As always, book #18 doesn’t disappoint. Now that Waterloo is done, what next for Devlin?

I listen to the audio versions. Lost a point because the narrator wasn't Davina Porter.

Book 18 and finally the Napoleonic Wars have concluded and while the war was getting to be a bit of a tiresome backdrop for this series the stories themselves are anything but exhausted. The wicked webs woven by Jarvis are just as infuriating as always, Devlin’s drive to see justice done while still recovering from a wound inflicted in the last book, we still watch as Gibson wrestles with his opium craving as he fights the pains of his missing leg. We get more from Alexi’s past in this story and like Devlin’s character we aren’t too sure as to where we stand as readers, but given her devotion to helping Gibson we tentatively hope she is worthy.

As with each of these books I always, always enjoy the history lesson I get from them and find myself delving into the events that are mentioned. It seems a long wait until the next one.

This series continues to deliver solidly well written characters and well-woven plots based on actual events. I thought this was slightly better than some of the recent entries, though I've read and enjoyed them all. (Taken as a whole, this is an incredible series but some of the books have annoyed rather than delighted me.)

Devlin and Hero continue to be awesome. Jarvis and his 2nd wife continue to be nefarious. Kat Boleyn continues to be less interesting than the other characters and surplus to requirements, but I guess the author has to use her occasionally. Gibson and Alexi are hit or miss in their side-plot but I think Alexi might be growing on me.

C.S. Harris sheds light on little known history, bringing it into her books in a way that will never be forgotten. Sebastian is brought into another mystery connecting to his military service. Everything you enjoy about the previous books is part of this story. The mystery is a tricky one. If I was listening I may have had to re-listen to some of the chapters but that is what make Ms. Harris a master writer. I am a character driven reader and enjoy spending time with Hero and Sebastian and their boys. I would immediately purchase a story with Hero and Sebastian even if there wasn't a mystery to solve. Final word on the newest release - If you've enjoyed the series, you will be happy with this installment.

I'm still as enthralled by this series as I was after reading book 1. This was probably one of my favorite books in the series.

This remains one of my favorite historical mysteries. This one I enjoyed more than the one proceeding it as it was less tied into actual historical events where we know the outcomes (Yes, Napoleon attacking again is the backdrop but it's not wound that tightly up into it.)

Major Miles Sedgewick has been found murdered and castrated and naturally Sebastian is involved with the case because a) Miles and he were in the same unit though he didn't like the guy b) His best friend who functions as the coroner in these, Paul Gibson is suspected of the killing because his lover Alexi Sauvage was tricked into a bigamist marriage by Miles and then dumped once she nursed him back to health.

The formula really does show in this one but yet it doesn't feel like too bad a thing
1. Hero will help and also help Harris shine a light on social justice issues
2. Sebastian will dress up as a poor man and get into a fight and/or get his family threatened
3. Hero's father will be lurking in the shadows and be in the way/or involved somehow but ultimately helps Sebastian somehow
4. Hendon will be disapproving of his son but also ultimately helpful
5. Sebastian's gossipy old aunt will have some clue
6. Ditto Kat Sebastian's ex-lover and actual daughter of Hendon
7. Lovejoy will be there to enable Sebastian (including dealing with any self defense killings) but ultimately not be that helpful in solving the case.

Every last part of the formula is in this but it doesn't feel too tired (Kat does. She has annoyed me for 18 books now). I am wondering if we're ever going to see the other shoe drop with Hero's cousin/step mom who does deliver a boy which might have implications for Hero down the line. Hero is also pregnant again but that isn't slowing her down.

As for Miles, he was interest even if you're vaguely glad someone sliced off his privates. He had a habit of seducing women including friends wives. If they were pregnant serving girls they got whipped out to die in the street. On the other hand he has a deep interest in folklore and witch craft which I enjoyed that subplot. It included the three weird sisters (named for the Shakespearean witches) and their tarot shop.

I also liked that Sebastian's injury from last book was not forgotten. It plagues him in this book and keeps him from signing up to go fight Napoleon (in spite of having two boys depending on him and a baby on the way, which I'm not sure how I feel about that).

I'm looking forward to what comes next for them.