October continues to be great fun, reading wise, with another mystery logged for RIPXIII.
Last week I read When Gods Die by C.S. Harris--#2 in her Sebastian St Cyr series. I read the first book a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it. This one was even better.
It is initially set in Brighton, at the Royal Pavilion, which I actually visited in 2000 and found absolutely enchanting in a thoroughly over the top way. The mystery involves a plot to overthrow the Hanoverians on the throne, has a marvelous chase scene through the London sewers, and gives the reader much backstory of the very charming hero, who has a penchant for ruining his beautiful clothes, much to the dismay of his valet.
It's a true Regency romp with mystery and derring-do, lords and ladies, upstairs and downstairs. The mystery itself is quite interesting--a variation on the closed door approach, this time the mystery hinges on when the murder happened and how the body got to where it was found.
I also loved the connection to Wales and the Arthurian legend, with a whole family of witchy women with names likes Morgana, Guinevere, and Isolde.
Speaking of names, I think I just got the author's pun on the hero's name--since I know that St John, as in St John Rivers of Jane Eyre, to be pronounced Sin-Jin. I assume St Cyr to be pronounced Sin-Cere...or sincere. I think that's kind of cute because, despite appearance, Sebastian is sincere.
I'm not sure whether I'll get the fourth book read to reach Peril the First level. It's a set of short stories that aren't really doing it for me, and I've set it aside for other more interesting books.
Thus sounds good. I love the thing about ruined clothing. The connection with The English Royalty sounds interesting. Good luck with the series.
ReplyDeleteI love Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr series! It's actually one of the few series where I own every book. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally failed at RIP XIII! I had one book to read and I blew it.
ReplyDeleteBut you have done so well. This sounds like a great series too!