I had actually started reading an older sci-fi novel recommended on various Pajiba/Cannonball FB threads, but I spent the weekend in Toulouse, France, and while surrounded by the beautiful medieval architecture of the churches and museums, space exploration and colonization didn’t feel appropriate. Not that a mystery novel set in 19th century England is a perfect fit, either, but it’s a bit closer to matching the atmosphere, especially since I wouldn’t even know where to start for novels set in France. Fortuitously, even though this […]
You Reap What You Sow
Eight novels in, and I am still enjoying the series but I have also hit the point where I may I need to take short a break. Honestly, for the last two or three novels, I was more interested in reading about the Hero/Sebastian relationship than the mystery itself. Fortunately, the way this novel ends feels like the perfect time to take a break since they seem to have reached a good balance in their relationship after making steps towards it at the end of […]
The Dangers and Power of Legend
The first four novels in this series took place over more than a year, leaving Sebastian some time to recover between his escapes from near death, and allowing his valet some time to repair his wardrobe. Books 5 (What Remains of Heaven, Where Shadows Dance and When Maidens Mourn) all take place within about two or three weeks of each other. On the one hand, it seems a bit crazy that there are so many intriguing murders going on within this short period, but at […]
Her?
I saw some reviews that indicated this was one of the weaker ones in the series, and I definitely get why some people had that reaction. It’s still a good novel, but the level of intrigue almost felt like the novel should have been part of a different series, since it was more reminiscent of espionage thriller than a murder mystery. Sebastian’s cases have touched on intrigues and political conspiracies before, but those felt much more straightforward compared to this one. Sebastian is pulled into […]
Skeletons Never Remain Buried
After facing near death in the previous novel, Sebastian has reconciled with his father. The Earl of Hendon is not excited when his son involves himself in yet another murder case but since it was Hendon’s own sister that asked for Sebastian’s help, he can’t say anything about it. Someone has murdered the Bishop of London, and the circumstances are odd to say the least. He was found in a formerly sealed up crypt that workers had accidentally opened, collapsed over a body. Obviously, there […]
Fallen Women and Cover Ups
It’s been eight months since the previous novel when Sebastian St. Cyr and Kat Boleyn called off their relationship, and she married Russell Yates. Sebastian has spent those eight months drinking, avoiding his father, and generally checked out. However, when Hero Jarvis witnesses a murder and cover up while doing research on prostitutes and their conditions at the Magdalene House (a home to help “fallen women” back into society), she appeals to Sebastian for his help. Her father, Jarvis, ordered the cover up to protect […]