Month: March 2020

Who Speaks For The Damned by C.S. Harris

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Who Speaks For The DamnedBarbara’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Sebastian St. Cyr #15
Publication Date: 4/7/20
Number of Pages: 352

Hold on to your hats because this intense and complex historical mystery is going to take you on a rollercoaster of a ride. We are fifteen books into the series, and you’d think things might begin to get a tad stale. That isn’t even remotely close to the case though. This book is as fresh, different, and interesting as the first book in the series. The author’s research and grasp of the history of that period are outstanding and make you feel as if you are right there living the tale as it unfolds.

I’ll make no bones about it – this book ripped my heart from my chest, flung it to the floor and stepped on all the little pieces. Many of this author’s victims are sympathetic and you mourn their passing, but this one… If you don’t wail at the things that he had to endure in his life only to be murdered – well…

Nicholas Hayes was discovered in Pennington’s Tea Gardens with a sickle protruding from his back. He’d only been back in England for a week or two after eighteen years away. Everyone had thought he had died after being transported when he had been convicted of the murder of a young Frenchwoman. If he had escaped death after he’d been transported, why would he return to London where he’d be immediately executed if the crown discovered him? What of the young child who is with him?

As we learn more about our victim, we find that all is not as one would think. But, who wanted him to die and why? You’ll learn all of that as you follow the clues along with Sebastian and Hero. You’ll meet some truly despicable people – true vermin in the guise of humans. You’ll also meet and get to know some lovely, caring people who deserve a better life than they’ve had.

This was truly a wonderful read – well-written, well-plotted and filled chock full of characters you will either love or hate, but nothing in-between. For me personally, because it was such an emotional read, I should probably have chosen to read it at some time other than the midst of a global pandemic. But, nonetheless, I am happy to have read it and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Inevitable Fall of Christopher Cynster by Stephanie Laurens

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

The Inevitable Fall of Christopher Cynster (Cynster Next Generation, #8)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Cynster Next Generation #8
Publication Date: 3/19/20
Number of Pages: 460

Vane and Patience Cynster (A Rake’s Vow) are traveling in the America’s and have left their oldest son, Christopher, in charge of their estate, Walkhurst Manor in Kent. Christopher knows that his plotting parents have their own motives for that – his father wants to assure that Christopher is ready to take over and his mother wants to prove to him that he needs a helpmate – namely a wife. Once that happens, Christopher is sure that his parents will move to London and live with their best friends, Sylvester (Devil’s Bride) and Honoria, who are the Duke and Duchess of St. Ives and head of the Cynster family. Believe it or not, Christopher has come to that same realization about a wife, he just doesn’t know when/where/how he’ll find that wife. Well, batten down the hatches Christopher – here she comes!

Ellen Martingale is London born and bred and had no idea she’d love living in the country until she, her brother, Robert, and her aunt Emma sell their townhouse in London and move to her beloved uncle’s country home, Bigfield House. Her uncle, Sir Humphrey, is in declining mental health and as the heir, her brother needs to take over the estate – but since he is underage, they have to try to keep their uncle’s decline a secret. To say that Ellen and Robert are ill-prepared to manage a country estate is putting it lightly, but both are trying very hard to learn. Ellen’s first encounter with her neighbor is an eventful one – Ellen’s uncle’s herd of pet goats got out of their pen and got into the Cynster’s crop. So, imagine hungry goats munching happily away on a robust cash crop.

Ellen quickly learns that Christopher isn’t the enemy and can help – but – then they learn that some strange things are happening at Goffard Hall. Christopher has been enlisted by his cousin Louisa’s husband, spymaster Drake Varisey (The Greatest Challenge of Them All), to investigate.

There is smuggling, counterfeiting, murder and lots of mayhem involved in the investigation and resolution. Not to mention all the visits by various Cynster cousins – and, of course, a lovely, lovely epilogue. I loved that Christopher quickly learned that appearances could be deceiving and that behind all of those fripperies was a lovely, intelligent, confident person.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the romance and the mystery portion of this book. It is written in typical Stephanie Laurens style – which I enjoy. There is a nice set-up for the next book, and the pairing might surprise you. I loved Sir Humphrey, Robbie and aunt Emma – they were nice additions to the story without being featured characters.

I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.