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bliss_books's review
4.0
This wasn't exactly a page turner for me; I was able to set it down and walk away without too much difficulty until the last 20% or so. There were some times when I wondered if it wouldn't have benefited from being just a wee bit shorter, maybe cut out one back-and-forth with a suspect. I also got annoyed that he kept going to talk to people and immediately told them everything he knew and his suspicions about their part in it all.
mariannehdonley's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent Regency Murder Mystery.
I enjoyed the story, the setting, and the character of Devin. C. S. Harris weaves a fine tale of mystery and suspense. I’m looking forward to more of these books.
I enjoyed the story, the setting, and the character of Devin. C. S. Harris weaves a fine tale of mystery and suspense. I’m looking forward to more of these books.
karen62's review against another edition
5.0
It took so long to get this book from the library, there were so many holds for a book that's 15 years old. But now I see why, this book has everything - Regency England, a gentleman- St Cyr - accused of a hideous crime who has to prove his innocence who just happens to have heightened hearing and vision (like a superhero! but turns out it's genetic as the author explains at the end), lots and lots of action, and a street urchin turned assistant. This book takes place when Mad King George is about to lose his power to his son Prinny and the Whigs and Tories are fighting to gain control which is part of the reason everyone want St Cyr to be found guilty. I wanted to read this book slow so I could savor it but at the same time wanted to read it fast so I could find out what was going to happen next. Now I know when I get the next one in the series to not start it until I have plenty of time!
vicrine's review against another edition
2.0
2/10 I lost interest after he said friendly neighbourhood smuggler.
It was like when Bones loses her shit and goes on the run all they time and wears wigs. Why??? Just stay still!!
It was like when Bones loses her shit and goes on the run all they time and wears wigs. Why??? Just stay still!!
misscandice's review against another edition
3.0
It was a bit over the top but good enough that I will start on book 2 in the series.
gaderianne's review against another edition
4.0
Wow - I quite liked this one a lot....surprisingly so. I read it thinking it would be another mindless historical romance with a touch of mystery. I was pleasantly surprised. I don't typically like mystery/suspense, but this was a great combination of mystery, history, and romance that kept me reading (and guessing). My only complaint was that I thought St. Cyr kept revisiting the same characters over and over. And while they kept giving him new information it was obvious that they weren't the killer. I also didn't like the main female "lead" although I am interested to see where the author takes her storyline in the next book. I'm going to keep on reading this series and see if I like the others as much as I liked this one!
ayodelepearce's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
katwinty's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a love affair with Regency England. The language of the book is descriptive and romantic. I loved the main character, and the story kept me on my toes. I’m not usually a mystery reader but have already picked up the second novel in the Sebastian St. Cyr series to read. Really enjoyed this one.
cammmiam's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5 stars.
This is such a difficult book for me to discuss! Due to my bad habit of reading a series out of order (I have previously read books 7 and 8) I am already familiar with these characters and could have a much different opinion on the first book in the series than what new readers might have. So I suppose this review should be read with that knowledge in mind.
For me, being able to travel back to Sebastian's origin story was a treat. The author has created such wonderful characters to illustrate her stories and to see how all of them have come together along with being given a foundation so that I might gauge character growth was fantastic. Because I am a reader that loves to see character growth in a series.
As for the mystery, I have once again been provided with the most attractive aspect of this series. Harris always manages to give her readers a complex mystery! And as of so far I have always been kept guessing the identity of the villain, which is everything I want from a mystery book. In comparison with the two mysteries I have encountered from the latter books in the series this one was not as glorious, but it was still very good and it makes me excited as a reader to know that the author gets better and better at creating a mystery as the series goes on. If you are interested in historical mysteries then this is the perfect series for you.
This is such a difficult book for me to discuss! Due to my bad habit of reading a series out of order (I have previously read books 7 and 8) I am already familiar with these characters and could have a much different opinion on the first book in the series than what new readers might have. So I suppose this review should be read with that knowledge in mind.
For me, being able to travel back to Sebastian's origin story was a treat. The author has created such wonderful characters to illustrate her stories and to see how all of them have come together along with being given a foundation so that I might gauge character growth was fantastic. Because I am a reader that loves to see character growth in a series.
As for the mystery, I have once again been provided with the most attractive aspect of this series. Harris always manages to give her readers a complex mystery! And as of so far I have always been kept guessing the identity of the villain, which is everything I want from a mystery book. In comparison with the two mysteries I have encountered from the latter books in the series this one was not as glorious, but it was still very good and it makes me excited as a reader to know that the author gets better and better at creating a mystery as the series goes on. If you are interested in historical mysteries then this is the perfect series for you.
berls's review against another edition
3.5
Ultimately I liked this one but I did find myself distracted and maybe a bit confused due to so many characters.