Barbara’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.

Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Sebastian St. Cyr #14
Publication Date: 4/2/19
Number of Pages: 352

Yet another Sebastian St. Cyr book that engrossed me to the point that I couldn’t put it down. Once I started reading, I didn’t stop until the last word on the last page was finished – at about 5 AM. My kidneys are grateful that there won’t be another new release in the series for several more months. This is a wonderful series and if you haven’t read the prior books, you really should. Sebastian’s life has taken a lot of twists and turns and I’m sure there are many more to come. As always, the writing is excellent, the research is right-on-the-money, the plot is tightly woven and well executed, and you won’t know who the villain is until the very end! Way to go!

Where the Dead Lie, book 12, was a chilling case where one of the villains of the piece managed to escape justice. That really bothered me even though I knew the author would eventually get around to taking care of him. While justice doesn’t get Anthony Marcus Ledger, Viscount Ashworth, someone does. On April Fools Day, 1814, two maids in Anthony’s household discover his bloody, mutilated body tied with red silk cords to the four bedposts.

Sir Henry Lovejoy, one of three magistrates attached to Bow Street’s Public Office always asks for Sebastian St Cyr’s assistance in cases involving the aristocracy. As a Viscount and heir to an Earl, Sebastian has access to circles that the Bow Street investigators wouldn’t be allowed into. Sir Henry will definitely need Sebastian for this one – the victim is not only a Viscount, but he is also heir to a Marquis – a very rich and powerful Marquis. Then you add in Russian royalty and – well – sometimes even Sebastian can’t get access.

Sebastian was thoroughly convinced that Anthony took an active part in the heinous crimes he had investigated months earlier, but he had no solid proof. He had been working all of those months since to find the proof he needed. Now, the man is dead and Sebastian is very, very afraid that his niece may have done the deed. When he interviews her, she won’t be honest with him. Then, other bodies associated with the case begin to show up. Leads take Sebastian to the visiting Russian royalty, his niece, his niece’s lover, a tarot card reader, a for-hire assassin, and almost anybody who has ever met Anthony. Sebastian is led on a merry chase around London and the more he learns about Anthony, the sicker Sebastian becomes. The world is definitely a better place without Anthony in it – and Sebastian might almost have let things go if Anthony was the only victim. But those other victims – they were innocent and didn’t deserve to die just because they knew something that might help catch the murderer.

I can highly recommend this fast-paced, action-packed, well-written book.

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