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bethanyread's review
5.0
Great book! Liked the mystery in this one. Enjoyed seeing Simon and Hero again. Interesting learning more about the middle class and seamen in this time. Recommend
fluffyturtle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
cyireadbooks's review
3.0
Sebastian St. Cyr is a nobleman turned investigator. He is called upon by his friend to investigate a brutal murder that has all the makings of earlier crimes that occurred three years before. What was thought to be a closed case turns out to be otherwise. That perhaps an innocent man went to prison for crimes that he didn’t commit. Was he framed? And to what extent did government corruption play a role?
Crafted in the same vein as Sherlock Holmes, What the Devil Knows is a classic whodunnit where the reader joins Sebastian in the investigation process — interviews with witnesses, crime scene investigations, and attending autopsy examinations. It is a solid read with a well developed plot that the reader can follow and gather clues.
What the Devil Knows was an enjoyable novel. However, I felt as though there was a slight language barrier. Old English terminology coupled with the vernacular of that period tested my enjoyment. And being that this novel is the 16th installment, a new reader like myself may find the character development lacking. But, that lack of development could be attributed to the fact that the main characters have already been established in the earlier novels.
Overall, What the Devil Knows was a satisfying novel and a good fit for fans of historical fiction mixed with mystery. I’ve rated it three likable stars.
I received a digital ARC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Crafted in the same vein as Sherlock Holmes, What the Devil Knows is a classic whodunnit where the reader joins Sebastian in the investigation process — interviews with witnesses, crime scene investigations, and attending autopsy examinations. It is a solid read with a well developed plot that the reader can follow and gather clues.
What the Devil Knows was an enjoyable novel. However, I felt as though there was a slight language barrier. Old English terminology coupled with the vernacular of that period tested my enjoyment. And being that this novel is the 16th installment, a new reader like myself may find the character development lacking. But, that lack of development could be attributed to the fact that the main characters have already been established in the earlier novels.
Overall, What the Devil Knows was a satisfying novel and a good fit for fans of historical fiction mixed with mystery. I’ve rated it three likable stars.
I received a digital ARC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
novelesque_life's review
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
2021; Berkley
It's October 1814, and the war with France is over. As the diplomats are convening for plans for the future, a magistrate is found dead in alley in a "seedy" area. As Sebastian and Lovejoy start to investigate the murder, they spot similarities to two murders from 1811. A seaman, John Williams, was arrested for the brutal murders of two entire families. Before he is tried in court, he is found dead in cell. While some believe he hung himself, others believed he was murdered to cover up the true murder's identity. If Williams wasn't the killer, who was...and is he back?
I have to say, I love the scenes between Sebastian, Hero and Simon. It's great seeing them as parents and how they interact with him. Things have changed yet they are both very devoted to their work. They are not really down time people. Also, in this novel we see how Hero feels about her father remarrying, and her real feels about cousin Victoria (who I, spoiler alert, cannot stand!). I don't want to give away spoilers, but the ending just had me longing for the next book. I have so many feels, and will come back to them in a future review. If you have not read the series yet, PLEASE add this one to your list!! You will not regret it. I will say that it is gritty and at times too realistic, so maybe it's not for everyone. I love the dark twisty realism of the time and cannot say enough good things about this series as a whole. I will say if you can, please read in order of publication, as the character growth, and series arcs will make better sense. I tried to keep the last few books as a holdback for when I know I need a guaranteed good book, but it's been hard. But I am glad I did as I really needed this month.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss & NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; Berkley
It's October 1814, and the war with France is over. As the diplomats are convening for plans for the future, a magistrate is found dead in alley in a "seedy" area. As Sebastian and Lovejoy start to investigate the murder, they spot similarities to two murders from 1811. A seaman, John Williams, was arrested for the brutal murders of two entire families. Before he is tried in court, he is found dead in cell. While some believe he hung himself, others believed he was murdered to cover up the true murder's identity. If Williams wasn't the killer, who was...and is he back?
I have to say, I love the scenes between Sebastian, Hero and Simon. It's great seeing them as parents and how they interact with him. Things have changed yet they are both very devoted to their work. They are not really down time people. Also, in this novel we see how Hero feels about her father remarrying, and her real feels about cousin Victoria (who I, spoiler alert, cannot stand!). I don't want to give away spoilers, but the ending just had me longing for the next book. I have so many feels, and will come back to them in a future review. If you have not read the series yet, PLEASE add this one to your list!! You will not regret it. I will say that it is gritty and at times too realistic, so maybe it's not for everyone. I love the dark twisty realism of the time and cannot say enough good things about this series as a whole. I will say if you can, please read in order of publication, as the character growth, and series arcs will make better sense. I tried to keep the last few books as a holdback for when I know I need a guaranteed good book, but it's been hard. But I am glad I did as I really needed this month.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss & NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
aquarius_babies's review
4.0
16 books in and the quality has not slipped. If you like audiobooks, Davina Porter is amazing. The book is obviously very well researched and I enjoyed the author's note at the end.
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
What the Devil Knows is the 16th Sebastian St. Cyr mystery by C. S. Harris. Due out 6th April 2021 from Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is consistently one of my very favorite ongoing historical mystery series and they always go directly to the top of my TBR list when they come out. The author is adept at writing tightly plotted intelligent mysteries full of pathos and interesting characters from all social strata of Regency London (and environs). All the action occurs against a backdrop of real and fictional political machinations and corrupt dealings alongside consistently believable and well engineered denouements and resolutions.
I love seeing Hero, her husband Sebastian, manservant Calhoun, and even their carriage tiger, Tom interacting and growing together along with the newest scion of the family tree, young Simon. Although it's the latest of 16 books in the series, it works quite well as a standalone and new readers won't have any trouble following the story. There are developments over the length of the series, so they do read better in order; but it's not absolutely necessary.
Five stars, a worthy addition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
What the Devil Knows is the 16th Sebastian St. Cyr mystery by C. S. Harris. Due out 6th April 2021 from Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is consistently one of my very favorite ongoing historical mystery series and they always go directly to the top of my TBR list when they come out. The author is adept at writing tightly plotted intelligent mysteries full of pathos and interesting characters from all social strata of Regency London (and environs). All the action occurs against a backdrop of real and fictional political machinations and corrupt dealings alongside consistently believable and well engineered denouements and resolutions.
I love seeing Hero, her husband Sebastian, manservant Calhoun, and even their carriage tiger, Tom interacting and growing together along with the newest scion of the family tree, young Simon. Although it's the latest of 16 books in the series, it works quite well as a standalone and new readers won't have any trouble following the story. There are developments over the length of the series, so they do read better in order; but it's not absolutely necessary.
Five stars, a worthy addition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
lizzy_22's review
4.0
Excellent, sad to wait a year for the next especially when it ends in such an intriguing place. Can I just say that I have the biggest girl crush on Hero. Just love her to pieces..wish there were longer 'scenes' with her and Devlin, felt like they were apart the whole novel.
bags_and_bookz's review
4.0
Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and C.S. harris for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.
This was my first book in the series I have read and I did not feel lost in the plot or characters. The author takes time to make the newbies to get accustomed to Viscount and his family with a few flashbacks to the past.
The novel is set in Regency England in early 1800 and the story is based on true events. Viscount Devlin arrives at the gruesome murder scene that is possibly connected to the Ratcliffe Murders 3 years prior. He is to help the magistrate to solve the mystery.
A page turner that keeps the readers on the edge. You want to keep reading to get to the truth. The set up and language make you feel transported to the Regency England and it has a special charm to the novel. However, I felt there a bit too many characters and sometimes I felt lost. On the other hand, C.S. Harris revealed the complicated corrupted system of magistrates and wealthier brewers in early 1800s and it was truly interesting to read.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. It came right in time for me. I was slowly sliding into the reading slump and What The Devil Know easily put me out of it.
This was my first book in the series I have read and I did not feel lost in the plot or characters. The author takes time to make the newbies to get accustomed to Viscount and his family with a few flashbacks to the past.
The novel is set in Regency England in early 1800 and the story is based on true events. Viscount Devlin arrives at the gruesome murder scene that is possibly connected to the Ratcliffe Murders 3 years prior. He is to help the magistrate to solve the mystery.
A page turner that keeps the readers on the edge. You want to keep reading to get to the truth. The set up and language make you feel transported to the Regency England and it has a special charm to the novel. However, I felt there a bit too many characters and sometimes I felt lost. On the other hand, C.S. Harris revealed the complicated corrupted system of magistrates and wealthier brewers in early 1800s and it was truly interesting to read.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. It came right in time for me. I was slowly sliding into the reading slump and What The Devil Know easily put me out of it.
natcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think this might be my favourite of this series. I really appreciated the sort-of-twist that finding out the solution to the murders wasn't a triumph, and was actually a real downer! And that the resolution was really... very unresolved, with the wealthy continuing to get away with literal murder. This book nailed its own themes really well, and it's unforgiving depiction of how awful and sad life could be in the 1800s was really well done.
I also appreciated that Devlin's life wasn't a ridiculous soap-opera in this book (hurrah!), and that Hero got her own plot beats and emotions happening. And as always the series is well researched and conjures up a very different time very well.
My one wish would have been that Hendon (Devlin's dad) and Paul Gibson had had bigger parts, as I do enjoy them a lot.as characters.
I also appreciated that Devlin's life wasn't a ridiculous soap-opera in this book (hurrah!), and that Hero got her own plot beats and emotions happening. And as always the series is well researched and conjures up a very different time very well.
My one wish would have been that Hendon (Devlin's dad) and Paul Gibson had had bigger parts, as I do enjoy them a lot.as characters.
maeilis's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25