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Sebastian St. Cyr #12
Where the Dead Lie
London, 1813
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is no stranger to the dark side of the city, but he's never seen anything like this: the brutalized body of a 15-year-old boy dumped into a makeshift grave on the grounds of an abandoned factory. One of London's many homeless children, Benji Thatcher was abducted and tortured before his murder—and his younger sister is still missing. Few in authority care about a street urchin's fate, but Sebastian refuses to let this killer go unpunished.
Uncovering a disturbing pattern of missing children, Sebastian is drawn into a shadowy, sadistic world. As he follows a grim trail that leads from the writings of the debauched Marquis de Sade to the city's most notorious brothels, he comes to a horrifying realization: Someone from society's upper echelon is preying upon the city's most vulnerable. And though dark, powerful forces are moving against him, Sebastian will risk his reputation and his life to keep more innocents from harm.
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is no stranger to the dark side of the city, but he's never seen anything like this: the brutalized body of a 15-year-old boy dumped into a makeshift grave on the grounds of an abandoned factory. One of London's many homeless children, Benji Thatcher was abducted and tortured before his murder—and his younger sister is still missing. Few in authority care about a street urchin's fate, but Sebastian refuses to let this killer go unpunished.
Uncovering a disturbing pattern of missing children, Sebastian is drawn into a shadowy, sadistic world. As he follows a grim trail that leads from the writings of the debauched Marquis de Sade to the city's most notorious brothels, he comes to a horrifying realization: Someone from society's upper echelon is preying upon the city's most vulnerable. And though dark, powerful forces are moving against him, Sebastian will risk his reputation and his life to keep more innocents from harm.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
459 people are currently reading
2809 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Harris
22books2,960followersCandice Proctor, aka C.S. Harris and C.S. Graham, is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen novels including the Sebastian St. Cyr Regency mystery series written under the name C.S. Harris, the new C.S. Graham thriller series co-written with Steven Harris, and seven historical romances. She is also the author of a nonfiction historical study of the French Revolution. Her books are available worldwide and have been translated into over twenty different languages.
Candice graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude with a degree in Classics before going on to earn an MA and Ph.D. in history. A former academic, she has taught at the University of Idaho and Midwestern State University in Texas. She also worked as an archaeologist on a variety of sites including a Hudson's Bay Company Fort in San Juan Island, a Cherokee village in Tennessee, a prehistoric kill site in Victoria, Australia, and a Roman cemetery and medieval manor house in Winchester, England. Most recently, she spent many years as a partner in an international business consulting firm.
The daughter of a career Air Force officer and university professor, Proctor loves to travel and has spent much of her life abroad. She has lived in Spain, Greece, England, France, Jordan, and Australia. She now makes her home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, retired Army officer Steve Harris, her two daughters, and an ever-expanding number of cats.
Candice graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude with a degree in Classics before going on to earn an MA and Ph.D. in history. A former academic, she has taught at the University of Idaho and Midwestern State University in Texas. She also worked as an archaeologist on a variety of sites including a Hudson's Bay Company Fort in San Juan Island, a Cherokee village in Tennessee, a prehistoric kill site in Victoria, Australia, and a Roman cemetery and medieval manor house in Winchester, England. Most recently, she spent many years as a partner in an international business consulting firm.
The daughter of a career Air Force officer and university professor, Proctor loves to travel and has spent much of her life abroad. She has lived in Spain, Greece, England, France, Jordan, and Australia. She now makes her home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, retired Army officer Steve Harris, her two daughters, and an ever-expanding number of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 596 reviews
May 6, 2017
I have been on a roll of 5 star reviews. It is such an exciting feeling to have 3 books in a row being all 5 stars. That does rarely ever happens but my reading has been just fantastic lately. I just love this series. I feel like with each hook that the characters just seem to grow on me. This is the 12th book in the series and it is for surely growing very strong. The books just seem to get better and better. This one is my favorite one. I just loved the mystery. I could not stand that monster Ashworth and hope he ends up in the next book with a bad accident. I felt so bad for those street kids being homeless.
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his former comrade in arms, surgeon Paul Gibson, have seen more than their share of violent death in wartime. But neither one can look calmly at the body of Benji Thatcher, a street urchin who was cut, whipped, raped repeatedly, and strangled. The death of one more homeless pickpocket is unlikely to cause a stir among most of fashionable London, but Gibson and Sebastian specialize in solving crimes that others can’t or won’t. Sebastian’s wife, Hero, is a social reformer who’s writing a series of articles about the poor of London, and while she interviews some of the street children who knew Benji, Sebastian uses the testimony of an old soldier who saw and interrupted someone digging Benji’s grave as a starting point for finding out what happened not just to Benji, but to a number of other homeless children who’ve disappeared. The owner of a secondhand store helps direct Sebastian to a brothel catering to clients who like their prostitutes young, and contraband copies of a book by the Marquis de Sade bring Sebastian closer to identifying the person responsible for the pitiful collections of children’s bones buried near the shallow grave meant for Benji. Unfortunately, Sebastian’s suspects—an actor, a French count, a dissolute marquis� heir about to marry into Sebastian’s family, and an even more highly connected person who’s also a relative of Hero—all have alibis. And though dark, powerful forces are moving against him, Sebastian will risk his reputation and his life to keep more innocents from harm.
As always, historically fascinating and superbly paced. This one was a little more sad than some others; because Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, must track down a serial killer targeting London's street children.
I suggest to read this series in order, the senate not stand alones. You will want to start out with the first book
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his former comrade in arms, surgeon Paul Gibson, have seen more than their share of violent death in wartime. But neither one can look calmly at the body of Benji Thatcher, a street urchin who was cut, whipped, raped repeatedly, and strangled. The death of one more homeless pickpocket is unlikely to cause a stir among most of fashionable London, but Gibson and Sebastian specialize in solving crimes that others can’t or won’t. Sebastian’s wife, Hero, is a social reformer who’s writing a series of articles about the poor of London, and while she interviews some of the street children who knew Benji, Sebastian uses the testimony of an old soldier who saw and interrupted someone digging Benji’s grave as a starting point for finding out what happened not just to Benji, but to a number of other homeless children who’ve disappeared. The owner of a secondhand store helps direct Sebastian to a brothel catering to clients who like their prostitutes young, and contraband copies of a book by the Marquis de Sade bring Sebastian closer to identifying the person responsible for the pitiful collections of children’s bones buried near the shallow grave meant for Benji. Unfortunately, Sebastian’s suspects—an actor, a French count, a dissolute marquis� heir about to marry into Sebastian’s family, and an even more highly connected person who’s also a relative of Hero—all have alibis. And though dark, powerful forces are moving against him, Sebastian will risk his reputation and his life to keep more innocents from harm.
As always, historically fascinating and superbly paced. This one was a little more sad than some others; because Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, must track down a serial killer targeting London's street children.
I suggest to read this series in order, the senate not stand alones. You will want to start out with the first book
November 25, 2020
A solid 4 stars for book 12 in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. I won book 10 in this series several years ago in a ŷ giveaway and liked it so much that I decided to read the rest of the series. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction mysteries.
In this book, Sebastian, aka Viscount Devlin, is asked by his surgeon friend Paul Gibson to investigate the death of Benji Thatcher. a 15 year old boy who had been tortured and raped before being killed. Sebastian uncovers a series of murders of young boys, all tortured, raped and murdered. But they are all homeless street children, and the authorities are not interested in following up on their deaths. Sebastian does solve the case, with the help of Gibson and others.
While the subject is gruesome, the amount of graphic violence is minimal, with only brief descriptions of the torture/rape.
The author has done research on clothes worn in England in 1813: "Hero came in a few moments later trailing a very fetching straw bonnet by its dusky pink velvet ribbons. She wore a deeply flounced muslin walking dress with a dusky pink velvet spencer fastened by a row of tiny mother-of-pearl buttons up the front."
In this book, Sebastian, aka Viscount Devlin, is asked by his surgeon friend Paul Gibson to investigate the death of Benji Thatcher. a 15 year old boy who had been tortured and raped before being killed. Sebastian uncovers a series of murders of young boys, all tortured, raped and murdered. But they are all homeless street children, and the authorities are not interested in following up on their deaths. Sebastian does solve the case, with the help of Gibson and others.
While the subject is gruesome, the amount of graphic violence is minimal, with only brief descriptions of the torture/rape.
The author has done research on clothes worn in England in 1813: "Hero came in a few moments later trailing a very fetching straw bonnet by its dusky pink velvet ribbons. She wore a deeply flounced muslin walking dress with a dusky pink velvet spencer fastened by a row of tiny mother-of-pearl buttons up the front."
April 27, 2018
Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris is a 2017 Berkley publication.
“In order to know virtue, we must first acquaint ourselves with vice�- Marquis de Sade
As this twelfth installment of the Sebastian St. Cyr series opens, Sebastian and Hero are back home in London, dealing with the usual underbelly of the city and the politics that always hums in the background. But, this time, the situation is much worse than usual. Children are being murdered and one young girl’s life hangs in the balance. However, the suspects are unusual, not the type one normally associated with violent crime, much less the abuse and murder of children. Yet, certain sexual tastes, such as having an interest in a book written by the Marquis de Sade, points Sebastian in a very surprising and shocking direction. Most disturbing to Sebastion is that one of the suspects is engaged to his young, virginal niece. But, as Sebastian searches for the killer, he too becomes a target-
Also, Hero’s cousin has come for a visit and is staying with her mother, who is thrilled to have the company. But, something about the beautiful, twice widowed, girl gives Hero an uneasy feeling.
Wow, this is an extremely tense and riveting mystery, maybe more so than in the last few installments. While this series has always had a very dark undertone, this book is particularly grisly and involves very uncomfortable subject matter.
But, this book also has so many terrific quotes that could just as easily apply to our world today-
“How do you explain a world that gifts evil men with privilege and wealth and looks the other way while they torment and abuse the weakest members of society?�
Despite the historical setting, this story still rings true on the social and political front today. As we see powerful men finally exposed, we see that they have for so many years been protected, their dark deeds swept under the rug, witnesses silenced by point blank disbelief, bribes, blackmail, threats or worse.
Sebastian and Lovejoy work in tandem along with Paul Gibson to find a sick, diabolical killer, but also hope to prevent more deaths, and to save a little girl who has disappeared, despite the fear she may have already become a victim.
Unbelievably, his father in-law, Jarvis, seems to have pertinent information about men with certain appetites, which forces Sebastian to awkwardly confront him, and call him out on his evasiveness.
Meanwhile, Hero harbors certain suspicions of her own, and I'm very, very eager to explore this thread further.
“Unfortunately, it’s inevitable that a certain number of undesirable characters will slip in along with the more deserving refugees�. “True�, said Sebastian. “But then, what is one to do? Turn all away and let them die by the tens of thousands?� There are those who would advocate for it- and still call themselves good Christian men.� “True. But, then, people do tend to have a rather limitless capacity for self-deception.�
Once again, Harris takes readers into the dirty underground where the vulnerable are at risk due to their poverty, as the wealthy and powerful feed off of, and abuse them, using them for their own depravity.
Always thought provoking, always managing to capture the historical atmosphere, yet sending a stinging rebuke to the present-day society in the process, and always, always, deeply compelling and absorbing!!
I just love this series!! I already have the next installment queued up!
5 stars
“In order to know virtue, we must first acquaint ourselves with vice�- Marquis de Sade
As this twelfth installment of the Sebastian St. Cyr series opens, Sebastian and Hero are back home in London, dealing with the usual underbelly of the city and the politics that always hums in the background. But, this time, the situation is much worse than usual. Children are being murdered and one young girl’s life hangs in the balance. However, the suspects are unusual, not the type one normally associated with violent crime, much less the abuse and murder of children. Yet, certain sexual tastes, such as having an interest in a book written by the Marquis de Sade, points Sebastian in a very surprising and shocking direction. Most disturbing to Sebastion is that one of the suspects is engaged to his young, virginal niece. But, as Sebastian searches for the killer, he too becomes a target-
Also, Hero’s cousin has come for a visit and is staying with her mother, who is thrilled to have the company. But, something about the beautiful, twice widowed, girl gives Hero an uneasy feeling.
Wow, this is an extremely tense and riveting mystery, maybe more so than in the last few installments. While this series has always had a very dark undertone, this book is particularly grisly and involves very uncomfortable subject matter.
But, this book also has so many terrific quotes that could just as easily apply to our world today-
“How do you explain a world that gifts evil men with privilege and wealth and looks the other way while they torment and abuse the weakest members of society?�
Despite the historical setting, this story still rings true on the social and political front today. As we see powerful men finally exposed, we see that they have for so many years been protected, their dark deeds swept under the rug, witnesses silenced by point blank disbelief, bribes, blackmail, threats or worse.
Sebastian and Lovejoy work in tandem along with Paul Gibson to find a sick, diabolical killer, but also hope to prevent more deaths, and to save a little girl who has disappeared, despite the fear she may have already become a victim.
Unbelievably, his father in-law, Jarvis, seems to have pertinent information about men with certain appetites, which forces Sebastian to awkwardly confront him, and call him out on his evasiveness.
Meanwhile, Hero harbors certain suspicions of her own, and I'm very, very eager to explore this thread further.
“Unfortunately, it’s inevitable that a certain number of undesirable characters will slip in along with the more deserving refugees�. “True�, said Sebastian. “But then, what is one to do? Turn all away and let them die by the tens of thousands?� There are those who would advocate for it- and still call themselves good Christian men.� “True. But, then, people do tend to have a rather limitless capacity for self-deception.�
Once again, Harris takes readers into the dirty underground where the vulnerable are at risk due to their poverty, as the wealthy and powerful feed off of, and abuse them, using them for their own depravity.
Always thought provoking, always managing to capture the historical atmosphere, yet sending a stinging rebuke to the present-day society in the process, and always, always, deeply compelling and absorbing!!
I just love this series!! I already have the next installment queued up!
5 stars
March 14, 2017
4.5 Sometimes after reading several novels set in contemporary times it takes a while to get in the mindset and mood that a return to the early 1800's requires. Need not have worried, due to this author's remarkable talent, within a few pages I felt right at home. Waiting for me. right where I left them was Sebastian, Hero, the reprehensible Jarvis and his long suffering wife, Tom, Giles and Paul, ready to tell me their story.
Street children are disappearing, their bodies discovered horribly abused. Though many consider these children beneath their notice, Sebastian makes it his mission to discover who
Is responsible, vowing to bring them to justice.
A wonderful series, one that seems to get better with each successive outing. Just the right mix of history, current events of that time period, family, Simon and Hero both have fascinating backgrounds, great supporting characters and cases that are intriguing without being terribly graphic. Society ills, so many children on the streets, many whose parent had been transported, either to the colonies or Australia, leaving these young children to fend for themselves. A new character and a tragic family matter seems to be the lead in for the next in series.
ARC from Netgalley.
Published April 4th from Berkley.
Street children are disappearing, their bodies discovered horribly abused. Though many consider these children beneath their notice, Sebastian makes it his mission to discover who
Is responsible, vowing to bring them to justice.
A wonderful series, one that seems to get better with each successive outing. Just the right mix of history, current events of that time period, family, Simon and Hero both have fascinating backgrounds, great supporting characters and cases that are intriguing without being terribly graphic. Society ills, so many children on the streets, many whose parent had been transported, either to the colonies or Australia, leaving these young children to fend for themselves. A new character and a tragic family matter seems to be the lead in for the next in series.
ARC from Netgalley.
Published April 4th from Berkley.
April 21, 2017
Just when you think this series can't get any better, it does! I enjoyed everything about . Sebastian and Hero are in such a good place and all is right in their little world. However things are not so good in the outside world as Sebastian discovers when he attempts to bring a pair of child killers to justice.
This author is able to create such a perfect picture of England at that time. She certainly knows her Old London Town well - the seedier side of it as well as the upper class end. After eleven previous books we know the main characters really well although I don't think I would ever actually want to know Jarvis. I wonder if eventually Hero is going to have to choose between her husband and her father or if they will mediate some sort of agreement with each other before it comes to that.
The book ended without completing its story which I like because it means there must be another one being planned or written. My biggest fear when I love a series is that it will stop! In this case just has to let us know what happens to poor Stephanie and what she has planned for the future of Jarvis household. We could take bets on which member of Sebastian and Hero's extended family is going to be the subject of the next murder investigation.
No chance of finding out until 2018 but I am sure the next book will be brilliant when it comes!
This author is able to create such a perfect picture of England at that time. She certainly knows her Old London Town well - the seedier side of it as well as the upper class end. After eleven previous books we know the main characters really well although I don't think I would ever actually want to know Jarvis. I wonder if eventually Hero is going to have to choose between her husband and her father or if they will mediate some sort of agreement with each other before it comes to that.
The book ended without completing its story which I like because it means there must be another one being planned or written. My biggest fear when I love a series is that it will stop! In this case just has to let us know what happens to poor Stephanie and what she has planned for the future of Jarvis household. We could take bets on which member of Sebastian and Hero's extended family is going to be the subject of the next murder investigation.
No chance of finding out until 2018 but I am sure the next book will be brilliant when it comes!
August 17, 2024
5�
� Monday, 13 September 1813, the hours before dawn
The boy hated this part. Hated the eerie way the pale, waxen faces of the dead seemed to glow in the faintest moonlight. Hated being left alone with a stiffening body while he dug its grave.�
That’s the opening of Chapter One, and I think this is a good place to insert a trigger warning or content warning for child abuse. Anyone who has read Charles Dickens is aware of what life was like in England for many children, although he was born only one year before this story takes place.
Judging by the hard times his young characters struggle with, I suspect things hadn’t improved much. The difference is, I don’t recall Dickens being quite so graphic about the sorts of evil that men were doing to small boys and girls who often had nobody who missed them, other than each other.
The boy’s digging has been interrupted, and his body has been identified as Benji Thatcher, whose mother was transported to the colonies, leaving him and his little sister alone, crying on the docks.
� ‘Scheduled to hang at first, she was. But the sentence was commuted to seven years� transportation at the end of the sessions. She begged ’em to let her take the children with her—didn’t have no family hereabouts t� leave ’em with. But the magistrates wouldn’t do it. Said Benji and Sybil was old enough to fend fer themselves.� The constable shook his head. ‘Sybil was five at the time. How was she supposed to fend fer herself?��
Because of these small kids, this is a more difficult story to read than most of the previous books in the series. Difficult but excellent. It also crosses over between Sebastian’s campaign against evil men and Hero’s campaign for justice for women and children.
Sebastian suffers from nightmares about the bloody war he fought and feels compelled to atone for whatever he did or whatever he thinks he could have prevented. This gives him extra incentive to investigate murders of the innocent who were not casualties of war but who were considered an expendable inconvenience to someone.
Now with a baby boy, he feels an even stronger need to protect children from the evil he knows is prowling the streets. He has survived many attacks on his life but has probably never actually realised how hard it has been for Hero and others who love him to know that he will continue to put himself in harm’s way to save others � something he feels he failed to do in the war.
Hero has been interviewing street urchins and their families � of those who have a family � in her research for articles she has been writing about the poor in London. In previous stories, we’ve heard how children learn to earn pennies here and there, beg, and steal. But mostly, we know they starve and freeze.
Paul Gibson, Sebastian’s one-legged surgeon friend and fellow former soldier, performs autopsies for the police and for himself on stolen bodies � when he’s not completely wiped out by his opium addiction that is. His addiction gets worse as his pain gets worse. When he is lucid and alert, he explains exactly what Benji suffered and what was obviously done to him on purpose.
The practices of the Marquis de Sade come into it, and I expect most readers are aware that the word “sadist� comes from his name. Sebastian’s investigations take him to people who fence goods that children steal, places where children hang around, looking for a likely target for a handkerchief or pocket watch, and the whorehouses where men with extreme tastes are likely to visit.
One such establishment is owned by dwarf twin sisters, who cater for everyone � almost � they do draw the line and will blackball a client. The bossy sister tells Sebastian of one such man, and then another.
� ‘The second man was blackballed after whipping one of our girls half to death.�
‘That’s against the rules? I thought that was part of what you offered here.�
‘It’s not supposed to be taken to such extremes.
Sebastian felt it again—that urge to lay violent hands upon this diminutive, evil woman. He suppressed it with difficulty. ‘And his name?�
Her chin lifted, her strange, wintry eyes glittering with a raw, visceral hatred she made no attempt to disguise. ‘I assume you know him, seeing as he’s approximately your age and a Viscount, as well.��
When he thinks he is being followed, probably by someone sent by the Bligh sisters, he checks his surroundings to consider his options.
� Beyond it stretched a labyrinth of foul courts and wretched alleys that twisted between here and the Strand. A rat-infested refuge for whores and beggars, pickpockets and cutthroats, it had been known to simply swallow constables unwise enough to venture in after fleeing suspects.
A year ago Sebastian would have charged in there without hesitation. He even took one step, two, toward the beckoning shadows before drawing up short.
Then he sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, turned, and went home to his wife and infant son.�
Sebastian is just thirty, fit, trained in warfare, and hand-to-hand combat. He never worried about himself before. I found it interesting watching him grow up, come to terms with who he is, his place in the world, and his importance to others.
The dynamic with his family is changing. His beautiful, stubborn, delightfully strong-willed niece features in this one. Sebastian loathes his much older, snobbish sister but is great friends with her lively daughter.
The usual complex web of characters, so many of whom could be guilty, is as fascinating and absorbing as ever. Their descriptions are so clear that a good casting director would know whom to choose. The other descriptions I love are of the atmosphere, so will quote this bit as a nice example, rather than dwell on the vermin-infested, stench of the muddy slums.
“The night sky was white with a drifting mist that deepened as Sebastian left the deserted cobblestoned streets of the city and spurred his neat black Arabian into the low hills beyond Pentonville. He rode through stubbly fields of harvested grain, the earthy odors of ripe elderberries and quince and plums hanging heavy in the moist autumn air. Already the cold-nipped maples and hazels were turning a deep scarlet and gold, with the paler yellow of the birch seeming to glow out of the damp gloom.�
Another wonderful terrible story.
These should be read in order.
My reviews of the previous books:
1.
/review/show...
2.
/review/show...
3.
/review/show...
4.
/review/show...
5.
/review/show...
6.
/review/show...
7.
/review/show...
8.
/review/show...
9.
/review/show...
10.
/review/show...
11.
/review/show...
� Monday, 13 September 1813, the hours before dawn
The boy hated this part. Hated the eerie way the pale, waxen faces of the dead seemed to glow in the faintest moonlight. Hated being left alone with a stiffening body while he dug its grave.�
That’s the opening of Chapter One, and I think this is a good place to insert a trigger warning or content warning for child abuse. Anyone who has read Charles Dickens is aware of what life was like in England for many children, although he was born only one year before this story takes place.
Judging by the hard times his young characters struggle with, I suspect things hadn’t improved much. The difference is, I don’t recall Dickens being quite so graphic about the sorts of evil that men were doing to small boys and girls who often had nobody who missed them, other than each other.
The boy’s digging has been interrupted, and his body has been identified as Benji Thatcher, whose mother was transported to the colonies, leaving him and his little sister alone, crying on the docks.
� ‘Scheduled to hang at first, she was. But the sentence was commuted to seven years� transportation at the end of the sessions. She begged ’em to let her take the children with her—didn’t have no family hereabouts t� leave ’em with. But the magistrates wouldn’t do it. Said Benji and Sybil was old enough to fend fer themselves.� The constable shook his head. ‘Sybil was five at the time. How was she supposed to fend fer herself?��
Because of these small kids, this is a more difficult story to read than most of the previous books in the series. Difficult but excellent. It also crosses over between Sebastian’s campaign against evil men and Hero’s campaign for justice for women and children.
Sebastian suffers from nightmares about the bloody war he fought and feels compelled to atone for whatever he did or whatever he thinks he could have prevented. This gives him extra incentive to investigate murders of the innocent who were not casualties of war but who were considered an expendable inconvenience to someone.
Now with a baby boy, he feels an even stronger need to protect children from the evil he knows is prowling the streets. He has survived many attacks on his life but has probably never actually realised how hard it has been for Hero and others who love him to know that he will continue to put himself in harm’s way to save others � something he feels he failed to do in the war.
Hero has been interviewing street urchins and their families � of those who have a family � in her research for articles she has been writing about the poor in London. In previous stories, we’ve heard how children learn to earn pennies here and there, beg, and steal. But mostly, we know they starve and freeze.
Paul Gibson, Sebastian’s one-legged surgeon friend and fellow former soldier, performs autopsies for the police and for himself on stolen bodies � when he’s not completely wiped out by his opium addiction that is. His addiction gets worse as his pain gets worse. When he is lucid and alert, he explains exactly what Benji suffered and what was obviously done to him on purpose.
The practices of the Marquis de Sade come into it, and I expect most readers are aware that the word “sadist� comes from his name. Sebastian’s investigations take him to people who fence goods that children steal, places where children hang around, looking for a likely target for a handkerchief or pocket watch, and the whorehouses where men with extreme tastes are likely to visit.
One such establishment is owned by dwarf twin sisters, who cater for everyone � almost � they do draw the line and will blackball a client. The bossy sister tells Sebastian of one such man, and then another.
� ‘The second man was blackballed after whipping one of our girls half to death.�
‘That’s against the rules? I thought that was part of what you offered here.�
‘It’s not supposed to be taken to such extremes.
Sebastian felt it again—that urge to lay violent hands upon this diminutive, evil woman. He suppressed it with difficulty. ‘And his name?�
Her chin lifted, her strange, wintry eyes glittering with a raw, visceral hatred she made no attempt to disguise. ‘I assume you know him, seeing as he’s approximately your age and a Viscount, as well.��
When he thinks he is being followed, probably by someone sent by the Bligh sisters, he checks his surroundings to consider his options.
� Beyond it stretched a labyrinth of foul courts and wretched alleys that twisted between here and the Strand. A rat-infested refuge for whores and beggars, pickpockets and cutthroats, it had been known to simply swallow constables unwise enough to venture in after fleeing suspects.
A year ago Sebastian would have charged in there without hesitation. He even took one step, two, toward the beckoning shadows before drawing up short.
Then he sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, turned, and went home to his wife and infant son.�
Sebastian is just thirty, fit, trained in warfare, and hand-to-hand combat. He never worried about himself before. I found it interesting watching him grow up, come to terms with who he is, his place in the world, and his importance to others.
The dynamic with his family is changing. His beautiful, stubborn, delightfully strong-willed niece features in this one. Sebastian loathes his much older, snobbish sister but is great friends with her lively daughter.
The usual complex web of characters, so many of whom could be guilty, is as fascinating and absorbing as ever. Their descriptions are so clear that a good casting director would know whom to choose. The other descriptions I love are of the atmosphere, so will quote this bit as a nice example, rather than dwell on the vermin-infested, stench of the muddy slums.
“The night sky was white with a drifting mist that deepened as Sebastian left the deserted cobblestoned streets of the city and spurred his neat black Arabian into the low hills beyond Pentonville. He rode through stubbly fields of harvested grain, the earthy odors of ripe elderberries and quince and plums hanging heavy in the moist autumn air. Already the cold-nipped maples and hazels were turning a deep scarlet and gold, with the paler yellow of the birch seeming to glow out of the damp gloom.�
Another wonderful terrible story.
These should be read in order.
My reviews of the previous books:
1.
/review/show...
2.
/review/show...
3.
/review/show...
4.
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July 26, 2024
When the tortured and mutilated body of Benji Thatcher, a 15-year old street urchin, is discovered after the attempt to bury him is interrupted, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin gets involved at the request of Paul Gibson. What was done to this child offended Sebastian's sensibilities and he immediately launches an investigation only to find that there appears to be a pattern of street children inexplicably disappearing. No one seems to have noticed.
Throughout this series, the plight of the poor and abandoned children has been in the background. This story faces those issues head on as we're given more insight into the ugly truths of the era. These children were virtually invisible to the gentry and noble class as both Sebastian and Hero highlight, him through the investigation and her through research of an article she's writing in the topic.
The author's further commitment to historical authenticity is the incorporation of the works and story of the Marquis de Sade, infamous for his debauchery and sexual deviancy and from which the term sadism was created. The suspects were tied to de Sade either as admirers of his last book or as followers of his sexual practices. Make no mistake, this is an uncomfortable story as these are behaviors inflicted on children and it's not an indictment about sexual proclivities. It was hard to take in but respectfully presented without any hint of gratuitous violence.
It's not all doom and gloom as there are important progressions in Sebastian's personal life. It was brilliantly and deftly presented, providing a balance sorely needed to offset the distasteful aspects of the investigation. It also is clear that this series hasn't yet ended...not a cliffhanger but definitely the promise of more to come.
I love this series and this book was outstanding. I also recommend not reading it until you've read all of the others before it as the character development evolves to a pretty loud crescendo in this one. Yes, you'd enjoy this on its own merits but you'd be missing some critical subtleties that just makes the reading experience extraordinary.
Throughout this series, the plight of the poor and abandoned children has been in the background. This story faces those issues head on as we're given more insight into the ugly truths of the era. These children were virtually invisible to the gentry and noble class as both Sebastian and Hero highlight, him through the investigation and her through research of an article she's writing in the topic.
The author's further commitment to historical authenticity is the incorporation of the works and story of the Marquis de Sade, infamous for his debauchery and sexual deviancy and from which the term sadism was created. The suspects were tied to de Sade either as admirers of his last book or as followers of his sexual practices. Make no mistake, this is an uncomfortable story as these are behaviors inflicted on children and it's not an indictment about sexual proclivities. It was hard to take in but respectfully presented without any hint of gratuitous violence.
It's not all doom and gloom as there are important progressions in Sebastian's personal life. It was brilliantly and deftly presented, providing a balance sorely needed to offset the distasteful aspects of the investigation. It also is clear that this series hasn't yet ended...not a cliffhanger but definitely the promise of more to come.
I love this series and this book was outstanding. I also recommend not reading it until you've read all of the others before it as the character development evolves to a pretty loud crescendo in this one. Yes, you'd enjoy this on its own merits but you'd be missing some critical subtleties that just makes the reading experience extraordinary.
February 19, 2019
ETA: Completed audiobook reread on 10/18/17. I always love revisiting these books in audiobook format for two reasons: 1) I love the books and the characters and, 2) Davina Porter always does an excellent job. This was my first time listening to this particular installment in audiobook format but it delivered in giving me several hours of comfort and enjoyment during my otherwise stressful work commute. Having Sebastian and Hero with me always makes it better.
Reread in January 2019
It's been a month since Sebastian and Hero have returned from their adventures in Shropshire that were so well chronicled in the last book. They are back home in London among the seeming warmth and safety of familiar places and friends. But the author has never shied away from depicting the seedier and darker aspects of regency London and she's never turned away from highlighting the unfairness of the chasm that existed between the privilege of wealth and the hopelessness of poverty. While all the murders Sebastian has been tasked to solve over the course of eleven books have been tragic and sad, I think the murder in this book has set a new standard in horror and it leads Sebastian down the darkest road yet. This time evil sets its eyes on the most vulnerable members of society and, as first time parents, both Sebastian and Hero feel the losses deeply.
I adore Sebastian and Hero. I loved their contentious beginning and I've loved every step they've taken along the way to finding a mutually supportive love in each other. They are one of my favorite literary couples in any genre and with each book they only reinforce their place in my heart. The little moments between them were like a salve to my soul after some of the more horrific aspects of the story. Even though the author was never graphic in detailing the crimes, just imagining them was bad enough. But there were other wonderful, quietly emotional moments between various characters that served as welcome oases set amid the darkness. Some moments that I didn't even know I wanted or needed.
Those moments were sorely needed as the reader feels Sebastian's mounting dread and horror. In a time when calling in the local CSI unit to process a crime scene wasn't possible, it is Sebastian's doggedness and unfailing demand for justice that leads to answers. As Sebastian criss-crosses London he encounters all sorts of characters and the mystery unfolds in suspenseful ways.
There are other events in the personal lives of both Sebastian and Hero that I expect will play out in future books. And since the personal lives of these characters is just as riveting as the murder investigations, I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the after effects. I'm also really desperate to see Sebastian deliver on a certain threat.
Twelve books in and this series is still going strong.
Reread in January 2019
It's been a month since Sebastian and Hero have returned from their adventures in Shropshire that were so well chronicled in the last book. They are back home in London among the seeming warmth and safety of familiar places and friends. But the author has never shied away from depicting the seedier and darker aspects of regency London and she's never turned away from highlighting the unfairness of the chasm that existed between the privilege of wealth and the hopelessness of poverty. While all the murders Sebastian has been tasked to solve over the course of eleven books have been tragic and sad, I think the murder in this book has set a new standard in horror and it leads Sebastian down the darkest road yet. This time evil sets its eyes on the most vulnerable members of society and, as first time parents, both Sebastian and Hero feel the losses deeply.
I adore Sebastian and Hero. I loved their contentious beginning and I've loved every step they've taken along the way to finding a mutually supportive love in each other. They are one of my favorite literary couples in any genre and with each book they only reinforce their place in my heart. The little moments between them were like a salve to my soul after some of the more horrific aspects of the story. Even though the author was never graphic in detailing the crimes, just imagining them was bad enough. But there were other wonderful, quietly emotional moments between various characters that served as welcome oases set amid the darkness. Some moments that I didn't even know I wanted or needed.
Those moments were sorely needed as the reader feels Sebastian's mounting dread and horror. In a time when calling in the local CSI unit to process a crime scene wasn't possible, it is Sebastian's doggedness and unfailing demand for justice that leads to answers. As Sebastian criss-crosses London he encounters all sorts of characters and the mystery unfolds in suspenseful ways.
There are other events in the personal lives of both Sebastian and Hero that I expect will play out in future books. And since the personal lives of these characters is just as riveting as the murder investigations, I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the after effects. I'm also really desperate to see Sebastian deliver on a certain threat.
Twelve books in and this series is still going strong.
February 18, 2018
WHERE THE DEAD LIE is book 12 in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. I have to admit that this series is one of my favorites, as I have read all twelve books in the series. So, I was quite overjoyed when I got the chance to reading this book a couple of months before it was released. So far, not a single book in this series disappointed me and I'm quite thrilled to be able to say that this book is actually the best one so far.
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT !
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT !
January 21, 2023
Reread/listened to audiobook 1/19/23:
5++ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
This is my favorite book of one of my all-time favorite series. But it's so devastating and heartbreaking. I have an almost 10-year-old son, and if anyone did to him what was done to the children in this book, I would have razed London's aristocracy to the ground.
Original rating/review Dec'2020:
5+ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
I have so many thoughts about this exceptional book, and I know I won’t be able to do it justice. It’s an incredibly well-written, fantastic mystery and another testament to Sebastian’s steadfast determination for seeking justice. The book description does a good job, so I won’t go into detail about the plot. The subject matter and murders in this are probably the darkest and most brutal, disturbing, and heartbreaking in the series. The story of victimized children was distressing and gut-wrenching, but this is my favorite St. Cyr book to date.
This series does a consistently brilliant job presenting the hypocrisy, elitism, and brutality of Regency England and detailing the various unjust ways the monarchy and wealthy, titled, aristocratic upper class systematically dehumanize the lower classes and poor members of society. Devlin refuses to turn a blind eye to the brutality and demands justice for those the wealthy and powerful abuse and ignore and who cannot fight for themselves.
“How do you convince a boy born to a deadly combination of poverty and the endless scorn of those labeled his betters that his real worth is infinitely above that of the savage, twisted spawn of kings? How do you explain a world that gifts evil men with privilege and wealth and looks the other way while they torment and abuse the weakest members of society?�
I’ve been binge-listening to this excellent series for the past month (12 books in 30 days) and Davina Porter’s audiobook narration is absolutely amazing! She portrays each character with their own distinctive voice, accent, tone, and personality and truly brings the series to life. They are all highly enjoyable reads! Big 5 stars for this one!
Here are a few random thoughts about the book. (I’d love to discuss these points with someone who has read the book!)
**Spoiler Warning**
5++ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
This is my favorite book of one of my all-time favorite series. But it's so devastating and heartbreaking. I have an almost 10-year-old son, and if anyone did to him what was done to the children in this book, I would have razed London's aristocracy to the ground.
Original rating/review Dec'2020:
5+ stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller
I have so many thoughts about this exceptional book, and I know I won’t be able to do it justice. It’s an incredibly well-written, fantastic mystery and another testament to Sebastian’s steadfast determination for seeking justice. The book description does a good job, so I won’t go into detail about the plot. The subject matter and murders in this are probably the darkest and most brutal, disturbing, and heartbreaking in the series. The story of victimized children was distressing and gut-wrenching, but this is my favorite St. Cyr book to date.
This series does a consistently brilliant job presenting the hypocrisy, elitism, and brutality of Regency England and detailing the various unjust ways the monarchy and wealthy, titled, aristocratic upper class systematically dehumanize the lower classes and poor members of society. Devlin refuses to turn a blind eye to the brutality and demands justice for those the wealthy and powerful abuse and ignore and who cannot fight for themselves.
“How do you convince a boy born to a deadly combination of poverty and the endless scorn of those labeled his betters that his real worth is infinitely above that of the savage, twisted spawn of kings? How do you explain a world that gifts evil men with privilege and wealth and looks the other way while they torment and abuse the weakest members of society?�
I’ve been binge-listening to this excellent series for the past month (12 books in 30 days) and Davina Porter’s audiobook narration is absolutely amazing! She portrays each character with their own distinctive voice, accent, tone, and personality and truly brings the series to life. They are all highly enjoyable reads! Big 5 stars for this one!
Here are a few random thoughts about the book. (I’d love to discuss these points with someone who has read the book!)
**Spoiler Warning**
September 6, 2017
The subject matter of this story is among the darkest that Harris has explored so far in this entire series, and this book is one of the strongest. It’s brimming with high emotion: fear, love, power, anger, and grief. It got me like a kick to the gut. All those missing, exploited, murdered street kids, it’s enough to rip my heart (and I suspect most readers� hearts) into pieces.
As for Sebastian� well. How do I even begin to talk about this giant-hearted avenging angel who relentlessly pursues justice for the most vulnerable members of society? Because that’s what he does every time. He searches for truth when the powers that be don’t regard a victim as worthy of serious investigation. I soak it up because I’m a complete sucker for a protagonist with a protective instinct and a strong moral compass - whether that be a hero or a heroine. In fact, his aptly named wife, Hero, is also a crusader for the poor, mainly women and children of little to no means.
By this the 12th book in the series, Sebastian is personally in a well-deserved happy place. I can’t seem to get enough of those scenes with Hero and baby Simon � I will admit it, I turn into a total fangirl in those moments. But the most poignant moment in this book takes place between Sebastian and his father, the Earl of Hendon. Oh damn. My eyes are leaking again.
Ok, I’m done gushing. I love these books. That is all.
As for Sebastian� well. How do I even begin to talk about this giant-hearted avenging angel who relentlessly pursues justice for the most vulnerable members of society? Because that’s what he does every time. He searches for truth when the powers that be don’t regard a victim as worthy of serious investigation. I soak it up because I’m a complete sucker for a protagonist with a protective instinct and a strong moral compass - whether that be a hero or a heroine. In fact, his aptly named wife, Hero, is also a crusader for the poor, mainly women and children of little to no means.
By this the 12th book in the series, Sebastian is personally in a well-deserved happy place. I can’t seem to get enough of those scenes with Hero and baby Simon � I will admit it, I turn into a total fangirl in those moments. But the most poignant moment in this book takes place between Sebastian and his father, the Earl of Hendon. Oh damn. My eyes are leaking again.
Ok, I’m done gushing. I love these books. That is all.
February 20, 2019
Another excellent book in this wonderful series. I love the mix of actual historical events with social issues of the day all happening in a well researched and familiar Regency London that reeks of both splendour for the privileged few and squalor for the impoverished masses. I also adore the main characters - Sebastian, Lord Devlin who does care when the poor are treated badly and his wonderful wife Hero, an activist for social causes. They make such a perfect couple, even though Hero's father Lord Jarvis, the powerful advisor to the prince, would prefer to see Sebastian dead.
In this episode Sebastian is on the hunt for a man who is torturing and sexually abusing street children. When the body of one such boy is found, Sebastian learns that several other children have gone missing over the years, all of them children left by parents sentenced to transportation to the colonies and not allowed to take their children with them. The only clue Sebastian has is that a 'gentleman' was seen at the burial sight. Soon Sebastian is following up those who dabble in the writings of the Marquis de Sade looking for someone vile enough to carry out these crimes.
This series is so good, not just because it is well written and the plots are well paced, but because of the ongoing development of the characters and their lives. There is unfinished business here and there is still the mystery of Sebastian's father to be solved. So much to look forward to!
In this episode Sebastian is on the hunt for a man who is torturing and sexually abusing street children. When the body of one such boy is found, Sebastian learns that several other children have gone missing over the years, all of them children left by parents sentenced to transportation to the colonies and not allowed to take their children with them. The only clue Sebastian has is that a 'gentleman' was seen at the burial sight. Soon Sebastian is following up those who dabble in the writings of the Marquis de Sade looking for someone vile enough to carry out these crimes.
This series is so good, not just because it is well written and the plots are well paced, but because of the ongoing development of the characters and their lives. There is unfinished business here and there is still the mystery of Sebastian's father to be solved. So much to look forward to!
July 20, 2020
Audio: 5 STARS!
Story: 5 STARS!
My love affair with Sebastian St. Cyr continues with another wonderful addition to the series. As always, woven into the mystery is just the right amount of Sebastian's personal life, and Davina Porter does such an incredible job with the narration.
This installment was darker than most so I'll put some trigger warnings:
This series is one of my all-time favorites. I can't recommend it enough!!
Story: 5 STARS!
My love affair with Sebastian St. Cyr continues with another wonderful addition to the series. As always, woven into the mystery is just the right amount of Sebastian's personal life, and Davina Porter does such an incredible job with the narration.
This installment was darker than most so I'll put some trigger warnings:
This series is one of my all-time favorites. I can't recommend it enough!!
November 27, 2018
The story of brutalized children here was so, so sad and heartrending!
The fact that being Sebastian and Hero new parents were very disturbing for them to manage this investigation.
I know that life was very tough and unjust in that period, but seeing how the poor were considered like chattel to be used and abused without thought was beyond horrifying!
And when the culprit(s) were discovered it was alwful to read how little they thought about anyone beyond themself and their perverted "pleasures"!
The fact that being Sebastian and Hero new parents were very disturbing for them to manage this investigation.
I know that life was very tough and unjust in that period, but seeing how the poor were considered like chattel to be used and abused without thought was beyond horrifying!
And when the culprit(s) were discovered it was alwful to read how little they thought about anyone beyond themself and their perverted "pleasures"!
May 29, 2017
I've given this an A at AAR.
When it comes to C.S. Harris� long-running series of historical mysteries featuring the aristocratic sleuth, Sebastian St. Cyr, I arrived rather late to the party. With eleven books already available, I wasn’t going to be able to catch up on them all in print, so, as I often do in such cases, I turned to the audiobook editions instead, and have been catching up with Sebastian’s adventures that way, and enjoying them hugely. I couldn’t resist the temptation of picking up book twelve, Where the Dead Lie, when it came up for review, and was completely hooked, right from the first page.
As I said, this is the twelfth book in the series (so there may be spoilers for the others in this review) and Ms. Harris shows no sign of running out of steam � or of ideas. As fans will know, the main mystery plot in each book is self-contained (although occasionally, some elements do turn out to have a bearing on a future story), and there’s no doubt that the author is a master of her craft when it comes to constructing a tightly plotted, gripping and atmospheric tale in which all the pieces are laid out and skilfully drawn together as the book hurtles towards a nail-biting finish. But what draws me back to the books over and over is the overarching storyline concerning Sebastian himself, as he continues to make discoveries about his own past and gradually, over the course of the series, has come to realise that many of the things he has believed about himself are untrue. He is having to adjust his perceptions about himself and those around him, and the revelations he uncovers and the way he handles them over time are just as engrossing as the individual mysteries.
In the three years since he investigated his first murder, Sebastian’s life has undergone significant change. Most recently, he has become a father, and even though he continues to be haunted by some of the things he experienced when he was a soldier fighting on the continent, he is a much more settled individual than when we first met him, and is enjoying a passionately happy marriage with Hero, the daughter of the powerful Lord Jarvis� who just happens to be Sebastian’s deadliest enemy.
When the body of a teenaged boy is discovered in a shallow pit on the grounds of a disused factory in Clerkenwell, the local magistrate sees it as just one more death of a worthless street-child, taking no account of the fact that the body bears the marks of whips, knives and ligatures � which indicate the boy had also been horribly tortured. When an enterprising constable has the body sent to Paul Gibson, surgeon, anatomist and long-time friend and colleague of Sebastian’s, it’s a only a matter of time before Sebastian interests himself in the case and determines to root out the person responsible for such a depraved, gruesome act of violence.
In the course of his enquiries, Sebastian uncovers a pattern of disappearances among the poorest, most vulnerable of those who eke out an existence on London’s grimy streets � orphans and the dispossessed children of parents who have been transported, imprisoned or executed. As always, Ms. Harris does a terrific job of painting a realistic picture of what life must have been like for the large underclass of the city’s denizens who lived in utter squalor, their lives a daily struggle with no hope of anything better and nothing to look forward to but an early, probably undignified, death. The level of disgust and horror Sebastian feels for the perpetrators of the crime and for those who simply brush off the deaths of children is so strongly evoked as to be an almost tangible thing; there’s no doubt that he is being deeply affected by the things he sees, hears and learns, and yet he is not going to give up. Even when he comes up against dead end after dead end, he perseveres, intent on getting justice for the most helpless and voiceless members of society.
The discovery of a number of other graves leads to the realisation that is a monster out there, hiding in plain sight; and as the number of suspects quickly narrows, Sebastian recognises that he is up against more than a single killer. Whoever is responsible has powerful friends and protectors, and without irrefutable proof of guilt, it is going to be next to impossible to ensure that justice is done and the murderer pays for his crimes. But somebody has to at the very least try; and even though the deeper he delves, the more he risks his own safety, Sebastian can’t stand idly by and do nothing while there is someone at large who thinks nothing of raping, mutilating and murdering children.
The book is marvellously well-paced, with the story immediately hitting its stride. The author builds the tension skilfully and it never dissipates, even when she slacks off a little to focus on Sebastian’s domestic life and his relationships with Hero and his father, Lord Hendon. Sebastian and his father have not seen eye to eye since Hendon acted, years earlier, to prevent his son marrying the young actress with whom he had fallen in love, and whom, more recently, Hendon had revealed was his natural daughter. Allowing Sebastian to believe himself to have indulged in an incestuous relationship � he had not, as was revealed shortly afterwards � is difficult to forgive, but even moreso is the fact that his father had concealed the truth surrounding his (Sebastian’s) birth for almost thirty years. Things between them have been very strained over the last few books, but there are signs of a rapprochement here, and it’s beautifully done.
Sebastian’s wife � sharply intelligent, independently minded Hero � is the perfect foil for him. Her reformist sympathies annoy her powerful father, but match with Sebastian’s views, and as her latest project is one in which she is looking into the situation of London’s street-children, she is able to provide some information which proves useful in her husband’s enquiries. Their relationship began in difficult circumstances, but over the last few books, it’s become clear that theirs is a strong, loving marriage built on mutual respect and affection.
I said at the outset that the mysteries in these books are self-contained, and this one does reach a satisfactory resolution. But Ms. Harris has left a few loose ends which I really hope are going to be picked up in the next book. There’s a subplot brewing concerning Hero’s twice-widowed cousin, Mrs. Hart-Davis, and while one of the killers gets his just desserts at the end, one remains at large. Sebastian is sure he knows his identity, but has no evidence or proof and is going to have to bide his time. I’m sure Ms. Harris isn’t going to leave it at that, and I can’t wait to read how this particular plotline is going to play out.
There are lots of historical mysteries out there and while I can’t claim to have read even a fraction of them, I’m sure the Sebastian St. Cyr books must be among the cream of the crop and I’ve found every single one of them to be completely compelling. Because of the long-running plot threads concerning Sebastian himself, the books really do need to be experienced in order, although I expect readers could dip in and out if they are prepared to do a bit of homework and read synopses and reviews for the other books.
Where the Dead Lie is easily one of the best of the series, showcasing an author at the top of her game. The mystery is complex and well-plotted, all the characters are strongly drawn and there’s a pervasive atmosphere of dread and malevolence that keeps the reader glued to the story, even as we’re revolted along with our hero at the horrors wreaked on the weakest members of society. It’s a must-read for fans of the series, and for those who haven’t yet read any of the books, pick up a copy of book one, What Angels Fear. It won’t be long before you’re as hooked as the rest of us.
When it comes to C.S. Harris� long-running series of historical mysteries featuring the aristocratic sleuth, Sebastian St. Cyr, I arrived rather late to the party. With eleven books already available, I wasn’t going to be able to catch up on them all in print, so, as I often do in such cases, I turned to the audiobook editions instead, and have been catching up with Sebastian’s adventures that way, and enjoying them hugely. I couldn’t resist the temptation of picking up book twelve, Where the Dead Lie, when it came up for review, and was completely hooked, right from the first page.
As I said, this is the twelfth book in the series (so there may be spoilers for the others in this review) and Ms. Harris shows no sign of running out of steam � or of ideas. As fans will know, the main mystery plot in each book is self-contained (although occasionally, some elements do turn out to have a bearing on a future story), and there’s no doubt that the author is a master of her craft when it comes to constructing a tightly plotted, gripping and atmospheric tale in which all the pieces are laid out and skilfully drawn together as the book hurtles towards a nail-biting finish. But what draws me back to the books over and over is the overarching storyline concerning Sebastian himself, as he continues to make discoveries about his own past and gradually, over the course of the series, has come to realise that many of the things he has believed about himself are untrue. He is having to adjust his perceptions about himself and those around him, and the revelations he uncovers and the way he handles them over time are just as engrossing as the individual mysteries.
In the three years since he investigated his first murder, Sebastian’s life has undergone significant change. Most recently, he has become a father, and even though he continues to be haunted by some of the things he experienced when he was a soldier fighting on the continent, he is a much more settled individual than when we first met him, and is enjoying a passionately happy marriage with Hero, the daughter of the powerful Lord Jarvis� who just happens to be Sebastian’s deadliest enemy.
When the body of a teenaged boy is discovered in a shallow pit on the grounds of a disused factory in Clerkenwell, the local magistrate sees it as just one more death of a worthless street-child, taking no account of the fact that the body bears the marks of whips, knives and ligatures � which indicate the boy had also been horribly tortured. When an enterprising constable has the body sent to Paul Gibson, surgeon, anatomist and long-time friend and colleague of Sebastian’s, it’s a only a matter of time before Sebastian interests himself in the case and determines to root out the person responsible for such a depraved, gruesome act of violence.
In the course of his enquiries, Sebastian uncovers a pattern of disappearances among the poorest, most vulnerable of those who eke out an existence on London’s grimy streets � orphans and the dispossessed children of parents who have been transported, imprisoned or executed. As always, Ms. Harris does a terrific job of painting a realistic picture of what life must have been like for the large underclass of the city’s denizens who lived in utter squalor, their lives a daily struggle with no hope of anything better and nothing to look forward to but an early, probably undignified, death. The level of disgust and horror Sebastian feels for the perpetrators of the crime and for those who simply brush off the deaths of children is so strongly evoked as to be an almost tangible thing; there’s no doubt that he is being deeply affected by the things he sees, hears and learns, and yet he is not going to give up. Even when he comes up against dead end after dead end, he perseveres, intent on getting justice for the most helpless and voiceless members of society.
The discovery of a number of other graves leads to the realisation that is a monster out there, hiding in plain sight; and as the number of suspects quickly narrows, Sebastian recognises that he is up against more than a single killer. Whoever is responsible has powerful friends and protectors, and without irrefutable proof of guilt, it is going to be next to impossible to ensure that justice is done and the murderer pays for his crimes. But somebody has to at the very least try; and even though the deeper he delves, the more he risks his own safety, Sebastian can’t stand idly by and do nothing while there is someone at large who thinks nothing of raping, mutilating and murdering children.
The book is marvellously well-paced, with the story immediately hitting its stride. The author builds the tension skilfully and it never dissipates, even when she slacks off a little to focus on Sebastian’s domestic life and his relationships with Hero and his father, Lord Hendon. Sebastian and his father have not seen eye to eye since Hendon acted, years earlier, to prevent his son marrying the young actress with whom he had fallen in love, and whom, more recently, Hendon had revealed was his natural daughter. Allowing Sebastian to believe himself to have indulged in an incestuous relationship � he had not, as was revealed shortly afterwards � is difficult to forgive, but even moreso is the fact that his father had concealed the truth surrounding his (Sebastian’s) birth for almost thirty years. Things between them have been very strained over the last few books, but there are signs of a rapprochement here, and it’s beautifully done.
Sebastian’s wife � sharply intelligent, independently minded Hero � is the perfect foil for him. Her reformist sympathies annoy her powerful father, but match with Sebastian’s views, and as her latest project is one in which she is looking into the situation of London’s street-children, she is able to provide some information which proves useful in her husband’s enquiries. Their relationship began in difficult circumstances, but over the last few books, it’s become clear that theirs is a strong, loving marriage built on mutual respect and affection.
I said at the outset that the mysteries in these books are self-contained, and this one does reach a satisfactory resolution. But Ms. Harris has left a few loose ends which I really hope are going to be picked up in the next book. There’s a subplot brewing concerning Hero’s twice-widowed cousin, Mrs. Hart-Davis, and while one of the killers gets his just desserts at the end, one remains at large. Sebastian is sure he knows his identity, but has no evidence or proof and is going to have to bide his time. I’m sure Ms. Harris isn’t going to leave it at that, and I can’t wait to read how this particular plotline is going to play out.
There are lots of historical mysteries out there and while I can’t claim to have read even a fraction of them, I’m sure the Sebastian St. Cyr books must be among the cream of the crop and I’ve found every single one of them to be completely compelling. Because of the long-running plot threads concerning Sebastian himself, the books really do need to be experienced in order, although I expect readers could dip in and out if they are prepared to do a bit of homework and read synopses and reviews for the other books.
Where the Dead Lie is easily one of the best of the series, showcasing an author at the top of her game. The mystery is complex and well-plotted, all the characters are strongly drawn and there’s a pervasive atmosphere of dread and malevolence that keeps the reader glued to the story, even as we’re revolted along with our hero at the horrors wreaked on the weakest members of society. It’s a must-read for fans of the series, and for those who haven’t yet read any of the books, pick up a copy of book one, What Angels Fear. It won’t be long before you’re as hooked as the rest of us.
July 22, 2021
4.5 STARS
Well, these little mysteries are sure touching on some dark subject matter. This time it's the Marquis de Sade, and the serial murder of children... oh my. And now, to see his own niece marry into this nightmare? These just keep getting better. In for a penny, in for a pound. I may as well finish the series. Still loving them. On to book 13!
How do you convince a boy born to a deadly combination of poverty and the endless scorn of those labeled his betters, that his real worth is infinitely above that of the savage twisted spawn of kings?
How do you explain a world that gifts evil men with privilege and wealth and looks the other way while they torment and abuse the weakest members of society?
Well, these little mysteries are sure touching on some dark subject matter. This time it's the Marquis de Sade, and the serial murder of children... oh my. And now, to see his own niece marry into this nightmare? These just keep getting better. In for a penny, in for a pound. I may as well finish the series. Still loving them. On to book 13!
March 29, 2017
For those not in the know, I have annual standing book dates with certain authors or series that are truly an event for me where I clear the calendar for several hours and set up in a cozy spot with my beverage of choice and the latest shiny installment of my favorite series. The Sebastian St. Cyr series makes the cut and I gladly was lost in the dark underworld of Regency Era London along with Sebastian on his latest detecting adventure.
Where the Dead Lie is book twelve in the series and would work as an entry to the series out of order, but it is best read in order. The series has a new murder in each book, but there are ongoing series plot threads that move in the background for several of the characters particularly Sebastian.
This latest installment grabbed my heart and left me near tears a few times because Sebastian's latest case involves the street children. Back in those times, there were many reasons a child could end up alone and on the streets and even fewer resources available to care for them. Those who survived worked as hard as adults and had to develop a strength and cunning that broke my heart to see in children as young as five. And this story was particularly poignant because the murders were perpetrated against this vulnerable population that had no voice to cry out for justice. And the murderers were using the original Sadist, the Marquis de Sade as their inspiration.
So yes, the thematic elements hit me hard, but they hit Sebastian, too. The detecting in this book and the others in the series has a combo of cozy style with lots of exciting and gritty moments, too. Sebastian crosses and recrosses the city interviewing and grinding it out hunting clues and digging out what secrets are part of the case and which are irrelevant even as others come after him because of what he is learning.
Alongside the mystery, there is the ongoing simmering bunch of situations within Sebastian's extended family circle. Though, no worries, he and his wife are as stalwart a marital team as ever. I really hope the next book pursues that curious matter of his wife's cousin because I really think that lady is so much more than she seems. And wow, his niece choosing with eyes open to marry an evil reprobate and poor Sebastian knowing the arrogant lord is smug and toying with him over this. Hope there's more about that, too.
All in all, this was fantastic with its attention to authentic historical details, a cunning mystery, and colorful well drawn characters. Anyone who loves historical mystery must give this series a go.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Where the Dead Lie is book twelve in the series and would work as an entry to the series out of order, but it is best read in order. The series has a new murder in each book, but there are ongoing series plot threads that move in the background for several of the characters particularly Sebastian.
This latest installment grabbed my heart and left me near tears a few times because Sebastian's latest case involves the street children. Back in those times, there were many reasons a child could end up alone and on the streets and even fewer resources available to care for them. Those who survived worked as hard as adults and had to develop a strength and cunning that broke my heart to see in children as young as five. And this story was particularly poignant because the murders were perpetrated against this vulnerable population that had no voice to cry out for justice. And the murderers were using the original Sadist, the Marquis de Sade as their inspiration.
So yes, the thematic elements hit me hard, but they hit Sebastian, too. The detecting in this book and the others in the series has a combo of cozy style with lots of exciting and gritty moments, too. Sebastian crosses and recrosses the city interviewing and grinding it out hunting clues and digging out what secrets are part of the case and which are irrelevant even as others come after him because of what he is learning.
Alongside the mystery, there is the ongoing simmering bunch of situations within Sebastian's extended family circle. Though, no worries, he and his wife are as stalwart a marital team as ever. I really hope the next book pursues that curious matter of his wife's cousin because I really think that lady is so much more than she seems. And wow, his niece choosing with eyes open to marry an evil reprobate and poor Sebastian knowing the arrogant lord is smug and toying with him over this. Hope there's more about that, too.
All in all, this was fantastic with its attention to authentic historical details, a cunning mystery, and colorful well drawn characters. Anyone who loves historical mystery must give this series a go.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2017
TRIGGER WARNINGS: PEDOPHILIA, CHILD TORTURE, CHILD RAPE, CHILD DEATH
I stayed up until 6:30 a.m. reading this book, so you know it's good!
This is the darkest book in the series so far.
It was like a Criminal Minds episode in Regency England, with Sebastian trying to solve the mystery in time to prevent more children from being kidnapped, tortured, raped, and murdered.
It was so unbelievably tense!!!
I've read some people complaining about the disappointing conclusion, but honestly it's just setting the events for the next book, which is usual for the series, but I for one cannot wait for justice to be done, I've rarely been so upset at a book villain.
Also, there is a new character who is so sketchy and obviously evil that I'm amazed they weren't immediately accused of... wrongdoings.
Be warned that, though not graphic, the themes in this book are extremely dark and difficult to read, so bear that in mind.
Still, I honestly cannot wait for the next one to come out!
December 11, 2019
This one is definitely one of the darker instalments in this series but what makes it interesting is that things stay partially unresolved by the end. I really like how events, and characters, that featured in this book will prove to be conflicts going forward. Maybe just into book thirteen but maybe further on, too.
I also have a suspicion regarding a certain death and I'm 99.999999% I'm right about it. I'm not sure it's supposed to be that much of a leap, or a surprise, but I'm also loathe to even hint. Plus, I mean, time will tell.
Also speaking of time, it looks like I'll be caught up on this series before the end of the week. At which point I plan to take a very long nap.
I also have a suspicion regarding a certain death and I'm 99.999999% I'm right about it. I'm not sure it's supposed to be that much of a leap, or a surprise, but I'm also loathe to even hint. Plus, I mean, time will tell.
Also speaking of time, it looks like I'll be caught up on this series before the end of the week. At which point I plan to take a very long nap.
March 11, 2020
A tough and dark storyline, only half told which makes me want to continue straight away with the next. Was really pleased to see that now Sebastian’s a proud papa, he can empathise more with Hendon.
July 31, 2019
It's quite wonderful to read the 12th book in a series and find it the best of them all. In general, Harris has created a wonderfully rich cast of characters for this fascinating moment in history, as over time, the series reveals itself to be a harrowing account of criminality in regency England. In this book, the workings of a serial killer are center stage, but this book also features the rare case of a pair of serial killers working in tandem. The additional element of sexual predator serial killers targeting boys as well as girls makes for an especially unusual case. According to the author's notes, sexual predators tend to target girls, with only 1/5 of all of them choosing boys as prey. I think allusions also to the fact that the killers are upper class males resonate with the sordid Jack the Ripper killings at the end of the century.
Sebastian St. Cyr has always been invested in his cases and felt the urgency of solving crimes to prevent more as well as to bring some sense of justice and order out of chaos. I had a distinct feeling in this book though that the emotional weight of searching for child killers who happen also to be pedophiles came closer than ever before to pushing Sebastian over the edge. Feeling emotional at the start of the book as he watches his infant son develop and still grappling with sadness over his fraught relationship with his own father, Sebastian walks a tightrope to remain professional and observant without allowing his frayed nerves to undermine him. Sebastian, however, is not the only character caught up in a dirge-like atmosphere as London at large struggles to understand what a serial killer means and how anyone could torture, rape, and kill children. Gibson, Hero, Hendon, Tom, and Lovejoy all are beaten down by the events of this book. Serial killers seem like a particularly 20th century phenomena, especially if you watch the wonderfully creepy Netflix show, Mindhunters. But according to Harris, cursory records indicate that they have been around at least since the 13th century. Sebastian pointedly asks the crucial question here: "How do you identify a killer who has no real connection to his victims?"
Added to this unnerving scenario is a cat and mouse game one of the killers comes to enjoy playing with Sebastian. This killer is revealed fairly early in the book, and even though there are other potential suspects, Sebastian never loses sight of this one in particular, a man he has known for years and a man well-protected by the powerful in his class. The killer's sheer arrogance and confidence is breathtaking and it's difficult not to get caught up in a burning desire to see retribution. I thought it was very telling that Sebastian utters the sentence, "I'm not an executioner" mere pages from an end that sees one of the killers remain at large. Through the series, Sebastian has become a quasi superhero roaming London streets at night in an attempt to provide retribution, even while framing his actions as "justice." Here in Where the Dead Lie, justice/retribution is delayed, though I think readers are surely meant to feel reassured by Sebastian's conversation with the killer in the final pages that he himself is stalking his prey and waiting for his moment. As scary and monstrous as the killer is in this book, Sebastian is just as scary in the last page. Perhaps even scarier, this book positions readers into wanting a fitting retribution.
Sebastian St. Cyr has always been invested in his cases and felt the urgency of solving crimes to prevent more as well as to bring some sense of justice and order out of chaos. I had a distinct feeling in this book though that the emotional weight of searching for child killers who happen also to be pedophiles came closer than ever before to pushing Sebastian over the edge. Feeling emotional at the start of the book as he watches his infant son develop and still grappling with sadness over his fraught relationship with his own father, Sebastian walks a tightrope to remain professional and observant without allowing his frayed nerves to undermine him. Sebastian, however, is not the only character caught up in a dirge-like atmosphere as London at large struggles to understand what a serial killer means and how anyone could torture, rape, and kill children. Gibson, Hero, Hendon, Tom, and Lovejoy all are beaten down by the events of this book. Serial killers seem like a particularly 20th century phenomena, especially if you watch the wonderfully creepy Netflix show, Mindhunters. But according to Harris, cursory records indicate that they have been around at least since the 13th century. Sebastian pointedly asks the crucial question here: "How do you identify a killer who has no real connection to his victims?"
Added to this unnerving scenario is a cat and mouse game one of the killers comes to enjoy playing with Sebastian. This killer is revealed fairly early in the book, and even though there are other potential suspects, Sebastian never loses sight of this one in particular, a man he has known for years and a man well-protected by the powerful in his class. The killer's sheer arrogance and confidence is breathtaking and it's difficult not to get caught up in a burning desire to see retribution. I thought it was very telling that Sebastian utters the sentence, "I'm not an executioner" mere pages from an end that sees one of the killers remain at large. Through the series, Sebastian has become a quasi superhero roaming London streets at night in an attempt to provide retribution, even while framing his actions as "justice." Here in Where the Dead Lie, justice/retribution is delayed, though I think readers are surely meant to feel reassured by Sebastian's conversation with the killer in the final pages that he himself is stalking his prey and waiting for his moment. As scary and monstrous as the killer is in this book, Sebastian is just as scary in the last page. Perhaps even scarier, this book positions readers into wanting a fitting retribution.
April 29, 2017
Where the Dead Lie
5 Stars
After fighting in the Napoleanic Wars and solving several horrific murders, Sebastian St. Cyr should be familiar with the darkest depravity that human beings have to offer. But nothing has prepared him for the discovery that someone amongst the city's wealthy elite is preying on London's most vulnerable denizens, and committing some of the most brutal and sadistic crimes that Sebastian has ever seen.
Each installment in C.S. Harris's incredible Regency mystery series is better than the last and Where the Dead Lie is no exception. It should be noted, however, that the nature of this case with its child victims is notably darker and more disturbing than in previous books. Nevertheless, the descriptions are not overtly gruesome or graphic in detail.
Harris's realistic portrayal of the sordid underbelly of Regency London and the callousness with which the upper classes treat the poor and disenfranchised provides a gripping background to the horrific murders and Sebastian's quest to unmask the evil perpetrator, and seek justice for those whom society has forgotten.
While closure is provided for the main mystery, a couple of issues remain unresolved including what the future will bring for Sebastian's niece as well as the obviously nefarious machinations at work in the Jarvis household. It will be interesting to see how these plot points develop in the next book.
In terms of Sebastian's personal life, there are updates on his relationships with various family members, especially the Earl of Hendon, and the sweet scenes with Hero and baby Simon provide some much needed counterbalance to the harsh storyline.
Overall, a fast-paced page turner that is impossible to put down once you start.
5 Stars
After fighting in the Napoleanic Wars and solving several horrific murders, Sebastian St. Cyr should be familiar with the darkest depravity that human beings have to offer. But nothing has prepared him for the discovery that someone amongst the city's wealthy elite is preying on London's most vulnerable denizens, and committing some of the most brutal and sadistic crimes that Sebastian has ever seen.
Each installment in C.S. Harris's incredible Regency mystery series is better than the last and Where the Dead Lie is no exception. It should be noted, however, that the nature of this case with its child victims is notably darker and more disturbing than in previous books. Nevertheless, the descriptions are not overtly gruesome or graphic in detail.
Harris's realistic portrayal of the sordid underbelly of Regency London and the callousness with which the upper classes treat the poor and disenfranchised provides a gripping background to the horrific murders and Sebastian's quest to unmask the evil perpetrator, and seek justice for those whom society has forgotten.
While closure is provided for the main mystery, a couple of issues remain unresolved including what the future will bring for Sebastian's niece as well as the obviously nefarious machinations at work in the Jarvis household. It will be interesting to see how these plot points develop in the next book.
In terms of Sebastian's personal life, there are updates on his relationships with various family members, especially the Earl of Hendon, and the sweet scenes with Hero and baby Simon provide some much needed counterbalance to the harsh storyline.
Overall, a fast-paced page turner that is impossible to put down once you start.
May 20, 2024
Review from 2017
I've given this an A- for narration and an A for content at AudioGals.
It’s the rare author who can reach the twelfth book in a long-running series and still keep coming up with fresh ideas and interesting developments, but C.S. Harris manages to do both those things and more in her latest Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Where the Dead Lie. In this new instalment, our aristocratic sleuth becomes involved in the search for the perpetrators of the most horrible crimes upon the weakest, most vulnerable members of society � London’s street children. It’s a disturbing listen at times � as it should be, given the subject matter � and Ms. Harris doesn’t pull her punches when describing the plight of these often very young children who have been left parentless and homeless through no fault of their own, and how they are repeatedly betrayed by those privileged few who should be helping rather than taking advantage of them.
This is one of those series where the books really need to be listened to in order, and I would imagine it’s difficult to just pop in and out, reading some books and not others. Each of the mysteries is self-contained and reaches a satisfying ending, but just as compelling as those individual tales is the overarching story of Sebastian’s search for the truth about his birth and what happened to his errant mother, his difficult relationship with his father, the Earl of Hendon, and the intense animosity lying between Sebastian and his father-in-law, Lord Jarvis, cousin to the Regent and the power behind the throne.
Please note: As this is book twelve, there are likely to be spoilers for the earlier titles in this review.
When Sebastian returned from the battlefields of France and Spain around three years earlier to assume the mantle of Viscount Devlin, he was embittered and reckless; his two older brothers had died, leaving him as his father’s heir, and he had not forgiven the earl for cruelly separating him from the woman he loved, actress Kat Boleyn. As the series has progressed, Sebastian has made shocking discoveries about his parentage and his already fragile relationship with Hendon has become even more fractured as a result. But recent events have changed him; he is deeply in love with his wife, Hero � a highly intelligent, compassionate woman who his clearly his perfect match � and has recently become the father of a young son. Fatherhood enables him to viewhisfather’s situation in a different light, and provides the impetus for an improvement in their relationship which is rather lovely to see and hear.
Those subtle relationship shifts and the happiness of Sebastian’s marriage provide some respite in what is a fairly dark story which sees him investigating the brutal murder of a young boy, whose battered, mutilated body is found buried in a shallow grave on the grounds of an old, disused factory in Clerkenwell. When it is discovered that the boy had been raped and tortured, Sebastian is sickened and determined to discover who could have done such a thing to a child. His investigations lead him to suspect a few men of his own class, conscienceless men who will stop at nothing in order to secure their own pleasures and who see nothing wrong in ridding the streets of unwanted children in whatever way they see fit. It’s this attitude as much as anything else which drives Sebastian to continue to hunt for the murderer even though he comes up against one brick wall after another; and worse, the young sister of the latest victim is still missing and it must surely be only a matter of time before she is abused and killed like her brother. When more bodies are found at the site, it’s obvious that this cycle of abduction, abuse and murder has been going on for quite some time, and the deeper Sebastian digs, the more obvious it becomes that he is looking for more than one killer. It’s also apparent that whoever is responsible for this series of horrific crimes has powerful friends and protectors, and that without absolute and irrefutable proof, it’s going to be nigh on impossible to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The author once again draws an evocative picture of the London streets, from the dingy, mud and muck-strewn cobbles of the East End to the grand houses of Mayfair, showing the daily struggle faced by so many who lived in utter squalor with little to look forward to but an early and probably undignified death. She also evokes the level of outrage Sebastian feels towards the people committing the atrocities to such a degree that it’s almost tangible; there’s no doubt that he is deeply affected by the things he sees and hears, and that he is driven to root out this evil and see it stopped.
I said at the outset that the mysteries in the books are self-contained, but that isn’t quite true of this one, because while one of the wrongdoers gets his just desserts, another remains at large and I imagine Sebastian’s investigation will continue in the next book. There’s also a sub-plot brewing concerning a distant cousin of Hero’s which promises to provide intrigue and complication, so I am eagerly awaiting the release of book thirteen in 2018.
Davina Porter is very firmly entrenched as the voice of theSebastian St. Cyrmysteries, and a very good job she does, too. As one would expect in a long-running series, there are a number of recurring characters, and their portrayals are consistent with their earlier appearances, although I have noticed a change in her characterisation of Henry Lovejoy, the magistrate who has become a friend of Sebastian’s and who sometimes assists in his investigations. Lovejoy is described as being a small man with an unusually high-pitched voice (or he was in the earlier books), but I can’t say that I noticed much difference between the pitch Ms. Porter uses for him and the pitch she employs for many of the other male characters. I also noticed that the young boys in the story � young lads living precariously on the streets � all sounded pretty similar, and in turn sounded very much like Tom, Sebastian’s tiger. I confess to having a soft spot for Tom and to enjoying Ms. Porter’s characterisation of him very much; and given that the boys don’t appear in scenes together, there’s no possibility of confusing them. Otherwise, all the characters are skilfully and expertly differentiated using a variety of timbre, tone and accent. Hero’s voice is imbued with warmth and intelligence and her mother’s frailty is subtly hinted at; Hendon is gruff, Jarvis snarls convincingly and, at the centre of it all is Sebastian himself, portrayed convincingly by means of a drop in pitch and a deliberate manner of speech that works very well to convey that this is a man not to be messed with.
Where the Dead Lieis a well-plotted mystery rich in historical detail and intrigue. It’s a gripping listen and one I’m more than happy to recommend.
I've given this an A- for narration and an A for content at AudioGals.
It’s the rare author who can reach the twelfth book in a long-running series and still keep coming up with fresh ideas and interesting developments, but C.S. Harris manages to do both those things and more in her latest Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery, Where the Dead Lie. In this new instalment, our aristocratic sleuth becomes involved in the search for the perpetrators of the most horrible crimes upon the weakest, most vulnerable members of society � London’s street children. It’s a disturbing listen at times � as it should be, given the subject matter � and Ms. Harris doesn’t pull her punches when describing the plight of these often very young children who have been left parentless and homeless through no fault of their own, and how they are repeatedly betrayed by those privileged few who should be helping rather than taking advantage of them.
This is one of those series where the books really need to be listened to in order, and I would imagine it’s difficult to just pop in and out, reading some books and not others. Each of the mysteries is self-contained and reaches a satisfying ending, but just as compelling as those individual tales is the overarching story of Sebastian’s search for the truth about his birth and what happened to his errant mother, his difficult relationship with his father, the Earl of Hendon, and the intense animosity lying between Sebastian and his father-in-law, Lord Jarvis, cousin to the Regent and the power behind the throne.
Please note: As this is book twelve, there are likely to be spoilers for the earlier titles in this review.
When Sebastian returned from the battlefields of France and Spain around three years earlier to assume the mantle of Viscount Devlin, he was embittered and reckless; his two older brothers had died, leaving him as his father’s heir, and he had not forgiven the earl for cruelly separating him from the woman he loved, actress Kat Boleyn. As the series has progressed, Sebastian has made shocking discoveries about his parentage and his already fragile relationship with Hendon has become even more fractured as a result. But recent events have changed him; he is deeply in love with his wife, Hero � a highly intelligent, compassionate woman who his clearly his perfect match � and has recently become the father of a young son. Fatherhood enables him to viewhisfather’s situation in a different light, and provides the impetus for an improvement in their relationship which is rather lovely to see and hear.
Those subtle relationship shifts and the happiness of Sebastian’s marriage provide some respite in what is a fairly dark story which sees him investigating the brutal murder of a young boy, whose battered, mutilated body is found buried in a shallow grave on the grounds of an old, disused factory in Clerkenwell. When it is discovered that the boy had been raped and tortured, Sebastian is sickened and determined to discover who could have done such a thing to a child. His investigations lead him to suspect a few men of his own class, conscienceless men who will stop at nothing in order to secure their own pleasures and who see nothing wrong in ridding the streets of unwanted children in whatever way they see fit. It’s this attitude as much as anything else which drives Sebastian to continue to hunt for the murderer even though he comes up against one brick wall after another; and worse, the young sister of the latest victim is still missing and it must surely be only a matter of time before she is abused and killed like her brother. When more bodies are found at the site, it’s obvious that this cycle of abduction, abuse and murder has been going on for quite some time, and the deeper Sebastian digs, the more obvious it becomes that he is looking for more than one killer. It’s also apparent that whoever is responsible for this series of horrific crimes has powerful friends and protectors, and that without absolute and irrefutable proof, it’s going to be nigh on impossible to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The author once again draws an evocative picture of the London streets, from the dingy, mud and muck-strewn cobbles of the East End to the grand houses of Mayfair, showing the daily struggle faced by so many who lived in utter squalor with little to look forward to but an early and probably undignified death. She also evokes the level of outrage Sebastian feels towards the people committing the atrocities to such a degree that it’s almost tangible; there’s no doubt that he is deeply affected by the things he sees and hears, and that he is driven to root out this evil and see it stopped.
I said at the outset that the mysteries in the books are self-contained, but that isn’t quite true of this one, because while one of the wrongdoers gets his just desserts, another remains at large and I imagine Sebastian’s investigation will continue in the next book. There’s also a sub-plot brewing concerning a distant cousin of Hero’s which promises to provide intrigue and complication, so I am eagerly awaiting the release of book thirteen in 2018.
Davina Porter is very firmly entrenched as the voice of theSebastian St. Cyrmysteries, and a very good job she does, too. As one would expect in a long-running series, there are a number of recurring characters, and their portrayals are consistent with their earlier appearances, although I have noticed a change in her characterisation of Henry Lovejoy, the magistrate who has become a friend of Sebastian’s and who sometimes assists in his investigations. Lovejoy is described as being a small man with an unusually high-pitched voice (or he was in the earlier books), but I can’t say that I noticed much difference between the pitch Ms. Porter uses for him and the pitch she employs for many of the other male characters. I also noticed that the young boys in the story � young lads living precariously on the streets � all sounded pretty similar, and in turn sounded very much like Tom, Sebastian’s tiger. I confess to having a soft spot for Tom and to enjoying Ms. Porter’s characterisation of him very much; and given that the boys don’t appear in scenes together, there’s no possibility of confusing them. Otherwise, all the characters are skilfully and expertly differentiated using a variety of timbre, tone and accent. Hero’s voice is imbued with warmth and intelligence and her mother’s frailty is subtly hinted at; Hendon is gruff, Jarvis snarls convincingly and, at the centre of it all is Sebastian himself, portrayed convincingly by means of a drop in pitch and a deliberate manner of speech that works very well to convey that this is a man not to be messed with.
Where the Dead Lieis a well-plotted mystery rich in historical detail and intrigue. It’s a gripping listen and one I’m more than happy to recommend.
April 5, 2023
I found myself not being as drawn to this book as I was the others. The plot just didn't grab me, and I wasn't as invested in these characters as I have been in the past. Still a great mystery with some twist to it, but the hopelessness of the street children was an element I could have done without. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end.
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin has made it his avocation to investigate murder, especially those murders involving the members of the ton where justice is most often denied to their victims due to their position in society. There is no more victimized class than the street children who roam the streets of London. When the tortured body of a young boy is discovered, Sebastian investigates, and this investigation leads him to the dark world of sexual deviation than those who abuse for pleasure.
Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin has made it his avocation to investigate murder, especially those murders involving the members of the ton where justice is most often denied to their victims due to their position in society. There is no more victimized class than the street children who roam the streets of London. When the tortured body of a young boy is discovered, Sebastian investigates, and this investigation leads him to the dark world of sexual deviation than those who abuse for pleasure.
February 23, 2024
Lots of evil going on in this one� and while very well written, it dragged in the middle. The storyline itself was more intriguing then some and re-earned a star.
I would have liked more Hero and less despair but now there’s a baby in the mix, I guess she’s faded somewhat into the background.
On an aside� it’s a bleaker than usual tale and beware� cliffhanger ahead!!
(Reviewed 11/18/17)
I would have liked more Hero and less despair but now there’s a baby in the mix, I guess she’s faded somewhat into the background.
On an aside� it’s a bleaker than usual tale and beware� cliffhanger ahead!!
(Reviewed 11/18/17)
April 21, 2021
Another book that has been reviewed many times. The story line that deals with a difficult subject. Sometimes Harris uses a few too many red herrings. In this book she laid out the process in a way that was methodical and tied all the parts together. The story will continue and there are several twists and turns involving family members that make me excited to read the next in the series.
June 15, 2017
Once again an excellent addition to this superb series. If there is one historical mystery series you should be reading than it is Sebastian St. Cyr. While this book felt a bit more gritty then previous books, it had me gripped from start to finish.
March 29, 2024
I was tempted to stop reading because of the darker themes in this story. I am not a fan of books that include pedophiles, bondage, whipping, etc. but I managed to finish the book. There was one death I wasn't expecting and I hope to read more about it in a future story because I think two people were involved. Then again, I could be wrong.
I have to say Ms. Harris wrote an interesting piece at the end explaining why she chose to write about the missing children from the 1800s and how many more there are worldwide today. It is very sad.
I have to say Ms. Harris wrote an interesting piece at the end explaining why she chose to write about the missing children from the 1800s and how many more there are worldwide today. It is very sad.
June 21, 2020
I have been absolutely loving this series. Everyone of the books has been 4.5 . All the chatacters are extraordinary and beyond intreguing .
April 28, 2024
I had two reactions to this book. First, it was a superb murder mystery with an eye to the effects of a highly stratified society and sometimes unlimited power. Second, I had a belated reaction to the horror of poor orphaned children being deliberately selected for torture and death in a society that viewed them as annoying rubbish. That caused me heartbreak and anger.
Lord Jarvis, like Putin, is a rational actor who routinely orders assassinations. In his case, this is completely justified by his desire to protect the monarchy and existing social order. The horrors of the French Revolution seem to justify his actions, but his actions are nothing new. Absolute power and divine right have long been used to justify extreme violence. Harris very effectively conveys the mindset that enables powerful people and also identifies how the rest of society bend to accept their actions. Very disturbing. This may have been the best in a great series but I’m going to need a break to lighten up. Superb writing.
Lord Jarvis, like Putin, is a rational actor who routinely orders assassinations. In his case, this is completely justified by his desire to protect the monarchy and existing social order. The horrors of the French Revolution seem to justify his actions, but his actions are nothing new. Absolute power and divine right have long been used to justify extreme violence. Harris very effectively conveys the mindset that enables powerful people and also identifies how the rest of society bend to accept their actions. Very disturbing. This may have been the best in a great series but I’m going to need a break to lighten up. Superb writing.
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