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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
The first in a mystery series taking place in 1800's London. The plot itself was a decent one, but the characters felt overdrawn and a bit cliched. The mysterious girl was a bit too mysterious, the dashing hero almost having super human powers. The result took a bit of the immersion away from what one normally finds in the historical mystery.
I'll give the next book in the series a shot, but I don't believe that this series is going to make it into my regular rotation.
I'll give the next book in the series a shot, but I don't believe that this series is going to make it into my regular rotation.
A fantastic novel of murder and intrigue. Filled with so many twists and turns that you never knew where you were going to end up or which mysterious character you'd meet up with next.
What Angels Fear had everything that should be expected in a historical mystery: chases, sword fighting, disguises and of course, murder.
Every suspect seemed to have something to hide and I was completely off in my conclusion. I did not see the end coming and the murderer was totally unexpected.
With a host of off-beat characters and a backdrop set in the beginning of the Regency, this looks to be a good start in what I hope is a great series of mystery novels.
What Angels Fear had everything that should be expected in a historical mystery: chases, sword fighting, disguises and of course, murder.
Every suspect seemed to have something to hide and I was completely off in my conclusion. I did not see the end coming and the murderer was totally unexpected.
With a host of off-beat characters and a backdrop set in the beginning of the Regency, this looks to be a good start in what I hope is a great series of mystery novels.
I couldn't finish this book, which is rare enough for me. It's unfortunate because I was so excited to read it. The plot sounded right up my alley.
It started out strong, with a very gripping incident but just puttered out under a burden of dull, pseudo-mysterious characters with duller thought lives. It has so much potential! Under a great editor, this book could shine!
The prose read like a bad romance novel that tried to upgrade to mystery novel. All telling and no showing. It struck me as something written by a teenager at the very start of their writing career.
The accent given to Tom, the street urchin, was distracting and farcical. There is a right way and a wrong way to write accents, and C. S. Harris did it wrong.
I only got to chapter twelve before I couldn't stomach anymore. I wanted to like it, but the prose was much too distracting.
It started out strong, with a very gripping incident but just puttered out under a burden of dull, pseudo-mysterious characters with duller thought lives. It has so much potential! Under a great editor, this book could shine!
The prose read like a bad romance novel that tried to upgrade to mystery novel. All telling and no showing. It struck me as something written by a teenager at the very start of their writing career.
The accent given to Tom, the street urchin, was distracting and farcical. There is a right way and a wrong way to write accents, and C. S. Harris did it wrong.
I only got to chapter twelve before I couldn't stomach anymore. I wanted to like it, but the prose was much too distracting.
#CBR11 Bingo: And So It Begins
I like a historical mystery. I've read so many of them, but most, unless you include the Hercule Poirot books, are about lady sleuths. Amelia Peabody, Lady Julia Grey, Lady Emily, Veronica Speedwell and most recently, the Lady Sherlock books. I've known about the Sebastian St. Cyr books for ages, and kept wondering about them, but never got round to starting the series. I'm really making an effort this year to read TBR books that I actually own, though, and since this had been on my digital bookshelves since 2015(!) and fit into several of my reading challenges, it felt like it was time to give a male detective a chance. That it then also fitted into the Cannonball Read Bingo card was an added bonus.
Of course, the main problem of me reviewing this nearly three months after finishing it, is that I no longer very clearly recall what I thought while I was reading it (I need to get much better about taking notes to help me with my reviews) and a lot of the finer plot details also now escape me. I do remember that the book starts with the grisly murder (post death sexual assault, because murder clearly wouldn't be horrible enough) of a beautiful actress who is blackmailing someone. Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is believed to be the killer and is immediately wanted by the authorities.
Obviously, St. Cyr is very invested in clearing his name, and fairly quickly comes to believe that someone in his family is the likely culprit instead. Could it be his father? His wastrel nephew? His supercilious brother in law? Or someone who just wants to get St. Cyr out of the way? As the investigation continues (with St. Cyr on the run), there are other women who turn up dead. While trying to solve the case and clear his name, St. Cyr ends up more or less adopting a young and resourceful street urchin who helps him, and reconnects with a former lover, the beautiful actress Kat Boleyn.
While I don't remember all too much about the finer details now, I did enjoy the story while I was reading, and will absolutely be checking out more books in the series. One of the benefits of starting a series late in the game, is that there are a lot of books to look forward to. As far as I can see, there are currently 14 books so far about the dashing Viscount (I certainly hope he isn't the main suspect in each book), so I have a lot of catching up to do.
Judging a book by its cover: It's not a great cover. A scowling man in period gear against a blurry, possibly foggy background. I'm not sure if the cover model is supposed to be our hero, I certainly imagined Sebastian more handsome and less sullen than this. I think historical mysteries with lady detectives have better cover art, generally.
I like a historical mystery. I've read so many of them, but most, unless you include the Hercule Poirot books, are about lady sleuths. Amelia Peabody, Lady Julia Grey, Lady Emily, Veronica Speedwell and most recently, the Lady Sherlock books. I've known about the Sebastian St. Cyr books for ages, and kept wondering about them, but never got round to starting the series. I'm really making an effort this year to read TBR books that I actually own, though, and since this had been on my digital bookshelves since 2015(!) and fit into several of my reading challenges, it felt like it was time to give a male detective a chance. That it then also fitted into the Cannonball Read Bingo card was an added bonus.
Of course, the main problem of me reviewing this nearly three months after finishing it, is that I no longer very clearly recall what I thought while I was reading it (I need to get much better about taking notes to help me with my reviews) and a lot of the finer plot details also now escape me. I do remember that the book starts with the grisly murder (post death sexual assault, because murder clearly wouldn't be horrible enough) of a beautiful actress who is blackmailing someone. Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is believed to be the killer and is immediately wanted by the authorities.
Obviously, St. Cyr is very invested in clearing his name, and fairly quickly comes to believe that someone in his family is the likely culprit instead. Could it be his father? His wastrel nephew? His supercilious brother in law? Or someone who just wants to get St. Cyr out of the way? As the investigation continues (with St. Cyr on the run), there are other women who turn up dead. While trying to solve the case and clear his name, St. Cyr ends up more or less adopting a young and resourceful street urchin who helps him, and reconnects with a former lover, the beautiful actress Kat Boleyn.
While I don't remember all too much about the finer details now, I did enjoy the story while I was reading, and will absolutely be checking out more books in the series. One of the benefits of starting a series late in the game, is that there are a lot of books to look forward to. As far as I can see, there are currently 14 books so far about the dashing Viscount (I certainly hope he isn't the main suspect in each book), so I have a lot of catching up to do.
Judging a book by its cover: It's not a great cover. A scowling man in period gear against a blurry, possibly foggy background. I'm not sure if the cover model is supposed to be our hero, I certainly imagined Sebastian more handsome and less sullen than this. I think historical mysteries with lady detectives have better cover art, generally.
This was a solid and well-written mystery, and the author did an admirable job of recreating the dreary and grim side of Regency London. Sebastian St. Cyr is an appealing hero, a man with plenty of flaws and hidden secrets that keep you guessing. I look forward to reading the next book.
This was a surprisingly good bit a fun. I'd tried to read it once before and couldn't get into so I'm happy I managed it this time. What originally drew me to this series is the time period. Regency England isn't usually on the top of the list for a mystery story. I was expecting something perhaps a bit more quaint but I got a very troubled protagonist in Sebastian St. Cyr, who has an irritating habit of walking into shadows and vanishing all dramatic like. He also has super mad skills with seeing at night and reacting quickly. It's good but not superhero or distractingly good, which I appreciated even without having read the author's note at the end of the book.
The plot reads as quite standard - a dead woman of questionable respectability and our hero is the prime suspect - but how dark, grisly, and political it all got were welcome surprises. It was a fast and engaging read as well - I can't remember the last time I blew through an ebook of this length so fast.
I'm game for more.
The plot reads as quite standard - a dead woman of questionable respectability and our hero is the prime suspect - but how dark, grisly, and political it all got were welcome surprises. It was a fast and engaging read as well - I can't remember the last time I blew through an ebook of this length so fast.
I'm game for more.
Ugh. I could barely finish & I don't remember the ending, which is too bad because I liked the premise / lead character. Nothing in the book is good enough to redeem the graphic nature of the "murder" that drives the story. Not the clever man, not the "sweet" reconciliation with his prostitute girlfriend, not the lurid Victoriana, yuck.
Then again, it's been a lousy week.
Then again, it's been a lousy week.
This book reminds me strongly of [b:Point of Honour|166074|Point of Honour (Sarah Tolerance, #1)|Madeleine E. Robins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312063773s/166074.jpg|160364] by Madeleine E. Robins, with a strong, virtuous male protagonist instead of an intrepid, clever, determined female protagonist.
Sebastian St. Cyr is a veteran of the wars against Napoleon. He has returned to England, sold out his commission, and has settled into a dissatisfying life of dissipation, when his life gets turned upside down by the murder of a well-known and well sought-after actress. Soon, he's on the run from Bow Street. Political machinations add depth to the suspenseful manhunt, and parallel investigations by Sebastian and the law he's running from work well together to increase the action and suspense.
Supporting characters are also well-drawn and three-dimensional. There are shady lawmen, a decent constable, and a complex, secondary protagonist, to describe a few. My favorite would have to be the half-pint ruffian who becomes a helpful, off-beat sidekick.
Unlike many mysteries, it took me forever to figure out whodunnit and the probable ending/sequel premise, while the action and suspense kept up a fast pace. The writing style is also fast-paced, and the setting and environment is well-described.
A few things stand out that don't match my knowledge of the period, and the Irish doctor disappointingly did not have an Irish accent after his first scene. Some gory descriptions; non-explicit, glossed-over love scenes. Well-described environment.
I look forward to reading more about Sebastian St. Cyr, and would recommend to anyone interested in Regency or historical mysteries.
Sebastian St. Cyr is a veteran of the wars against Napoleon. He has returned to England, sold out his commission, and has settled into a dissatisfying life of dissipation, when his life gets turned upside down by the murder of a well-known and well sought-after actress. Soon, he's on the run from Bow Street. Political machinations add depth to the suspenseful manhunt, and parallel investigations by Sebastian and the law he's running from work well together to increase the action and suspense.
Supporting characters are also well-drawn and three-dimensional. There are shady lawmen, a decent constable, and a complex, secondary protagonist, to describe a few. My favorite would have to be the half-pint ruffian who becomes a helpful, off-beat sidekick.
Unlike many mysteries, it took me forever to figure out whodunnit and the probable ending/sequel premise, while the action and suspense kept up a fast pace. The writing style is also fast-paced, and the setting and environment is well-described.
A few things stand out that don't match my knowledge of the period, and the Irish doctor disappointingly did not have an Irish accent after his first scene. Some gory descriptions; non-explicit, glossed-over love scenes. Well-described environment.
I look forward to reading more about Sebastian St. Cyr, and would recommend to anyone interested in Regency or historical mysteries.