Another solid entry in this enjoyable series. The usual mix of careful historical accuracy (from the political machinations to the details of early 19th century waste management) and borderline modern language (the use of the word “random” in a very 21st century way was a bit irritating to me), but never so much of the latter to ruin it entirely. The mystery was solid, too; I felt frustrated at a seeming lack of truly viable, narratively satisfactory suspects, then right on time realized the solution along with Our Hero, and felt pretty satisfied with the ending. Though there’s nothing in this volume about Sebastian’s origin and personal quest, it did tie back to the previous novel and Ashworth’s horrific acts quite thoroughly.

The fourteenth entry in the Sebastian St. Cyr, Lord Devlin series. In the twelfth book, Devlin had discovered that two members of the ton were behind the torture and deaths of street children. While he was able to bring the crimes home to one of the culprits (and exact a measure of justice on behalf of the victims), he was unable to prove the involvement of Lord Ashworth. The sadistic young man went on to marry Devlin's niece Stephanie and make her life miserable. Throughout his thirty-some years, he had left a trail destroyed lives.

But now someone has put a stop to all that. Lord Ashbury is found brutally murdered among the bloody silken sheets of his bed. The young lord openly consorted with others after his marriage and was known to like his relations rough and at first it looks like his latest conquest may have panicked and killed him as a result of their treatment at his hands. But there are too many questions that this solution doesn't answer. Why was Ashbury's valet killed also--and left naked in a nearby alley? Where has the housemaid disappeared to? What is the connection to the Russian duchess who has recently come to London? And finally--why has the man's closest friend been killed as well? And then there are the whispers that Lady Ashworth--Devlin's niece--was carrying on an affair of her own...perhaps she or her lover are responsible?

Devlin is desperate to find answers--not because he cares much that Ashbury is dead, but because he doesn't want the innocent to suffer. Answers that he hopes will prove that his niece is innocent. But evidence keeps piling up that points towards a woman--from a small bloody handprint to a silk stocking left behind in Ashworth's bedroom to a bundle of blood-stained women's clothing picked out of the river by river wherryman. But are these clues telling the whole story?

Another top-notch historical mystery from C. S. Harris. There are plenty of red herrings to distract and I honestly did not see the ending coming. So well done in the mystifying the reader department! I enjoy the period details and the background history that Harris provides--without cluttering the narrative with info dumps. Each entry in the series teaches me something about the Regency era that I didn't know--or didn't know very much about. The backdrop for this novel is the end of the war with Napoleon and the beginnings of the machinations on the part of England and Russian to determine the fate of Europe after the war. Devlin and all of the main characters continue to interest and delight and I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop in the Jarvis household. ★★★★ and 1/2.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.

This is one of my favorite series and this latest edition is very good. The characters are always well developed.

Well, the day of reckoning for the despicable and detestable Lord Ashworth has arrived. The husband of Sebastian St. Cyr’s niece Stephanie was found brutally murdered in a compromising position at one of the homes he used for his sordid activities. Sebastian is assisting Chief Magistrate Henry Lovejoy in the investigation, as he does when a case involves a member of the aristocracy. With a long list of enemies, including himself, Sebastian, Viscount Devlin hates that his niece is the primary suspect, even in his own opinion. The man who assisted in the numerous murders of poor, young boys several months ago and had a reputation for raping countless women wasn’t mourned by anyone other than his father but his position required that someone be held accountable for his demise. Sebastian didn’t want an innocent to be accused for the sake of expediency.

I have to admit to being excited to see Ashworth finally meet his end. He was an awful man protected by his station so he was never held to account for any of his misdeeds even though no one disputed his culpability. Following Sebastian’s investigation and assembly of clues was incredibly interesting, even the ones that led to red herrings or futility. They all told you something about the people affected by Ashworth and the extent of his misbehavior. I gave up trying to figure out whodunit but in the end, had my initial suspicions (which I dispelled) validated! I was engrossed in this story and it surpassed my expectations. There’s a little bit of everything, from political intrigue to the underbelly of the city, literally. All combined to make this an outstanding story.

Hero St. Cyr’s research also bears mentioning as she interviews the poor, impoverished and invisible citizens of the city who handle jobs that I never imagined but were critical to the city’s infrastructure working. It was a real education about the era, typical of this series but extraordinary in its scope. It loosely connects to the story but it wouldn’t have mattered to me if it didn’t as it was illuminating. This is one of my most favorite stories in the series.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

3.5

I love this series and wait eagerly for the next book. I thought this one started a little slow, but I found myself enjoying the story about one-third of the way in. As per usual, I didn't foresee the end result, but it was fun getting there.
I also want to thank Ms. Harris for the historical references scattered throughout the book. Most come from Hero, but I was especially struck by the origin of Seven Dials. I've read a lot of Regency and Victorian historical books and never has anyone explained that reference.
I would like to see more of Hero and a little more about the overarching mystery of Sebastian's background. I thought the fortune-teller was doing foreshadowing, but then nothing more was mentioned. Still, an excellent read if you like historical murder mysteries.

Still great

3.5 stars.