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constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for a well written historical mystery. I won a book in this series 3 years ago and liked it enough that I am reading the rest of the books in the series. Sebastian St Cyr has gained a reputation for solving murders in the previous 4 books in this series. He is approached by his aunt and the Archbishop of Canterbury for his expertise. They want him to solve the murder of the Bishop of London, who was mentioned as a successor to the Archbishop himself. Sebastian is reluctant to get involved, pointing out that a dozen people died that last time he investigated a murder. But the Archbishop and his aunt have combined to ask this of him, and he cannot turn down his dear aunt.
Sebastian does solve the murder, but not before he is attacked and nearly killed several times. I have noticed that this is a recurring theme in these books, i.e. Sebastian is always attacked and nearly killed, but always manages to survive.
While I recommend reading these books, I also recommend reading them in order, as there are developing relationships that progress through the series.
One quote on weather: "The next morning dawned heavily overcast and blustery, with an unseasonably chill north wind that whistled in the chimneys and sent trash scuttling down the streets."
Sebastian does solve the murder, but not before he is attacked and nearly killed several times. I have noticed that this is a recurring theme in these books, i.e. Sebastian is always attacked and nearly killed, but always manages to survive.
While I recommend reading these books, I also recommend reading them in order, as there are developing relationships that progress through the series.
One quote on weather: "The next morning dawned heavily overcast and blustery, with an unseasonably chill north wind that whistled in the chimneys and sent trash scuttling down the streets."
cammmiam's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, the mystery Sebastian St. Cyr must unravel in What Remains of Heaven is well-done. However, the real intrigue of this installment of the series, from my perspective, comes from what is further learned about the secrets in Sebastian’s family.
Lie after lie has continued to pile up for the near-thirty years of the Viscount’s life, but he has begun to peel away at the veneer that has always been heavily placed over the surface. Now his relationships with those closest to him make sense, as do the memories he has retained since childhood. The mysteries will always be a heavy draw for this series, yet I would argue that the main interest in myself as a reader relies on the man at the heart of every investigation.
Beyond matters within the St. Cyr family, the previous book had begun to show the sparks of chemistry and the potential of a partnership between Sebastian and Hero Jarvis, and their relationship must come to a head sooner or later with the repercussions of their actions. This is the fifth book in the series and it still feels as if there are so many different avenues to explore when it comes to Sebastian’s personal life. If the series can continue in this vein then it is unlikely it will ever grow stale, which should come as a comfort to the readers.
Lie after lie has continued to pile up for the near-thirty years of the Viscount’s life, but he has begun to peel away at the veneer that has always been heavily placed over the surface. Now his relationships with those closest to him make sense, as do the memories he has retained since childhood. The mysteries will always be a heavy draw for this series, yet I would argue that the main interest in myself as a reader relies on the man at the heart of every investigation.
Beyond matters within the St. Cyr family, the previous book had begun to show the sparks of chemistry and the potential of a partnership between Sebastian and Hero Jarvis, and their relationship must come to a head sooner or later with the repercussions of their actions. This is the fifth book in the series and it still feels as if there are so many different avenues to explore when it comes to Sebastian’s personal life. If the series can continue in this vein then it is unlikely it will ever grow stale, which should come as a comfort to the readers.
maferg01's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book very quickly once I got into it. CS Harris once again has delivered a great, fast paced novel that delivered suspenseful mystery that I could't put down. Sabastian and Hero work well as opposites and it will be rrewarding to see what happens in the next novel.
snakeling's review against another edition
4.0
This investigation lays out bare a lot of secrets, some of which concern Devlin himself, straining once again his relationship with his father. The characters and their relationships are the stars of this book: I cared less for the mystery than for the advancement of the main characters' arcs. (It's still a good mystery; it's just that I'm invested in the characters more!)
deballen21's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable series which I'll keep reading. Lots of mystery to still unravel about St Cyr's background.
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
This series has done several things right from the start. I admit to being no expert on 18th century London (or 18th century anywhere for that matter), but this series has always felt "right" to me in terms of bringing the time period to life, with all of its sights, sounds, and smells. Sometimes very vivid smells. *wink* That said, my investment in this series sky rocketed with the last book (book 4), [b:Where Serpents Sleep|3142581|Where Serpents Sleep (Sebastian St. Cyr, #4)|C.S. Harris|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1389211885s/3142581.jpg|3174048], with the elevation of Hero Jarvis as a character to be reckoned with. Now I love Sebastian as well, and have since book one. He's smart, dashing, dangerous, and sexy but he's needed a woman who could well and truly hold her own against him. For my money, that woman is Hero. So yes, while this series works quite well as a historical mystery, I'm not going to lie...I'm in this for Sebastian and Hero now.
This book picks up roughly two months after book four and finds Sebastian drawn into trying to solve two murders, 30 years apart, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his own Aunt Henrietta, the Duchess of Claiborne. I love Aunt Henrietta and I wish there was more of her in each book. She's a take-no-prisoners type of woman, a grand dame of high society, and she gives Sebastian the type of advice that he sorely needs to hear even when he doesn't want to hear it. I totally picture Maggie Smith a la the Dowager Duchess from Downton Abbey in my head when I read her parts. But I digress.
In the course of solving the latest murders, Sebastian unwittingly stumbles upon some pretty significant information about his past and his family. It's nothing that will come as a shock to readers as this reveal has been pretty well telegraphed since the first book still, it is interesting to read about Sebastian coming into this knowledge and how it upends his world. Some things are cleared up with the reveal but it also shakes the already fragile relationship between Sebastian and his father, the Earl of Hendon. Along with Sebastian and Hero, this father-son relationship is one I am also strongly rooting for, despite Hendon's wrong choices.
Kat continues to make the odd, but brief, appearance or two but I get the sense that she is going to be in rear view mirror from here on out at least as far as the major story arc goes. I just can't see that her character offers anything to the story, or to Sebastian, that can't be provided by one of the other characters. She does try to encourage the father-son relationship so I give her props for that.
But my most favorite bits were those that dealt with Hero...and with Sebastian trying to deal with Hero, lol. Hero is preoccupied with figuring out just how she is going to deal with some very real consequences stemming from the last book. Because if anyone can find a way, she can. Meanwhile, Sebastian spends his "free" time chasing her down from one London hot spot to another in his efforts to figure out the truth he is sure she is hiding. And all the while, there is the definite sense that while Hero exasperates and frustrates him, and he her, an attraction is growing as well as, perhaps, respect and a better understanding.
He had always thought of her as a formidable, intelligent woman of extraordinary courage and fortitude. But now, standing stiff-backed in the afternoon sunlight streaming in through the garden window, she looked suddenly vulnerable, and maybe a little afraid."
Bring on the next book!
**Re-read it in February 2014 and loved Sebastian and Hero just as much**
This book picks up roughly two months after book four and finds Sebastian drawn into trying to solve two murders, 30 years apart, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his own Aunt Henrietta, the Duchess of Claiborne. I love Aunt Henrietta and I wish there was more of her in each book. She's a take-no-prisoners type of woman, a grand dame of high society, and she gives Sebastian the type of advice that he sorely needs to hear even when he doesn't want to hear it. I totally picture Maggie Smith a la the Dowager Duchess from Downton Abbey in my head when I read her parts. But I digress.
In the course of solving the latest murders, Sebastian unwittingly stumbles upon some pretty significant information about his past and his family. It's nothing that will come as a shock to readers as this reveal has been pretty well telegraphed since the first book still, it is interesting to read about Sebastian coming into this knowledge and how it upends his world. Some things are cleared up with the reveal but it also shakes the already fragile relationship between Sebastian and his father, the Earl of Hendon. Along with Sebastian and Hero, this father-son relationship is one I am also strongly rooting for, despite Hendon's wrong choices.
Kat continues to make the odd, but brief, appearance or two but I get the sense that she is going to be in rear view mirror from here on out at least as far as the major story arc goes. I just can't see that her character offers anything to the story, or to Sebastian, that can't be provided by one of the other characters. She does try to encourage the father-son relationship so I give her props for that.
But my most favorite bits were those that dealt with Hero...and with Sebastian trying to deal with Hero, lol. Hero is preoccupied with figuring out just how she is going to deal with some very real consequences stemming from the last book. Because if anyone can find a way, she can. Meanwhile, Sebastian spends his "free" time chasing her down from one London hot spot to another in his efforts to figure out the truth he is sure she is hiding. And all the while, there is the definite sense that while Hero exasperates and frustrates him, and he her, an attraction is growing as well as, perhaps, respect and a better understanding.
He had always thought of her as a formidable, intelligent woman of extraordinary courage and fortitude. But now, standing stiff-backed in the afternoon sunlight streaming in through the garden window, she looked suddenly vulnerable, and maybe a little afraid."
Bring on the next book!
**Re-read it in February 2014 and loved Sebastian and Hero just as much**
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
Reread! Loved it just as much. My original review here.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
I love the cover for book five, and it has definitely caught my eye at the library once or twice. The story, however, is a bit more fuzzy in my mind. I do remember Benjamin Franklin's son is this story, and there was a body found that was from historical times. I did rate this title four stars so it must have been a great mystery, but I do wish now, I wrote the review after reading it, lol.
I love the cover for book five, and it has definitely caught my eye at the library once or twice. The story, however, is a bit more fuzzy in my mind. I do remember Benjamin Franklin's son is this story, and there was a body found that was from historical times. I did rate this title four stars so it must have been a great mystery, but I do wish now, I wrote the review after reading it, lol.
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
4.0
I’m on break so I’ve just been flying thorough these book.
This book was nothing short of great. I really enjoyed the plot and especially the dialogue. I cannot wait for Hero and Sebastian to finally get together.
Can you imagine Hero, Sebastian, Lord Jarvis and Hendon at the dinner table? I think they’d be very entertaining.
This was so much interesting. I hope Sebastian will begin to our Kat begins him and move on.
Also I can’t wait for Tom to grow older. Sebastian will have his hands full no doubt.
This book was nothing short of great. I really enjoyed the plot and especially the dialogue. I cannot wait for Hero and Sebastian to finally get together.
Can you imagine Hero, Sebastian, Lord Jarvis and Hendon at the dinner table? I think they’d be very entertaining.
This was so much interesting. I hope Sebastian will begin to our Kat begins him and move on.
Also I can’t wait for Tom to grow older. Sebastian will have his hands full no doubt.