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stephensstem's review
5.0
It was hard to follow with all of the French names, so I had to relisten to it multiple times, but that is not a criticism, just a note. The story is great!! I love how it makes me go back and research history that many American's did not get in our traditional history classes.
reikista's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
True to the St Cyr mysteries, there’s murder, political intrigue, and the real, loving relationship of Sebastian and Hero
duchessofreadin's review
5.0
Murder, intrigue, political plotting, and so much more - this book was fascinating! I could not put it down! I was hooked from the beginning, and rushed through it as quickly as I dared. This is the first book by this author I have read, but it won't be the last.
Perfection in every detail. This mystery is far from cozy, but is sure to delight the reader!
Perfection in every detail. This mystery is far from cozy, but is sure to delight the reader!
catmom22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
kathflynn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ariazsilentsoul's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
dawn_marie's review
3.0
When Blood Lies is the 17th installment in C.S. Harris’ entertaining Sebastian St. Cyr series, a series of Regency Era murder mysteries. In this offering, Sebastian (Lord Devlin) and his wife (Hero) find themselves in 1815 Paris looking for Sebastian’s mother (Sophia) who disappeared 20 years earlier. As is wont to happen, as Sebastian comes nearer to learning the truth about his mother and his parentage, fate intervenes – this time Sophia dies before she can speak to Sebastian. And Sebastian being Sebastian decides he cannot/will not leave Paris until he solves the murder.
Ms. Harris skillfully weaves elements of history into the novel’s plot, adding texture and ambiance to the world she created. I appreciate that some of her characters are based on actual historic figures, and that she includes some historic events and details in her stories (which she explains in the afterword). In When Blood Lies, she includes elements of 1815 Paris just before Napoleon’s return to create tension and conflict within her story. The inclusion of actual historic figures and events into the stories are my favorite aspect of the series.
The character work is . . . spotty. The main characters are well developed and constantly evolving; the supporting characters are not especially well developed or interesting, however they do assist in moving the plot (though it seems that Tom is perpetually 10 years old), and the inclusion of historic based characters adds extra flavor.
As is typical of the entire series, the murder mystery is pretty straightforward with enough clues scattered throughout the narrative that it can be solved by the reader. As is also typical, Ms. Harris leaves a bread crumb or two regarding the overall mystery – namely Sebastian’s parentage – and ends the story on a cliffhanger.
All in all – When Blood Lies is another fast-paced, entertaining offering to the Sebastian St. Cyr series.
Ms. Harris skillfully weaves elements of history into the novel’s plot, adding texture and ambiance to the world she created. I appreciate that some of her characters are based on actual historic figures, and that she includes some historic events and details in her stories (which she explains in the afterword). In When Blood Lies, she includes elements of 1815 Paris just before Napoleon’s return to create tension and conflict within her story. The inclusion of actual historic figures and events into the stories are my favorite aspect of the series.
The character work is . . . spotty. The main characters are well developed and constantly evolving; the supporting characters are not especially well developed or interesting, however they do assist in moving the plot (though it seems that Tom is perpetually 10 years old
As is typical of the entire series, the murder mystery is pretty straightforward with enough clues scattered throughout the narrative that it can be solved by the reader. As is also typical, Ms. Harris leaves a bread crumb or two regarding the overall mystery – namely Sebastian’s parentage – and ends the story on a cliffhanger.
All in all – When Blood Lies is another fast-paced, entertaining offering to the Sebastian St. Cyr series.
haylnomann's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0