Historical 1814 mystery a winner!
Who Slays the Wicked (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #14)
by C. S. Harris
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is asked by Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy to investigate the savage murder of the debauched Anthony Ledger, Lord Ashworth. The investigation becomes one of personal involvement, with international diplomatic overtones, specifically related to a state visit by the Tsar's sister, the Grand Duchess Catherine of Oldenburg.
Sebastian's niece Stephanie is the personal issue. She'd married Ashworth despite Sebastian's vigorous protest. Having given birth to twin boys, Stephanie moved out to live with Ashworth' s father, the Marquis of Lindley, ostensibly whilst their house is being refurbished. Ashworth the townhouse. Sebastian has long suspected Ashworth of being involved in the kidnapping and murder of young children. He just hasn't had proof. The problem is that it appears Ashworth might have been killed by a woman and it seems Stephanie heads the suspect list. Stephanie doesn't help. She keeps being caught out in the web of excuses she weaves. Dark secrets around Stephanie will surface.
Hero, the brilliant woman that is Sebastian's wife is researching for articles on the "poor of London, including scavengers...mainly the pure finders and rag-and-bone pickers, but perhaps also the night-soil men" " Her forays into the rankest areas of London will pay dividends.
Tracking down the murderer will prove elusive. “According to Stephanie, the list of people who wanted Ashworth dead [was] virtually endless.”
Harris' historical knowing is as always, well grounded. I was transported back to that era not by a time machine, but by the sheer force of Harris' narrative prose.
Who would know how to draw a line between a degenerate's murder, the London visit by Russian royalty and the problems of flush toilets, subsequent sewer issues, and the ecology of the Thames? (the latter is mentioned in the so very informative Author's Notes.)
An intriguing read!
A Berkley ARC via NetGalley
by C. S. Harris
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is asked by Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy to investigate the savage murder of the debauched Anthony Ledger, Lord Ashworth. The investigation becomes one of personal involvement, with international diplomatic overtones, specifically related to a state visit by the Tsar's sister, the Grand Duchess Catherine of Oldenburg.
Sebastian's niece Stephanie is the personal issue. She'd married Ashworth despite Sebastian's vigorous protest. Having given birth to twin boys, Stephanie moved out to live with Ashworth' s father, the Marquis of Lindley, ostensibly whilst their house is being refurbished. Ashworth the townhouse. Sebastian has long suspected Ashworth of being involved in the kidnapping and murder of young children. He just hasn't had proof. The problem is that it appears Ashworth might have been killed by a woman and it seems Stephanie heads the suspect list. Stephanie doesn't help. She keeps being caught out in the web of excuses she weaves. Dark secrets around Stephanie will surface.
Hero, the brilliant woman that is Sebastian's wife is researching for articles on the "poor of London, including scavengers...mainly the pure finders and rag-and-bone pickers, but perhaps also the night-soil men" " Her forays into the rankest areas of London will pay dividends.
Tracking down the murderer will prove elusive. “According to Stephanie, the list of people who wanted Ashworth dead [was] virtually endless.”
Harris' historical knowing is as always, well grounded. I was transported back to that era not by a time machine, but by the sheer force of Harris' narrative prose.
Who would know how to draw a line between a degenerate's murder, the London visit by Russian royalty and the problems of flush toilets, subsequent sewer issues, and the ecology of the Thames? (the latter is mentioned in the so very informative Author's Notes.)
An intriguing read!
A Berkley ARC via NetGalley
*****
Comments
Post a Comment