Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Who Will Remember by C.S. Harris

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

Who Will Remember (Sebastian St. Cyr, #20)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Series: Sebastian St. Cyr #20
Publication Date: 4/15/25
Period: Regency – 1816 London
Number of Pages: 384

This is another stellar addition to the Sebastian St. Cyr series, and I highly recommend it. While the stories tend to skew toward the darker side, there are always lighter moments to help offset the dark. The main continuing characters are all well developed, multi-dimensional, and people you’d like to meet in person.

From the moment Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr is taken to the macabre murder scene to the moment the case is solved, there are myriad red herrings to convince you of the solution – then to dash your theories with yet another. Way to go author!

A nobleman, a saint by all accounts, is found bashed and hanged most unusually – with a tarot card affixed to him. Can anyone be as saintly as Lord Preston is reputed to be? The only viable suspect is Major Hugh Chandler, Sebastian’s friend. Sadly, Sebastian believes Hugh could be the murderer – but hopes it isn’t so. Further investigation revealed many other suspects, but there was no hard evidence. With the Crown pressuring Bow Street to arrest someone (anyone), Sebastian has little time to solve the murder.

The atmospherics in this story are remarkable as it is set in 1816 – the year of no summer- and at a time where soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars are literally dying on the street from starvation. Those soldiers, many maimed, get no pension and no care from the country they fought for and are left to starve. If you add a gruesome murder – and then more murders – to that scenario, you have a gripping tale that will keep you riveted from the first word to the last.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Duke and Lady Scandal (Princes of London #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Princes of London #1
Publication Date: 4/1/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 364

What happens when a bluestocking, whirlwind of an antiquities store owner meets a staid, no-nonsense Scotland Yard Inspector? Chaos and romance at its best. This was a really fun start to a new series, and I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

Alexandra Prince was the one who was always left behind in her adventurous family – and she doesn’t like it a bit. While her parents and siblings were off on exploring adventures, she was at home – sickly. She is outspoken, a bit impulsive, and honest to a fault, and those traits often land her in a bit of bother, much to the lament of her brother, Dominic, and her sister, Eve. Really, she just wants to do good and be of help. So, when she overhears snatches of a conversation about stealing the crown jewels, she goes to Scotland Yard to tell her tale. When the very handsome inspector actually listened to her, she was more than pleased.

Detective Inspector Benedict Drake is bound and determined to climb to the highest ranks in Scotland Yard. He is a workaholic who lives and breathes his cases. He has come a long way since his humble beginnings, and nothing is going to come between him and success. Then, this whirlwind of a chit barges into his office with tales about someone planning to steal the crown jewels. He concedes she is being honest and really believes what she’s saying – but – without descriptions or identifying details, there is no way to even begin to track anybody down.

As Ben follows leads to wrap up the case he’s been working on – and do inquiries into Alexandra’s reported case- they become more and more drawn to each other. Ben just wants to keep her safe and away from investigating, but she’s having none of it. She’s always wanted to have her own adventure, and now she will.

This was an enjoyable read with compelling, likable characters and a good mystery. I enjoyed watching Ben learn that success wasn’t necessarily what he thought it was.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews