Category: Regency Era (1811-1820)

The Regency in Great Britain was a period when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent. On the death of George III in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV. The term Regency can refer to various stretches of time; some are longer than the decade of the formal Regency which lasted from 1811–1820.
Preceded by: Georgian era
Followed by: Victorian era
Monarch: George III, George IV, William IV

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.

View all my reviews

A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Duke Never TellsA Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Lady Margaret “Meg” Pinwell was planning her debut when she learns that her father has betrothed her to the Marquis of Duffy (heir to the Duke of Earnhurst) a man she has never met and that she will be married in six months. But the next day her father gets notice that the duke has died, and they have to enter a year of mourning. During that time Meg hears nothing from her betrothed but learns a lot about him via the gossip sheets and has second thoughts about marrying him. With the help of her aunt Clara, who is only eight years her senior, they form a plan. They will visit the duke’s estate incognito and see what the staff has to say about the new duke and decide if she will in fact marry him or if the rumors of his wildness and rakishness are true, she will cry off. The tell her parents that they are going to London early to shop, but the set off to the duke’s estate, planning on spending a few hours there before continuing on to London. What they find is an understaffed estate that seems to be crumbling to the ground and to their complete shock, they are introduced to the duke – who is supposed to be in London. A duke who is nothing like Meg expected. In order to save her reputation, she and her aunt continue with their ruse, hoping to escape as soon as possible and praying the duke won’t recognize her when they meet again. But that plan is crushed when Meg is injured, and they are forced to stay at the estate for at least two weeks!

For the last six years, the Duke of Earnhurst’s estate has been falling into disrepair as the late duke had told his man of business that his son and heir, James Clay, the Marquis of Duffy was in charge of the estate and that nothing could be done without his approval. An order that his man of business, Elliott Riniken, took very seriously. Elliott has been trying for years to get James to be responsible, but his letters are ignored, and his pleas fall on deaf ears. But now that the new duke is going to marry in six weeks, he has finally come to the estate but still refuses to pick up the reins. That is until they have unexpected guests and James claims to be the butler and says that Elliott is the duke. But when Meg/Mabel gets hurt and everyone has to continue their ruse – things get a little (a lot) crazy!

This was a fun historical rom com with very likable characters and a mistaken identity trope. There is plenty of shenanigans and people falling in love, there is also some emotional healing, but sadly – no steam. Overall, it was a fun, albeit sometimes silly story with multiple happy endings and thankful no third-act breakups. This is a standalone title that I am happy to recommend.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *