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holl3640's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
tracey_stewart's review
4.0
What Angels Fear opens with the murder of a young woman who turns out to be an actress-cum-prostitute (Cyprian - I'd forgotten about that term). At the scene of the crime is found a dueling pistol with the name "St. Cyr" engraved on it - which obviously incriminates Sebastian St. Cyr, young nobleman and rake, who has been a sore disappointment to his father. But Sebastian (SSC) didn't do it, and when the officious twits of the London police force come to arrest him, he is rather indignant, especially when the Beau Brummel-wannabe sergeant mouths off to him. SSC puts the latter in his place, which may have been a bit of a tactical error given the circumstances - and given that the sergeant has a knife and a temper. In the end, the second constable stumbles onto the knife, the sergeant yells that SSC has killed him, and SSC runs for it. At that point his choices are: turn himself in and hope for the best (although the case is strong against him, and whoever else could or would have stabbed the constable?); find a ship to smuggle him to America or somewhere; or stay hidden and try to find the real killer. SSC being SSC, he has no real choice - he has to try to clear his name.
In working to do so, SSC must turn to the woman who broke his heart several years ago, Kat Boleyn, and a doctor friend who provides valuable forensic information; he is also joined by a young boy who starts off trying to pick his pocket and, in the grand tradition of Regency and Victorian novels, becomes his ally. (And of course he's much cleverer than SSC was expecting; I swear I'm tempted to write a book about a street urchin being taken under someone's wing, someone who realizes the boy is at least as intelligent as anyone in society, and educating him and training him to "pass" - and maybe end up in Parliament. I'll call it "My Fair Laddie.") I don't want it to sound like it's Just Another Regency; it has some rather standard plot turns, and I admit I saw the end coming a ways off, but I was enjoying myself so much that didn't care. And I did think the killer was someone else; there were some lovely red herrings.
There was political intrigue - the French, of course, and the mess surrounding the Madness of King George - which usually annoys me, but this was quite well done and well integrated into the plot: it's integral, and more cloak-and-dagger than oh-lord-not-another-worldwide-conspiracy. There was some truly wonderful period detail. And I loved the characters. The supporting cast could easily have been a cast of cliches, but Harris provided enough twists and quirks that those who peopled this novel came quite close to living and breathing. Sebastian St. Cyr is not Mr. Darcy, nor Julian Kestrel, nor William Monk, nor yet Sherlock Holmes, or any of the other dandies or detectives (or both) of gaslit fame; he is himself, damaged by childhood tragedies, a cold father, and heartbreak and war horrors as an adult. I have to admit, I was still in Fantasy mode when I started this, and still thinking it was by the author of supernatural mysteries, so when the narrative started talking about how he could see almost perfectly well in the dark and hear what no one else could I kept expecting a paragraph along the lines of "He caught the scent of blood on the constable's coat, and turned his face away. He had learned to manage his unholy hungers, but since the night he was bitten he lived in constant fear of losing control"... Obviously I was wrong, and I'm glad of it. (It was an odd experience, though...) I loved the book; it wasn't perfect - again, there was really only one way the climactic struggle could end - but it was close enough.
In working to do so, SSC must turn to the woman who broke his heart several years ago, Kat Boleyn, and a doctor friend who provides valuable forensic information; he is also joined by a young boy who starts off trying to pick his pocket and, in the grand tradition of Regency and Victorian novels, becomes his ally. (And of course he's much cleverer than SSC was expecting; I swear I'm tempted to write a book about a street urchin being taken under someone's wing, someone who realizes the boy is at least as intelligent as anyone in society, and educating him and training him to "pass" - and maybe end up in Parliament. I'll call it "My Fair Laddie.") I don't want it to sound like it's Just Another Regency; it has some rather standard plot turns, and I admit I saw the end coming a ways off, but I was enjoying myself so much that didn't care. And I did think the killer was someone else; there were some lovely red herrings.
There was political intrigue - the French, of course, and the mess surrounding the Madness of King George - which usually annoys me, but this was quite well done and well integrated into the plot: it's integral, and more cloak-and-dagger than oh-lord-not-another-worldwide-conspiracy. There was some truly wonderful period detail. And I loved the characters. The supporting cast could easily have been a cast of cliches, but Harris provided enough twists and quirks that those who peopled this novel came quite close to living and breathing. Sebastian St. Cyr is not Mr. Darcy, nor Julian Kestrel, nor William Monk, nor yet Sherlock Holmes, or any of the other dandies or detectives (or both) of gaslit fame; he is himself, damaged by childhood tragedies, a cold father, and heartbreak and war horrors as an adult. I have to admit, I was still in Fantasy mode when I started this, and still thinking it was by the author of supernatural mysteries, so when the narrative started talking about how he could see almost perfectly well in the dark and hear what no one else could I kept expecting a paragraph along the lines of "He caught the scent of blood on the constable's coat, and turned his face away. He had learned to manage his unholy hungers, but since the night he was bitten he lived in constant fear of losing control"... Obviously I was wrong, and I'm glad of it. (It was an odd experience, though...) I loved the book; it wasn't perfect - again, there was really only one way the climactic struggle could end - but it was close enough.
imqs's review
5.0
It was difficult to get into the book, I had to get the ebook version to have an easy reading but after knowing the way things happened everything became more intense.
I think the idea of the killing was a big plus and more if the story is taking part in the old England. Mysteries like Jack the reaper get you involve on wanting to know the culprit. So I was getting disappointed because the protagonist was told the “culprit” but then he finds out that that wasn’t the true and then you get more into it because he comes with it out of the blue and is a total cliffhanger! But that’s how’s supposed to be, right? Lol
So yeah, great start for a mystery series and I’m so excited to read the next books!
I think the idea of the killing was a big plus and more if the story is taking part in the old England. Mysteries like Jack the reaper get you involve on wanting to know the culprit. So I was getting disappointed because the protagonist was told the “culprit” but then he finds out that that wasn’t the true and then you get more into it because he comes with it out of the blue and is a total cliffhanger! But that’s how’s supposed to be, right? Lol
So yeah, great start for a mystery series and I’m so excited to read the next books!
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick enjoyable read.
A young, war scarred lord is accused of murder and while attempting to clear his name there is plenty of action, delving into his personal history and a little romance.
No surprises with the plot or characters, the mystery was okay and writing was good.
A young, war scarred lord is accused of murder and while attempting to clear his name there is plenty of action, delving into his personal history and a little romance.
No surprises with the plot or characters, the mystery was okay and writing was good.
gabmtl's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
justasking27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Rape
kavasghost's review
Dnf. It was alright but I’m really not in the mood for this kind of book. It’s too bleak and depressing right now
novelesque_life's review
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
Wow, I started this series 5 years ago and I still remember some of the scenes so vividly in my mind. I am very late to the review game, which is not something unusual for me. I have the best of intentions and try to be organize, but some other book beckons to be read. You can never say no to another journey ahead. I would not have even picked up this book if it was not picked for a group read. It was one of the series we were all going to start together. I am so happy it was chosen as it has become one of my favourites. The first novel was so well done! Often, first novels in mystery series, tend to get bogged down in too much information in building their world. I totally get that so try and push my way to the next book where the mystery has more time to shine. I have to say, the descriptions of time and place with character studies was one of my favourite things about this book. Sebastian is one of those characters that are flawed in some ways, but is basically a good person. The cards he is dealt, including being a suspect in a brutal murder, you understand his brooding ways. If you have not started this series, you are in for a great treat, and there is plenty to catch up on. This is a series I know at some point I will reread, and mostly like try it on audio if I can find it. This is a gritty historical mystery - so it is for fans of suspense thrillers and historical fiction.
Wow, I started this series 5 years ago and I still remember some of the scenes so vividly in my mind. I am very late to the review game, which is not something unusual for me. I have the best of intentions and try to be organize, but some other book beckons to be read. You can never say no to another journey ahead. I would not have even picked up this book if it was not picked for a group read. It was one of the series we were all going to start together. I am so happy it was chosen as it has become one of my favourites. The first novel was so well done! Often, first novels in mystery series, tend to get bogged down in too much information in building their world. I totally get that so try and push my way to the next book where the mystery has more time to shine. I have to say, the descriptions of time and place with character studies was one of my favourite things about this book. Sebastian is one of those characters that are flawed in some ways, but is basically a good person. The cards he is dealt, including being a suspect in a brutal murder, you understand his brooding ways. If you have not started this series, you are in for a great treat, and there is plenty to catch up on. This is a series I know at some point I will reread, and mostly like try it on audio if I can find it. This is a gritty historical mystery - so it is for fans of suspense thrillers and historical fiction.
seriouslybookish's review
3.0
3.75 stars.
A fantastic introduction to the series.
From my years of reading I’ve come expect the first books in the series is not going to be great. As long as it’s good, it usually is a sign for good things to come.
With this book I found that I enjoyed the book a lot more than I was expecting. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and their stories. But most of all the plot kept me engaged. I thought it was going to be a character driven book but the plot took more time than I expected.
It was a great read but a tad long. I was bored on some parts and found that I didn’t care for the romance. (Sebastian and Kat won’t really last, I five think).
A fantastic introduction to the series.
From my years of reading I’ve come expect the first books in the series is not going to be great. As long as it’s good, it usually is a sign for good things to come.
With this book I found that I enjoyed the book a lot more than I was expecting. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and their stories. But most of all the plot kept me engaged. I thought it was going to be a character driven book but the plot took more time than I expected.
It was a great read but a tad long. I was bored on some parts and found that I didn’t care for the romance. (Sebastian and Kat won’t really last, I five think).