My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A carefully constructed historical mystery dealing with the darker side of human nature and how far someone will go to keep their secrets hidden.

WHO SPEAKS FOR THE DAMNED is the 15th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery series. Can you believe it? As with those before it, this mystery is gritty, engrossing, and atmospheric. Harris continues to develop the characters her readers become familiar with as well as introducing new relationships to the narrative with people both living and dead.

In what I can only call expert skill in storytelling, the author weaves together a tale with historical realness. There is an atmosphere and moodiness to scenes she sets which make the crimes all the more compelling. The nuances within the interactions of the characters as well as complexities of the hierarchy of the era also enrich what the reader experiences. Simply stated, Harris delivers a dark and layered crime in which only one Regency-era investigator can solve with the assistance of his wife, of course.

I will mention there was one aspect of this story that stood out for me. It was the intertwining of the Ji, the young child of the deceased, and the world of the street musicians. The vignettes where Hero talks to people while trying to discover the location of the boy were amazing to me. I loved being able to experience another aspect of life during this time.

Now that I have finished another in this series, I miss it all. I could spend hours being transported to 1814 London with Sebastian and Hero sleuthing their latest case. For me, there is just something so wonderful about a well-crafted historical mystery and the books in this series are just that. So without further ado, bring on WHAT THE DEVIL KNOWS.

In this novel, an Earl’s son is found dead. However, this Earl’s son was believed dead for years when he was sent away to work and never return after he was accused of murdering a French noblewoman. Devlin (Sebastian St. Cyr.. whichever of his million names we are currently choosing to use) is intrigued because why would a man who was wanted and sentenced to death if he ever returned to England, return to England? Only to be murdered?

While I did still enjoy this story, it wasn’t my favorite that I’ve read so far. The mystery itself was interesting but overall a bit boring. There was not much going on in regards to side storylines. In fact, this story might be the most murder-centric one that I’ve read.

Sometimes I do feel like these stories can have too much going on in terms of storylines which can be confusing and then make me frustrated because I just want to solve the mystery. But this one almost went too far in the opposite direction. I still like Sebastian/Devlin and that he wants to figure out what is going on, but this book had zero character growth and could 100% be a standalone.

Unfortunately, I don’t have much to say without giving the mystery away. I liked the mystery, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t feel like I needed to read this one before moving forward with the series. It’s an enjoyable mystery story on its own, but when I compare it to the others it’s not one of my favorites.

First Sentence: Alone and trying desperately not to be afraid, the child wandered the narrow, winding paths of the tea gardens.

Nicholas Hayes, a son to the late Earl of Seaford, had been convicted of murder, transported to Botany Bay, and assumed dead. Instead, he returned to London and was murdered. An Asian child who had been with Hayes, finds the body and goes to Hayes' former friend James Calhoun, valet to St. Cyr. After which, the child disappears. It is now up to St. Cyr to find the child and uncover the murderer.

There is nothing better than a book that captivates your attention from the very beginning. One is introduced to several of the main and recurring characters, learns about their backgrounds, and is taken straight into the story.

Harris sets the story up beautifully, providing multiple motives and suspects. Nothing here is obvious. She also effectively conveys the fear felt by young Jai, alone in a foreign country. He is a character who touches the heart but also allows for an interesting look at China during this period. The historical information woven into the story is both informative and harshly factual. Harris makes no attempt to soften the image of this time and confirms that bigotry has always existed.

Honorable characters have great appeal. When asked why Sebastian, a Viscount, after all, spends his time chasing murders, especially when the victims are despicable characters themselves, he responds: "Making certain a killer doesn't get away with what he has done is an obligation we the living owe to the dead—no matter how unsavory we consider them to be." ... "Am I not my brother's keeper?" …"And because I believe we are all connected, every living thing one to the other, so that I owe to each what I would owe to myself." What a perfect definition of equal justice under the law.

The relationship between Devlin and his wife Hero is so well done. The intimacy is neither gratuitous nor salacious, and dialogue is very natural. Harris does involve Hero in the investigation, but in a way that makes sense for a woman of her time and rank.

The story is well-plotted. It moves along at a good pace and presents twists at just the right points although one might wish authors weren't quite so predictable in their timing. That said, it is nice when one is surprised by a plot twist. The story grows with one revelation upon another. Rather than confusing, this adds to the intrigue of the story. The inclusion of information on the forensics of the time adds veracity and interest.

Good dialogue makes all the difference, particularly when twinged with humor—"How precisely does one go about accosting a man in the middle of a ball in order to discuss the murder of someone who once ran off with his wife." "I don't know," said Sebastian. "But I'll think of something."

"Who Speaks for the Damned" is an excellent read. The mystery is solved with an ending that speaks to humanity and puts paid to all the ugliness caused by man. It draws one in from the start and keeps one engaged to the very end.

WHO SPEAKS FOR THE DAMMED (HistMys-Sebastian St. Cyr-London-1814) – Ex
Harris, C.S. – 15th in series
Berkeley – Apr 2020

Another mystery coup from Harris. Sebastian St. Cyr series will become one of the classics mysteries, along with Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Nancy Drew.

When you review the 15th installment of a beloved historical murder mystery series, your review is inevitably about where the volume fits in the series’s scale of goodness to weakness. Because I have no perspective when it comes to Harris’s Regency-England-set Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, read no further if you haven’t read the series, just start reading it – from the beginning to the present volume.

In this 15th installment, Harris sees her nobleman-hero, Viscount Devlin, affectionately known as Seb for us in the series’s thrall, seek the murderers of a disgraced nobleman, Nicholas Hayes, youngest son of the deceased Earl of Seaforth. Years ago, Hayes was convicted of the murder of an exiled French aristocrat’s wife and, having stayed the noose, was sent to Botany Bay, an equally devastating, but protracted death sentence. Hayes’s return to London, with an Asian child, purported to be his son, shakes many privileged lives, not least of which is the present Earl, a distant cousin. But no sooner does the ton whisper speculation about Hayes’s return than he is found dead in Pennington’s Teas Gardens, with a sickle in his back. What brought Hayes back, though he would be captured and executed if caught by Bow Street? Was it revenge? Vindication?

If in Harris’s previous series volume, Who Slays the Wicked, Sebastian’s search for a killer reveals the sordid evil at the heart of the victim’s demise, in Who Speaks for the Damned, it cracks open a heart-breaking tragedy of betrayal, lost love, and injustice. What remains consistent from one volume to the next is the figures of Sebastian, wife Hero, baby Simon, friends and co-workers for justice Jules Calhoon, Paul Gibson, Henry Lovejoy, the irrepressible “tiger,” Tom, and Seb’s Aunt Henrietta. What grows over the series’s course is Seb and Hero’s ever-more-prominent moral core, search for justice for the oppressed, and awareness of Regency England’s impoverished people.

Seb and Hero, with Baby Simon cameos for comic relief, are happier and more secure with every volume, in their marriage, themselves, and the moral universe they’ve created in their household. At the same time, the injustice and inequality that surround them bubble to the surface with the frequency of the ever-present kettle from which Hero sips her tea. Seb and Hero, together, and within their own interest spheres (police work for Seb and journalism for Hero) stand as moral exemplars in an early 19th century English society only creeping towards a shift to social consciousness. (Sometimes, in moments of inattentive reading, Seb and Hero’s ethos is more Victorian than Regency, I think.)

I was fascinated by Seb’s moral consciousness in this particular volume. It begins with an identification with the victim: “Sebastian felt the tragedy of the man’s wasted life and senseless death press down on him like a heavy weight of sadness mingled, he knew, with an unsettling realization of just how easily this man’s miserable life could have been his” (Loc 254-55). I won’t spoil previous volumes, but Seb too had been unjustly accused of murder and he could, like Hayes, seen his fate, instead of deep love for wife and son, been in the hell of Botany Bay. But Seb’s ordeal was now a long time ago and in his present contentment and security, he moves from identification to a declaration when someone asks why he’s interested in uncovering the murderer of a convicted, doomed murderer: ” ‘Why do you care who killed him?’ ‘I care,’ said Sebastian” (Loc 760-61). Sebastian’s “care” is yet inarticulate, he just does. Care. Because.

Sebastian articulates why he “cares” when he is confronted by his father’s, the Earl of Hendon’s, querulous query:

Hendon’s lips flattened into a thin line. “I’d hoped when you married and became a father you’d give up this nonsense. It’s not at all a proper thing for you to be doing, chasing after murderers. Especially when the victim is a man of such despicable character. It’s … unseemly.” Sebastian gave a faint shake of his head. “Murder is unseemly. Making certain a killer doesn’t get away with what he has done is an obligation we the living owe to the dead — no matter how unsavory we consider them to be.” “I suppose so — but that’s why we have magistrates and constables.” “Am I not my brother’s keeper?” said Sebastian softly. Hendon pointed a shaky finger at him. “Don’t you start flinging Biblical verses at me.” (Loc 875-82)

Though Sebastian speaks ironically in twisting Cain’s response to God’s query, nevertheless, he articulates an obligation to the dead, no matter the quality of their life, because they cannot seek their own justice. And, lastly, though ruefully poking at his father (where, in the past, this would be a full-blown row), the Biblical reference is not without basis in Sebastian’s Christian ethos. He may not speak as a believer in this case, but surely as an adherent to an ethos beyond what he witnesses in the world he inhabits. (As a side note, I love that Seb and Hero do not participate in the ton’s endless entertainments unless in the service of a case they’re solving.)

In Hero, Harris has created a perfect companion-wife-partner for Sebastian. They share values, intelligence, social consciousness, and kindness. They care. We see this as we follow Hero in her latest journalistic endeavour (carried over several series volumes), to interview and tell the stories of people who make a living on London’s streets. Hero’s studies/articles aren’t sociological in nature, they tell the stories of real people, with their hopes and loves entwined into their difficult lives. In one scene, she interviews a woman who makes her living creating cut silhouettes for passersby:

The woman was so determinedly strong and independent, thought Hero, so formidably controlled. She’d survived so much, her life constantly torn apart by wars begun by kings and princes and a certain upstart Corsican to whom women like Anja meant nothing. Nothing at all. Hero found herself aching for her and all the countless others like her, and had to clear her throat before she could say … (Loc 1326-29)

I love that Harris doesn’t hesitate to give the somewhat emotionally reticent hero and heroine the ability to feel so deeply and sympathetically. Like her husband, Hero is motivated by care and justice. This is not an inspirational novel by any stretch, but Harris has centred her hero and heroine in an ethos of care, justice, and the ability to extend their own lives into a responsibility to care for all vulnerable human life. (Plus one spoiled cat named Mr. Darcy!)

Lest you judge, from my review, that every volume is as lugubrious and serious as this one, you have to realize that Harris has built happiness, contentment, and security in Seb and Hero’s marriage. You don’t need many scenes of their halcyon communal life, but one or two remind the reader how lovely these two are together. My favourite in Who Speaks For the Damned is: “Sebastian said, ‘I could try talking to Lady Forbes about Nicholas Hayes, but it would be rather indelicate’ ‘Huh. If Aunt Henrietta is right, it’s going to be indelicate no matter who does it.’ When he remained silent, she said, ‘Let me guess: You want me to approach her?’ His eyes crinkled in a smile, and she cuffed him playfully on the chin. ‘Coward’ ” (Loc 1360-64). Seb and Hero’s playfulness, charm, and affection shine through and bring them closer to the reader as much as their passion and love for each other does in other scenes.

Finally, in the novel’s latter half, Sebastian articulates his search for Hayes’s murderers as a witnessing:

“I need you to help me understand him.” “Why?” “Because … ” What could he say? Because bringing this man’s murderer to justice was more important to Sebastian than he could begin to explain, even to himself? Because he felt driven to prove that Nicholas Hayes had been wrongly convicted so long ago? Because while nothing could be done at this point to alleviate the tragedy of the dead man’s life, it was somehow vitally important that the tragedy be both recognized and remembered by someone? (Loc 3151-55)

If we think about it, Sebastian’s motivation began when he identified with Hayes and now, it has become a matter of revealing a truth and witnessing to a man’s life. What is important is not the discovery of the murderers per se, but the revelation of a life’s worth, a story retold and redeemed, and over the years, remembered. After the murder is resolved, Sebastian can fully articulate this growing ethos in his characterization by connecting one man’s life and death to a universal sense of the value of life and justice:

“Why do you do it anyway? Devote yourself with such indefatigable passion to this quest to catch the killer of someone you never even met.” He glanced over at Sebastian. “That’s an honest question, by the way. I genuinely would like to know.” “For the same reason I would step in to stop a man from whipping a tired horse, or a cruel child tormenting a stray dog. Because it’s the right thing to do.” And because I believe we are all connected, every living thing one to the other, so that I owe to each what I would owe to myself. But he didn’t say that. (Loc 3864-69)

Why doesn’t he? Because a moral imperative is still one the Regency world may understand, though Sebastian’s interesting choice of animal examples is not one that would find much sympathy. The notion that “no man is island” … well, who has learned that Donne-ian lesson, in the Regency, or elsewhere?

Loved Who Speaks For the Damned as much as any other St. Cyr mystery. With Miss Austen, a moral imperative kind of writer herself, we’d say this present Harris volume speaks of “no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma.

C. S. Harris’s Who Speaks For the Damned is published by Berkley. It was released in early April and you should read it. If you haven’t read the series, do so. I can promise endless hours of reading satisfaction. BTW, I received an e-galley, from Berkley, of the present volume, via Netgalley.

This series is one of my absolute favourites and it's always a delight to find myself back in Sebastian St Cyr's world. After 15 books I'm still in love with the characters and the settings and the mystery still kept me guessing to the very end.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Author C.S. Harris’s writing and storytelling abilities never cease to amaze me. I think she is one of the greatest historical authors writing today. With this fifteenth installment Who Speaks for the Damned, the long running Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series maintains its spot among my favorites.

Nicholas Hayes, convicted of murder some twenty years ago and thought dead, returns to London with a Chinese child in tow. However, the risk he takes coming home proves fatal when he is murdered. Before his death, he had reached out to Sebastian’s valet Jules Calhoun claiming he might need his help so, knowing no one or the city, the child turns to Calhoun, and Calhoun seeks Sebastian’s help in solving the case.

As I mentioned above, I truly adore this series and its characters. Who Speaks for the Damned is poignant and hits home for Sebastian since Nicholas’s life and experience could have easily been Sebastian’s own experience had he not been able to clear his own name when he was accused of murder (book one – What Angels Fear). Justice runs through Sebastian’s veins, and he is noble and honorable. I love that he bucks the system time and time again in his quest for the truth. His wife Hero, who is intelligent and righteous in her own right, is featured quite a bit in this tale, and she and Sebastian make the perfect pair. Readers learn quite a bit about Calhoun’s past, and he, too, plays an integral role in solving the mystery. The child Ji is heartbreaking and fascinating.

As always, there are plenty of historical facts, politics, and intrigue woven into the story, and though world leaders have gathered in London to celebrate Napoleon’s defeat, there is no single historical event that facilitates the story. Longtime readers might be a little disappointed, as I am, that there is not much progression with the series long arc regarding Sebastian’s family. Nonetheless, the mystery is engaging and a tough puzzle to figure out, the atmosphere and period details authentic, the dialogue smart, and the writing superb.

Who Speaks for the Damned is one of my favorite reads of the year. Highly recommended.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Who Speaks for the Damned is the 15th Sebastian St. Cyr mystery by C. S. Harris. Released 7th April 2020 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 336 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Despite being the 15th book in the series, the author manages to strike a fine balance between introducing new characters, new plot elements, and a twisty and engaging mystery, while still delivering a satisfying interlude with the characters readers know and love. The strength and intelligence and synergistic delight of seeing Hero, her husband Sebastian, manservant Calhoun, and even his carriage tiger, Tom interacting and growing together is worth the read alone, but the author has wrapped the heart of the characters inside a historical plot rife with xenophobia, political machinations, blackmail, murder, and the unforgiving rigidity of 19th century societal mores and the overall effect is deep and engaging.

This is one of my favorite ongoing historical mystery series and I always look forward to new installments with anticipation. Although it's the latest of 15 books in the series, it works quite well as a standalone and new readers won't have any trouble following the story.

Five stars, a worthy addition.

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

Who Speaks for the Damned is the next entry in the wonderful Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, and I have to say, despite there being fifteen books in this series, it hasn't let down in suspense or interest as of yet. I love how the author explores this age period through her mysteries as well as gives vivid descriptions of life for all different types of people. I have been especially fond of Hero and her work cataloguing the poor, and trying to fight her peers to make them see what life is really like for everyone.

Viscount Devlin has this uncanny ability to hunt down murderers and is often asked to help in a case by his valet, Calhoun. Going on fifteen books, and I still don't feel like I have a grasp of Calhoun and his background, so I am anxiously awaiting the day when I do discover a lot more. However, to this point Calhoun's shady background has really helped Devlin navigate the shady underworld and he has used those connections to track down murderers and other people needed in his investigations.

If you have read any of this author's previous works, you will know the answer to the murder will not be so simple, and will involve many layers as well as have political and social implications. And when Hero gets involved in an attack on Sebastian, it infuriates him to the point that he will no longer stop at nothing to stop the murderers. It also gives him insight into his own own past and how easily he had escaped the same fate held by the victim, Nicholas Hayes.

I really enjoy the way this author writes, and I love the attention to historical details. The author will often mention buildings that used to be there, or the previous uses for them and I really enjoy that. The plot itself is pretty twisty and turny, and if you are new to this series, it would be easy to get caught up in all the red herrings thrown in your path. It would also be hard to understand some of the nuances as well as some of the subplots are books in the making and are still going on and a reader would have needed to read previous books in the series to understand those nuances. To really get a feel for the relationships between Sebastian and his father-in-law as well as Sebastian and his dad, you would have to know about events in previous books.

Now you may be wondering why I didn't give it five stars as I seemed to enjoy it so much, but here is the thing. It wasn't the mystery that was the main problem, it was those little subplots I mentioned. While I get that those things can go on into infinity, I really wish some of them would turn into something, and not just drag on from book to book. I get that Sebastian and his FIL don't get along, but it's been that way forever, so with events happening the way they did in this book, I am really hoping something shakes loose in the next one and we get going on those and they don't keep dragging on.

Who Speaks for the Damned was a sad historical mystery, but definitely had its roots in the reality of the day. The justice system during that time period was a mess, and too often the crown would look to anyone handy as a suspect just to close a case, and I am glad the author chose to highlight that issue in this book. I do recommend starting from the beginning of this series, and I think you will be satisfied with this latest instalment. It definitely has all the hallmarks that fans expect.

This continues to be a solid historical mystery series. The author fits her characters and plot seamlessly into the historical timeline. The social analysis and commentary is intelligent and always adds interest. Do read in order though, or you'll miss a lot.

Sebastian St. Cyr is a gentleman detective in Regency England. In this novel, a young, half-Chinese boy shows up at Sebastian's doorstep to report the death of his benefactor, a disgraced nobleman. Everyone thought this particular nobleman had already died in exile many years ago so finding him in London and newly deceased is quite the mystery.
I enjoyed this book very much. I thought it was similar to Sherlock Holmes or the Charles Lenox mysteries and I just may add C.S. Harris and this series to by list of future reads. While this is a series, it works as a standalone and my enjoyment was not hampered by the fact that i had not read prior stories. I also thought the history element of this historical mystery was well-done. I read a lot of Regency romance so it was nice to see this same time-period through a different, slightly dingier lens. Overall, I would recommend this book.

At this point sebastian and I are playing a rigged game. Rather than compare this series to other books I compare it to itself. It’s not sebastian versus other heroes. It’s sebastian versus sebastian.

While the writing is superb, the mysteries interesting (some more than others), and the character development unparalleled, there remains the feeling of been-there-done-that created by the sameness of the books’ format.

I can’t say I’m finished with this series. But I can’t say I’m not.

*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to offer an unbiased review.*


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C.S. Harris’ latest mystery Who Speaks for the Damned is another fascinating tale of the early Victorian period. As part of a long running series the reader may see a returning character or two, or fear that as a new reader they will be lost and confused as to the nature of relationships and past events in the book. The latter turns out to be a great concern, with a story that is accessible and characters who have a history but do not rely on unexplained past events for narrative purposes.

The lead of the book is Sebastian St. Cyr, a wealthy man of breeding who happens upon it’s strange sight of what appears to be a boy running from him. His attention is also drawn to the death of one Nicholas Hayes. Hays is the disgraced son of a Duke, believed already dead and illegally back in the country when his bidy is found. He appears to have been stabbed in the back with a sickle, and I am in large those around are less concerned with his death than many might be.

Sebastian finds himself trying to solve two related problems at once. He is researching the death of a man who should not be in the country, having been transported out and functionally exiled. He is also trying to between himself and those closest to him to find the missing child, an individual of chinese descent called Ji. Several sections of the book are performed from Ji’s point of view.

Sebastian is a gentleman detective in the classic sense, a man with a special position who none-the-less finds himself repeatedly looking into grisly crimes. He is upstanding and moral, with his most obvious vices being that he solves crimes in his free time and that he is quick to anger for the sins of his time. The reader is not likely to hold either against him. The first because of genre convention, and both because of reader goodwill generated. Chances seem high that a reader with any historical awareness will find him a paragon when accounting for the biases and difficulties of his time, and his associate Hero a woman of similar morality.

A fair number of suspects are put into place, virtually all among the nobility. Many of them were family to the deceased, although thst very much do not like to have the victim discussed in any capacity. All have reputations to consider, and quite often serious monetary or inheritance related concerns as well. The readers will find some of these issues more understandable, and possibly more sympathetic, than others. Yet the writing always makes clear the nature of the times and thus the amount that this behavior is within the norm. The question of motive is easiest for Sebastian, yet as others begin stalking him and his loved ones it becomes apparent that if agents were used then opportunity is a fairly useless tool.

One of the core issues of this book is the question of justice, and in particular what it means in relation to societal expectation. The various family members of the victim want nothing to do with the case, although the question exists as to if this is because of their personal involvement in the muder or dus to societal expectation and image concerns. The latter are certainly not sympathetic, yet hardly on the order of murder. Further this is clearly a domain of parties of both genders, with men and women alike concerned more about image than they might be about the lives of human beings.

The East India Company is in power and it’s terrible crimes are in full effect, and only journalist and forward-thinking woman Hero expresses significant concern over their actions. Most don’t care at all, and those involved with the company find any effort to draw attention to atrocities they participated in is seen as more an annoyance than a threat. To his credit the lead Sebastian can be forgiven for his lack of focus upon the issue as he is rather preoccupied solving a murder and trying to track down a missing child, yet the overall apathy regarding oppression and mass starvation is an excellent reminder of the darker and less human oriented views often expressed during the time. It is a well balanced book, keeping focus upon the mysteries and plot without needlessly excluding the many elements of history.

There is a major character of vital importance to the narrative who is of partial Chinese descent. This was very much not common in early Victorian times, and a scene where children ask what it is to be Chinese is both amusing and a startling reminder of that fact. Bigotry towards people of various backgrounds plays a large role. Once again both leads, as well as a number of women, are given the opportunity to show that they do not share this opinion and find it utterly despicable. This is far easier on a modern reader than dealing with overly racist protagonists, however it also serves to remind the reader that even when the product of an era that was less than enlightened in some ways people could be forward-thinking.

At the end of the book comes a wonderful section of h8storical notes, which make clear what portions of the story are directly based on events in the past, as opposed to being fictional inventions. For those who are not steeped in the early Victorian time period and its various eccentricities these are a godsend, both allowing the reader to better understand the situation Sabastian and Hero navigate and also providing a fair deal of context for those curious about the time, without dumping uneccessary exposition into the narrative.

C.S. Harris’ Who Speaks For the Damned is an excellent entry in his bibliography, and easy to recommend. The book has been well-researched, down to consideration of police methods at the time. The various bigotries and biases individuals in power and society as a whole possessed at the time are addressed, and incorporated into the mystery very well. An excellent example of a historical mystery, playing well into the setting and yet holding the reader’s attention. This book will work quite well for new readers and long-term series fans alike.

(Berkeley, 2020)

First line: Alone and trying desperately not to be afraid, the child wandered the narrow, winding paths of the tea gardens.

Summary: The body of a disgraced and presumed dead nobleman is found dead in the tea gardens of London. When the child with the murdered man shows up at the home of Sebastian St. Cyr he gets pulled into finding out who killed him and why.

My Thoughts: I am always ready for a new Sebastian St. Cyr book! These are great historical mysteries. The characters are interesting. The history is intriguing. And the mystery is always fun. I love how the author has expanded and given more to Hero making her a much more integral part of the storyline. I miss Tom though. He has had a much smaller part in recent books. I like that there is always a historical note at the end giving more information into the times and events of the story.

FYI: This is book 15 in the series.

Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris is a 2020 Berkley publication.

I can’t get enough of this series!

Nicholas Hayes, the third son of the Earl of Seaford was presumed dead after being convicted of murder and sent to Botany Bay. But, apparently, rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated.

He returns to London, from China, with a young child in tow. Whatever his mission might have been, it must have been very important for him to have taken such a high risk. However, his enemies, who have had much to fear from Nicholas, may have snuffed out his life before he had a chance to exact his revenge.

A scandal, and the threat of long buried secrets coming to light is the last thing anyone wants as the royal families of Russia, Austria and Germany arrives in London to celebrate the defeat of Napolean.

Yet, Sabastian finds himself searching for Nicholas’s murderer, and for the missing child who accompanied him, thanks to his Valet, Jules Calhoun, who was a friend of the victim.

Sebastian’s involvement in criminal cases often puts him in danger, but his time, his beloved wife, Hero, winds up in the crossfire, infuriating Sebastian, making him more determined than ever to unearth the truth and find the vulnerable child Nicholas brought with him from China.

Oh man, this was a good book!! A long -ago scandal that had been hushed up, lovers torn apart by power and greed, a child left alone to survive on the mean streets of London, and is riveting whodunit, is enough to make this story compelling.

However, the stunning revelations, and the social and historical lessons, round out this incredible multi-layered story. Not only that, the personal connotations for Sebastian, who can’t help but notice certain similarities between his life and that of Nicholas'- a sort of ‘there, but for the grace of God’ situation, adds yet another layer of depth to the story. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book!

Is the best book in the series so far? I probably say that after every installment, but yes, this one is one the best, if not THE best!!

If you like historical mysteries, this is a series you will want to invest in. If you are a fan of the series, you want to grab a copy of this one ASAP! You won’t be disappointed!

I should have started reading this series earlier. This is one of the most complex and intense historical mysteries I've read. The characters are well developed as is the plot.

Please note: I received a digital ARC of this book (via NetGalley) from its publisher in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S Harris is a murder mystery and the fifteenth book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. This is the first book I have read in this series. It is not necessary to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this novel, but I would recommend reading them in order to have a better appreciation of the continuing plot developments in Sebastian's personal life. But I cannot stress enough, do not let that stop you from reading this gem! I love historical mysteries and this book is full of political intrigue, murder, mystery, and 1800's London society drama.

C.S. Harris does a brilliant job with building a lush version of 1800's London. I loved the attention to detail, from the clothing, dialogue, society life, and mannerisms. The combination of all of these components make the story even more compelling. Who Speaks for the Damned is a full immersive experience. You really feel like you are right in the middle of 1800's London. In this latest installment, we follow lead character, Sebastian as he investigates the murder of an acquaintance of his valet, Jules Calhoun. You immediately get pulled into the mysterious murder and feel for little Ji who is left behind. In addition to the mystery and misdirection, I love that C.S. Harris does not shy away from tackling tough issues like the adversity faced by the poor, opium smuggling, and corruption.

C.S Harris weaves an extremely intricate tale full of danger, excitement, and intrigue. Who Speaks for the Damned was a fast paced enjoyable read. It will appeal to mystery and historical fiction fans alike. Published by Berkley Books, this gem is available for purchase from all major booksellers. I give Who Speaks for the Damned 4 out of 5 gems. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series! Happy Reading!

Napoleon has been defeated. In celebration the allied powers meet in London, for celebrations seemingly without end. The murder of a nobleman's disgraced son, might shatter already tenuous ties between France and England. Enter Simon St Cyr, a nobleman unlike many of the day, he has a conscience and a rigid sense of right and wrong. Although the danger to himself is great, he will not stop until he finds the murderer.

Without doubt, my favorite historical mystery series. The atmosphere is spot on and the lead characters have interesting back stories. The history of the time is authentic as the authors historical note makes clear. Such an interesting time in history, and reading about the politics of the day is also fascinating. A terrific series that I hope continues for a long time.

ARC from Netgalley.

C.S.Harris in Who Speaks for the Damned has regency mystery hero Sebastian St. Cyr finding justice for the murdered Nicholas Hayes, who was wrongly convicted of murder and transported to Botany Bay. Follow the trail of corrupt officials, business leaders and nobility who ruined the lives of Hayes and others. Sebastian is the champion of the underdog. Excellent plotting and character development.

You know how some series fiction gets dull or repetitive after a while? I think this one keeps getting better. And each book works well as a stand-alone, so you can start right here at book #15.

C.S. Harris perfectly captures atmosphere and setting, transporting us to early 19th century London. All the nuances of time and place bring this story to life.

Sebastian is one of my favorite rebel characters. As he investigates a murder, he effortlessly shifts between the powerful upper class, the poor living on the streets, and known criminals. He treats everyone with the respect or scorn deserved, regardless of class. And I love Hero, Sebastian's wife, who is anything but the typical 19th century woman.

The plot's complexities and depth kept me on edge and thoroughly engaged.

In case it's not clear, I loved this book!