This is my first go at the Sebastian St Cyr series, and I greatly enjoyed it. I’m impressed that this is so rich in plot and well-executed structurally 19 books into the story, and that makes me want to go back and start these from the beginning.

I liked the setting a lot here, particularly in terms of sense of time and place. It’s not exactly immersively cozy like a Charles Finch novel, but Harris does a lovely job of painting an evocative portrait of the location and time at hand.

The characters are fine, if standard to a series like this, but the plot and the solve for this was fairly original, which is touch to find in a historical mystery at all, much less one that is the 19th in a series.

What Cannot Be Said is a gripping thrill ride through multiple twists and turns with a stunning ending of finding out who decided to shoot Lady McInnis and her sixteen year old daughter, Emma, but that wasn't all. It unfolds in other areas that leave the investigators wondering if a man who was tried, convicted, and death sentence carried out was either the wrong guy or is there a copycat in play. I love when I'm kept guessing along the journey. Thoroughly researched and fascinating details of the time era, even though it's hard to hear, especially because it's true. Didn't realize it's number 19 in a series, but didn't matter as it definitely stands alone and you don't feel lost diving in. Narrated by Amy Scanlon, who was easy to listen to and the pace was on point and at the right tone. Will definitely listen to other audiobooks narrated by her.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of the audiobook to review.


When I got this, I had no idea it was part of such a large series already. That said, this would work as a stand alone, if you don’t mind missing what I’m sure are callbacks to previous books and characters.

There were a lot of characters, but if you’re familiar with the main series regulars that probably won’t be too much of a problem. The story was a little slow to get into and there were so many dead ends and red herrings it almost made the investigators look silly. The solving seemed to come up out of nowhere with very little evidence to suggest who did the crimes. While the ending felt a bit out of left field (and very unsatisfying) I did find the story to be enjoyable. I don’t think I’ll seek out the rest of the series, however.

The audiobook narrator was decent but I feel like she pronounced one character’s name different every time it came up. I’m still not sure if it’s Hera, Hero, or Heron. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

What Cannot Be Said is the 19th Regency murder mystery featuring Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr by author C.S. Harris. Released 23rd April 2024 by Penguin on their Berkley imprint, it's 368 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This series has been consistently strong from the first book. Although the actual mysteries are self contained in each volume, the characters and story arc develop throughout the series. Since the series itself is so well done and engaging, reading them in order will reward the reader and is recommended.

The plotting and pacing are seamless with varying dramatic tension throuout. Sebastian is a complex and three dimensional character with a believable family and retinue and it's always enjoyable revisiting the series with each new volume and seeing how his young coach-boy Tom is developing as well as visiting his dogsbody/valet Calhoun, and his redoubtable wife, Hero and now, their children.

This is just a top quality historical murder mystery series with meticulous background research and beautifully written. It would make an admirable summer binge/buddy read or a long mystery book club project.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 11 hours, 43 minutes and is read by Amy Scanlon. This is her first foray reading in this series (it has had a rotating cast of narrators thus far) and it's not an entirely seamless crossover. She has a distinct and somewhat abrasive voice and at any speeds over regular narration, it loses definition and clarity. Sound and production quality are high throughout.

Five stars for both the series as a whole and this, the 19th book.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

What Cannot Be Said (SebastianSt. Cyr, #19) by C.S. Harris was the first book that I had the privilege of reading in this riveting murder mystery series. Based on my own experience, What Ccannot Be Said can be read as a stand-alone book. I had no problem identifying and keeping track of the characters or the plot of this book even though I had not any of the prior books. It took place in July of 1815, corresponding with Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. This was not a time period that I tend to read about that often but I found it intriguing and quite interesting. The roles of the women that lived during this time were clearly defined and restricted regardless of their intelligence or ambitions. There were a few exceptions but not many. I listened to the audiobook of What Cannot Be Said that was narrated by Amy Scanlon. She gave an excellent narration and distinguished clearly between characters. Amy Scanlon is becoming a favorite narrator for me.

On a beautiful day, a mother, Lady McInnis and her sixteen year old daughter, Emma, along with the younger son and daughter of her husband’s first wife set off on a picnic to Richmond Park. Not long after their arrival, Lady McInnis and Emma were discovered by some brothers who had been in the park. They had heard what they thought might have been a gun shot so they went to investigate the noise they heard. They were not at all prepared for what they saw. Lady McInnis and Emma had not only been, what appeared to be, murdered but they were laid out in an eerily familiar pose.

Years ago, Sir Henry Lovejoy had witnessed a very similar scene. Someone had killed his wife and child and had their bodies posed in a very similar way. When Sir Henry Lovejoy arrived at the scene of the crime, he was transported back in time to the deaths of his wife and child. This case was too close and familiar for Sir Henry Lovejoy to investigate unbiasedly so he sought the help of his good friend, Sebastian St. Cyr. Viscount Devlin. He trusted Sebastian to thoroughly investigate this case and determine who was responsible for this horrific crime. Long ago, when Sir Henry Lovejoy’s wife and child were murdered, a man had been charged, convicted and killed for the murders. Could the wrong man have been convicted and sentenced to death? Is it possible that the wrong man had paid for a crime that he did not commit? These questions hung heavily on Sir Henry Lovejoy’s mind now, all these years later. Over the course of several weeks, two more young women were found murdered in the same manner. Sebastian had several suspects but no concrete evidence as to who committed these tragic murders. Will Sebastian be able to gather enough evidence to prove who was responsible for murdering these defenseless women before anymore women could be subjected to this form of needless violence? Sebastian was determined to do just that.

C.S. Harris masterfully portrayed the many ways young orphaned children were often mistreated, exploited and abused during this time period by greedy and corrupt men and women. Many young boys were lured and then forced to become chimney sweeps. It was a very dangerous and dreaded occupation that young children were subjected to perform. It was of no consequence to the men in charge if any of these children lost their lives while they performed the tasks involved.

The other topic that C.S. Harris researched extensively and brought to light in What Cannot Be Said was baby farming. I had read about baby farming in a previous book I had read. Some women were willing to foster babies that were born out of wedlock or look after babies that needed looking after while their parents worked for a good profit. Unfortunately, many of these women who fostered or looked after these babies were not very reputable. Sometimes the babies were sold to other families who wanted a baby but were unable to have one of their own. This was often accomplished without the consent or knowledge of the babies parents. It was common practice for these foster mothers to drug the babies in their care with Ludlum so that the babies that were in their charge slept for longer periods of time and also ate less. In some instances, babies were even killed and then their deaths were covered up. It was a thriving business for some during the 1800’s.

Sebastian’s wife, Hero, was very active in trying to improve the lives of these defenseless orphans. Hero, a strong, independent and intelligent woman in her own right, was instrumental in helping her husband with the murder investigation. Sebastian respected his wife for her intelligence and valued her opinions. This was not how most men felt about the women during this time period. It was refreshing to see how Sabastian and Hero respected each other in their marriage.

What Cannot Be Said by C.S. Harris was a well done historical fiction murder mystery that reflected the time period well. The ending was a complete surprise but well done. I enjoyed the cast of characters presented in this book. In the future, I hope to read some of the previous books in this series and I will look forward to reading new ones as well. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of What Cannot Be Said and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of What Cannog Be Said by C.S. Harris through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Following my thoroughly satisfying read of Harris’s previous St. Cyr mystery, Who Cries For the Lost, I was pleased to receive an audiobook “arc” of the latest and nineteenth, What Cannot Be Said. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with Sebastian and Hero, with Paul Gibson and Alexi Sauvage, and Bow Street magistrate, Lovejoy. What Cannot Be Said is set against the background of a Napoleon afloat and in limbo on an English ship: whither Napoleon? Back to France and execution? At his request, to settle as an English gentleman farmer? Exile? By the end of the tragedy and horror comprising this St. Cyr mystery, Napoleon’s fate, a question at novel’s start, frames the narrative and arrives to its end when Jarvis brings news of whither Napoleon.

On Harris’s canvas, a mystery bringing to light the injustices and cruelty of a time and place that will lead to the 19th and 20th century’s revolutions: the horrors of slavery, the cruelty of child labour, the vulnerability of destitute women, sexual violence, and the mistreatment of the mentally ill. Not an easy narrative, but as always, a compelling one, and mitigated by the series’s readers’ affection for its moral core, Sebastian, Hero, Paul, Alexi, and Lovejoy. The details follow, thanks to the publisher’s blurb:

July 1815: The Prince Regent’s grandiose plans to celebrate Napoléon’s recent defeat at Waterloo are thrown into turmoil when Lady McInnis and her daughter Emma are found brutally murdered in Richmond Park, their bodies posed in a chilling imitation of the stone effigies once found atop medieval tombs. Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy immediately turns to his friend Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help with the investigation. For as Devlin discovers, Lovejoy’s own wife and daughter were also murdered in Richmond Park, their bodies posed in the same bizarre postures. A traumatized ex-soldier was hanged for their killings. So is London now confronting a malicious copyist? Or did Lovejoy help send an innocent man to the gallows?

Aided by his wife, Hero, who knew Lady McInnis from her work with poor orphans, Devlin finds himself exploring a host of unsavory characters from a vicious chimneysweep to a smiling but decidedly lethal baby farmer. Also coming under increasing scrutiny is Sir Ivo McInnis himself, along with a wounded Waterloo veteran—who may or may not have been Laura McInnis’s lover—and a charismatic young violinist who moonlights as a fencing master and may have formed a dangerous relationship with Emma. But when Sebastian’s investigation turns toward man about town Basil Rhodes, he quickly draws the fury of the Palace, for Rhodes is well known as the Regent’s favorite illegitimate son.

Then Lady McInnis’s young niece and nephew are targeted by the killer, and two more women are discovered murdered and arranged in similar postures. With his own life increasingly in danger, Sebastian finds himself drawn inexorably toward a conclusion far darker and more horrific than anything he could have imagined.

I think for the first time since starting to read this series, I didn’t enjoy it as much as previous volumes. Without spoiling, this was because the novel’s second half, as Sebastian nears the who- and whydunnit, Harris turns for resolution to the mystery to the revelation I most dislike: placing the mentally ill as the centre of acts of violence. Moreover, more than ever, Sebastian and Hero’s world, peopled by a few loving, honest friends, shrinks to that small moral circle: everything and everyone outside of it, sordid and cruel (with two exceptions: a fellow veteran and a brilliant young Black man in a society that will always see him as less than.)

Sebastian pursues the answer to the flabbergasting murder of a respectable mother and daughter: a mother who cared too much about vulnerable children, servant-girls, chimneysweeps, orphans, and a gifted, highly intelligent young women who got too close to colonial taboos. I don’t mean to be deliberately cryptic, but I’m trying not to spoil. As Seb pursues answers, with the now-heavily pregnant Hero calling on her connections to Lady McInnis’s charitable endeavours, with Lovejoy’s disorientation over the repeat crime MO of his wife and daughter and Gibson still struggling with his opium addiction.

If not for Hero and his friends, Sebastian is more of a lonely figure than ever: not lonely for company, or love (he is a loving pater familias now and it suits him), but isolated in his opinions, against the tide of his social and political milieu: disgusted with slavery and social conditions, enraged over the treatment of young, vulnerable women, raped by the likes of Basil Rhodes. There is a scene, near the end, where Sebastian is near vigilante in his anger. But I still love him and his entourage. I do think Harris lost her way with the mystery’s conclusions, but this may be more my own distaste for this tired mystery convention. Still, if there’s a St. Cyr #20, I’ll be there for it.

As for the audiobook’s narrator, Amy Scanlon is serviceable. I dislike exaggerated character voices and she keeps those to a minimum. In that vein, I didn’t like how she made Sebastian sound like a bored aristocrat, but I did like her sensitive and strong Hero. I am not, however, and never will be an audiobook fan: I like the intimacy of silent reading too much to ever make audiobooks more than an occasional reading experience.

C. S. Harris’s What Cannot Be Said, audiobook edition, is produced by RB Media and was released on April 23rd. I received an audiobook file, from RB Media, via Netgalley, for the purpose of writing this review. This does not affect the free expression of my opinion, which was “expressed” in the above review without the aid of AI.

I am a huge C.S Harris fan and have actually read every book in the series! What Cannot Be Said is one of her best!

A woman and her daughter are shot dead while enjoying a pleasant picnic in the park. Aspects of the murder tie the crime to a previous murder, for which the convicted killer was executed. Is this a copycat, or was the wrong person executed? Were the victims targeted, or was this a random killing? Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife Hero assist the police in their investigation.

Other murders occur, but they are almost secondary to the author’s interest in Napoleon’s recent defeat and a variety of social issues, including domestic abuse, mental illness and its treatment, child labor, child abuse, opium addiction and the treatment of orphans. I actually found these social issues more interesting than the murders, and I was not at all satisfied with the resolution of the murders. Sebastian and Hero had to be the two most woke people in the 19th century (they definitely had 21st century sensibilities), so it seemed out of character that they would be ok with the sort of justice meted out at the end.

I have not read any of the other books in this series, but since I am not particularly interested in the backstories of the detectives in a mystery, this book worked for me as a standalone, but you may prefer to start at the beginning of the series. The book held my interest, but I don’t feel compelled to read more of the series. The narrator of the audiobook did an adequate job, but she was not good with male voices.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

TW for mental health struggles and family dynamics as a result. Also a scene in an asylum where they do into detail.

This was a good book, and I enjoyed it a lot. If you are looking for a fun historical fiction cozy mystery that has a husband and wife team in it, this may be for you.

I appreciated that the wife was involved, even at 6 months pregnant, and that she helped her husband in the investigation that he was assisting in. It almost felt more like their book than a book with the husband and the constable. That said, you do still get a lot of the constable too. This book had a good balance between all three characters compared to what I assumed coming into it.

The mystery was interesting, it wasn't a feel-good book but also was well-written and you felt for the final person to die. None of the characters involved in the actual crimes are particularly likable, but all the main characters are. This book will probably be a re-read for me at some point.

What an amazing continuation!. From the very first book in this series I was hooked. An amazing mystery, astounding character as well as character growth. I am never disappointed! I cannot wait until the next one.

My only tiny little squabble is that in the audiobook the narrator has changed Hero’s voice and hence her personality. She was more bolder and this narrator has now made her seem a bit timid.. I don’t like that as she started out as a very formidable strong voiced woman on kerbown.. not this soft spoken person now.

Also we need to see some closure on her learning of her mother’s death and the culprit already…come on we all know what her *cousin” did.

A favored series and I want to thank the author for her consistently, well developed historical, mystery series. This is number seventeen and they are as fresh and intrigues as they were at the beginning. I have followed, grown older with Sebastian St. Cyr, through danger, heartbreaks, secrets exposed, the search for his mother. Now he is happily married, with two sons and a child n the way, when once again he is asked to assist in a murder investigation. A mother and child murdered and many suspects to interview. The conclusion was for me very unexpected.

There is also historical references present in all the novels in this series. In this one Napoleon has once again been captured and the government is trying to figure out what to do with him.

Brilliant series.

I have read and loved the first 18 books in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. This is the first one I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed it. The author is so knowledgeable about the Regency time period and she really takes the reader there. This book I found extra dark and suspenseful.

My first book in the series that I didn't realize was a series when I requested it from Netgalley, but now I want to read all the others. This was a disturbing, dark, awful series of crimes and the aristocracy trying to find a quick scapegoat to protect their secrets. Scary twist at the end.

What Cannot Be Said by C.S. Harris and narrated by Amy Scanlon is an intriguing historical mystery that is right up my alley

Amy Scanlon does a great job of narrating the audiobook, reflecting the cadence of 1815 diction beautifully

The Prince Regent is planning a more than elaborate celepbration of the defeat of Napoleon, it is the height of Summer, and two teenage boys are avoiding the cacophony of their sisters wedding when they hear gunshots in the distance. They race to see what has happened and are met by a bloody scene. The two women were not just shot, their bodies were posed, hands in prayer, like effigies in a mausoleum, in the same manner as an identical murder fourteen years previously

The tale races along at a glorious pace and I was utterly gripped throughout. This is more than just a murder mystery, that are a lot more factors at play, such as the exploits of an illegimate son, the dodgy behaviour of the vile Sir Ivo McInnis (husband and father of the two murder victims) and all the while, we have the backdrop of years of devastating warfare coming to an end

The character building was brilliant and I absolutely adore Hero, her quick mind and grace is beautiful! A fantastic listen, highly recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley, RB Media | Recorded Books, the author C.S. Harris and narrator Amy Scanlon for this fantastic ALC. My review is leftvoluntarily and all opinions are my own

What Cannot Be Said AUDIO by CS Harris is a mind-numbeing investigation into several murders by Sir Henry Lovejoy and Sebastian St Cyr, Viscount Devlin. It comes to a mind-numbing conclusion with so many tentacles reaching in so may directions that, although it was not difficult to follow the reasoning, it implicated several people in various crimes unrelated to the initial and primary crime. The writing is extraordinary, as we have come to expect from CS Harris and explored even more deeply the relationship between Sebastian and his wife, Hero, as well as her father, Lord Jarvis, a favorite of the regent. The personalities explored were well-thought-out and intriguing. Investigation was not as easy at this time as there was no Internet, no cellphones, when every communication was in person or by writing. There was nothing like ballistic testing or fingerprinting. It was all down to making connections. That Sebastian did with alacrity. His character has developed over the years; watching him maturing and growing older has been an exercise in admiration.

CS Harris had put a lot of time and effort into these very well-written mysteries that pull at the readers’ heartstrings as well as strain their brains and powers of deduction. Sebastian is a member of the nobility, a system he abhors, but uses for the betterment of those around him. She has done an exceptional job of aging both him and Hero. This book is so well-plotted, that one doesn’t realize the manipulation, both by the killer and the author, until it is upon them. Kudos, CS Harris! You have a fan.

Amy Scanlon was born to narrate this book. She did it effortlessly with little need for voices, using simple, subtle changes in accent to differentiate amongst the characters. It was supremely well done. Thanks, Amy Scanlon!

I was invited to listen to the audio version of What Cannot Be Said by RB Media. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RBMedia #CSHarris #AmyScanlon #What CannotBeSaid

The latest (number 19!) of the early 19th century series centered around Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, who has a calling to help Bow Street untangle tricky murder cases, particularly when the upper classes are involved.

This episode takes place in July, 1815 — just as Napoleon is captured for the second time, his fate left to the British to determine (exile was chosen because nobody wanted to create a precedent for murdering heads of state, regardless of their crimes). Sebastian is brought in to investigate the brutal murder of a Baronet’s wife and her 16 year old daughter, their bodies posed in the exact same positions as those in a prior crime fourteen years earlier. Through an investigation tangled with possibilities, we are led to a dark conclusion that I admit I never would have suspected (though all the clues were there).

Harris excels at the successive unfolding of layer after layer of intrigue, suspects, and background stories. From lunatic asylums to the work houses to neglectful baby fostering to Dickensian apprenticeships and cruel taskmasters for the unfortunate orphans to soldiers returning from war along with the ever present sniping, posturing, and opportunities for outrage of the upper classes, the story gets richer and richer as it progresses.

The audio book reader was new for me — the first 16 books were narrated by Davina Porter who is one of my absolute favorites. I have no complaints at all about Amy Scanlon but I do miss Ms Porter’s voice.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was a very well written mystery that kept me engaged and wondering who the murderer was until the end.

I loved this book! The suspense continued to build throughout, making it very difficult to put this book down. Sebastian St Cyr, Viscount Devlin finds himself investigating the murders of Lady McInnis and her daughter Emma, whose bodies were left in Richmond Park arranged in a bizarre fashion. Chillingly, the murder scene exactly mirrored that of the murders of the wife and daughter Bow Street magistrate Henry Lovejoy, fourteen years earlier. Did the same person commit both sets of murders or was this a copycat murder? The list of suspects grows lengthy, including among others, Lady McInnis’ husband Sir Ivo, a soldier who might have been Lady McInnis’ lover, and even Basil Rhodes, the king’s favorite illegitimate son. Sebastian, his wife Hero, and Lovejoy slowly uncover evidence leading to a startling conclusion, with lots of twists and turns along the way. This story will stay with me for some time. I listened to the audio version of this book, and I found the narration to be excellent, truly bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery and suspense.

I have been addicted to this series since Book 1. I mean, what's not to like? It's well-written, incredibly well-researched, the characters are compelling and complex and the plots are deep and engrossing. As far as historical mystery series go, I would call the Sebastian St. Cyr series among the best. There's really nothing cozy about them. The endings are bittersweet, justice does not always prevail and good people die.

There is so much to these stories, which is why when I am reading them, sometimes I need a break to gather my thoughts. But with this audio book I could just listen. Being able to hear the story made it much easier for me to follow without needing a break.

In this book, Sebastian and Hero are involved in solving the death of a woman and her young daughter at a picnic. It tackles many early 19th Century topics such as baby farming, the treatment of children in the workplace and Napolean's capture and transport to St Helena. As always, the social and political atmosphere of the time is embedded into the storyline along with details of every day life, so the reader feels completely immersed in the storyline.

I did skip a few books in the series to listen to this one, and although the story had moved along, I didn't feel the impact. I'll now go back and read the ones, I missed or maybe even listen to them.

I received this audio book from RB Media and Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I jumped into this series to read this ARC and it was good as a stand-alone but now have another series that I want to read all the books! I am adding all of C.S. Harri's books to my TBR and starting with book 1 in this series, maybe I can catch up before the next installment is released! I did not see that twist coming at the end and I love that!

#WhatCannotBeSaid
#NetGalley