The death of a fiendish nobleman strikes close to home as Sebastian St. Cyr is tasked with finding the killer to save his young cousin from persecution in this riveting new historical mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Why Kill the Innocent….When the handsome but dissolute young gentleman Lord Ashworth is found brutally murdered, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is called in by … Viscount Devlin, is called in by Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy to help catch the killer. Just seven months before, Sebastian had suspected Ashworth of aiding one of his longtime friends and companions in the kidnapping and murder of a string of vulnerable street children. But Sebastian was never able to prove Ashworth’s complicity. Nor was he able to prevent his troubled, headstrong young niece Stephanie from entering into a disastrous marriage with the dangerous nobleman.
Stephanie has survived the difficult birth of twin sons. But Sebastian soon discovers that her marriage has quickly degenerated into a sham. Ashworth abandoned his pregnant bride at his father’s Park Street mansion and has continued living an essentially bachelor existence. And mounting evidence–ranging from a small bloody handprint to a woman’s silk stocking–suggests that Ashworth’s killer was a woman. Sebastian is tasked with unraveling the shocking nest of secrets surrounding Ashworth’s life to keep Stephanie from being punished for his death.
more
Harris gives us another tangled mystery for Sebastian and Hero to solve. She keeps us guessing right up until the end.
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.
I was fortunate to win an advance reading copy of this book in the Berkeley spring contest. This is my first introduction to this author, character and books. I really enjoyed the book, story and characters. The main “who done it” kept me guessing until the end. Once the killer was revealed, it made perfect sense. Something I really appreciate. The various side stories were interesting as well. The tidbits about pure finders, rag & bone pickers and night soil men were gross but fascinating as well as sad. I will be looking for more of the books in the series. I highly recommend this book.
C.S. Harris spins another gripping tale of evil and murder among the upper classes in Regency England. Sebastian St. Cyr is a bold and daring sleuth.
While it is good to see a character from an earlier book get his come uppance, the mysteries surrounding Devlin continue. Hanging out for the next one!
I simply savor each new book that comes out in this historical mystery series, and this latest one (14th) did not disappoint. In a bit of a twist, the initial murder victim here is also one of the vilest, most sadistic villains that this series has produced…so no tears over losing him! But other innocent victims start piling up, and the perpetrator totally surprised me!
I just love the way these characters have grown and developed over the years, and they always feel like family each time I make a visit!
This series is easily in my top 5 of favorites in the historical mystery category.
Who Slays the Wicked (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery Book 14) by C.S. Harris is Historical Mystery Thriller Fiction at it’s best. Each book in the series has a mystery, but the themes and characters change with each book. The recurring characters in this series are constantly evolving because of various influences in their lives. Every character becomes known to the reader as the story and mysteries unfold. Well researched history is woven into every book. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the St. Cyr Series.
A really good historical mystery that takes place in 1814 London.
I will read more books about Sebastian St. Cyr.
4 stars for another entertaining historical fiction mystery. This is book 14 in the series and the only one that I have not read. I have read them mostly in order, with the exception of a few advanced release review books that I received. This book has Devlin, aka Sebastian St. Cyr, investigating the murder of his niece’s husband, Lord Ashworth. Devlin is independently wealthy because of his father, the Earl of Hendon. Devlin believes that Ashworth was responsible for the rape, torture and murder of several street children. Ashworth has many enemies. Possible suspects include Stephanie, his niece, who realized what a truly terrible man her husband was after she was married.
Devlin does solve the murder, but not before several more people are killed.
The author has done some research into the clothing and society conditions of the time. She describes in vivid detail hows wretched life is for the poor of England during the period. It is spring of 1814. Among other things, Hero, Devlin’s wife, decides to chronicle what life is like for poor people. She interviews the poor, including those people who collect dog poop and sell it for fertilizer.
Two quotes: Devlin outfit: “He was wearing a buff-colored coat with a cascade of capes at the shoulders and had his high-crowned hat tipped at a rakish angle,…”
Devlin on evil; “I met an Egyptian holy man once who told me they believe evil has no existence in and of itself but is simply a lack of good-the same way darkness is a lack of light.”
I read this library book in 3 days.
I enjoy all of CS Harris ST. Cyr mysteries. I enjoyed this book as I did all the previous books. Sebastian digs and digs until he figures out what happened and who is the real culprit. I look forward the the next book by this author.
4.5 Stars
The writing, as usual, was superior and I again enjoyed my time in Sebastian St. Cyr’s world. The victim in this round was a wicked, wicked man and while I didn’t mind seeing the backside of him, I would have enjoyed a bit more byplay between him and Sebastian. I didn’t get to feel Sebastian’s satisfaction in exposing the man for his wicked deeds. Although, I recognize how it could have affected his extended family and so forth. I guess I needed to feel some of that satisfaction, as well, considering the depravity of book #12. I did enjoy the story overall, but the mystery’s outcome wasn’t as exciting or original as previous books. Of course, this is when compared to each of the previous SSC books and not the genre, as a whole. In that respect, Harris is an authorly queen.
Excellent series.
I fall into this story and am at a loss when I turn the last page. I feel like I am losing contact with my friends.
I stayed up past my bedtime to find out whodunnit. There wasn’t a lack of suspects–everyone wanted this man dead and plenty had means and opportunity, as well as motive. We also learned a little more about Sebastian’s family, Hero’s investigative work revealed some new information, and evolving events on the world stage offer more opportunities in the future for this excellent Regency mystery series. I highly recommend it, starting with the first book to fully enjoy the characters.
interesting view point- though unrealistic of the period. Like the series
Great historical. You need to read the entire series from the beginning.
Great book in the series!
This is the latest book in a series….I lover C.S. Harris…..
This series never disappoints. I love the characters and the historical aspects of the era that emerge naturally as the plot unfolds. Always a fascinating read.
Sebastian St. Cyr warned his niece Stephanie about marrying the dissolute Lord Ashworth; she did so anyway. So when his body is found, Sebastian has a real fear that his niece either killed him or will be blamed for it.
We follow the Viscount through the back alleys and ballrooms of London 1814 as he tries to discover the killer. The setting and history are well researched and depicted. The characters he meets, and often beats, along the way are colorful and intriguing.
This is an exceptional mystery series set in an era where there is no CSI, no DNA and no Internet available to the hunters of killers. The plot is intricate and fair. By fair, I mean, the reader doesn’t feel blindsided or cheated by the ultimate discovery of who-dun-it. The author has woven the story nicely; if we didn’t figure it out, we weren’t parsing the clues.
I would like to have seen more of Hero. Such a strong character could command her own series! Overall, this is a welcome addition to this exciting series!