I’ve kind of jumped around in this series. I was first introduced to this series when the twelfth book came across my desk for review. I had never heard of the series before but I was intrigued. So much so that I picked up the first book in the series to read before I jumped in so late in the series.

Yes there are a lot of things that happen between book 1 and book 12 as one might expect and yes I was a little disorientated reading the 12th book after basically missing a lot of character development and plot points. However I love Sebastian St Cyr as a character so much that I was willing to be a little lost within the series.

London, 1814. As a cruel winter holds the city in its icy grip, the bloody body of a beautiful young musician is found half-buried in a snowdrift. Jane Ambrose’s ties to Princess Charlotte, the only child of the Prince Regent and heir presumptive to the throne, panic the palace, which moves quickly to shut down any investigation into the death of the talented pianist.

But Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his wife Hero refuse to allow Jane’s murderer to escape justice.

Untangling the secrets of Jane’s world leads Sebastian into a maze of dangerous treachery where each player has his or her own unsavory agenda and no one can be trusted.

As the Thames freezes over and the people of London pour onto the ice for a Frost Fair, Sebastian and Hero find their investigation circling back to the palace and building to a chilling crescendo of deceit and death (summary from Goodreads).

Like many mystery series, a lot of people will say each book could be read as a stand alone and I would agree a book like this could probably be read as a stand alone but you will be missing a lot of plot points. If that sort of thing doesn’t bother you, then dive right in but if you want to see the evolution of the protagonist then start from the beginning–it’s a great series and the first book was fantastic. If you don’t care about the plot points or are indifferent, then by all means jump right in. This is a classic whodunnit that’s a little more nitty gritty than your run of the mill period mystery novel. If you love solving grizzly murders with an atmospheric feel, then start with any book in this series!

I kind of have a foot in both camps. Yes I love seeing the evolution of a protagonist especially one as complex as Sebastian St Cyr but I also love a really good mystery so I haven’t minded doing around in this series. St Cyr is a fantastic character and I love his complexity and evolution–even if I am jumping around it’s still evident he’s much changed from the first book.

This book did not disappoint in the mystery and atmosphere part. I think the author did a good job at giving a little background story for Sebastian and Hero which I was thankful for and I think those who are jumping in late in the game will appreciate and be brought up to speed quickly.

I think the one thing that I was a little surprised by in this book was the amount of characters throughout the narrative. That seemed a little out of character for the author. The books that I have read do not have so many people involved. Now I can’t speak for the other books but the ones I have read seem to be pretty focused on Sebastian so having a lot of other characters was a little confusing. It felt like there were a few too many people involved in everything which bogged down the story to some degree.

This book was a quick read for me. The pace in all of the books I have read in this series thus far are very snappy. One minute I would be barely starting a chapter and the next I was like ten chapters in so I enjoyed how everything was organized and structured to keep the tempo going.

I am thrilled to have discovered this series even if I am late in the game. I love Sebastian and am anxious to see what the next book holds. Hopefully I can read a few more books in the series so I can be better caught up. This book left a strong foundation for the next book and readers–get excited!

One final note, I was not a fan of the black and white cover. One of the things that I love about the covers in this series is the use of color. They are always so eye catching and this one just said boring newspaper print. I have seen that a more colorful cover is coming and I would recommend using that one instead of this one.

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Why Kill the Innocent (Sebastian St Cyr #13) by CS Harris

Kindle/Paperback, 368 pages
Expected publication: April 3rd 2018 by Berkley
ISBN 0399585621 (ISBN13: 9780399585623)
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review.
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 3.5 out of 5

Genre: historical fiction, mystery, detective novel

Memorable lines/quotes:

How have I not read any books in this series yet??? I do remember when the first couple came out thinking that they were tied to Caleb Carr's The Alienist. I think the covers might have been similar? Who knows. For whatever reason I never picked up any books in this series and the only thing that keeps me from being disappointed in myself is that I now have the pleasure of catching up with the previous 12 books.

The mystery is complicated but never convoluted as the plot is intricately developed. I enjoyed the development of the character of Jane Ambrose just as much as I enjoyed the hunt to solve her murder and the politics that surrounds the investigation. The book alternated between Sebastian and Hero and both characters bring a slightly different perspective to the investigation and I loved that they each valued the other's thoughts and view point.

I really enjoyed all the political tidbits surrounding Princess Charlotte and her father, the Prince Regent. It was fascinating and made me realize just how little I knew about the British monarchy pre-Victoria. I always feel that a historical mystery or fiction has been a success when I find myself wanting to dig into the nonfiction facts and that was definitely the case here.

This was a thoroughly entertaining historical mystery with a wonderfully done investigative team and a fascinating mystery. While this is book 13 in the series I didn't have any trouble understanding what was going on though I suspect I might have felt a deeper connection to Hero and Sebastian though this in now way impacted my enjoyment.

1814 was notable for one of the coldest winters London had seen in years. Supplies were unable to get through roads from farms, prices of basic goods like coal skyrocketed, and the Thames froze over to allow for a Frost Fair. So it should come as no surprise when a woman turns up dead, found under a blanket of snow. But the woman didn't freeze to death, and the person who found the body isn't one to let a suspicious death go with no comment. Sebastian and Hero St. Cyr may be English nobility, but both have a deep moral need to see justice whether the victim is rich or poor. When it turns out that the victim, Jane Ambrose, taught piano to Princess Charlotte, the coverups begin and it becomes impossible to tell if Jane died because of her connection to the royal family or for something else entirely.

I found both Sebastian and Hero to be well done, likable characters. Both were believable in their desire to see justice done. Hero's research into articles exposing the difficulties of poor and working class families whose men have been impressed into the Navy give the reader the gritty, dark reality behind the glittering Regency era. While they didn't always connect smoothly to the rest of the narrative, I thought they were powerful, well-written, and clearly well researched scenes. Harris does a wonderful job in bringing London to life and immersing the reader in its sounds and smells, and her descriptions of the famous Frost Fair on the Thames make you feel as if you are there with the characters, walking on the ice.

The mystery surrounding Jane's death keeps you guessing the entire way. As soon as you feel sure her death must relate to her royal connections, something is discovered to make you think it was a domestic dispute with an abusive husband turned fatal. Then a new discovery shows how easily Jane could have discovered something political that got her killed. I always enjoy when I don't see the answer to the mystery from the beginning, but discover everything alongside the characters.

I have to admit that as well written as I found Harris' London, I was disappointed in her characters. Only Sebastian and Hero were more than one dimensional people. It's possible other recurring characters are fleshed out in earlier books and simply weren't important enough to this one for Harris to pay much attention to here- although if she can go into the details and descriptions of a public execution that doesn't directly effect the main plot I think she could have spent a little more time trying to bring other characters to life. However, overall I found Why Kill the Innocent a good book, with enough shadowy characters and motives to keep me guessing until the end, and a vividly recreated London that surpassed many other books I've read.

Why Kill the Innocent is the thirteenth book in C.S. Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr series of Regency-era historical mysteries. I was excited about the opportunity to read this book because I read the twelfth book last year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is thrust into yet another mystery when a well-born woman is found dead on a London street. Jane Ambrose was no ordinary woman; she was a talented musician, who was working as Princess Charlotte’s piano instructor. The palace insists that Jane’s death was merely an unfortunate accident, but Sebastian suspects that something is being covered up. As he conducts interviews, Sebastian realizes that there are multiple possibilities surrounding Jane’s murder, but he remains determined to explore all avenues in his search for justice.

I absolutely loved this book. Harris immerses the reader into a vivid Regency world, and although this book is entirely a work of fiction, there are numerous historical figures. The book takes place during the winter, and features the Frost Fair, in which the Thames froze over, and vendors set up booths right on the ice. Harris employs multiple points of view, offering insight from her well-developed secondary characters. The mystery portion was quite compelling, and the “big reveal” was quite surprising.

I would recommend Why Kill the Innocent to fans of historical mysteries as well as Regency-era fiction. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve only read one other book in the series. This book does function reasonably well as a standalone; a reader can easily pick up on the acrimony between certain characters. That said, I do plan to read the series from the beginning in order to gain a fuller appreciation of the overall story arc. The Sebastian St. Cyr books have already become one of my favorite mystery series, and I am already looking forward to catching up on the earlier books!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

C.S. Harris has maintained a consistently high standard throughout her long-running Sebastian St. Cyr series of historical mysteries, but the last two or three books, in particular, have been outstanding – which is quite remarkable when one considers that this latest instalment, Why Kill the Innocent, is number thirteen. The individual mysteries are extremely well-constructed and set against a superbly researched and realised historical background; and so far, each one has been self-contained, so that each book could be read as a standalone. Notice I used the word could – because actually, this isn’t a series I would recommend dipping in and out of or reading out of order, because there are overarching plot threads that run from book to book you really don’t want to miss out on. But unlike the other books in the series, the previous one – Where the Dead Lie – left some aspects of the mystery unsolved and readers wondering whether the main villain of the was ever going to be made to pay for his crimes. As we’re at book thirteen of a fifteen-book series, I’m guessing the answer is yes, but we’re going to have to wait a little while longer to see it!

Why Kill the Innocent is set in the winter of 1814, which is on record as being one of the coldest ever experienced in England. On her way back from a charitable visit in the East End, Sebastian’s wife Hero stumbles – literally – on a body lying in the street, and is surprised to recognise the dead woman as Jane Ambrose, a talented musician who taught piano to a number of the children of the nobility – including Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Regent and Heir Presumptive to the throne. It’s immediately obvious that Jane was murdered – she died from a blow to the head – and that the lack of blood around her indicates she was killed elsewhere. Hero immediately sends for her husband and for Henry Lovejoy, the magistrate from Bow Street who has aided Sebastian on a number of investigations and has become a friend; all of them know that once the news of Jane’s death is made public, the palace machinery will move fast to prevent any scandal being attached to the princess by covering up the truth and preventing any further investigation into the matter. Or trying to – because Sebastian isn’t about to allow the brutal murder of a young woman to go unnoticed or her murderer to evade justice.

I don’t want to say much more about the plot, which is utterly compelling and kept me turning the pages into the small hours. Although Jane Ambrose is dead when we meet her, the picture built up of her through the eyes of others is poignant and intriguing. A musical genius at a time when ladies were never supposed to excel at anything other than being decorative, Jane had to supress her gift for performing and composing and instead spend her time teaching others. Her marriage was not happy, and her husband’s infidelities and abuse, coupled with death of her two children from illness a year earlier eventually led to a profound change in the woman who had previously been a model wife. She was clearly a woman driven to the edge, but who, instead of falling over, found or rediscovered an inner strength that gave her the will to stand up and fight for herself and others. Her desire to protect Princess Charlotte from an enforced marriage to a man bound to make her miserable meant that Jane put herself in the middle of what proved to be deadly palace intrigue and political manoeuvring – most of it masterminded by Hero’s father, Lord Jarvis, a cold, ruthless man who will do whatever it takes to maintain his position as the power behind the throne.

As usual, Sebastian finds himself baulked at many a turn of the investigation; everyone has secrets they are determined to keep and nobody can be trusted… and those in positions of power are actively trying to prevent him from uncovering the truth which, of course turns out to have implications far more wide-reaching than he could ever have suspected.

One of the many enjoyable things about this series has been Ms. Harris’ obvious love for and knowledge of the period in which it is set. She has a splendid grasp of the volatile political situation of the time, and makes very good use of that knowledge to provide a solid historical background to her stories. In this novel, however, I think the author has outdone herself. The background to the tale, the terrible relationship between the Prince Regent and his daughter, how he almost hated her for her popularity and tried to control every aspect of her life… it’s all true. The Regent really did treat his wife in the appalling manner described, and his paranoia, his excesses, his narcissism and lack of interest in the people he ruled are all matters of record, gleaned from correspondence with friends and family. Many of the secondary characters in the story are real, or are closely based on historical figures, and many of the events – such as Princess Charlotte deliberately procrastinating over an unwanted betrothal – actually happened. All these things – and more – are seamlessly and skilfully incorporated into the story without the reader ever being subjected to info-dumps or a static history lesson – which just goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction at times.

The setting of a London so cold that the Thames froze over is hard for the modern Londoner to envisage, but Ms. Harris’ descriptions of a city blanketed in white and the Frost Fair on the river are wonderfully evocative and paint a detailed picture in the mind of the reader of what it must have looked like. But as well as the Christmas-Card imagery, she takes care to show us the other side of the pretty picture; of the extreme hardship faced by the poor when the extraordinary weather conditions led to shortages of food and fuel.

The reparation of Sebastian’s relationship with his father continues apace, and I loved watching Sebastian’s interactions with his young son. He and Hero are obviously very much in love and are devoted to each other – yet they don’t live in each other’s pockets. They know each other very well, and the trust and confidence Sebastian places in his wife is admirable, while Hero’s ability to listen and understand have become his bedrock.

The long running plot thread concerning Sebastian’s parentage doesn’t get much screen time here and the threads left over from the previous book are also not forgotten, but both are passing mentions, which I thought a wise move given that there is more than enough here to keep the reader glued to the story. There is also, clearly, more to come from the recently widowed Jarvis and Hero’s manipulative cousin Victoria, and I can’t wait to see how things pan out.

The murder mystery is satisfyingly complex, the historical detail is fascinating and I continue to adore Sebastian St. Cyr, a character who has come such a long way since we first met him as an angry, damaged and resentful veteran of war. With its masterful storytelling, intricate plotting and intriguing characters, Why Kill the Innocent is a truly gripping read and I’m sure that fans of the series need no endorsement from me to be waiting to pounce on it upon release.

Grade: A / 5 stars

I cannot believe there are thirteen books in this series. I have been reading them since shortly after the first was released and they just get better and better. Just a warning though: if ever there was a series that HAS to be read in order, this is it. Fortunately, they are so good, you’ll love them all.

Anyway, Why Kill the Innocent - (all of these books have the best titles) - takes place roughly a year after the previous book. Hero, St. Cyr’s wife, literally stumbles over a dead body in the snow. Although, someone has tried to make it look like the victim died accidentally, it was definitely murder . . . but why?

As always, these books focus on Sebastian St. Cyr’s desire to find justice for murder victims and he doesn’t care whether they are well-born or commoners. He also doesn’t try to stop Hero from assisting him in the investigation. Due to her family connections, her contacts are often better than his anyway.

There were so many possibilities for the murderer in this book that I was completely lost . . . and so was Sebastian. He kept saying he knew he was missing a critical piece of information. Once it came to light, I still didn’t know the solution but it made perfect sense when explained.

One of the things I really liked about this book is the extent of historical detail involved. The murder happened in 1814 during one of the harshest winters London ever experienced. There was a killing fog and the Thames froze hard enough that a fair was held on the ice. Prinny was in power although he was not yet king. He was deservedly hated by his people who were starving in the streets. His daughter and heir Charlotte was kept a virtual prisoner in her home and he had tried to have his wife, Charlotte’s mother, executed for infidelity.

A lot of the historical fiction I have read takes place when Prinny was young and loved by England’s citizens. This book gave me an entirely different perspective of the type of person he became.

If you enjoy an intense murder mystery with a wonderful sense of England’s history, I highly recommend these books. JUST BE SURE AND READ THEM IN ORDER.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

C.S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr series is very good; each book is always compelling and rich with historical detail. However, Why Kill the Innocent just seemed to push all those excellent qualities just a little bit further making this latest addition to the long-running series exceptional.

Here, Sebastian's wife, Hero stumbles upon the body of a gifted pianist, Jane Ambrose. Jane also happens to be Princess Charlotte's piano tutor. Unsurprisingly, the Crown doesn't want any hint of scandal to be associated with the princess so it is put out that Jane slipped on the icy streets during the unusually fierce winter that London is experiencing. Sebastian and Hero are having none of that and launch their own investigation into what truly happened to this talented woman, only to discover multiple suspects, including Hero's own father, Lord Jarvis.

If your a reader of the series, you'll recognize many of the players. Sebastian and Hero continue to be awesome both together and separately. At this point in the series, their marriage is secure; however, Lord Jarvis continues to throw a bit of wrench into their harmonious partnership. The focus on Sebastian and Hero is what continually draws me back to the series as does the way that these characters have grown since book one. While there's not always enough focus on their personal lives I enjoy the way that this ties the series together.

I also found Why Kill the Innocent to be more gripping and disturbing than the previous books. All the books in the series share the harsh realities of life during the Regency Era, but there was something about this one that made more of an impact for me. The fact that Sebastian and Hero were investigating the murder of a woman who was never able to publicly share her knowledge and expertise as a talent in her own right. Instead, Jane's husband took credit for her work and abused her in their marriage. The claustrophobic nature of Jane's and woman of that era's life pervaded this novel. There was something overly heartbreaking about this mystery and it stuck with me far after reading.

Fans of Harris' series will revel in her latest addition to the series. The mystery is as engaging as always and is coupled with the signature palpable historical atmosphere. If you haven't read the series, do so, but start with book one!

Why Kill the Innocent is another solid entry in the Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series.

Hero literally stumbles over a murder when she trips over the body of a woman in a snowy alley. The dead woman turns out to be Princess Charlotte’s piano teacher, and the palace is eager to portray her death as an accident to avoid scandal, which doesn’t satisfy Sebastian and Hero, of course. Their investigation is complicated by the fact that her death might have resulted either from problems in her personal life or from political intrigues.

I have to admit, this book isn’t my favorite in the series. The political side of the plot just didn’t grab my attention this time around, and that makes up quite a bit of the story.

As always, though, the author does a terrific job detailing the historical background of the period. I knew a bit about the Prince Regent’s feud with his wife Caroline, but I didn’t realize how poorly he treated his daughter Princess Charlotte. Prinny sounds like a real toad. Readers also learn about the impact of the impressment of sailors into the Royal Navy, the horrors of capital punishment in the Regency period, and, on a lighter note, the delights of the Frost Fair of 1814.

An additional plus is a terrific scene later in the book where Hero proves once again that she is the perfect match for Sebastian. This is a woman who can rescue herself, thank you very much. I can’t say more without spoilers, but that moment alone made the book for me.

If you’re a fan of Sebastian and Hero, this is a necessary read.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

The Murder of a Talented Pianist Brings St. Cyr’s Investigation to the Royal Family

In a brutal snowstorm, Hero and Alexi Sauvage travel to Clerkenwell to visit an expectant mother whose husband was impressed into the navy. Returning, Hero slips and falls into a snowbank. To her horror she has fallen on the body of a young woman she recognizes. The body is that of Jane Ambrose, piano teacher to Princess Charlotte, the Regent’s daughter.

The palace wants to quash any investigation that comes close Princess Charlotte, but that doesn’t deter St. Cyr and his wife, Hero. The hunt is on with many suspects and a dearth of clues.

I love this series. Impeccable historical research brings the Regency to life. I particularly enjoyed the note at the end detailing the historical incidents that led Harris to develop the story.

The characters are some of my favorites. Hero is a strong woman who is determined to lead the life she chooses. Luckily, St. Cyr is supportive and they make an excellent team. I was a little disappointed to see so little of the Earl of Hendon and Jarvis, Hero’s powerful father. The mystery of St. Cyr’s birth is a thread running through the series that keeps me coming back.

If you enjoy well written historical mysteries based on actual incidents, I think you’ll enjoy this series.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

I anxiously await each new release in this series and can hardly wait to start reading. Then, I am bereft when it ends. I always think that I’ll pace myself, read slower, enjoy longer, but, I always find myself flying through because I can’t wait to see what happens next. This book falls right into that mold. I really wish this author could write as quickly as I read! I love the characters, of course, but I also love the accuracy of the history that the author weaves into the stories – and she always includes our characters meeting one real historical character – this one included the widower of Mary Wollstonecraft. Harris’ command of the English language is unparalleled – I learned several new vocabulary words. She used one word, ‘broquins’ that I can’t even find in any of the dictionaries but I remember my grandmother using it when referring to a particular type of shoe. The online dictionaries keep showing me the definition of ‘bruins’ – say what.

I love the way this author writes, her research is impeccable and her character development is superb. This book concentrated more on the mystery than on any new developments in the relationship between Sebastian and his father (Hendon) or any real hints of what is happening between Hero’s father and her cousin. There were some hints of what might be coming – a new hint surfaced about Sebastian’s natural father. There was somewhat less life-threatening excitement in this book than in the others – one small scene for each that was very quickly resolved. I’m still anxious to see whether Hero’s father (or her cousin – or both) had a hand in the death of Hero’s mother – she was ill, but maybe they helped her along a bit . . . .

Hero and her friend Alexi Sauvage traveled to Clerkenwell in a raging snowstorm during one of the worst winters in English history. Hero was researching a story on the families left behind when the men were impressed into the English military. While they were there, the woman went into labor and Alexi and Hero stayed to deliver the baby. As they headed back to the carriage, it was long past dark, the snow was blowing and the wind was howling when Hero tripped, pitched forward and landed in a deep snow drift. She froze in place as she realized she had landed on a body. When they turned the rapidly freezing body, they realized two things. First, it was a woman who had been murdered and second, Hero knew who she was.

As Hero and Sebastian investigate, there are clues and suspects everywhere – not to mention the palace intrigues and interference from Hero’s father, Jarvis as well as international intrigue. How could one sweet, gentle, caring and sad young piano teacher have so much happen to her and then end up murdered? There are so many possibilities, so many suspects and it takes a lot of effort to unravel it all – especially when more bodies start to turn up. Can they solve it before one of them becomes a victim? You’ll just have to read this exciting new entry in the series to find out.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

I am such a fan of the Sebastian St. Cyr series, and this new entry is vastly entertaining and extremely sad when it comes to exposing the problems and restrictions of 1814 English society. I love the mix of real historical figures with fictional characters, and the fictional cast, especially Sebastian and Hero and including all of the supporting characters, are outstanding. C.S. Harris continues to write insightful historical mysteries and I look forward to the next installment.

Another excellent installment in the Sebastian St Cyr series! Instead of going stale, this series keeps on getting better. The intersection of real historical events such as the controversy over Princess Charlotte's betrothal and the impressment gangs was fascinating. She was a figure that I wouldn't mind seeing more in future novels. Hero has always been my favorite character due to her strength and smarts and I enjoyed the active role she played in this book.

I just finished C.S. Harris' "Why Kill the Innocent?." It was a period mystery set in the year 1814 during the reign of the Prince Regent of England. I had not read any of the previous works involving the character, Sebastian St. Cyr, or his wife, Hero. I truly enjoyed the descriptive narrative of the time period. I was given the inside track, so to speak, on the inner machinations of palace politics. I was reminded of the Prince Regent in Victoria Schwab's series on London. The reader is given a better understanding how utterly vile the Prince of Wales was to his own wife and daughter. The person caught in the royal crosshairs was an innocent piano teacher, Jane Ambrose. Jane stumbled upon a secret that cost her dearly. I was also struck by the knowledge of how poorly women were treated at the time by men in society. I have read and seen many period pieces about the era but it was covered in a more revealing way. The sheer brutality with which men were able to accost there wives or women in general. The timing with the recent "ME TOO" movement is why it struck me so profoundly. Sebastian and his wife, Hero, make their inquiries despite the fact that the palace has explained away Jane's death as an accident. Another event of the time covered in the novel was the Frost Fair of 1814. Its funny because I was watching reruns of Doctor Who and came across the episode about the Frost Fair. The timing was impeccable. This is definitely a book that be read as a stand alone. I didn't feel lost with the characters or the setting. I felt right at home. It's a quick enjoyable read and a good book for spring that has a taste of winter. There is a lot of discussion about the horrible weather. It is similar to the weather being experienced in the Northeast during the last couple of weeks.

How is it possible that, 13 books into a series, C.S. Harris can still write what might be my favorite Sebastian St. Cyr mystery yet? It certainly falls in the top three in the series for me, and I cannot wait to get this into readers' hands.

I am a huge C.S. Harris fan. I love this series. A little mystery, a little intrigue, a little romance. These books have it all. What I really liked about this book was the author touched on some of the societal issues of the time. The lack of rights for women and the societal belief that women should give up everything once they were married are prevalent in this book and add depth to the story. Very well done. I can't wait to read more.

This book has been an experience. I’ve read a lot of historical books in my time but I have to say the detail and the authenticity of this story added so much to the underlying theme.

One of the things I got me worried was the fact that I had never read any of the series. This was my first book and was missing the intimate knowledge of the main characters, Sebastian and Hero. While I was at a deficit to begin with it only took me a few chapters to break into the story.

There was some things to overcome in this book. One of which was, of course, my unfamiliarity with the characters and the authors writing style. The other was the amount of characters in the book. It became difficult at times to keep track of everyone.

However, once the book had ended and you look back on the minuscule threads and the authors ability to paint a picture of mystery surrounding the incident, you understand why there were so many fingers in the pie, so to speak.

For me, the first third of the book was a little more difficult to get through but by the time I got into the investigation and started connecting dots, I was thoroughly engaged and loved the minute detail the author developed.

She is definitely at the top of her game with the intricacy of her story and plot. This book is thoroughly enjoyable! For those that love history and mystery, this is an author you must check out and Why Kill the Innocent is full of the twists we crave!

I especially loved the mini history lesson at the end where she detailed the truths in the history and her creative license in developing the story. So interesting! And the cover is awesome!

I never felt like I was missing a big portion of the background by not reading the other books before. However, I will definitely check out more of this series. Great escape reading! 4 Stars!

Hero slips on the ice and falls on the way home from the poor side of town. To her dismay, she falls on a body. Even worse, she knows who the lady is. Because she was a music teacher for Princess Charlotte, her body is soon confiscated by the Royalty. But Hero has seen enough to know it wasn't a natural death. She has a head wound that would bleed profusely and there was no blood to speak of in the snow. However, the case is closed as accidental death. Hero and her husband decide to investigate themselves.

Berkley and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 3rd.

This entire series is very good. It's set in Victorian times and women have no rights, those rich are hoarding the money and spending it on themselves and won't share with those who need it, sex is vibrant but not discussed and Hero and Sebastian make a good team. They each have their talents and view cases as assignments and talk about how to approach it. I wouldn't want them after me.

As always Royal politics and high ranking politicians are manipulating things. They don't care if the lesser beings in life die or get killed. If you get in their way, you could end up dead yourself. Hero and Sebastian are walking a fine line down the middle but if they misstep it could be fatal. As people around them start dying, you can feel the danger.

The killer is a surprise. Sebastian puts together her last few days and finds she had been raped as well as burdened by things she learned. The final confrontation is tension filled and very dramatic. Justice does prevail but not through a court...

I had not read any of the books in this series, but I surely will do so now. This is one of the best historical fictions, I have read in a long time. As an avowed Anglophile, I was familiar with the political intrigues involving the English monarchy in the early 1800's and was astounded at all the particulars the author cited at the end of the novel. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

"Why Kill the Innocent" is a mystery set in January 1814 in London (during a bad winter storm and Frost Fair). This book is the 13th in a series, but you can understand it without having read the previous novels. This novel did not spoil the mysteries from the previous books.

The characters were complex, interesting, and acted in realistic ways. Both Hero and Sebastian were deeply involved in the investigation. As usual, several social issues of the time were woven into the story as they touched on the investigation. There were several suspects but Sebastian had difficulty finding the critical clues that definitively pointed to one person. I began to suspect whodunit near the end but was not certain until the final clue was found.

There were no graphically described sex scenes, but there was a scene that ended with two brief paragraphs indicating sex between a married couple. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting historical mystery.

During the extremely cold winter of 1814, Hero, the wife of Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, literally stumbles over the dead body of a woman with whom she is acquainted....the piano teacher of Princess Charlotte. The woman, Jane Ambrose, has died of a head injury, and the lack of blood at the scene means she died elsewhere and was moved to the place she was found. Because of her connection with the princess, the death is treated as accidental by the government. Hero and her husband Sebastian investigates the death and many ugly secrets are revealed. I thoroughly enjoy this series, especially the relationship between Hero and Sebastian. Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGally.