A brutal murder draws nobleman Sebastian St. Cyr into the tangled web of the British royal court in this gripping historical mystery from the national bestselling author of Where the Dead Lie.London, 1814. As a cruel winter holds the city in its icy grip, the bloody body of a beautiful young musician is found half-buried in a snowdrift. Jane Ambrose’s ties to Princess Charlotte, the only child of … Princess Charlotte, the only child of the Prince Regent and heir presumptive to the throne, panic the palace, which moves quickly to shut down any investigation into the death of the talented pianist. But Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his wife Hero refuse to allow Jane’s murderer to escape justice.
Untangling the secrets of Jane’s world leads Sebastian into a maze of dangerous treachery where each player has his or her own unsavory agenda and no one can be trusted. As the Thames freezes over and the people of London pour onto the ice for a Frost Fair, Sebastian and Hero find their investigation circling back to the palace and building to a chilling crescendo of deceit and death . . .
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This is the latest book in the Sebastian St Cyr series by CS Harris. I read one from my local library because I was researching the time period and wanted to get immersed in old England for my own writing. Instead of one and done, I devoured the entire series of thirteen novels and am now waiting impatiently for more adventures with Sebastian, Hero, Tom and Mr. Darcy. Each novel stands alone, but the series has an overarching story of the main characters. I’ve watched them grow and change. I already see seeds planted for the next installment and can’t wait to dive in. The characters are layered and likable. The mystery plots keep you guessing until the end. There are multiple possible suspects to the murders and you never know the final answer until the end. The period is portrayed with rich detail and historical references. But none of it ever gets in the way of a well told story.
OK, I am seriously in love with this series! This latest entry just reminded me how much. The plot was absorbing, the historical details spot-on…this author continues to amaze me. I think the true test of a good book is its ability to be played out vividly in your mind like a movie. This series does that. I these characters! I cannot recommend this series highly enough…all the s!!! If you try it, please start at the beginning, get to know the characters as you go along and simply savor your time in their world. Thanks to #Berkley for the ARC!
I anxiously await each new release in this series and can hardly wait to start reading. Then, I am bereft when it ends. I always think that I’ll pace myself, read slower, enjoy longer, but, I always find myself flying through because I can’t wait to see what happens next. This book falls right into that mold. I really wish this author could write as quickly as I read! I love the characters, of course, but I also love the accuracy of the history that the author weaves into the stories – and she always includes our characters meeting one real historical character – this one included the widower of Mary Wollstonecraft. Harris’ command of the English language is unparalleled – I learned several new vocabulary words. She used one word, ‘broquins’ that I can’t even find in any of the dictionaries but I remember my grandmother using it when referring to a particular type of shoe. The online dictionaries keep showing me the definition of ‘bruins’ – say what.
I love the way this author writes, her research is impeccable and her character development is superb. This book concentrated more on the mystery than on any new developments in the relationship between Sebastian and his father (Hendon) or any real hints of what is happening between Hero’s father and her cousin. There were some hints of what might be coming – a new hint surfaced about Sebastian’s natural father. There was somewhat less life-threatening excitement in this book than in the others – one small scene for each that was very quickly resolved. I’m still anxious to see whether Hero’s father (or her cousin – or both) had a hand in the death of Hero’s mother – she was ill, but maybe they helped her along a bit . . . .
Hero and her friend Alexi Sauvage traveled to Clerkenwell in a raging snowstorm during one of the worst winters in English history. Hero was researching a story on the families left behind when the men were impressed into the English military. While they were there, the woman went into labor and Alexi and Hero stayed to deliver the baby. As they headed back to the carriage, it was long past dark, the snow was blowing and the wind was howling when Hero tripped, pitched forward and landed in a deep snow drift. She froze in place as she realized she had landed on a body. When they turned the rapidly freezing body, they realized two things. First, it was a woman who had been murdered and second, Hero knew who she was.
As Hero and Sebastian investigate, there are clues and suspects everywhere – not to mention the palace intrigues and interference from Hero’s father, Jarvis as well as international intrigue. How could one sweet, gentle, caring and sad young piano teacher have so much happen to her and then end up murdered? There are so many possibilities, so many suspects and it takes a lot of effort to unravel it all – especially when more bodies start to turn up. Can they solve it before one of them becomes a victim? You’ll just have to read this exciting new entry in the series to find out.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
4 stars for a solid addition to this excellent historical mystery series. It is set in London, January, 1814. Alexi Sauvage has introduced Hero Devlin to a 8 months pregnant wife of a recently impressed cooper. Her husband was snatched of the street by a Royal Navy press gang. She is desperate need of food and coal. Hero and her friend Alexi assist her in the successful birth of her child.
They are returning to Hero’s carriage when they stumble upon the body of a woman. Hero recognizes her as Jane Ambrose, piano teacher to Princess Charlotte, the Regent’s daughter. She sends word to her husband, Sebastian St Cyr, Viscount Devlin. Sauvage has told Hero that the body was moved after death, due to the lack of blood from the wound. Devlin decides to investigate what was either a murder or manslaughter.
However, the Palace does not want this classed as a murder, because it would embarrass the Royal family. The authorities announce that she died as a result of a fall, hitting her head.
Devlin angers some powerful people by investigating and is attacked. He does solve the murder. There are many suspects with twists and turns in the plot. I was not sure of who the killer was until near the end.
I like that the author incorporates the use of terms in use in 1814 London:
Footpad=robber
cutpurse=thief
Description of Hero’s clothes: “Unable to use her carriage in the snow-filled streets and scorning sedan chairs, she pulled on demi-broquins of fine morocco lined with fur, wrapped herself in a fur trimmed pelisse with a matching Swedish hat fastened up on one side, and walked.”
The author discusses the plight of the poor, compared with the rich and the inequities of limited suffrage, and limitations placed upon talented women in Regency Britain.
I recommend that you read this series in order, as there are developments in Devlin’s personal life throughout the series. See my review of book 1 What Angels Fear: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show…
I read this library book in 3 days.
Royal intrigue, a gifted female musician, the Frost Fair, Rothschild gold, and a cunning mystery draw Sebastian and Hero into a dangerous, wintry hunt.
The story opens with Hero stumbling over the nearly frozen body of Jane Ambrose, piano teacher to Princess Charlotte. The palace covers up the death, but Hero and Sebastian take up the investigation. They soon work out that any number of people, mostly powerful, are on the list of suspects.
Harris never ceases to amaze me how she is able to take the details of history, Regency era, in this case, and turn them into a cunning suspense. The main thread of this story is the tragic life and death of a talented woman set against social issues of the day- impressment of men into the Navy while their families are left destitute without them, the many minor crimes that were hanging offenses, the fate of wives who are married to abusive men, women with talent who must suppress this or let men take credit for their work, banking houses profiting from the war, royal house power struggles, suppression of the press’ free speech, famine of hard winter, and more. I like how the social issues of the day are analyzed by Sebastian and Hero so that many aspects are revealed and thought through as they get to the heart of the matter.
Along with her gift to create fabulous historical settings and situations for her story, there is also her fantastic characters. I fell in love with Sebastian St. Cyr, Lord Devlin and his ongoing story from the first book. Sebastian is aristocracy, a former soldier, a child born of his mother’s infidelity, a lost love in his past, and a new love in his present. Life’s experiences give him a unique outlook and the skills to serve out justice for the dead. He’s not infallible or untouchable. His errs have cost him deeply, but he grows and strengthens as the series progresses. He has learned so many secrets about his own past and another clue crops up, even now, when he least expects it about his mother’s secret past.
I love how he sees his wife not only as the woman he loves and wants to protect, but Hero is is partner in all things. They solve the murders together, but, when not working a case, he does not interfere with Hero’s important work among the poor classes. Hero investigates issues affecting the poor and writes up her finding calling for reform. Sebastian is not intimidated by her strong will or her choices. I love seeing them share intimacy and private moments as a couple and as parents to their young son. The author captures their eccentricity as individuals and a couple in that time, but also balances this just right so it never feels over the top or fake just to make them sensational. They are both very much aware of societies rules and just how far is too far and the consequences of crossing the wrong line.
Beyond the main pair of the story, the author doesn’t chintz on several other recurring minor characters who make up Sebastian’s circle with their own backgrounds and stories ongoing. Hero’s powerful father, Lord Jarvis, who ruthlessly wields the power behind the throne and is up to his neck in intrigue, Sebastian’s Irish surgeon friend Paul and the enigmatic French midwife Alexis who assist with the medical evidence side of the cases, Sebastian’s father the Earl of Hendon, loyal Tom his street-wise servant, and, of late, I am very curious about Hero’s mother’s cousin Victoria and what she is up to as she insinuates herself into Jarvis’ household and seems in on his schemes.
There was a tight mystery plot, lots of twists as Sebastian and Hero work to uncover the truth, and all that delicious family and palace intrigue. I anticipate each new Sebastian story and go into a bit of reading funk when I’ve finished the latest. Why Kill the Innocent is no exception. While this is a historical murder mystery, I think those who enjoy historical fiction that provides well-drawn characters, authentic historical elements, complex character and action-driven plots should give the series a go.
This was a considerably lighter read (but not light) compared to the previous book in the series. I really enjoyed the historical look into the lives of Princess Charlotte and her mother Caroline of Brunswick. Their stories were nicely weaved into the book’s mystery. While all the mysteries have an element of sadness, this one was particularly so. I’ve been waiting for a mystery where the author surprises me with a possible bait and switch. While this story didn’t have exactly that, it was a bit different and I liked the originality.
Having read this far into the series, they mysteries are only one element of the books. It has also become an investment into the lives of the principal players – Sebastian, Hero, Simon, Tom, Hendon, Lovejoy, Paul Gibson, Alexi, as well as Kat Boleyn and Jarvis. I can’t imagine not being able to delve into another story when the timing is right and check into the lives of these characters.
I recommend all the Sebastian St. Cyr novels.
I love this Series and this one doesn’t disappoint. If you like historical fiction you should read this book. It makes early 19th Century London come alive. Love the characters and the plot.
Love this series and can’t wait for the next. The main character is so complex and the plots set against real events.
Great series. The characters are realistic with complexities and depth. The series should be read in order to understand the intricacies of the relationships between the characters
I finished the first book and enjoyed it.
Love this series
I like the era/ setting of the mystery.
Another great story! A winner!
Love anything that Harris writes. Sebastian St. Cyr is one of the best characters in historical fiction.
The wholes series is just so well written.
I enjoy every one of the series books..putting together historical figures and mystery…what could be better?
I always enjoy the Sebastian StCyr books.
Love the entire series, like the people and the unfolding drama.
Love this author Stories are always entertaining