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.

I always get excited this time of the year because I know there will soon be a new C.S. Harris book. I don't know what I will do if/when she decides she is done with this series. Hero is one of my all time favorite characters. Strong, smart, independent. I need her in my life.
This books centers more around the mystery and the action than the characters themselves. Of course Sebastian is set upon by ruffians and threats are set upon him and his family, like in most of the rest of this series, but it takes a little more of backseat to Sebastian trying to work through this new mystery that is years in the making. Love these characters and the description of the time. Great series.

Another wonderful edition in the world of Sebastian St. Cyr! Lord Devlin is investigating a recent string of murders that closely resemble horrific crimes committed three years before. However, the supposed culprit for the murder of three years before was identified and died in prison. Devlin has to travel back in time to right the wrongs of the past. As always, Devlin is not afraid of visiting the less than desirable parts of London and incurring the annoyance of those in power to solve the mystery. The book did end with an interesting development that will have fans eagerly anticipating the next book!

Sebastian St. Cyr and Sir Henry Lovejoy have two murdered magistrates, both likely involved with the famous Ratcliffe murders of a few years back. It seems that someone has decided to revive the public's fears and get a bit of revenge as well. But while clues keep leading to this conclusion, motive and who is the guilty parties are lacking. And the rich brewers that supply the public houses seem to only care about money, not justice. So the bodies keep piling up until Sebastian gets the crucial clue he needs to solve the case. A very twisty tale that keeps this series moving along nicely!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.

Sebastian St. Cyr uses his society ties to solve the Ratcliffe Highway murders, an actual event more horrible than the case of Jack the Ripper because whole families were murdered in their homes. Two years after a man died for the crimes, copycat murders begin.

Author C.S. Harris takes readers on a tour of 1813 London, describing its neighborhoods, its pubs, its weather, its overwhelming poverty. In a few sentences, she creates one cinematic scene after another, individualizing each character.

The book is a mystery as well as a saga. Readers who have followed the series met Sebastian as a hot-headed young man. He is now married and a father. Various friends, servants and associates make appearances and his search for a family member continues.

Harris is as talented a storyteller as Cynthia Harrod-Eagles.

A wonderful series that doesn't whitewash the problems of the early 19th century. This time, Devlin investigates a series of murders that seem to copy murders of three years previous, bringing to light in the process corruption in the legal system and the plight of the working classes. I enjoy the use of Hero to bring to light the difficulties women, especially, faced in that time period. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the opportunity to read the eARC.

Whew! There were a lot of people getting murdered up in here!

Based in early 19th century East End London, we have what appears to be copy cat of a serial murder spree just 3 years earlier. Viscount Devlin is called in to help with some serious detective work to get to the bottom of it all.

This book is fast paced and pretty gripping. That being said, when I got it, I had no idea it’s book 16 in a series. I think it’s a benefit to me that I didn’t feel completely lost to the main plot of the story. It’s clear that there are some threads that are carried through the series, but I managed to get through with no problems, each character fleshed out just enough. But maybe it was all the murdering keeping me interested? Possibly. Just don’t be discouraged to pick it up. You’ll be fine.

I appreciate that the author is highly educated on this time in England. At the end of the book, she explains how much of the story is based on fact and how much are her own creative liberties. Turns out there was a crime spree called the Ratcliffe Highway Murders in London. Turns out most of these people existed in the forms the author presents them. This made the whole thing even more exciting as I sit comfortably tucked into my home reading about gruesome crimes being solved by debonair detective viscounts.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Berkeley, for providing an ARC for my honest opinion

Somehow the Devlin mysteries just keep getting better! I truly enjoyed this latest installment. So many series writers either don't allow their characters to grow or they change them in ways that don't align with who the character is at his/her core. I like that Devlin and Hero have both grown and changed and matured, it reflects positively on them compared to some secondary characters (Kat, Lord Jarvis) who don't seem to be learning or growing as time goes on. Frankly, I never liked Kat and I'm so glad Devlin is with Hero! Keep up the good work!

Another stellar outing for Harris in the Sebastian St Cyr series. Despite being the 16th in the series, What the Devil Knows still manages to be surprise and hold the interest of those readers who have been with the series since its start. Harris' research and writing always make for an enjoyable read, taking the reader to the dirty underbelly of King George's England. Each outing explores a different facet of life in the early 1800s, and What the Devil Knows has a serial killer, terrorizing the public. Anyone interested in historical fiction and true crime is sure to delight in it.

I am a big fan of the Sebastian St. Cyr novels and this one didn't disappoint. A tidy mystery of its own (based on the actual Ratcliffe Highway murders), the novel also continued the ongoing mysteries of Sebastian's mother and his connection to look-alike Jamie Knox. Another engaging entry on the series!

Another great read by Harris. I love how she is able to bring the story to life. You feel as if you are wandering the streets with Sebastian. As he delves into this latest murder, we are able to see his continued search for his mother and her involvement in the war with France. As always his relationship with his father in law plays a large part in this. We also get to see how Hero continues to deal with the social injustices of the time and it gives the reader a good understanding of the corruption that occurred throughout England at the time.

Harris does her research and her use of actual events brings the story to life, making the reader to want to learn more.

Having read all the other books in this series I can say that this latest addition does not disappoint. If you like Regency crime thrillers you will love this installment of the Sebastian St.Cyr series. A magistrate's gruesomely bludgeoned body turns up in an alley. The crime is similar to the Ratcliffe Highway murders of three years earlier that held London in a grip of terror. Could it be the same killer or a copycat? Was the accused man who took his own life in a jail cell not the real killer? His Lordship is called in to aid in the investigation but as the body count goes up it becomes harder to see the truth of it. And there are those who make it evident that Sebastian should leave it alone.

It is obvious that Harris's books are well researched and readers can always count on learning a thing or two about English history, customs, and people. I would recommend this book and my library will be purchasing a copy.

Wow! In a series that is one of the bright spots in historical mysteries, this one stands out as a gem. Based on the real Ratcliffe murders, Harris spins a tale mixing historical figures with her characters. The mystery is preeminent here, but it's an engrossing mystery and there are tantalizing hints as to the mystery of Devlin's mother. Plus, a series that has been slowly crawling through the history of Regency England is now 5 months from Napoleon escaping from Elba and Waterloo! Can't wait to see where this series goes from here.

Excellent as usual, though the mystery rather than the characters was on center stage in this one. Very interesting and quite a surprise to learn how much of this story is rooted in fact. A winner in this series.

When two murders are committed in a similar style to a string of gruesome murders that were thought solved 3 years ago, Bow Street brings the case to the attention of Sebastian St. Cyr. As Sebastian begins to unravel this new mystery he discovers deep seated corruption and a trail of bodies tied to the cases.
This is not my favorite book in the series. The mystery was not as engaging as past entries in the series and I always want to spend more time with Hero and family. The conclusion of the mystery was also a bit rushed and unclear as to who did what to who and when/who was the mastermind behind the operation? Fans of the the genre will be pleased with this book.

What the Devil Knows is another thrilling historical mystery from C.S. Harris. We always buy her for our library.