Where The Dead Lie by C.S. Harris

April 19th, 2017 Kimberly Guest Post, Review 43 Comments

19th Apr
Where The Dead Lie by C.S. Harris
Where The Dead Lie
by C.S. Harris
Series: Sebastian St. Cyr #12
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

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.

ARC REVIEW historical mystery well written

Please welcome Sophia Rose to the blog today. She is here to share a review of WHERE THE DEAD LIE by C.S. Harris. This is a cunning historical mystery that will transport you to 1839 London. Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and enjoy!

Sophia’s Review

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 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 think that lady is so much more than she seems. And wow, his niece choosing with eyes open to marrying 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, WHERE THE DEAD LIE, 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.

Where The Dead Lie by C.S. Harris was a cunning historical mystery #guest review Share on X
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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43 Responses to “Where The Dead Lie by C.S. Harris”

  1. MarthaE

    I was drawn by the cover of this. I need to check out this series. I like the sound of the historical mystery mix and character elements. I’m glad that you liked it. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

    • Sophia Rose

      Yes, that is definitely a gorgeous cover. I like most of the ones for this series.. Hope you get the chance at them, Martha!

  2. Jess Fairday's Blog

    I love HF and mysteries. I don’t recall hearing of this series, but this book sounds like a fascinating read. I was curious about it as soon as I saw the cover. Loved the review and I look forward to check out the series soon. 🙂

  3. Julie Wright

    This sounds great, I have just finished the Dark Days Club, is it like that?
    Also, if this is book 12, then Do you have to start a 1? or can you pick and choose?
    Love the blog * thumbs up*

    • Sophia Rose

      I’m not sure if it’s like The Dark Days Club though I’ve got that on my list.

      Yes, you really should start with book one, Julie. There is a new mystery in each one, but there is also a larger story that carries through the whole series with updates in each book to move it forward.

      Thanks for the ‘thumbs up’. Kimberly hosts a fantastic blog, does she not? 🙂

      • Julie Wright

        she does indeed!! and thank you for the response, I will indeed put Book one one TBR list 🙂

  5. Lily B

    Currently reading this myself, the plotline is a bit on a dark side huh? taking me longer than I want to because of it

    • Sophia Rose

      Oh man, I hear you, Angela. I love reading blog reviews, but it certainly doesn’t make my TBR pile reduce in size.

  7. Stormi Johnson

    I have really wanted to read this series but there are twelve out….aaah why do I find cool series after they have been out a long time. 🙁 🙂

    • Sophia Rose

      Yeah, it can be pretty intimidating when a series is already in the double digits, Stormi. I just figure I’ll likely never run out of new books to try in our lifetime. 🙂

  8. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh this one sounds good and I’m going to have to check out this author. My mom loves mysteries and this also sounds perfect for her. I’m going to have to direct her to this review.

    • Sophia Rose

      You betcha, Jackie! This is a fantastic series. Oh yes, I agree, the cover reveal each year is always a treat b/c they are such gorgeous ones (In a murder mystery tone). 🙂

    • Sophia Rose

      I’m like the bookish Mrs. Santa. I’m everywhere. LOL, Mary. It’s been fun visiting other blogs and talking books. I know you do that a lot for Sharon, too. 🙂

      Oh man, I so love this series. I am dying for next year’s release.

    • Sophia Rose

      Woohoo!!!! Sebastian Fan Gals Unite!

      Oh yeah, Jonetta, there are two threads that continue from this one that have me drumming my impatient fingers for next year’s release. The niece is one.

      • Jonetta (Ejaygirl)

        One of my GR groups selected this series for a group read. We have extensively discussed each book (I set up a separate group solely for book discussions). If you’re a GR member, I’ll share the link.

        • Sophia Rose

          I am a GR member, Jonetta.

          Truthfully, I am absolutely lousy with group participation, but that is neat about the discussion threat you started.

  12. sherry fundin

    The cover made me think of Jack The Ripper, but killing children? That’s a big bad NO NO. Sounds like a fabulous series.

    • Sophia Rose

      There have been some pretty gruesome murder cases in this series, but with the children and a Sadist involved this one really grabbed me, Sherry.

      Yes! Abso-fab. 🙂

    • Sophia Rose

      Yeah, I’ve been reading them since the series released so even I haven’t realized how many there were until I wrote up the review. It’s a great series. Hope you get the chance. 🙂

  14. Braine

    Oooh this series is new to me. I love male leads and this definitely sounds like my cuppa. Do I have to follow the order or can I jump to book 12?

    • Sophia Rose

      Sebastian is most definitely a fantastic male lead and I love the regular characters surrounding him, too.

      Probably not a good idea to jump in at book 12 because there are quite a few minor threads and mentions tying back to early events. But that said, you wouldn’t be utterly lost, either, Braine.

    • Sophia Rose

      Oh yuck! Yeah, spring sinus infections and colds are going about around here, too. No sweat, Kimberly. You do what you can do and don’t worry about the rest. 🙂