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iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
4.0
The young wife of an aging marquis is found murdered in the arms of the Prince Regent. Around her neck lies a necklace said to have been worn by Druid priestesses-that is, until it was lost at sea with its last owner, Sebastian St. Cyr's mother. Now Sebastian is lured into a dangerous investigation of the marchioness's death-and his mother's uncertain fate.
As he edges closer to the truth-and one murder follows another-he confronts a conspiracy that imperils those nearest him and threatens to bring down the monarchy.
**
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Fans of quality historical suspense who mourn the end of the late Kate Ross's Julian Kestrel mysteries and the late Bruce Alexander's Sir John Fielding novels should find solace in the work of promising newcomer Harris, whose series (beginning with 2005's What Angels Fear) is set in Regency England. The ability of Harris's detective, Sebastian St. Cyr, the Viscount Devlin, to mingle freely with the cream of society leads to his receiving a highly sensitive commission. Given the perilous state of the English monarchy in 1811, the discovery of the dissolute Prince Regent with a murder victim in his arms makes the death of the beautiful young wife of an aristocrat even more scandalous. St. Cyr is charged by the powers that be with solving the crime and absolving the royal suspect. The author deftly combines political intrigue, cleverly concealed clues and vivid characters for a fast-moving story that will have readers eagerly anticipating future volumes in the series. (Nov.)
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Review
Praise for the Sebastian St. Cyr Series
"Best historical thriller writer in the business! Sebastian St. Cyr is…uncannily clever, unwaveringly reserved, and irresistibly sexy. The entire series is simply elegant.”—New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner
“Deftly combines political intrigue, cleverly concealed clues and vivid characters.”—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“A crescendo of suspense and surprise.”—Library Journal (Starred Review)
“Thoroughly enjoyable…kept me enthralled.”—Deanna Raybourn
“A ripping read...captivated me to the final page.”—Will Thomas
“Harris crafts her story with the threat of danger, hints of humor, vivid sex scenes, and a conclusion that will make your pulse race.”—The New Orleans Times-Picayune
“Harris delves deep into the mores of Regency England…”—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
mamap's review against another edition
4.0
Sebastian is discovering things about himself as he works to uncover the murderer of a young wife found in the arms of the Prince and wearing a necklace that supposedly was drowned with his mother.
I care.
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
4.0
garnetofeden's review
4.0
Rating reviewed 12/26/2022.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
I won book 10 in this series 2 years ago and liked it enough that I decided to go back and read more of the series. This is book 2 in the series. Sebastian St Cyr, Viscount Devlin(the British do like titles!!) is called in to investigate the death of Lady Anglessey. He has previously successfully solved a murder in book 1 and now, Lord Jarvis, a powerful behind the scenes kind of guy, asks Devlin to investigate. Lady Anglessey was found dead in the Prince Regent's drawing room. Jarvis worries that if the Prince is suspected of murder, there could be a revolt. The Prince was enormously unpopular in June 1811 and there was fear of a Jacobite rebellion in Georgian England.
Devlin agrees to investigate when he learns that his mother's necklace was found on the dead woman. Devlin's mother was presumed drowned many years before. Devlin starts asking questions and soon he is attacked by hired killers. He does solve the mystery, but not before many twists and turns. Although the story is fiction, there was a necklace just like the one described in the book in real life. At one time it was owned by an ancestor of the author.
The author has some social commentary in the book, pointing out the crushing poverty endured by millions in Britain at this time and contrasting it with the excessive consumption of the wealthy class. There is a comment that Britain is ruled by the "Upper Ten Thousand."
One quote on Brighton: "The next morning dawned cool, with a fine mist that drifted in from the sea in heavy, salt laden patches of white swirling dampness to collect between the rows of tall, stately town houses and in the narrow winding alleyways of the Lanes."
This is an excellent series for historical fiction fans.
meganstreb's review against another edition
4.0
Poor Georgie Porgie.
katwinty's review against another edition
4.0