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genizah's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5
Really leans into the contemporary depictions of Nathan Rothschild in a way that, while historically accurate, is not not antisemitic.
bethanyread's review against another edition
5.0
Great series with terrific historical information. This one (really) was all about the treatment of women. Great book.
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
I’m once again visiting my all-time favorite historical mystery series. It’s book thirteen now and, at this point, Sebastian and Hero are about as dear to me as any literary characters can be. The year is 1814, the month is January and our sleuthing aristocrats are anticipating their son’s first birthday even as the city is facing one of its coldest winters. When Hero literally stumbles into the murder of the piano teacher of none other than HRH Princess Charlotte herself, it’s a foregone conclusion that Sebastian will turn his acute, mystery-solving skills to the task of solving the case.
As Sebastian tries to pin down the sequence of events in the piano teacher's final days, he finds himself following her down paths that lead to high placed palace intrigue as well as the more mundane matters of domestic unrest in hearth and home. It’s a complicated puzzle that seems to only add more suspects and motives without ever ruling anyone out. But there is always so much more going on in a Sebastian St Cyr mystery book than just the solving of a murder. It’s these “extras” that breathe a sense of realism into the stories and lend weight and emotional depth to the actions of the characters.
As usual, Hero is staunchly on Sebastian’s side and helps him in his investigations in any manner she can. She shares his passion for justice but she also seeks it out on a much larger scale than he does. Throughout their marriage, and even before it, Hero has used her research and writing skills to highlight the plight of England’s most vulnerable citizens. Her drive for reform is one of the reasons I love her so much and why she has always been the perfect match for Sebastian. Her work has also always been the reader’s window into those seedier and sadder parts of regency England that aren’t typically featured in your usual Jane Austen story. This time around we learn a little bit about the “hardships faced by the families of men snatched off the streets by the Royal Navy’s infamous press gangs.” The plight of the young wife who provides a “face” to this harsh practice is truly heartbreaking.
”It’s not right, what we do. Kidnapping men and carrying them off as essentially slaves to serve on our warships, all without a thought to the wives and children they leave behind to starve. As if their hopes and dreams - as if their very lives - matter not at all.”
Accompanying Hero on this very personal journey is Alexi Sauvage, the French physician/midwife who has become involved with Gibson, Sebastian’s surgeon friend. I’ll admit that I hadn’t really warmed up to Alex much since her introduction way back in book nine but I actually enjoyed seeing the friendship blossom between her and Hero here. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of that in future books.
We also got some updates on a few other matters in Sebastian’s and Hero’s personal lives. There is the matter of Stephanie’s marriage. She’s Sebastian’s niece and things are going more or less as expected. There is also a brief glimpse into the Jarvis household and I really can’t wait for Hero to catch wind of that. Then there were the events of the Frost Fair, which I had never heard of, that were woven seamlessly into the narrative. Oh! And I can’t possibly forget to mention the dropping of another clue pertaining to Sebastian’s paternity - though admittedly this personal mystery is moving at a snail’s pace. Sebastian does consider the possibility that he may never know the truth and I’m starting to wonder if this might indeed turn out to be the case. With Sebastian and Hendon reconciled, would identifying Sebastian’s natural father really serve any purpose at this point? Whether we ever find out the answer or not, I hope the author is planning for many more books in this wonderful series because I won’t be ready to say goodbye to it anytime soon.
**1st reread in January 2019: revisiting this favorite series during a stressful time in real life. As always, Sebastian and Hero were the perfect hosts.**
As Sebastian tries to pin down the sequence of events in the piano teacher's final days, he finds himself following her down paths that lead to high placed palace intrigue as well as the more mundane matters of domestic unrest in hearth and home. It’s a complicated puzzle that seems to only add more suspects and motives without ever ruling anyone out. But there is always so much more going on in a Sebastian St Cyr mystery book than just the solving of a murder. It’s these “extras” that breathe a sense of realism into the stories and lend weight and emotional depth to the actions of the characters.
As usual, Hero is staunchly on Sebastian’s side and helps him in his investigations in any manner she can. She shares his passion for justice but she also seeks it out on a much larger scale than he does. Throughout their marriage, and even before it, Hero has used her research and writing skills to highlight the plight of England’s most vulnerable citizens. Her drive for reform is one of the reasons I love her so much and why she has always been the perfect match for Sebastian. Her work has also always been the reader’s window into those seedier and sadder parts of regency England that aren’t typically featured in your usual Jane Austen story. This time around we learn a little bit about the “hardships faced by the families of men snatched off the streets by the Royal Navy’s infamous press gangs.” The plight of the young wife who provides a “face” to this harsh practice is truly heartbreaking.
”It’s not right, what we do. Kidnapping men and carrying them off as essentially slaves to serve on our warships, all without a thought to the wives and children they leave behind to starve. As if their hopes and dreams - as if their very lives - matter not at all.”
Accompanying Hero on this very personal journey is Alexi Sauvage, the French physician/midwife who has become involved with Gibson, Sebastian’s surgeon friend. I’ll admit that I hadn’t really warmed up to Alex much since her introduction way back in book nine but I actually enjoyed seeing the friendship blossom between her and Hero here. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of that in future books.
We also got some updates on a few other matters in Sebastian’s and Hero’s personal lives. There is the matter of Stephanie’s marriage. She’s Sebastian’s niece and things are going more or less as expected. There is also a brief glimpse into the Jarvis household and I really can’t wait for Hero to catch wind of that. Then there were the events of the Frost Fair, which I had never heard of, that were woven seamlessly into the narrative. Oh! And I can’t possibly forget to mention the dropping of another clue pertaining to Sebastian’s paternity - though admittedly this personal mystery is moving at a snail’s pace. Sebastian does consider the possibility that he may never know the truth and I’m starting to wonder if this might indeed turn out to be the case. With Sebastian and Hendon reconciled, would identifying Sebastian’s natural father really serve any purpose at this point? Whether we ever find out the answer or not, I hope the author is planning for many more books in this wonderful series because I won’t be ready to say goodbye to it anytime soon.
**1st reread in January 2019: revisiting this favorite series during a stressful time in real life. As always, Sebastian and Hero were the perfect hosts.**
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
Sigh, it was a long wait from my last Sebastian and Hero adventure, but so worth the wait. We are back at the royal court, with the death of Prince Charlotte's piano teacher, Jane. Jane Ambrose was a talented pianist, but those close to the royals try to shut down the case before it is even started. Sebastian and Hero have never let that stop them from catching their man or woman. The cover of this novel is so very different from the series. Usually the colours are dark and vibrant and this one is so simple and just as great. I really enjoyed the Historical Note at the end as I really wanted to know what was true about the case and the setting.
Sigh, it was a long wait from my last Sebastian and Hero adventure, but so worth the wait. We are back at the royal court, with the death of Prince Charlotte's piano teacher, Jane. Jane Ambrose was a talented pianist, but those close to the royals try to shut down the case before it is even started. Sebastian and Hero have never let that stop them from catching their man or woman. The cover of this novel is so very different from the series. Usually the colours are dark and vibrant and this one is so simple and just as great. I really enjoyed the Historical Note at the end as I really wanted to know what was true about the case and the setting.
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
4.0
Am I the only one disappointed with Jarvis? I have a hunch the Cousin Victoria had a hand in Hero’s mother’s death.
Also can I just say how well Tom is growing up. He’s going to be Sebastian right hand very soon. I can’t wait for them to become a team and maybe one day we’ll a book on Tom. One can hope.
Also can I just say how well Tom is growing up. He’s going to be Sebastian right hand very soon. I can’t wait for them to become a team and maybe one day we’ll a book on Tom. One can hope.
fluffyturtle's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Why Kill the Innocent
4 Stars
Sebastian St. Cyr finds himself embroiled in another murder investigation when his wife, Hero, literally stumbles across the dead body of Jane Somerset, Princess Charlotte's piano teacher. With the palace thwarting him at every turn, Sebastian uncovers the many secrets, both political and personal, surrounding the victim. Now if he can only determine which one led to her death...
Political intrigue plays a significant role in the story, and Harris's attention to historical detail is, as always, incredible. Despite my keen interest in British history, Princess Charlotte is one royal about whom I knew very little, and as such, the information about her life was particularly engrossing. Looking up the various historical figures mentioned in the story was an additional bonus.
The mystery itself is not the strongest. The victim is a lovely person and evokes a great deal of empathy on the part of the reader. Nevertheless, the various motives given to the numerous suspects don't always hold water, and the eventual explanation is not all that satisfying given the build up toward it.
On a final note, there is little progression in the ongoing story arc surrounding the identity of Sebastian's biological father, and this is disappointing and frustrating. It is past time for this particular plotline to come to its conclusion.
In sum, an entertaining addition to the series and I look forward to Sebastian and Hero's next adventure in sleuthing.
4 Stars
Sebastian St. Cyr finds himself embroiled in another murder investigation when his wife, Hero, literally stumbles across the dead body of Jane Somerset, Princess Charlotte's piano teacher. With the palace thwarting him at every turn, Sebastian uncovers the many secrets, both political and personal, surrounding the victim. Now if he can only determine which one led to her death...
Political intrigue plays a significant role in the story, and Harris's attention to historical detail is, as always, incredible. Despite my keen interest in British history, Princess Charlotte is one royal about whom I knew very little, and as such, the information about her life was particularly engrossing. Looking up the various historical figures mentioned in the story was an additional bonus.
The mystery itself is not the strongest. The victim is a lovely person and evokes a great deal of empathy on the part of the reader. Nevertheless, the various motives given to the numerous suspects don't always hold water, and the eventual explanation is not all that satisfying given the build up toward it.
On a final note, there is little progression in the ongoing story arc surrounding the identity of Sebastian's biological father, and this is disappointing and frustrating. It is past time for this particular plotline to come to its conclusion.
In sum, an entertaining addition to the series and I look forward to Sebastian and Hero's next adventure in sleuthing.
terrim21's review against another edition
3.0
i have enjoyed every book in the series. this one, not so much. it just seemed like the motives for killing the victim kept popping up. i think it would have been a cleaner book with less dashing about from suspect to suspect. having said that, i appreciated learning about a part of london's history i wasnt aware of - the freezing of the Thames and the Frost Fair.