When Blood Lies (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery)

I disliked the new narrator for the audiobook. The story involved an array of characters barely distinguishable from each other because of the generic French accent that started even muddying up every character, save for one or two outbursts from Tom just to remind us some of these characters were English. Hero was also sidelined for too much of the story for my taste.

One of the best things about the entire series is that it totally captivates you – both emotionally and intellectually. I always learn so much history right along with solving a complex, convoluted, and twisted mystery. I would say this is one of the best books in the series, but you wouldn’t believe me because I say that about each new book! It is truly a wonderful read and I devoured each and every word of it. It was so bittersweet with Sebastian finally finding his mother and then getting so little time with her. Sebastian and Hero have grown so close to each other and they are so loving and supportive – I just love that part of the story.

It is March of 1815; Napoleon has been exiled to Elba for a year; The Bourbons have been show more restored to the throne of France; Ex-Pats have returned to France; There is a conference being held to determine the future of France, Europe, and Napoleon. Unrest among the French citizens is also quietly present – they aren’t openly opposed to the Bourbons nor are they openly supportive of a return by Napoleon – but they are tired of the way they are being treated. Sebastian, Hero, and the two boys have traveled to Paris during these turbulent times so Sebastian can search for his mother, Sophie.

As a melancholy and frustrated Sebastian walks near the Seine, he finds a very badly injured woman – a woman he recognizes – his mother. She recognizes him immediately – but can only utter his name before he picks her up and rushes her to his leased home. When she dies from her wounds without saying anything else, Sebastian and Hero vow to solve the case – no matter where the evidence leads. And goodness does it take some strange twists and turns. Was his mother involved in espionage? Where had she been on her recent trip – and what was its purpose? Is she involved – directly or inadvertently – in Napoleon’s escape from Elba? Oh! What a tangled web of intrigue and deception for Sebastian and Hero to work through before they finally discover the truth.

I highly recommend this book and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. The writing is superb, the characters are unique, interesting, and compelling, and the mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Then, if you add in all of the very descriptive historical details, you’ll feel as if you are right there with the tensions rising as Napoleon escapes Elba and heads toward Paris. Truly an excellent read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Note: There are necessarily spoilers for previous books in this series.

Although this is the 17th book in this series, C.S. Harris does an outstanding job of providing enough background in every book - without making it seem tedious or out of place - so that any of the books could be read as standalones.

The Sebastian St. Cyr historical crime fiction series began with the first book set in 1811, the year that George, Prince of Wales (known by the public as “Prinny”) began his nine-year tenure as Regent of the British Monarchy. (A prince regent is a prince who rules in the place of a monarch who is still the titular king but has been deemed unfit for any reason, such as age, or physical or mental incapacity. In this case, the Prince of show more Wales was standing in for his father George III, thought to be mad. On the death of his father in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV.)

The Regency Era is a popular setting for fiction. For one thing, these were very interesting times historically. Most of Europe was at war, for and against Napoleon, depending on the year. Social mores were in an uproar as well: the rights of both women and slaves were being debated everywhere. And the conflict between the classes, especially in England, proved to be rich fodder for romantic plots. [You may also wish to consult my post on "An Introduction to the Regency Era.”]

In this installment, it is now the spring of 1815, and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is in his early 30s, has been married for three years to Hero, and has a two-year-old son Simon. Devlin is heir to the powerful Earl of Hendon, but is not actually Hendon’s son. His mother Sophie had an affair, and left her husband and children when Devlin was 11. His father told them the lie that Sophie was lost at sea. When Devlin finally learned the truth, he was determined to find her and also discover who his real father was.

As this story begins, Devlin and his family have come to Paris where his mother, calling herself Sophia Cappello, was said to be living. He does indeed find her - she is dying, having been stabbed and thrown over a bridge at the tip of the Île de la Cité. She lived just long enough to whisper to him her recognition by uttering “Sebastian.”

Devlin finds out that Sophia had been living with her lover of many years, General Alexandre McClellan, one of Napoleon’s generals. Devlin bears a remarkable resemblance to the picture of McClellan in Sophie’s house. But he sets that insight aside for the nonce; his priority is finding out who killed Sophie and why.

His investigatory efforts are set in the chaotic world of a changing France, where a Bourbon king, Louis XVIII, is in power and Napoleon has been exiled to Elba. Ominously, Devlin learns Sophie had recently traveled to Elba. Could that have had something to do with her murder?

The political quagmire through which Devlin has to wade is complex and dangerous. As Devlin reflected:

“…the people of this land had risen up against the grinding inequality and injustice of their age, only to lose their way in a morass of hatred, bloodshed, and terror . . . . the reimposition of the oppressive rule of the Bourbons made a brighter, more just future seem somehow less likely than ever….”

The author, who has a PhD in nineteenth-century European history, guides us through the machinations of the powerful (and those aspiring to be powerful) so that readers learn a great deal of history while Devlin is trying to solve the crime. I especially loved the ongoing account, parallel to Sebastian’s story, of Napoleon’s progress through France after returning from Elba; it had its own elements of suspense and excitement.

Evaluation: I love the recurring characters in this series and their evolving interactions. In addition, one always learns a great deal of well-researched history about this fascinating and horrifying period, with a number of crimes thrown in to add tension and interest. This series is entertaining, educational, and well worth delving into. show less

While I've enjoyed all the St. Cyr mysteries, I do love the first few books that set up the meta-mystery around Sebastian's parentage. We've now returned to that central mystery in a setting I did not expect, post-exile Napoleon Paris.
Sebastian has finally found his mother but it's a tragic moment as she is murdered as she comes to meet him. He and Hero are determined to find the murderer but the shifting loyalties and factions set a lot of obstacles in their path. All the major characters (the Earl of Herndon, Hero's father Jarvis, their children Simon and Patrick) are here as well as some fascinating new people, some historical and others based on historical figures.
It's an intriguing period of time, one I don't know much about so I show more loved learning about it. Ms. Harris is a thorough historian and researcher who throws little tidbits into the story to make it even more interesting. The French Revolution still has a great impact on France as well as the Napoleonic wars. The Bourbons are attempting to re-establish their rule (badly) and the allies are just trying to keep the peace and Napoleon on Elba.
Devlin and Hero do their best but it's not easy to solve a murder in this political environment. There's a bit of a cliff-hanger ending and I can't wait for Devlin to meet Alexandre McClellan (hopefully in the next book). This is such a wonderful series and I gobble up the books as they arrive each year. show less

When Blood Lies by C.S. Harris is a 2022 Berkley publication.

Sebastian and Hero are in Paris following a possible lead to the whereabouts of Sebastian’s mother. A shocking event changes the trajectory of their mission sending them headlong into an intensely emotional and dangerous search for a killer.

I was very surprised by this turn of events. I never would have guessed things would turn out like this for Sebastian. That said, it made for a very absorbing murder mystery. This series is, at its core, is a procedural, but it is the historical details and the atmosphere, along with the amazing characters makes it stand out.

The climate in France at this critical juncture is handled incredibly well and is very interesting all by show more itself. But the situation is heart wrenching for Sebastian. And as always, he melts my heart. My immense respect for Hero climbs up another notch in this installment. The mystery this time around is an emotional one, but the intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat.

This is one of those series, I wait impatiently for each installment and then must force myself to slow down and relish every dark, splendid detail.

This series is, at its core, is a procedural, but it is the incredible historical details and the atmosphere, along with the amazing characters makes it stand out. The story ends on an intriguing note and is yet another stellar installment in one of my all-time favorite series! show less

When Blood Lies - C.S. Harris
Audio performance by Jenny Sterlin
4 stars

For the first time in this long running series the story is set outside of England. Sebastian St.Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is in Paris with his wife and children. Louis the XVIII has been restored to the throne. Napoleon has been exiled to Elba. ( We all know how long that will last.) Sebastian is set for a long awaited reunion with his mysterious, long lost mother.

I think I was just as disappointed and frustrated as Sebastian when his meeting was limited to the last tragic minutes of her life. (Not really a spoiler. This takes place in the first few pages of the book.) The clock is ticking on Napoleon’s escape from Elba while Sebastian and Hero try to unravel the show more life and death of the former Countess of Hendon. It’s a convoluted story and possibly the least believable murder plot of the series. On the other hand, there were many fascinating historical characters. The atmosphere of the volatile political situation created some wonderful suspense.

I’ve always listened to the books in this series. They were always read by the wonderful and recently retired, Davina Porter. I worried about the change in readers. It rarely works when the characters have been created in another voice. Jenny Sterlin is also very talented. I’m devoted to her reading of Laurie R. King’s Holmes and Russell series. It was a bit of an adjustment, but she was an excellent choice to take over this mystery series. I enjoyed her performance. show less

When Blood Lies is the next book in the long-running Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series. This one resolves a long-running subplot, the search for Sebastian's mother, and the journey takes us to Paris after the fall of Napoleon. I have always enjoyed these books for the rich historical details, and this one is no exception. The books are always well-written, full of extensive research, but is there a point where the research overshadows the mystery? Absolutely, and this is exactly what has been happening with the latest books in this series, of which this one falls victim as well.

Having a history background, I love the historical information, but there really is a point where too much is really too much. There was just some information show more thrown in that was not necessary to the plot and actually bogged it down. Fine for a historical novel, but not so good when reading a mystery novel that depends on a certain level of tension and ruins the emotional moments of the plot.

Overall, the plot wasn't horrible, but I was incredibly disappointed with the death of Sebastian's mother simply because so many previous books had this subplot leading to their reunion and this is not how I imagined it would go down. And while trying to work out the mystery, something that was not too difficult if you have any understanding of French history during this time period, I was fervently hoping it wouldn't go down the road that it did, but unfortunately, it did. I was fervently hoping for something a little bit different, something less global. And to be honest, I get tired of Jarvis showing up everywhere as I don't think it's necessary. And Sebastian and Hero's investigations are sort of repetitive to previous books. He investigates while constantly being told not to intervene and ruffles some feathers, and naturally, at some point, he will be attacked. Hero will interview the destitute and magically come across some tidbit of information that will give a huge clue to solving the case, and Jarvis will threaten everyone if they continue investigating. Same old, same old. And now we are left with another mystery, details surrounding Sebastian's actual father.

Verdict
When Blood Lies was a bit of a disappointment, but I have been too invested in Sebastian's story to give up at this point. I would have liked a different solution for his reunion with his mother as I felt the mystery in this one was rather weak and rambling, solely to incorporate the historical events of the time into the book. I also feel that a mystery that has had fans involved for sixteen books also deserved a much better reward than the one given in this book. I did like the historical details sketched out in this book as it showed the extensive research by the author, but they did overshadow the mystery and made any attempt to develop empathy for the characters difficult. And now we are left with another mystery, Sebastian's actual father. Who exactly is this man? show less