Reviews

Who Buries the Dead by C.S. Harris

git_r_read's review

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5.0

I really like this series, especially this book, even though it's 10 books into the series and I haven't read the books in between 1 and 10. It's still an amazing story and very well-told.
I enjoy historical mysteries to get a glimpse of what it must have been like. When the author does the wonderful research necessary to make the reader feel like they are right there in the moment, it's sublime. This is that book and series.
A little name dropping with Jane Austen as one of the characters introduced here. I liked her. I like Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife. Strong-willed and tough fiber.
There's a lot of unravelling to do and we follow Sebastian follow all of the leads, many to wrong ends. I like that it was jumbled and not streamlined like sometimes books can be. Each lead made sense. Until they didn't.
I do plan to read the whole series, likely not in any kind of order since I've started that way.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.

veronica87's review against another edition

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5.0

Bumping this up to five stars on reread. Harris just does too good a job at crafting her mysteries and recreating regency London on the page. And Sebastian's growth from reckless, angry man to that of one who knows deep love and who doesn't want to lose it is a fine thing to see. Toss in some violent murders, a few mouldering old heads, a spinster lady author and the stage is set for another fine addition to the series.

julianav's review

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5.0

I love how the author blends the detective genre with the realism of early 1800s London. There are no rosy glasses, those times despite the pretty Regency romances were harsh for anyone, not part of the so-called Quality.

The mystery is weaved beautifully and despite some of the earlier books being somewhat convoluted at times when getting to solve the mystery, this book has none of that.

novelesque_life's review

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4.0

RATING: 4 STARS

I'm sorry!? Jane Austen is in this novel? It was a nice fun surprise in another dark mystery with a murder from the present and past. There was a lot going on in this novel. Jarvis, Hero's father, is following his own agenda no matter the consequences to others. Sebastian and Hero have a sort of a new rhythm to working together on cases. Yet, Sebastian cannot help but want to keep his wife clear of danger...even when it seems like her father is the cause.

seriouslybookish's review

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4.0

Not the best on the series but still engaging.

I would’ve liked more Hero and Simon in the book but it was still good.

I’m sad about Knox though. I was hoping him and Sebastian would develop a connection. Especially since Sebastian finally considered him a brother after Knox’s death.

I look forward to them getting out of London in the next one. Hopefully it’ll be interesting.

laurenjodi's review

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4.0

Who Buries the Dead
4 Stars

When the decapitated corpse of a West Indies slave owner is discovered on an isolated bridge next to a relic from Charles I's coffin, Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife Hero are drawn into a macabre investigation with a host of suspects. These include a malicious curiosity dealer, an injured officer in His Majesty's army as well as Jane Austen's banker brother, and a vindictive foe from Sebastian's past.

An entertaining addition to the series and the inclusion of Jane Austen as a minor secondary character is an added bonus as the intertextual clues from her works have an interesting effect on the reader's perceptions of characters and motivations.

Although Sebastian's investigation is a garden-variety murder and the suspect pool is rather limited, there are still some gripping moments that keep one turning the pages. The identity of the villain is not easy to discern although there are sufficient clues to figure it all out.

As with all of Harris's books, the historical detail is fascinating and the stories behind the various relics and curiosities mentioned throughout the storyline are captivating.

In terms of Sebastian's personal life, he and Hero are growing ever closer and their marriage is becoming a true partnership in every sense. One inevitable effect of this, however, is an understanding of the perils of their work and the realization that they have so much more to lose now.

All in all, a well-crafted story with characters that become more and more engaging with every installment. Unfortunately, the next book is the most recent and it will be long wait until April 2017 for the follow-up.

genizah's review

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medium-paced

2.75

fluffyturtle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

bee26's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

kvsreads's review

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0