Over the years I have jumped around in the Sebastian St Cyr series, until I finally decided about a year ago to go back and read all the books in order. Some of the books can be read out of order, others not. This book has some carry over from the last book so I would say this is probably not the one to start with if you are new to the series. I have loved this series and I am so glad to see that it’s going strong. If you love historical mysteries but want something with a bit more grit, this is an excellent option.
Every spring I look forward to a new Sebastian St Cyr book. The mysteries are smart, fast paced and enjoyable. I rarely find myself bored with the characters or plot, though some books I like more than others, overall the series is solid. I really like how not fluffy this series is too. The author doesn’t back down from discussing the conditions of the poor in London during this historical time and she also isn’t afraid of discussing some of the more grizzly murders.
If you haven’t yet discovered this series, it’s an absolute must. I have recommended it to many of my friends and family over the last few months. I read all of the books in the series in a matter of a few weeks. They are quick reads that will leave you feeling satisfied and like you just read something intelligent and well researched. Now that I am done with this book, it has a Napoleonic Wars flair and I felt compelled to read more books about France and the Revolution. I love that this book managed to grab my interest in other areas of history too!
Summary
June 1815. The people of London wait, breathlessly, for news as Napoleon and the forces united against him hurtle toward their final reckoning at Waterloo. Among them is Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, frustrated to find himself sidelined while recovering from a dangerous wound he recently received in Paris. When the mutilated corpse of Major Miles Sedgewick surfaces from the murky waters of the Thames, Sebastian is drawn into the investigation of a murder that threatens one of his oldest and dearest friends, Irish surgeon Paul Gibson.
Gibson’s lover, Alexi Sauvage, was tricked into a bigamous marriage with the victim. But there are other women who may have wanted the cruel, faithless Major dead. His mistress, his neglected wife, and their young governess who he seduced all make for compelling suspects. Even more interesting to Sebastian is one of Sedgewick’s fellow officers, a man who shared Sedgewick’s macabre interest in both old English folklore and the occult. And then there’s a valuable list of Londoners who once spied for Napoleon that Sedgewick was said to be transporting to Charles, Lord Jarvis, the Regent’s powerful cousin who also happens to be Sebastian’s own father-in-law.
The deeper Sebastian delves into Sedgewick’s life, the more he learns about the Major’s many secrets and the list of people who could have wanted him dead grows even longer. Soon others connected to Sedgewick begin to die strange, brutal deaths and more evidence emerges that links Alexi to the crimes. Certain that Gibson will be implicated alongside his lover, Sebastian finds himself in a desperate race against time to stop the killings and save his friends from the terror of the gallows. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
With a series this long running, there is always a risk that the characters, structure, and plots will become stale or readers might lose interest. That happened to me with the Sookie Stackhouse books. Like after book ten I was ready for them to come to an end. But here we are with eighteen books in this series and I am no where near bored with any elements of the story. They are all so rich in history and from a time period that I don’t have much knowledge of beyond some basic world history. Often I find myself side tracked by other historical parts of these novels which lead me to find new books set in this time period so I can learn more. I love when that happens. The historical details in all of the Sebastian St Cyr books are top shelf and I cannot rave about the historical details in these books enough!
I really enjoy trying to solve Sebastian’s mysteries too. There are always plenty of red herrings and characters who you feel like should be guilty of something, but aren’t—-or are they? There are always a ton of people with motive and opportunity which makes it fun for readers to try and guess and sort out right along with Sebastian and his team. The mysteries are smart and I love seeing how the clues are discovered and what the clues might mean (if anything) to the crime. This one in particular was really fascinating. There were so many angles that readers could have explored (and did) in this book. I loved trying to decide how and if the clues fit within the mystery. The mysteries always feel active for this reason and I love feeling so engaged with the story.
I could easily have read this book in one sitting. It was fast paced, full of action, and fun characters. I do wish there was a little more interaction between Sebastian and Hero but overall it was still enjoyable. I am so excited to see what murder Sebastian has to solve next and what is in store for some of my favorite characters. I feel like the day is coming when Lord Jarvis needs Sebastian for something and I can’t wait to see how that all plays out. Such a great series and another wonderful installment! Don’t miss this series!
Book Info and Rating
Format 368 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023 by Berkley
ISBN 9780593102725 (ISBN10: 059310272X)
Review copy provided by personal collection. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: historical fiction, historical mystery, detective novels
The Lit Bitch 