Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and Ms. Harris for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. My honest opinion was requested but not required.

Ms. Harris does not fail to disappoint in this 16th outing with my very favorite historical "sleuth", Sebastian, Viscount Devlin. I have been an avid reader of the series since its very first installment and I'm happy to say it has continued to wow me ever since. Instead of forensics and CC TVs, Viscount Devlin must rely on his powers of observation, keen intellect, persistence, and deductive reasoning as well as (let's face it) his privileged societal position and occasionally even his fighting ability to get to the bottom of the mysteries he faces.

In this particular book there was more than one mystery to solve. Who was the Ratcliffe Highway murderer all those years ago... and who is the murderer now? Thrown in the mix are Jamie Knox's little boy, Jarvis' portentous relationship with "cousin" Victoria, Hero's search for the missing woman from the docks, and Devlin's ongoing search for information about his mother (or natural father). Despite so many potential plot threads, the mystery feels tightly wound and suspenseful. Harris adds in heartbreaking details about the wretched human condition of the time that cannot fail to make any reader feel terrific pity for what so many (especially, the children) endured.

The author's notes at the end demonstrate, as usual, impressive and thorough research into the real-life events that inspired the book. I'm so impressed that Ms. Harris continues to unearth these tidbits of history and weave them into an absolutely gripping book. And with that little scene at the end? I'm really REALLY looking forward to #17. Best historical mystery series out there by far IMHO.

This is the sixteenth book in the series and the first that I have read. There is enough background here that it works as a stand alone novel, but it was interesting enough for me that I plan to go and read the other fifteen in the series. It is based on an unofficial crime solver in the early 1800’s in England. The author’s writing style is engaging which makes this a fairly quick read. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new mystery/crime writer and has an interest in historical fiction.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page.

I've been catching murderers with Sebastian St. Cyr for over a decade now and it's always been an interesting ride. There's a rich background for his character and he's grown without growing stale (not as easy a feat as it may seem), so I'm always happy to see a new book come out.

I really enjoyed this particular mystery as it felt much more layered than those in recent past. It revolves around the very real Ratcliffe Highway murders of 1811. Three years later a new spree of horrific killings take place which brings Sebastian in to see if justice was really served with the death of John Williams or did the real killer get away?

Other long-term storylines are pushing to the forefront as well concerning Sebastian's mother and a newish character whom I really don't trust seems set to become a permanent fixture, which may cause a rent in the family fabric.
.
Out in April, this is a great new addition to long standing series and I think readers will be pleased with this new entry.

Sebastian St. Cyr books are nearly always comfort reads for me now, and about this time of year, I start longing for a new one. Here is Book #16 of this long-running series and in most ways, it delivers. Harris delves into the true crime story of the Ratcliffe Highway murders and in doing so, examines the corrupt parish government extortion of local beer breweries and publicans. I enjoy learning new aspects of early 19th-century life and Harris is an expert at conveying the slighter known histories within an exciting fictional plot. Having said that, I found the mystery here a little underwhelming and even a little confusing at times. The murder victims are high in number and by the end of the who-done-it, I was confused and had trouble sorting out the players.

The book also features a couple of new additions to the cast, and a parrot! The entry of these characters could ultimately be crucial to new stories, though I felt their sudden insertion into the St. Cyr household a little abrupt and mystifying. I have no idea how important Molly will be or why she is a permanent cast member. Hero and Sebastian both routinely meet downtrodden people in the course of their adventures, and it's not always clear why some are elevated to permanency and others are left out in the dark. The other new character in this story though seems potentially very important, and I'm eager to see how Hero and Sebastian handle this new addition.

There is a trace of action on the Jarvis/Victoria front, but it's minuscule and left me feeling frustrated at the slow pace of development in the personal lives of the characters. Overall, not the strongest story of the bunch but still an entertaining edition to the St. Cyr canon.

I look forward every year to a new Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery, and this one’s number 16. 😊 I could honestly read Harris 24/7 and be happy.

I did miss a few of the regulars in this one, but the mysteries were top-notch centering around similar murders 3 years apart. Corruption, greed, power and revenge are rampant in the brewery/publican relations in London.

A lot of this is based around fact, and Harris’ research is always meticulous.

Loved and highly recommend the entire series!

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #Berkley for providing me the early ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

In 1814, Sebastian St. Cyr is confronted with a series of murders that are so similar to the Ratcliff Highway Murders that London must consider whether or not the real murderer was John Williams after all. Is the real murderer active again? Is it a copycat?

Based on the actual Ratcliff Highway Murders, Harris presents another possibility to the gruesome murders that took place in 1811, and as usual, the blend of fact and fiction is practically seamless as Harris' research is impeccable.

I look forward to each new Sebastian St. Cyr book. The author's knowledge and examination of the political and social norms of the time, combined with her intriguing characters, result in great mysteries and an image of the Regency period that feels genuine.

My favorite character is Hero, partly because of personality and partly because she always gives insight into the culture of the poor. A quiet character, Hero is also a determined woman who writes social articles about the lower levels of society, the impoverished, ill-treated, and forgotten men, women, and children of the period. Sebastian pursues justice in his way, and Hero seeks justice in her own dedicated way. Sebastian carries most of the novel, but Hero's involvement provides the support needed.

Read in Feb.; blog review scheduled for March 29.

NetGalley/Berkeley

Historical Mysteries. April 6, 2021. Print length: 336 pages.

Completely captivating and spellbinding. That’s the only way I can describe this book. I believe this is my first Harris novel (I do have one in my TBR pile now so that says a lot about how I felt about this novel). I was sucked in from the first chapter and the way the words flew off the pages and took me back to the hard scrabble Wapping area in England made my imagination soar. I knew a few facts about the historical Ratcliffe Highway killings from tv shows and other books, but this was an interesting take on the subject that mixed some truth with some fiction and really left me spellbound.

I will be recommending this novel to those I know. Fantastic read

I'm rather tempted to round up on this one, at which point this intro will be deleted, but for now (or for good), I am a little hesitant. I don't know if I'm thinking more fondly of this experience because it's been a year since the last installment, around the same time I binged like.. fourteen of these back to back (which was just too much), or because it was just a little better than the last few.

We had a few moments of what I refer to as "copy paste" scenes which Harris seems to include in all her books but overall, much like the last book, there were quite a few less than usual. I was delighted.

The murder mystery itself was.. kind of all over the place. In the sense that there were so many pieces and moving parts and you really don't see the big picture until the end. I both love and hate these kind of mysteries because I find the complexity very artful but it also means that if you aren't being compelled by the new clues, you're just sorta being dragged along. Which wasn't quite the case here but it was close.

What saved said mystery from feeling too out of place from too many pieces of the puzzle were some familiar, and new, faces that tie into Sebastian's personal life. I was curious why we were reunited with a few of them but oh you understand why come the end. I can't say I totally saw that coming but neither was it a complete surprise. There was another event that finally came to pass that I think means we might finally be building up to something else (why am I even expanding on these vagueries..) that has been brewing for, I swear, like four or five books now. When is that confrontation going to happen! Will it ever! Why do I ask the same rhetorical questions in every review for this series! I'm not mad I'm just making a point about my own ridiculousness.

Much like some other series I'm keeping up with, I wonder how many more are still to come in the Sebastian St Cyr series. However unlike those other series, I'm not currently mad about this one.. well, continuing on. Despite some of the rehashing and a new murder mystery of the week duds, somehow, I'm still looking forward to more. Maybe because I just want to payoff of everything that we've come to expect will (one day) be revealed. Any hints on when that might be, Harris..? No? Cool. Cool cool cool cool cool. See you next year.

3.5 stars

What the Devil Knows is the 16th book in C.S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr series - one of my must read series and authors! The public believes that a notorious murderer is dead, hanged for his crimes. But three years later, new victims mirroring the brutal deaths of the two families he was accused of murdering lead Sebastian and Sir Henry Lovejay to believe the monster is still on the loose. As always the story is incredibly well done and takes the reader on an intriguing journey into Regency London. Hero is one of my favorite literary characters and her assistance is always interesting, A quick note - the growing relationship between her father and cousin becomes more suspicious with each book, I cannot wait to see what trouble comes from it! As always I am sad that I must wait another year to get a new book. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #WhattheDevilKnows.
.

"What the Devil Knows" is a fast-moving, interrogated-suspect-by-interrogated-suspect narrative which takes the readers through the more derelict parts of the city where corruption reigns. Mystery and action, rather than character, steal the spotlight in this book. That said, Harris does a good job of weaving in the disparities afflicting those in different echelons of society.

Though some backstory splashes over for both Sebastian and his wife, Hero, giving me a peak at broader series conflicts or themes, for the most part the plot sticks to solving the crime at hand. That keeps things moving quickly. It also ushers in lots of investigative mulling, dialogue, and minor characters who all have their own part to play.

I appreciated the contained cop procedural feel of this novel. I haven't read any other installments from this series yet so I liked that Sebastian's hunt for the truth, for the connections surrounding the case, was enough to keep me invested. It kept me looking for clues until the end. The suspense didn't let up for a second, either.

A cool blend of actual history, enigma, and fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

Nothing makes my day like a new Sebastian St. Cyr mystery! I am a relatively new convert to this genre, largely because of this series. C.S. Harris’ latest Sebastian St. Cyr story, set in the Regency period, is What the Devil Knows. As expected, Ms. Harris does an excellent job weaving a good mystery with great characters, and interesting historical events in a way that makes the story and setting come to life.

In What the Devil Knows, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin is on the trail of a vicious and brutal murderer. It is unclear to him and the Bow Street runners, how this murder is connected to a string of similar murders three years earlier. Did they arrest the wrong man three years ago or is this the work of a copyist? Devlin, working with Sir Henry Lovejoy, is determined to put the clues together and figure it out.

Once again C.S. Harris delivers a tale that is packed with action, intrigue, mystery, and history. What the Devil Knows is littered with murder and unexpected connections that keep the reader on her toes. Sebastian’s need to stand for the dead is his way of making amends for his actions in the past that he relives in dreams that still haunt his nights.

I could not put the book down. The plot flows at the right pace and more than once, my stomach was in knots. The secondary characters are vividly portrayed and add additional dimension to the story. Some of the recurring ancillary characters are still a mystery and make me wonder where they will take future stories.

I love the dynamic between Sebastian and Hero, his wife. They are one of my favorite fictional couples. They pull you into their world from the first page. Sebastian is a clever mixture of heroic strength, determination, and charisma with a loving heart of gold. Hero is his perfect mate. It was an excellent plan to pair Devlin with Hero. She is tough and determined to change the class system of that time. Like Sebastian, Hero has a big heart for the downtrodden. The way they support one another is touching and melts my heart.

What the Devil Knows has some unexpected twists and turns not only with the mystery but also in Sebastian and Hero’s personal lives. This is a wonderful read. I am anxious to see what comes next. Don’t wait to read this one!

Although this is the 16th 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 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. America declared war on Britain in 1812, adding to the drama. 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.

In this book in the series, it is now the fall of 1814, and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, the main protagonist, is in his early 30s, married, and with a 20-month-old son. Devlin is heir to the powerful Earl of Hendon, but is not actually Hendon’s son. His mother had an affair, and Devlin has been trying to locate her to find out who his real father is. What he does know is that there was a man about his age in London, Jamie Knox, who looked very much like him, and who in fact took a bullet that was meant for Devlin eighteen months before because Jamie resembled him so much. Jamie left a son about Simon’s age, who also looked eerily like Simon. Devlin hired an investigator to track his mother, but hasn’t had much luck so far.

In the first book, Devlin was suspected of a murder he did not commit, and had to become something of a Sherlock Holmes to find the real murderer to save his own skin.

In subsequent books, Devlin was consulted on murders that involved the nobility, because he had an entrée into the upper level of society that would have been denied to the regular police. He agreed because the thought of anybody stealing away someone else’s life was an abomination to him, especially after the traumatic instances of unjust murder he witnessed in the army. He still felt guilt over these deaths, even though he could not have prevented any of them. He retained a fierce commitment to the pursuit of justice.

Devlin is aided by the counsel of his friend, the surgeon Paul Gibson, who generally does the autopsies on all the bodies Devlin finds, as well as by Sir Henry Lovejoy, now a "Bow Street Runner" (detective) who has become a friend of Devlin’s. Devlin also asks his young horse handler Tom, a former street urchin, as well as his valet, Jules Calhoun, to do reconnaissance work for him. Each has an entrée into the *lower* levels of society that Devlin can’t even manage in disguise. And in an increasing capacity, his wife, Hero, helps him in his investigative work.

The story begins, as usual, with the discovery of a murder victim. This time it was in the unsavory district of Wapping, known for taverns, rowdy seamen, thieves, and prostitutes. The victim was Sir Edwin Pym, a magistrate with a habit of trolling for young prostitutes late at night. What was most significant about the murder was how it was committed - it looked remarkably like the gruesome modus operandi used by the Ratcliffe Highway killer of three years earlier. (These murders, as the author explains in an Afterward, actually occurred in December 1811 and “terrified Regency London at least as much as Jack the Ripper panicked Victorian London decades later.”). Moreover, only ten days prior to Pym’s death, a seaman was killed in the exact same manner.

The Home Office was anxious to get to the bottom of the murders, lest the populace panic again as they did in 1811. Jarvis, the most influential man in London (who happened to be Devlin’s father-in-law), sent the word out that the terror “must be squashed immediately.” Napoleon was finally vanquished, but the streets were full of unemployed ex-soldiers and sailors; there was agitation over wages and prices; and “of course Ireland was, as always, hovering on the brink of revolt.” The last thing they needed, Jarvis reasoned, was “a string of grisly murders terrifying the already restive population.” This meant finding the guilty party, or anyone, really, who could be blamed and incarcerated.

Sebastian takes it upon himself to find the (real) murderer or murderers before the Home Office finds a scapegoat, and as he investigates, he himself gets in danger. Meanwhile, the bodies pile up. The connections among the new victims offer clues to the motive behind the murders, and to the nefarious politics fueled by greed and corruption behind the carnage.

As a side plot, Hero, who tries in her own way to right the injustices of society by writing muckraking articles, is currently looking into the situation of foundling hospitals and the workhouses to which many orphans were sent. They were seldom inspected and most of their charges ended up dying. As with Hero’s previous investigations, this one also ends up having ties to Sebastian’s murder case.

Discussion: In this series, many of the aristocracy are despicable characters: haughty, entitled, hypocritical, and contemptuous of the masses of poor who barely eke out a living while the upper tier of society carouses and parties. The author juxtaposes the egregious attitudes of these rich, entitled people with those of her empathetic protagonists, making their differences stand out in stark relief.

In this particular installment of the series, the author also integrates the sordid history of the treatment of orphans into the plot. Another interesting aspect of the period she explores was the interrelationship between public officials, tavern owners, and breweries, one which sounds reminiscent but even worse than the gang infiltration of the liquor trade during Prohibition in the U.S.

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.

This was a very good book. It revolves around the gruesome murders of the families of a linen merchant and tavern keeper. It gave me the feel of being in London of the 1800's. The story moved at a good pace and kept me turning the pages. The mystery twists and turns and the action is exciting. I will definitely be looking for more books from this author.

Sebastian St. Cyr thought a notorious killer had been brought to justice until a shocking series of gruesome new murders, which are similar to the Ratcliffe Highway murders of three years before, stuns the city. Was the wrong man arrested for the murders? Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy turns to his friend Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for assistance. It was interesting to find out that the circumstances of these murders were a true story. The author is also coming close to giving us more information about Sebastian's mother. As always, C.S. Harris does excellent research and we learn a bit more about British history. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a free copy for an honest review.

What the Devil Knows
by C.S. Harris
Berkley Publishing Group
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book!
This is the first book in the series I have read and it didn't bother me, or make me feel lost in the story regardless that this is book #16. It will certainly not be the last book in the series now that I know how wonderfully exciting and intriguing they are!
This mystery book is set in the early 1800's and the dialogue and world building really makes you feel like you are in England at that time. Much of the story is historically correct. In the end of the book, the author lets the reader know which parts are taken from historic events and which are added. That makes the story all the more fun!
All though the mystery is about a gruesome murder, which is true to history, there are so many layers to the mystery and solving the crimes. Yes, crimes, with a S. So much happens in here it really kept me turning the page and keeping my thinking cap on.
Although there were a lot of characters in here, the way the author presented them there was no way I could forget them, and there were many, many people! Well developed characters and all very unique.
It was a sad story of death, corruption, of society at that time which preyed on the poor and women. But I guess some things never change in human nature. We still have that today.
I ordered more of Harris' books from the library and can't wait to get them! I highly recommend this exciting and intriguing mystery book! Many layered crimes, mysteries, and it's very informative too!

Very well developed characters and an extremely engaging story. Well thought out and very suspenseful story line that keeps the reader guessing until the final twist! This is the book to read this year! Highly recommended!

A thoroughly enjoyable entry in this wonderful series. This was a really good, suspenseful mystery, and the book had everything we want from a Sebastian St. Cyr book. We got excellent research from the author, some action, some wonderful scenes with Hero, some more development of St. Cyr's backstory. I love these books and I love recommending them to people. I dearly hope that the next book will delve more into Cousin Victoria, because my senses have been tingling about her for a couple of books now ...

I will say upfront that I adore this historical mystery series, and I thoroughly enjoyed this newest entry. The fabulous characters continue to evolve and the setting in Regency London is very evocative. As always, Sebastian chips away at more and more disturbing murders, while his wife, Hero, helps and continues her quest to expose society's ills, particularly regarding women. The supporting cast adds a lot, and the ending sets up new possibilities in the future. I cannot wait for the ongoing saga to continue. Highly recommended.

Overall, this was a great entry into the series. The historical detail, the complex plot, the ever developing characters, and the vivid setting are all hall marks of Harris' writing and are delivered with the usual panache here.

The last couple of books in this series have been slightly disappointing to me in that Hero seemed to have lost much of her intelligence and insight. Thankfully, she seems to be mostly back to the character I enjoyed from the early books in this one.

As always the mystery in this was twisty and tricky and highly satisfying. The ending left me a little disconcerted but also interested to see how that moves forward in the coming books so it's a pretty good hook. I was a little disappointed in not seeing more of some of the secondary characters but you can only fit so much in one book.

This was an ok book, but not one that I would be jumping to recommend. I felt that the writing was a little choppy and hard to follow at times.