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.