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leener33's review
3.0
Maybe I'm just not as excited about the Sebastian St. Cyr "formula" after reading the whole series in the last year, but it seemed fairly predictable.
snowlilly's review
5.0
I figured out whodunit which I rarely do with Harris ' s series. So upset I am going to have to wait now.
sarav_roguebookwoman's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jeannine's review
4.0
It’s amazing that there isn’t a single wobble in this series. Every book is strong. I loved this installment for the insight we get into Sebastian’s valet, Calhoun, and his mother.
While every historical series in this period deals with the East India Company in some way, in this book, the complicated activity is explained in a way that’s easy to follow (I think it was a Phryne Fisher story that had my head shaking with confusion over the highly regulated trade practices in China).
On to the next!
While every historical series in this period deals with the East India Company in some way, in this book, the complicated activity is explained in a way that’s easy to follow (I think it was a Phryne Fisher story that had my head shaking with confusion over the highly regulated trade practices in China).
On to the next!
rebleejen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
hollie313's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annarella's review
5.0
It's the first book I read in this series and I'm glad I did it because I discovered this great series.
I throughly enjoyed it and found it gripping and entertaining.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the characters are well developed and interesting, the plot flows and kept me hooked.
The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I throughly enjoyed it and found it gripping and entertaining.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the characters are well developed and interesting, the plot flows and kept me hooked.
The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
natcat's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A solid entry in this mystery series, and if you’ve enjoyed the previous ones you’ll like this one; honestly if you haven’t enjoyed all the previous books in the series (I’ve been iffy on about half of them) you’ll probably enjoy this one; even I didn’t find the main character as annoying as I have in some of the previous books! I think giving him something of a personal connection to the murder gave him some more depth, even if he is still annoyingly skilled, and this book had very little of the somewhat histrionic private life stuff that I personally feel has been a real weakness in previous books - it focused on the mystery, which was much more fun!
And for all my complaints about the daffiness of the personal twists in Sebastian’s life, these books are pretty well-written and put together. By this point in the series, yhe main character’s repeated habit of just murdering 60% of the people he needs to get answers from has become hilarious instead of irritating; I think in every book in this series he gets followed by mysterious men who attempt to kill him, and he manages to kill them first before ever finding out who hired him; I applaud the author for knowing what tropes she likes and sticking to her guns!
I still like the secondary characters and the author is very good at describing a time and a place very vividly, so this was a fun read.
And for all my complaints about the daffiness of the personal twists in Sebastian’s life, these books are pretty well-written and put together. By this point in the series, yhe main character’s repeated habit of just murdering 60% of the people he needs to get answers from has become hilarious instead of irritating; I think in every book in this series he gets followed by mysterious men who attempt to kill him, and he manages to kill them first before ever finding out who hired him; I applaud the author for knowing what tropes she likes and sticking to her guns!
I still like the secondary characters and the author is very good at describing a time and a place very vividly, so this was a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
withlove_thebookfairy's review
5.0
Who Speaks for the Damned was the first Sebastian St. Cyr mystery I’ve read and I was able to jump right into the story, picking up on characters’ histories and idiosyncrasies. If I had any questions about what was going on, it only made me want to read more.
Sebastian is a stoic man on the outside, but he cares deeply about justice. (Batman, is that you?) And Hero (I love the name Hero!) is such a cool lady, playing the part of the doting wife while still being badass. As for the mystery, I was guessing til the very end and was thrilled by the twists and turns of it all.
The historical information about the time and place not only helped me to immerse myself in Sebastian’s world, but it also fulfilled my constant desire to discover new and interesting facts when I read.
Would recommend to fans of dark historical mysteries.
Sebastian is a stoic man on the outside, but he cares deeply about justice. (Batman, is that you?) And Hero (I love the name Hero!) is such a cool lady, playing the part of the doting wife while still being badass. As for the mystery, I was guessing til the very end and was thrilled by the twists and turns of it all.
The historical information about the time and place not only helped me to immerse myself in Sebastian’s world, but it also fulfilled my constant desire to discover new and interesting facts when I read.
Would recommend to fans of dark historical mysteries.
booksuperpower's review
5.0
Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris is a 2020 Berkley publication.
I can’t get enough of this series!
Nicholas Hayes, the third son of the Earl of Seaford was presumed dead after being convicted of murder and sent to Botany Bay. But, apparently, rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated.
He returns to London, from China, with a young child in tow. Whatever his mission might have been, it must have been very important for him to have taken such a high risk. However, his enemies, who have had much to fear from Nicholas, may have snuffed out his life before he had a chance to exact his revenge.
A scandal, and the threat of long buried secrets coming to light is the last thing anyone wants as the royal families of Russia, Austria and Germany arrives in London to celebrate the defeat of Napolean.
Yet, Sabastian finds himself searching for Nicholas’s murderer, and for the missing child who accompanied him, thanks to his Valet, Jules Calhoun, who was a friend of the victim.
Sebastian’s involvement in criminal cases often puts him in danger, but his time, his beloved wife, Hero, winds up in the crossfire, infuriating Sebastian, making him more determined than ever to unearth the truth and find the vulnerable child Nicholas brought with him from China.
Oh man, this was a good book!! A long -ago scandal that had been hushed up, lovers torn apart by power and greed, a child left alone to survive on the mean streets of London, and a riveting whodunit, is enough to make this story compelling.
However, the stunning revelations, and the social and historical lessons, round out this incredible multi-layered story. Not only that, the personal connotations for Sebastian, who can’t help but notice certain similarities between his life and that of Nicholas'- a sort of ‘there, but for the grace of God’ situation, adds yet another layer of depth to the story. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book!
Is this the best book in the series so far? I probably say that after every installment, but yes, this is one the best, if not THE best!!
If you like historical mysteries, this is a series you will want to invest in. If you are a fan of the series, you want to grab a copy of this one ASAP! You won’t be disappointed!
I can’t get enough of this series!
Nicholas Hayes, the third son of the Earl of Seaford was presumed dead after being convicted of murder and sent to Botany Bay. But, apparently, rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated.
He returns to London, from China, with a young child in tow. Whatever his mission might have been, it must have been very important for him to have taken such a high risk. However, his enemies, who have had much to fear from Nicholas, may have snuffed out his life before he had a chance to exact his revenge.
A scandal, and the threat of long buried secrets coming to light is the last thing anyone wants as the royal families of Russia, Austria and Germany arrives in London to celebrate the defeat of Napolean.
Yet, Sabastian finds himself searching for Nicholas’s murderer, and for the missing child who accompanied him, thanks to his Valet, Jules Calhoun, who was a friend of the victim.
Sebastian’s involvement in criminal cases often puts him in danger, but his time, his beloved wife, Hero, winds up in the crossfire, infuriating Sebastian, making him more determined than ever to unearth the truth and find the vulnerable child Nicholas brought with him from China.
Oh man, this was a good book!! A long -ago scandal that had been hushed up, lovers torn apart by power and greed, a child left alone to survive on the mean streets of London, and a riveting whodunit, is enough to make this story compelling.
However, the stunning revelations, and the social and historical lessons, round out this incredible multi-layered story. Not only that, the personal connotations for Sebastian, who can’t help but notice certain similarities between his life and that of Nicholas'- a sort of ‘there, but for the grace of God’ situation, adds yet another layer of depth to the story. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book!
Is this the best book in the series so far? I probably say that after every installment, but yes, this is one the best, if not THE best!!
If you like historical mysteries, this is a series you will want to invest in. If you are a fan of the series, you want to grab a copy of this one ASAP! You won’t be disappointed!