flintlock’s hammer being carefully thumbed back.”
Sebastian and his young family are in the countryside of Shropshire to take a gift that had been bought for a grandmother by a grandson who had been killed. (I will say no more, in case you haven’t read the previous book.) Coincidentally, this is the village where Sebastian may discover something about his own family.
Of course their rural holiday is interrupted almost immediately by the discovery of the body of a lovely young woman with a bottle of laudanum conveniently nearby. The young Squire of Ayleswick, Archie Rawlins, is new to his duties as a magistrate. We meet him when the book opens.
“It was the fly that got to him.
In the misty light of early morning, the dead woman looked as if she might be sleeping, her dusky lashes resting against cheeks of pale eggshell, her lips faintly parted. She lay at the edge of a clover-strewn meadow near the river, the back of her head nestled against a mossy log, her slim hands folded at the high waist of her fashionable dove gray mourning gown.
Then that fly came crawling out of her mouth”
Poor fellow. But he has his wits about him enough to disagree with the constable, who calls it an obvious case of suicide.
“ ‘There's a Viscount staying in the village,’ said Archie. ‘Arrived just yesterday evening. l’ve heard of him, his name is Devlin, and he works with Bow Street sometimes, solving murders. I'm going to ask for his advice in this.’”
The constable has no choice but to defer to the 800 years of Rawlins tradition that Archie represents. But Archie is nervous about approaching a London lord.
Although the characters are a mix of nobility and simple country folk, this is a very different scenario from the London investigations. We are at the mercy of a country doctor who is no Paul Gibson.
The author blends history smoothly into her storylines. The young woman is not the only murder victim (yes, it was murder), and there will be several inquests before this is over. I enjoyed learning something about inquests, but I’ll hide it, in case you aren’t interested.
Lady Devlin, Hero, continues to follow her interests in researching the poor, the downtrodden, those families who are losing their livelihoods, bit by bit. The Enclosure Act had been passed in 1801, closing lands that had traditionally been The Commons, where everyone could graze their dairy cow or let their fowls wander. The local lords absorbed a lot, and the small farmers couldn’t afford to fence anything, so they just lost their land.
The nobility cleverly didn’t enforce it everywhere all at once, so they avoided a general uprising. But it certainly didn’t go unnoticed. Hero interviewed villagers about the changes. I will put that under a spoiler as well, since I realise how long this is.
The investigation eventually involves almost everyone in the region, including Lucien Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, “The Beast”, as the English call Napoleon. With England and France still fighting each other in a brutal, bloody war, it does seem odd that Lucien is living there with his young family. A spy?
There is nothing dry about the history, and the descriptions bring people and scenes to life.
“Sebastian watched the gardener wrap his strong, sun-darkened fists around the handles of his barrow and lean into it, the wheel squealing faintly as he pushed away.”
This is from one of Hero’s dangerous encounters:
“Rather than keep the pistol leveled on his chest, Hero readjusted her aim so that the muzzle now pointed at his crotch. ‘Let me assure you that I am an excellent shot. Now, turn around and go away. You are boring me.’
He didn't turn around. But he did back away from her, one step at a time, his dark, angry gaze fixed on her face. She waited until he'd backed all the way to his forge before she calmly walked away, the pistol still in her hand.”
I’ve said little about the actual story or the fact that, as always, the author has Sebastian and Hero hypothesising several scenarios as each murder takes place or as each major fact is uncovered, so that we are as much in the dark as they are. As they suspect someone, so do we.
It’s my favourite historical mystery series, and I know I am not alone.
My reviews of the previous books:
1. What Angels Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. When Gods Die
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3. Why Mermaids Sing
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4. Where Serpents Sleep
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5. What Remains of Heaven
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
6. Where Shadows Dance
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
7. When Maidens Mourn
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
8. What Darkness Brings
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
9. Why Kings Confess
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
10. Who Buries the Dead
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“In the tense silence, the shifting of the branches of the ancient yews in the churchyard sounded unnaturally loud. Sebastian could hear a trickle of unseen moisture and the rustle of some night creature –
And the metallic ‘snick’ of a flintlock’s hammer being carefully thumbed back.”
Sebastian and his young family are in the countryside of Shropshire to take a gift that had been bought for a grandmother by a grandson who had been killed. (I will say no more, in case you haven’t read the previous book.) Coincidentally, this is the village where Sebastian may discover something about his own family.
Of course their rural holiday is interrupted almost immediately by the discovery of the body of a lovely young woman with a bottle of laudanum conveniently nearby. The young Squire of Ayleswick, Archie Rawlins, is new to his duties as a magistrate. We meet him when the book opens.
“It was the fly that got to him.
In the misty light of early morning, the dead woman looked as if she might be sleeping, her dusky lashes resting against cheeks of pale eggshell, her lips faintly parted. She lay at the edge of a clover-strewn meadow near the river, the back of her head nestled against a mossy log, her slim hands folded at the high waist of her fashionable dove gray mourning gown.
Then that fly came crawling out of her mouth”
Poor fellow. But he has his wits about him enough to disagree with the constable, who calls it an obvious case of suicide.
“ ‘There's a Viscount staying in the village,’ said Archie. ‘Arrived just yesterday evening. l’ve heard of him, his name is Devlin, and he works with Bow Street sometimes, solving murders. I'm going to ask for his advice in this.’”
The constable has no choice but to defer to the 800 years of Rawlins tradition that Archie represents. But Archie is nervous about approaching a London lord.
Although the characters are a mix of nobility and simple country folk, this is a very different scenario from the London investigations. We are at the mercy of a country doctor who is no Paul Gibson.
The author blends history smoothly into her storylines. The young woman is not the only murder victim (yes, it was murder), and there will be several inquests before this is over. I enjoyed learning something about inquests, but I’ll hide it, in case you aren’t interested.
Lady Devlin, Hero, continues to follow her interests in researching the poor, the downtrodden, those families who are losing their livelihoods, bit by bit. The Enclosure Act had been passed in 1801, closing lands that had traditionally been The Commons, where everyone could graze their dairy cow or let their fowls wander. The local lords absorbed a lot, and the small farmers couldn’t afford to fence anything, so they just lost their land.
The nobility cleverly didn’t enforce it everywhere all at once, so they avoided a general uprising. But it certainly didn’t go unnoticed. Hero interviewed villagers about the changes. I will put that under a spoiler as well, since I realise how long this is.
The investigation eventually involves almost everyone in the region, including Lucien Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, “The Beast”, as the English call Napoleon. With England and France still fighting each other in a brutal, bloody war, it does seem odd that Lucien is living there with his young family. A spy?
There is nothing dry about the history, and the descriptions bring people and scenes to life.
“Sebastian watched the gardener wrap his strong, sun-darkened fists around the handles of his barrow and lean into it, the wheel squealing faintly as he pushed away.”
This is from one of Hero’s dangerous encounters:
“Rather than keep the pistol leveled on his chest, Hero readjusted her aim so that the muzzle now pointed at his crotch. ‘Let me assure you that I am an excellent shot. Now, turn around and go away. You are boring me.’
He didn't turn around. But he did back away from her, one step at a time, his dark, angry gaze fixed on her face. She waited until he'd backed all the way to his forge before she calmly walked away, the pistol still in her hand.”
I’ve said little about the actual story or the fact that, as always, the author has Sebastian and Hero hypothesising several scenarios as each murder takes place or as each major fact is uncovered, so that we are as much in the dark as they are. As they suspect someone, so do we.
It’s my favourite historical mystery series, and I know I am not alone.
My reviews of the previous books:
1. What Angels Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. When Gods Die
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3. Why Mermaids Sing
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4. Where Serpents Sleep
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5. What Remains of Heaven
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
6. Where Shadows Dance
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
7. When Maidens Mourn
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
8. What Darkness Brings
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
9. Why Kings Confess
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
10. Who Buries the Dead
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 20, 2017
Ayleswick-on-Teme, 1813. A young girl is found dead on the banks of the River Teme with a bottle of laudanum by her side. The local constable thinks it's suicide, but the young inexperienced magistrate is not so sure and turns to Sebastian St. Cyr for help. Sebastian is in the village with his wife and young son to visit the family of a dead friend. But, he is also there trying to find out more about his ancestry. Now, he must figure out who would kill a young girl who just like Sebastian came to Ayleswick-on-Teme to find out more about the past.
Sebastian St. Cyr is one of my favorite series, and I have read all books except the one previous (going to buy it as soon as the paperback version comes out) and I've been looking forward to reading this one. Sebastian, Hero, and little Simon are in the little village to pay respect to Jamie Knox grandmother and to give her a gift from Jamie. Jamie must have been killed in the previous book because I haven't read about it and it saddens me that he is gone since I quite liked Sebastian half-brother. Sebastian is trying to find his father and also figure out where a necklace he has comes from. But, he must also find out who would kill Emma Chance, could it have something to do with her trying to find her father? Or is there a greater plot going on with Napoleon's brother Lucien Bonaparte staying close by the village?
There is a lot going on, the village has lots of secrets, and it seems that the more Sebastian digs in the past the worse it gets with more people getting killed. It seems that there is a killer loose and the person in question will do anything to silence the ones that can give him/her away.
When Falcons Fall is one of the best books in the series, the case is deeply tragic especially for Sebastian who feels for the young dead girl who just like him only wanted to find out who fathered her. It's a page-turner and it was hard to figure out who was behind the murdered, especially since the suspects kept dying like flies.
This is a series that just keeps getting stronger and I can't wait to find out what will happen next for Sebastian, Hero, and Simon.
4.5 stars
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review.
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
Sebastian St. Cyr is one of my favorite series, and I have read all books except the one previous (going to buy it as soon as the paperback version comes out) and I've been looking forward to reading this one. Sebastian, Hero, and little Simon are in the little village to pay respect to Jamie Knox grandmother and to give her a gift from Jamie. Jamie must have been killed in the previous book because I haven't read about it and it saddens me that he is gone since I quite liked Sebastian half-brother. Sebastian is trying to find his father and also figure out where a necklace he has comes from. But, he must also find out who would kill Emma Chance, could it have something to do with her trying to find her father? Or is there a greater plot going on with Napoleon's brother Lucien Bonaparte staying close by the village?
There is a lot going on, the village has lots of secrets, and it seems that the more Sebastian digs in the past the worse it gets with more people getting killed. It seems that there is a killer loose and the person in question will do anything to silence the ones that can give him/her away.
When Falcons Fall is one of the best books in the series, the case is deeply tragic especially for Sebastian who feels for the young dead girl who just like him only wanted to find out who fathered her. It's a page-turner and it was hard to figure out who was behind the murdered, especially since the suspects kept dying like flies.
This is a series that just keeps getting stronger and I can't wait to find out what will happen next for Sebastian, Hero, and Simon.
4.5 stars
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review.
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
February 17, 2023
Reread/listened to audiobook Feb'2023:
5 stars - Historical Mystery
This is a compelling, complex mystery and another terrific installment in the series with phenomenal audiobook narration by the immensely talented Davina Porter.
Original rating/review:
5 stars - Historical Mystery
5 stars - Historical Mystery
This is a compelling, complex mystery and another terrific installment in the series with phenomenal audiobook narration by the immensely talented Davina Porter.
Original rating/review:
5 stars - Historical Mystery
April 29, 2019
Wonderful entry in the Sebastian St. Cyr stories and perhaps one of the best, if not the best, yet. Unlike the previous ten books, this 11th story takes Sebastian, Hero, and baby Simon completely out of London for the entire book, as they head out to the countryside to connect with Jamie Knox's family. Sebastian quietly hopes too that this sojourn can shed some light on his own mysterious lineage and help him understand better how he fits in with Jamie's parentage and whether or not he and Knox were actually half brothers. Almost immediately though Sebastian is caught up in an investigation of the seemingly unrelated murder of a young woman traveler who stopped in the village on a sketching tour of the town's historic ruins. Sebastian's desire to render justice for the young woman who was suffocated to death manages to tie into his own journey's purpose and ultimately links to other important historical threads running through the entire book.
I honestly tried really hard this time to determine the killer and did not succeed. When Falcons Fall is one of Harris's most intricately plotted stories that amazing pulls all of the threads together by the end and in a very plausible and logical way. Is this a story about the devastation wrought on the working classes from the Enclosure Acts? Is it a story about espionage as Napolean's brother Lucien Bonaparte seemingly takes refuge in this rural setting to hide from warmongering? Or, is this a tawdry tale of young women raped and discarded by a deadly predator? Yes to all of the above, and it's wonderfully all of the above simultaneously. As a quick aside, the body count really wracks up in this book by the end.
I missed the appearance of Gibson and Lord Jarvis a bit and look forward to meeting up with them again soon in Book 12. Tom, Sebastian's dutiful young tiger, manages to tag along for the trip but now that Hero is Sebastian's main sounding board and partner, Tom's role is scant. I hope he gets more time in future stories. Despite the dark atmosphere and tragic histories this story reveals, the story is offset nicely by Sebastian's and Hero's love for each other, and seeing Sebastian besotted with his young son. While he was reckless at times earlier in the series investigating crimes, he acknowledges to Hero that he has responsibilities now as a husband and father and he has much himself to lose, making his investigative work that much more of a tightrope.
I honestly tried really hard this time to determine the killer and did not succeed. When Falcons Fall is one of Harris's most intricately plotted stories that amazing pulls all of the threads together by the end and in a very plausible and logical way. Is this a story about the devastation wrought on the working classes from the Enclosure Acts? Is it a story about espionage as Napolean's brother Lucien Bonaparte seemingly takes refuge in this rural setting to hide from warmongering? Or, is this a tawdry tale of young women raped and discarded by a deadly predator? Yes to all of the above, and it's wonderfully all of the above simultaneously. As a quick aside, the body count really wracks up in this book by the end.
I missed the appearance of Gibson and Lord Jarvis a bit and look forward to meeting up with them again soon in Book 12. Tom, Sebastian's dutiful young tiger, manages to tag along for the trip but now that Hero is Sebastian's main sounding board and partner, Tom's role is scant. I hope he gets more time in future stories. Despite the dark atmosphere and tragic histories this story reveals, the story is offset nicely by Sebastian's and Hero's love for each other, and seeing Sebastian besotted with his young son. While he was reckless at times earlier in the series investigating crimes, he acknowledges to Hero that he has responsibilities now as a husband and father and he has much himself to lose, making his investigative work that much more of a tightrope.
February 29, 2016
The last book left me in tears and shock in the end, but also a stronger need for more from this ongoing story of Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife, Hero. The promise of a strong clue into his mysterious and unknown father was the end of that book and is what sends Sebastian and Hero into the adventure and mystery of this latest book.
While each book supplies a new mystery for Sebastian to solve with Hero's help, this is a series that works best read in order as the story of Sebastian's past and his relationship with Hero and others builds on the books before it.
The book opens with Sebastian and Hero journeyed to a small Shropshire village to fulfill the last request of a man closely connected to Sebastian and at the same time the quest will hopefully give Sebastian the answers he has been seeking about the mysterious necklace connected to his mother along with the identity of his birth father.
But before Sebastian and Hero are barely settled in at the inn, Sebastian is approached to help the young, new squire and magistrate solve the killing of a young widow, Emma Chance, who is also a visitor to the area. Many want Sebastian to leave it be and assure the young squire that the young woman took her own life. But Sebastian's need to champion justice for the dead will not allow him to stop look and sifting through the village's past.
Sebastian is convinced that in the dark, disturbing past is where the answers lay even as he must consider the presence of Napoleon's brother and his family in the area might very well be the motive behind Emma's death. As always, Hero is there to support Sebastian and help him with the case even while he encourages her in her new study of how The Enclosure Acts affect the poor people.
But someone is disturbed by Sebastian's investigation and more death follows. Sebastian worries now that nobody is safe including his wife and child. He has to decide whether to go on or to leave things alone.
Again, I can only spout high praise over a book in this series. From the beginning, I've loved the blend of accurate historical Regency/Napoleonic Period setting and topics, cunning mysteries, well-drawn characters that engage the reader, and of course a bit of hard-fought romance makes it even better. Each book not only presents a good mystery to keep the reader guessing, but also addresses the social norms of the day giving the reader more to ponder.
With this one, the setting is new and far from the usual London and near environs and takes it into the English country village. Both Sebastian and Hero are amazed at what bubbles beneath the surface in a place that looks so placid and bucolic on first glance. The author addresses so many elements of the past- religion, politics, disabilities, born out of wedlock, suicide, and so much more. It is blended into the story so it's not just dry information, but shows motive and thought for her characters. I enjoy how with each encounter Sebastian and Hero become more a partnership both in solving the murders, but also as a married pair and grow more settled in their own right particular Sebastian. He still desperately wants to discover the truth of his past, but it doesn't eat away at him like in earlier books.
The mystery was particularly challenging because there are several motives and several suspects. Just when I thought I had teased out the right thread then there was a new twist that had me starting over. It wasn't until Sebastian knew that I had to give up. It says something for the stories that the author writes her suspects so that I feel many things and not just hate. Sometimes I actually like them and am sad or feel pity to find out who and why at the end. But there are a few where I cheer Sebastian on when he triumphs over them and settles the score. This book provided both types of villains.
So, I am sad to see another Sebastian St. Cyr book done and now I must wait again. If one enjoys complex mysteries, deep characters, authentic historical settings, and a romantic sleuthing pair, I can most definitely recommend this series.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
While each book supplies a new mystery for Sebastian to solve with Hero's help, this is a series that works best read in order as the story of Sebastian's past and his relationship with Hero and others builds on the books before it.
The book opens with Sebastian and Hero journeyed to a small Shropshire village to fulfill the last request of a man closely connected to Sebastian and at the same time the quest will hopefully give Sebastian the answers he has been seeking about the mysterious necklace connected to his mother along with the identity of his birth father.
But before Sebastian and Hero are barely settled in at the inn, Sebastian is approached to help the young, new squire and magistrate solve the killing of a young widow, Emma Chance, who is also a visitor to the area. Many want Sebastian to leave it be and assure the young squire that the young woman took her own life. But Sebastian's need to champion justice for the dead will not allow him to stop look and sifting through the village's past.
Sebastian is convinced that in the dark, disturbing past is where the answers lay even as he must consider the presence of Napoleon's brother and his family in the area might very well be the motive behind Emma's death. As always, Hero is there to support Sebastian and help him with the case even while he encourages her in her new study of how The Enclosure Acts affect the poor people.
But someone is disturbed by Sebastian's investigation and more death follows. Sebastian worries now that nobody is safe including his wife and child. He has to decide whether to go on or to leave things alone.
Again, I can only spout high praise over a book in this series. From the beginning, I've loved the blend of accurate historical Regency/Napoleonic Period setting and topics, cunning mysteries, well-drawn characters that engage the reader, and of course a bit of hard-fought romance makes it even better. Each book not only presents a good mystery to keep the reader guessing, but also addresses the social norms of the day giving the reader more to ponder.
With this one, the setting is new and far from the usual London and near environs and takes it into the English country village. Both Sebastian and Hero are amazed at what bubbles beneath the surface in a place that looks so placid and bucolic on first glance. The author addresses so many elements of the past- religion, politics, disabilities, born out of wedlock, suicide, and so much more. It is blended into the story so it's not just dry information, but shows motive and thought for her characters. I enjoy how with each encounter Sebastian and Hero become more a partnership both in solving the murders, but also as a married pair and grow more settled in their own right particular Sebastian. He still desperately wants to discover the truth of his past, but it doesn't eat away at him like in earlier books.
The mystery was particularly challenging because there are several motives and several suspects. Just when I thought I had teased out the right thread then there was a new twist that had me starting over. It wasn't until Sebastian knew that I had to give up. It says something for the stories that the author writes her suspects so that I feel many things and not just hate. Sometimes I actually like them and am sad or feel pity to find out who and why at the end. But there are a few where I cheer Sebastian on when he triumphs over them and settles the score. This book provided both types of villains.
So, I am sad to see another Sebastian St. Cyr book done and now I must wait again. If one enjoys complex mysteries, deep characters, authentic historical settings, and a romantic sleuthing pair, I can most definitely recommend this series.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2019
Barely four hours after my review for book ten, where I said the following, Also if, like, Seb and Jarvis can go one book without threatening to kill each other? Might make a nice change. It'll never happen but hey. A girl can dream... and my dream came true! Mostly because this instalment doesn't take place in London, ergo, Jarvis doesn't make an appearance, but hey. It counts.
Anyway, this was an interesting change of pace that I enjoyed because it broke the monotony of some of the same old same old phrasing and moments in every other episodic instalment, even though we still had two or three "Sebastian stands by the window at night and spoiler comes to comfort him" but hey, he's a broody man. I get it. But also it was a story that had an interesting parallel to some of Sebastian's own journey, just a very different path. It was a little on the nose but I will allow it. It also made for a good balance because it would be easy to tune out of most of the village personnel and problems as we are likely to never see them again but by making half of them key characters in relation to Sebastian, well. It kept you interested.
I was starting to feel like I was hitting a bit of a wall with these books but I think I'm okay to keep going. Must.. keep.. going..
Anyway, this was an interesting change of pace that I enjoyed because it broke the monotony of some of the same old same old phrasing and moments in every other episodic instalment, even though we still had two or three "Sebastian stands by the window at night and spoiler comes to comfort him" but hey, he's a broody man. I get it. But also it was a story that had an interesting parallel to some of Sebastian's own journey, just a very different path. It was a little on the nose but I will allow it. It also made for a good balance because it would be easy to tune out of most of the village personnel and problems as we are likely to never see them again but by making half of them key characters in relation to Sebastian, well. It kept you interested.
I was starting to feel like I was hitting a bit of a wall with these books but I think I'm okay to keep going. Must.. keep.. going..
May 10, 2017
I couldn't guess who is the villain until the very late, boo!
It's getting darker and too many victims this time.
It happened while Sebastian and Hero visited the family of their 'friend' who got killed in the previous book. It's a beautiful village by the River Teme.
And it was lovely to see a deepen connection between Sebastian and Hero:)
Young Master Simon St. Cyr? Oh he was growing, also mama and papa loves him very much and he knew it. His favourite pastime? Pulling papa's nose!:)
One more book and then I have to wait for a year?
Oh No!
It's getting darker and too many victims this time.
It happened while Sebastian and Hero visited the family of their 'friend' who got killed in the previous book. It's a beautiful village by the River Teme.
And it was lovely to see a deepen connection between Sebastian and Hero:)
Young Master Simon St. Cyr? Oh he was growing, also mama and papa loves him very much and he knew it. His favourite pastime? Pulling papa's nose!:)
One more book and then I have to wait for a year?
Oh No!
November 27, 2018
Sebastian wants to know who's his father and following the leads left after Jamie's death he and Hero are in a bucolic little town where Jamie was born.
Obviously they stumble on a murder. A young woman is found dead, but who is she?
A very interesting mystery as usual where politics and old supposed suicides mash together.
There're some really domestic moments where both Hero and Sebastian interact with their child that were so tender!
Obviously they stumble on a murder. A young woman is found dead, but who is she?
A very interesting mystery as usual where politics and old supposed suicides mash together.
There're some really domestic moments where both Hero and Sebastian interact with their child that were so tender!
November 7, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this but not as much as usual. I prefer the London setting and the political intrigues of Jarvis.
February 24, 2020
Audio: 5 STARS!!
Story: 5 STARS!!
Story: 5 STARS!!
March 30, 2021
Another excellent story from C.S. Harris. The characters were back to behaving as themselves even as this one was the "Murder She Wrote" installment. Meaning, Sebastian takes a trip and finds himself solving a murder in a seemingly sweet, little village.
We learn a little more about Sebastian's heritage but, of course, nothing really solid. I had several guesses as to the culprit and the reason behind the initial murder, but I wasn't actually all that close.
This was very well plotted and described. At some point I'm going to run out of books in this series and when that happens I'm going to be very sad.
We learn a little more about Sebastian's heritage but, of course, nothing really solid. I had several guesses as to the culprit and the reason behind the initial murder, but I wasn't actually all that close.
This was very well plotted and described. At some point I'm going to run out of books in this series and when that happens I'm going to be very sad.
February 20, 2016
C.S. Harris’ eleventh installment in her Sebastian St. Cyr series takes the dashing viscount out of London and into the countryside when Sebastian and his wife investigate Sebastian’s mysterious parentage. However, Sebastian’s personal quest is stalled when, during their stay at Ayleswick-on-Teme, none other than Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew discovers a young woman’s body. The young squire charged with seeking justice is quick to ask for Sebastian’s support and it soon become apparent that this is no suicide. Now, Sebastian and Hero are caught up in a local investigation with too many suspects and a disturbing personal connection.
What is there to say about this latest installment? Other than it's fantastic, as usual. If you’ve been following the series from its inception, you will be pleased by the progression in Sebastian’s investigation of the truth of his parentage. But what really stands out is the detail that the author includes in the setting. Like the previous books in the series, When Falcons Fall is highly atmospheric; however, this newest book is refreshing because the author takes readers out of the city and into the countryside. This change of scene has important consequences for the mystery as Sebastian doesn’t have his usual co-conspirators to assist. Rather, Sebastian has to rely on the very young Squire who is responsible for maintaining justice in the area, a constable that is all too eager to rule the death a suicide, a “doctor” that is more interested in tending to his cows than an autopsy, and a coroner that refuses to be late for his own social engagements. It was interesting seeing our intrepid investigator in this novel surrounding and engaging with characters that were not as quick to take Sebastian at his word.
You can read the rest of this review at The Book Adventures.
What is there to say about this latest installment? Other than it's fantastic, as usual. If you’ve been following the series from its inception, you will be pleased by the progression in Sebastian’s investigation of the truth of his parentage. But what really stands out is the detail that the author includes in the setting. Like the previous books in the series, When Falcons Fall is highly atmospheric; however, this newest book is refreshing because the author takes readers out of the city and into the countryside. This change of scene has important consequences for the mystery as Sebastian doesn’t have his usual co-conspirators to assist. Rather, Sebastian has to rely on the very young Squire who is responsible for maintaining justice in the area, a constable that is all too eager to rule the death a suicide, a “doctor” that is more interested in tending to his cows than an autopsy, and a coroner that refuses to be late for his own social engagements. It was interesting seeing our intrepid investigator in this novel surrounding and engaging with characters that were not as quick to take Sebastian at his word.
You can read the rest of this review at The Book Adventures.
February 11, 2024
Of course a book set up to be about Sebastian’s search for details about his paternity is going to morph into something bigger. There were a lot of characters and locations to keep track of and less action than usual in this one (I mean, only *two* attempts on Sebastian’s life? Hero doesn’t fire her pistol once?). As usual, there are scores of suspects and the list narrows down very quickly at the end.
One thing that I got hung up on: In other books in the series, the highest ranking male in the area was the magistrate. In this book, a squire is the magistrate while a Lord isn’t. We never get the Lord’s full title, but he clearly outranks a squire. Then again, the Lord is Catholic, so perhaps that’s is the reason for his lack of power and responsibility.
One thing that I got hung up on: In other books in the series, the highest ranking male in the area was the magistrate. In this book, a squire is the magistrate while a Lord isn’t. We never get the Lord’s full title, but he clearly outranks a squire. Then again, the Lord is Catholic, so perhaps that’s is the reason for his lack of power and responsibility.
March 19, 2021
An enjoyable book that sets out to solve multiple murders. It starts out with the Sebastian going to visit his deceased half brothers family to find out more about his own father. This plays only a small part in the plot and most of the book is devoted to solving the mystery of a beautiful young woman. Hero and her son are a big part of the story and Sebastian's interaction with them. This is a book that could probably be read as a stand alone book.
May 10, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up because it was so pleasant to be out of London and in the country. This author is especially fond of describing smells, which four times out of five are disgusting.
I’ll write more later when I’m not on my phone.
I’ll write more later when I’m not on my phone.
March 29, 2024
Why I liked this story: Sebastien and Hero have taken a break from London. They spend more time together trying to solve a murder and, at the same time, learn about some new characters that St. Cyr might be related to. I love when Simon is on the pages; it brings some normality to all the darker situations they run into.
July 8, 2016
This book is part of the Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series. They are set in the Regency period in England and are very well researched. In this book, Sebastian finds more pieces to the puzzle of who his father actually is. He goes to a small village to honor the wishes of Jamie Knox to get a nightingale music box to his grandmother and becomes embroiled in a murder. In solving the murder, many secrets both old and new are brought to light.
October 23, 2024
4.2 stars
This 11th instalment felt markedly different from all the previous investigations. Probably because it was entirely out of London and Sebastian did not rely on any of his known resources. In final, I liked the change. Bereft of the London atmosphere, the story felt somehow deeper. Sebastian even came across as a much better sleuth than ever before, priviledging his brains over action heroics.
I won't complain about the leisurely pace of the story because it fit the country thematic. Also previously, the fast and repetitive round of interviewees that Sebastian liked to proceed with had often irritated me - not so here, as the investigation pace occurred organically and logically. I also enjoyed the wealth of historic facts that CSH cleverly mixed with the plot. Some readers will likely yawn at that abundance of history lessons, but I for one, learned so much about the historical context that I wasn't aware before. Concerning the puzzle itself, it was quite well done - long, but it made sense and all my questions were answered.
My only gripe concerns the gross error in the timeline mentioned in the book. Such inconsistencies across a series seriously aggravates me and I can't understand how editors never picked it out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2018
Once again a gripping mystery. I’m struck by how nothing has changed politically in 200 years. Wealthy men exploit and destroy young woman while filling their own pockets.
April 28, 2016
What can I say about this series that I haven't already said? It's my absolute favorite historical mystery series and this book is certainly worthy of helping the series to maintain that status. After the rather sad events of the last book, Sebastian has arrived at an idyllic rural village in Shropshire with his wonderful wife, Hero, at his side. His motives for making the journey are deeply personal but no sooner has he arrived before the shadow of a mysterious death begins to pull at his attentions. The new village Squire, having heard of Sebastian's reputation for solving murders, enlists his aid in discovering why a young widow, rather recently arrived to town herself, is suddenly dead. The resulting investigation is a twisting, turning journey through dark and deeply held secrets stretching back through the years.
The time and setting are so vividly portrayed that I can practically feel myself wandering through the various sites along with Sebastian and Hero. The murder was intricately woven with enough red herrings that I certainly didn't figure out who the guilty party was until maybe a nano second before Sebastian revealed all. And the use of actual bits of history, in this case the actual presence of Napolean's younger brother in the English countryside, as a prisoner of war as well as the impact of the Enclosure Laws, is masterfully done. The fact that Sebastian was operating without his usual sources of aid, like Lovejoy and Gibson, may have frustrated him but I don't feel the story suffered for their absence. It was weird to have an entire book without Jarvis though. At any rate, I will be glad for the return to London for the next book.
But, really, Sebastian made out quite fine in the end because he has the wonderful Hero at his side. Watching their relationship grow and mature across several books has been a real highlight of this series and it only adds that extra something special to what is already an exceptional historical mystery series. If there had just been one or two extra scenes between the couple it would have elevated this book to a five star read for me. The fact that I'm only giving it four stars is less about the quality of the story and more about my level of greediness where Sebastian/Hero are concerned.
Once, he had faced danger with a recklessness born of a careless attitude toward living. But those days were in the past. And as he held her close, felt her heart pounding against his, heard the keening of her breath, he knew a deep and all-consuming thankfulness that he was here, now, alive and in this woman's arms.
The time and setting are so vividly portrayed that I can practically feel myself wandering through the various sites along with Sebastian and Hero. The murder was intricately woven with enough red herrings that I certainly didn't figure out who the guilty party was until maybe a nano second before Sebastian revealed all. And the use of actual bits of history, in this case the actual presence of Napolean's younger brother in the English countryside, as a prisoner of war as well as the impact of the Enclosure Laws, is masterfully done. The fact that Sebastian was operating without his usual sources of aid, like Lovejoy and Gibson, may have frustrated him but I don't feel the story suffered for their absence. It was weird to have an entire book without Jarvis though. At any rate, I will be glad for the return to London for the next book.
But, really, Sebastian made out quite fine in the end because he has the wonderful Hero at his side. Watching their relationship grow and mature across several books has been a real highlight of this series and it only adds that extra something special to what is already an exceptional historical mystery series. If there had just been one or two extra scenes between the couple it would have elevated this book to a five star read for me. The fact that I'm only giving it four stars is less about the quality of the story and more about my level of greediness where Sebastian/Hero are concerned.
Once, he had faced danger with a recklessness born of a careless attitude toward living. But those days were in the past. And as he held her close, felt her heart pounding against his, heard the keening of her breath, he knew a deep and all-consuming thankfulness that he was here, now, alive and in this woman's arms.
July 14, 2021
4 STARS
I don't have much to add. I'm still enjoying the series. This one takes us to a new place, the river Teme. The historic element was not as evident in this episode. Although new revelations are coming to light for Sebastian and his quest for answers about his mysterious father. Looking forward to where the story will take us next.
The rest is silence.
I don't have much to add. I'm still enjoying the series. This one takes us to a new place, the river Teme. The historic element was not as evident in this episode. Although new revelations are coming to light for Sebastian and his quest for answers about his mysterious father. Looking forward to where the story will take us next.
December 7, 2019
I absolutely love this series.
August 22, 2023
Sebastian St. Cyr, Lord Devlin, his wife Lady Devlin, and small son travel to Ayleswick-on-Teme so Devlin may deliver a final gift from Jamie Knox to his grandmother and so the nobleman may continue his quest to find answers to questions about his own ancestry. But they have barely settled into the inn in the small village when a young woman's body is found by the river. An empty laudanum beside the body makes the constable think it is suicide, but the young Squire who is new to the role of justice of the peace senses that something is amiss. Devlin's reputation for criminal investigation has preceded him and Squire Rawlins asks for his help in investigating the death.
It soon becomes clear that Emma Chance. who claimed to be a young widowed woman on a sketching tour, was more than she seemed. With Napoleon Bonaparte's exiled brother and family in the neighborhood, is it possible that she was a spy keeping an eye on the French entourage? But her interests seemed to be more focused on the history of people (men in particular) of the Shropshire village and there's a question of her own heritage. Did she unsettle someone on a more personal basis? And then there's the smuggling operation of a certain major--perhaps she was killed because she inadvertently stumbled across something to do with that...The deeper the investigation runs, the more questions Devlin and Rawlins have. And the more death stalks the village. Since Emma's questions revolved around the past, Devlin realizes that they must also look to the past to find a very present killer.
This is the eleventh book in Harris's highly entertaining historical mystery series. Each one could be read as a self-contained mystery, but there is an over-arching story involving Devlin's personal history that encourages readers to read the series in order for best effect. The book should not ruin any previous mystery plots--but it will take the surprise out of a few of the twists in Devlin's own story. And Devlin's story is a very interesting one as are the stories of the recurring characters.
Harris does an excellent job combining historical facts with her mystery plots. Sometimes the history is absolutely integral to the mystery and sometimes it merely provides background and red herrings, but it is always entertaining and educational if you don't know much about the Regency period. This particular mystery makes use of the historical facts in a very nice way. As with historical novels written by a modern author, it is difficult to keep anachronisms out of the text--but I notice fewer in Harris's work than is often the case. And they are even more rarely jarring when I do notice them.
The mystery plot in this one was also done very well. I generally spot the villain of the piece--even if I don't have all the details of motive sewn up. But this time, Harris kept me guessing till the very end. A very satisfying entry in this long-running series. ★★★★ and 1/2.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
It soon becomes clear that Emma Chance. who claimed to be a young widowed woman on a sketching tour, was more than she seemed. With Napoleon Bonaparte's exiled brother and family in the neighborhood, is it possible that she was a spy keeping an eye on the French entourage? But her interests seemed to be more focused on the history of people (men in particular) of the Shropshire village and there's a question of her own heritage. Did she unsettle someone on a more personal basis? And then there's the smuggling operation of a certain major--perhaps she was killed because she inadvertently stumbled across something to do with that...The deeper the investigation runs, the more questions Devlin and Rawlins have. And the more death stalks the village. Since Emma's questions revolved around the past, Devlin realizes that they must also look to the past to find a very present killer.
This is the eleventh book in Harris's highly entertaining historical mystery series. Each one could be read as a self-contained mystery, but there is an over-arching story involving Devlin's personal history that encourages readers to read the series in order for best effect. The book should not ruin any previous mystery plots--but it will take the surprise out of a few of the twists in Devlin's own story. And Devlin's story is a very interesting one as are the stories of the recurring characters.
Harris does an excellent job combining historical facts with her mystery plots. Sometimes the history is absolutely integral to the mystery and sometimes it merely provides background and red herrings, but it is always entertaining and educational if you don't know much about the Regency period. This particular mystery makes use of the historical facts in a very nice way. As with historical novels written by a modern author, it is difficult to keep anachronisms out of the text--but I notice fewer in Harris's work than is often the case. And they are even more rarely jarring when I do notice them.
The mystery plot in this one was also done very well. I generally spot the villain of the piece--even if I don't have all the details of motive sewn up. But this time, Harris kept me guessing till the very end. A very satisfying entry in this long-running series. ★★★★ and 1/2.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
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