C.S. Harris continues his Sebastian St.Cyr mysteries with the most baffling murders in this Regency series to date in What Cannot Be Said. Napoleon is in British hands, there is unrest at home and a disquieting murder of a lady and her daughter who are posed similarly to the murder of .a magistrate of the Bow Street Runners. Sebastian St. Cyr finds links to a bylow of the Prince of Wales, to a provider of chimney sweeps and the husband of the lady. What lies below is an insidious trail to a family's past. Best read for suspense, history and horror.

What Cannot Be Said is the 19th Regency murder mystery featuring Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr by author C.S. Harris. Released 2nd April 2019 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.

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 really enjoyed the previous books that I've read in the series but I think this one might be my favorite one yet. While the last few books have involved a more international angle this one was far more domestic involving the death of a mother and child. This sets Devlin and Hero onto a journey of looking into workhouses and the treatment of children when they are apprenticing as well as diving into the history of Devlin's friend, Sir Henry Lovejoy.

This series tends not to be the fastest paced read but instead unfolds with the perfect amount of detail and character development. I love Devlin and Hero as well as the people that surround them. The characters are all smiles and sunshine. Not all their relationships are smooth and they don't handle everything perfectly at all times which is kind of refreshing. I like how they have evolved as a family and how other relationships have evolved as well.

The mystery really kept me guessing. I had no idea how everything was going to work out or even why things were happening until almost the end but I enjoyed every page it took to get there. While not central to the bulk of the plot there are still mentions as to what is going on in France which provides a nice bit of context in the time period. I really enjoyed this book and this is a series I plan on continuing with.

What Cannot Be Said by C. S. Harris
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A picnic ends in murder. After two women are brutally killed, Viscount Devlin is asked to help with the investigation. The case takes him on a tour of the many injustices of his time and end in a surprising discovery.
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What I liked:
-This detective mystery really hooked me from the beginning. I was anxious to know all the answers to who commited this awful crime and why.
-I have never read any of this series before and a little surprised that there are (currently) 19 books in the series! After just a few chapters I could completely understand why it is popular enough to still be going. I really enjoyed What Cannot be Said and suspect every book in the series is equally good. I want to read more!
-The ending to this book was really excellent. No spoilers but done very well.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy detective novels and historical mystery then What Cannot be Said is a book you need to add to your TBR.

C.S. Harris’s historically authentic Regency Era mystery series offering complex, fascinating characters, and intriguing, gritty plots is still going strong nineteen "must read in order" books later.



What Cannot Be Said is rife with Regency era social injustices: child labor, apprenticeship abuse, workhouses, non-regulated baby farms, sadistic insane asylum treatments, racism, and plight of war casualties and their families. A murder mystery set against this backdrop was not just intriguing, but emotionally compelling.



When I thought the series was to end with the culmination of the Napoleonic War which has been marching apace through the series, I was in book reader devastation, but I was in raptures when Harris announced she would carry on a few more installments to the official end of the Regency Period. Most of all my excitement is due to more time spent with her original creation and possibly my favorite fictional character, Sebastian St. Cyr, and the regular cast of characters who have come along with him since the beginnings of the series.



In this latest, Harris ties the mystery to Sebastian’s friend, the Bow Street Magistrate, Sir Henry Lovejoy’s past when his beloved wife and daughter were murdered years before and a more recent copycat-style murder of Sebastian’s wife, Hero’s dear friend and social justice fighter, Lady McInnis and her daughter. The mystery is personal from the start and only grows more so as Sebastian and Sir Henry work the case and follow the evidence and witness accounts to the shocking end.

CS Harris has never balked at the personality and motive of her grisly murders or the murderer behind the deed. This is never so true as this installment when I had no idea who was behind it all until Sebastian’s intuition mulling over the facts of the case got me there for that stunning reveal.



What Cannot Be Said was an emotional heavy hitter and an amazing historical mystery story. I cannot recommend this series enough.

I always love the Sebastian St. Cyr books. They are a solid mystery with historical aspects driving the story. The characters are interesting. The mystery is engaging. And I am always ready for the next one. I liked the narrator of the audiobook but I do miss the original one.

I can’t believe I’ve never read any books in this series and it is on its 19th book! This is the second book I’ve read about how we treated children years ago and I am sad every time.

It is a personal case for Sebastian as this new one mirrors how his wife and daughter were killed years ago. Is there a copycat? Was the wrong person convicted and the murderer is back at it?

This was such an interesting read. The writing style and plot really drew me into the time period and it felt like I was there. The history and social issues of the time were well researched and woven into the plot. It is a bit of a dark and somewhat sad story and had me guessing until the very end.

Amy Scanlon does a terrific job narrating the audiobook and bringing the large cast of characters to life. I thought it was an odd choice to have a female narrator for a male protagonist, but I was wrong in my thinking and she is great.

The St. Cyr books are one of the best historical mystery series out there, but readers should not go in expecting a cozy Regency mystery. These are gritty, atmospheric books. What Cannot Be Said proves that. Waterloo has seen Napoleon's defeat and the Prince of Wales is planning a great celebration of the 100 years of the House of Hanover on the throne. With that as the backdrop, the mystery revolves around the murder of Lady McInnis and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Emma, in Richmond Park. Their deaths mimic the deaths of another mother and daughter 14 years earlier. Viscount Devlin, Sebastian St. Cyr, is called to the scene by his friend Magistrate Lovejoy, who is shaken by what he has found. It seems those victims from 14 years ago were Lovejoy's wife and daughter. Is a copycat at work or did Lovejoy send an innocent man to the gallows? Sebastian and his wife, Hero, learn that Lady McInnis was a social reformer who ran afoul of chimney sweeps, workhouses, and even the Prince of Wales's illegitimate son. Could one of them murdered her and Emma? Throughout the book, readers see the dark underbelly of Regency England, where 5-year-old children die working for chimney sweeps, and "baby farms" are a convenient way to get rid of unwanted infants. This is ugly, tragic life. I recommend this series, but it should be read in order.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Harris for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I can't believe this is book #19 of the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Moreover I cannot believe that C.S. Harris is able to repeatedly top her previous work. This "episode" was one of the best yet. All the hallmarks of this series were here: great historical context, real historical personages, well-researched time period tidbits, terrific characters AND characterization, flourishing subplots that carry over from book to book, and a thorny, twisty main mystery.

In this book Sebastian must solve the murder of Lady MacInnis and her teenage daughter Emma and suspects are literally behind every tree and doorstep. Meanwhile Cousin Victoria is up to no good, Jarvis has resumed personal threats against Sebastian, Gibson continues to refuse Alexi's treatment and is spiraling HARD, Hero is 6 months pregnant but still playing an active role in Sebastian's inquiries, and Napoleon is still playing a role in British politics. Not to mention the absolutely heartbreaking (and equally absolute true) details about "mental health" institutions, the plight of poor children and orphans in workhouses, the deplorable conditions for children (including *very young* children), and so-called baby farms. I found them each difficult to read through, and almost questioned that Sebastian could look upon these things and then ride on to continue investigating the murder. To be honest the most difficult for me was when Sebastian stopped to talk to the chimney sweep and observed the sweep's four-year old little boy apprentice, naked, burned, and terrified... and then he continued on his way, after the conversation was over. As the parent of a five-year-old boy of relatively small stature (at least, at the moment) I found that devastating and disheartening.

Regarding the murder, I had figured it out by the big reveal, but it was a pretty decent twist. It was good that Lovejoy got some closure but also that he made his apology (or tried to). Looking forward to seeing how Gibson's therapy works out. I really look forward to the St. Cyr books and this was yet another superlative one. Highly recommended. Five stars.

C. S. Harris does it again in this universe, it had everything that I wanted from the Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series. It had that suspenseful feel that I was looking for and thought the overall story was wonderfully done. The characters were what I was hoping for and thought they worked well in this time-period. It left me excited to read more in this world and from C. S. Harris.

What Cannot Be Said was a solid entry in a long running series. I sort of guessed partially the whodunnit before the reveal but not the entirety. This didn't have quite as much action for Sebastian - a nod to his still healing injury? - but still enough to be engaging and to keep the pace flowing. I was also happier with Hero's characterization than I had been in several of the more recent books; Harris seems to be back to writing her as very intelligent and independent. It was interesting, if sad, to get more of Sir Henry's history and character development.

If you like an intriguing, complex mystery with well-drawn characters and substantive historical detail don’t miss this entry in a fantastic series! I love C.S. Harris’s historical mysteries for their sense of place and time as well as the mystery and characters. The murders Lord Sebastian is investigating are tied to those of Bow Street’s magistrate Sir Henry’s wife and daughter 14 years earlier. Lady Hero’s article topics - this time on apprenticeships - allow her to ask questions under the guise of research and always give interesting insights into the early 1800s. I enjoy how the two work together to find answers and how much I learn about the times. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

C.S. Harris’ long-running series of historical mysteries feauturing aristocratic amateur sleuth Sebastian St. Cyr reaches its nineteenth instalment with What Cannot Be Said, in which our hero is asked to investigate the murder of a noblewoman and her daughter. With the mysteries around Sebastian’s own heritage and family circumstances now resolved, the last few novels in the series (as well as this one) have more of a standalone feel about them – although I do think it’s an advantage to have some knowledge of what has gone before.

It’s a sunny afternoon in July, 1815, and two brothers are in Richmond Park enjoying an afternoon away from the hubbub at home caused by their sister’s upcoming wedding. When the air is rent by two pistol shots, they immediately wonder if there’s a duel happening and race to find out, but they’re completely unprepared for what they find – a woman and a girl lying in the grass next to the remains of a picnic, their arms crossed over their bloodied chests, their bodies feet-to-feet and the air filled with the stench of fresh blood and burnt gunpowder.

The two victims are Lady Laura McInnis and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Emma, but more disturbing even than the murders themselves is the way the bodies have been posed in exactly the same way as the victims of another double murder fourteen years earlier, that of Julia and Madeline Lovejoy – the wife and seventeen-year-old daughter of Sir Henry Lovejoy, Bow Street Magistrate. But their killer, a traumatised ex-soldier, was apprehended and hanged for the crime – so could these latest murders be the work of a cruel copycat? Or, as Lovejoy is beginning to fear, could they have executed the wrong man?

I always enjoy the complexity and historicity of these mysteries; there is a lot going on beneath the surface and the author never shies away from showing us the more unpleasant and distasteful aspects of what life was like for ordinary people in the London of the early nineteenth century. Although cushioned by his station as a member of the aristocracy, Sebastian is not unaware of his privilege and is regarded by many of his peers as a dangerous radical as a result, and his wife Hero (now expecting their second child) is well-known as an advocate for social reform through her investigations and publications detailing the conditions endured by the less fortunate.

Through Hero, Sebastian learns of Lady McInnis’ work on behalf of the poor children of the city, of how she stood against the awful practice of baby farming (the upper echelons sending their by-blows to be ‘fostered’ but in effect to be killed off) and of the barbaric (and frequently life-ending) use of very young children as ‘climbing boys’ to clear chimneys of soot and debris. It seems Lady Mcinnis earned herself quite a few enemies from all strata of society – from chimney sweep to the Regent’s favourite bastard and even her own husband – by speaking out as she did, any one of whom could have had a motive to kill her. But as the pool of suspects grows, there is one thing that offers room for doubt. These people may have had reason to want Laura McInnis dead – but Emma McInnis? Why would anyone want to kill a girl not yet out of the schoolroom?

Once again, Sebastian finds himself wading through the murky underbelly of English society while at the same time going up against those of his own class who try to fob him off with lies, half-truths and threats in their attempts to prevent him from discovering what really happened. Among the latter is his powerful father-in-law, Charles Jarvis, cousin to the Prince Regent and his closest advisor, with whom Sebastian has had many a run-in and who is not above using violence to get his own way.

While Sebastian himself is an attractive and complex hero, one of the strengths of this series is the regular supporting characters, many – if not all – of whom have been present in the majority of the other books. Hero is always firmly in her husband’s corner; they’re a great match on every level and that fact absolutely shines in their scenes together. Lovejoy and Sebastian may have got off to a rocky start (in the series opener, Sebastian was wanted for murder and Lovejoy was tasked with apprehending him) but now share a strong friendship and sense of duty. I enjoy seeing Sebastian’s improving relationship with his father, the Earl of Hendon, and his aunt Henrietta, one of the doyennes of the ton and purveyor of useful gossip, is always good value. Surgeon Paul Gibson, one of Sebastian’s oldest friends, is frequently called upon to perform post mortems – although in the last few books, we’ve witnessed his increasing dependence on opium for pain relief (he lost the lower half of one leg to a French cannonball) and Sebastian’s growing fears for his friend’s life.

The author skilfully incorporates the different characters and relationships into the story without taking focus away from the mystery, and once again weaves lots of fascinating historical detail seamlessly into the story. What Cannot Be Said definitely feels like one of the darker entries in the series, given the spotlight the author shines on the inhumanity exhibited by so many towards the defenceless, and the glimpses we get of the utterly terrifying ‘treatments’ for mental illness espoused at the time - and the final twist in the dénouement is shocking and tragic, both in terms of the solution to the whodunnit and what happens in the aftermath.

C.S. Harris has once again crafted a compelling, complex mystery and combined it with lots of fascinating historical detail to produce another riveting instalment in what is, surely, the best historical mystery series around. I’m sure fans of the Sebastian St. Cyr series will need no encouragement to dive in – and, as I said at the beginning of this review, the book works as a standalone, so new readers will find much to enjoy here, too.

The latest in a long running series that continues to evolve and surprise - and this can be happily read as a standalone. There's a fiend afoot in London and Sebastian, a wealthy titled man who is also an investigator, is enlisted to find him before he kills again, Sebastian's wife Hero and her connections thanks to her charity work once again plays a key role. And then there's Lovejoy, whose wife and daughter were also murdered. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's complex and atmospheric- a great historical mystery.

A gritty mystery book set during Napolean's regin. You will get a suspenseful read. You will learn about the working class life in Regency era. Truly the best historical mystery writer.

Exciting times are afoot in England and the world. Napoleon has met his final defeat and is being sent to St. Helena in disgrace and exile. I always, always, always love the books in this series because they seamlessly mix true historical facts with an engrossing mystery and engaging characters. The author’s notes are a wonderful history lesson themselves, and I always read them and admire the level of research this author does to present us with a realistic view of the times while also giving us a fictional mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.

On a beautiful July day, two brothers are escaping all of their sister’s wedding preparations by spending the afternoon at Richmond Park. They are having an uproarious time (did I mention they are tipsy?) until they hear two gunshots – one right after the other. They will never forget what they see as they crest the hill toward the area where the gunshots were fired. There, in an idyllic setting, are two bodies – lying foot-to-foot with their hands folded over their chests.

Magistrate Lovejoy immediately recognizes the area and the way the victims are posed because it brings back the most painful memories of his life – the murder of his wife and daughter fourteen years ago. That murder was solved though – wasn’t it? A man covered in his family’s blood was arrested and hanged – did they get it wrong? Is this a sick copycat murder? He doesn’t know, but he’ll definitely request Sebastian St. Cyr’s assistance.

The investigation takes us from high places to low. You’ll find spoiled, rich, aristocrats whose debauchery is well hidden – and you’ll also find good, honest, loving, and caring aristocrats who only want to help the world. Into the mix you’ll meet every manner of non-aristocrats as well – those who abuse, and those who nurture. The problem for Lovejoy and Sebastian is figuring out which is which – and who did what. It is a sad and poignant journey for Lovejoy and a shocking revelation for everyone when the murderer is revealed.

In this dark and compelling tale, you’ll find scenarios with Social injustice/parity, baby farms, insane asylums, cruel apprentice systems, child labor, and the plight of women who are property rather than people. Yes, there is all of that but it is in the background surrounding the excellently paced, well-written mysteries surrounding multiple murders. I recommend this book – and this entire series. Every book in the series has been an excellent read and I recommend you read all of the books in order. Yes, you can read this one as a standalone, but why would you want to when all of that background and character-building makes your enjoyment even more intense? Each new book in the series is a must-read for me, and I hope you’ll give it a try and become as addicted as I am. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

the setup…
It’s the summer of 1815 and London is preparing to celebrate Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. But when Lady McInnis and her sixteen-year old daughter are found murdered in Richmond Park, London is in full upset. Even more bizarre is the position in which they were found…their bodies posed in the same way as another woman and her daughter were fourteen years ago. That woman and child were Bow Street Magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy’s wife and daughter. Their murderer was captured and hanged so did they execute the wrong man or is this a cruel copycat? Lovejoy enlists the help of Viscount Devlin, Sebastian St. Cyr.

the heart of the story…
I love being back in the world of Sebastian St. Cyr again and this time the case is not only strange but heartbreaking. As Sebastian begins his investigation, he discovers that Laura McInnis was an even bigger social activist regarding the plight of poor children than what his wife Hero has taken on. She created a host of enemies in the process, high and low born, as well as her own husband. I was all over the place with good suspects and viable theories, assembling clues cleverly…and still missed it. This was great stuff.

the bottom line…
As with every book in this series, the historical aspects are just as intriguing as the mystery at the forefront. The dire situation of poor children was beyond heartbreaking and the indifference during that time was painful. It was a vicious cycle that spanned decades, unfortunately. It was the backdrop of the story, along with a frightening look at some of the so-called “therapies” for mental illness. It’s an extraordinary story with an explosive twist. Sebastian faced quite a few threats, including one from his father-in-law. The political intrigue is palpable, the stage set for the next story. And, there’s plenty on the personal front. This series is one of the finest of the genre.

"What Cannot Be Said" is a mystery set in 1815 in London. This book is the 19th in a series. You can understand it without having read the previous novels, and it didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous mysteries.

The historical information was woven into the story without slowing the pacing. It created a distinct feeling of that specific time and place and helped bring the story alive in my imagination. The characters were interesting, complex, and acted in realistic ways. Both Hero and Sebastian were involved in the investigation. They tracked down leads and asked good questions. Though there were plenty of suspects, I guessed whodunit before Sebastian. I understood why he didn't guess whodunit sooner, though.

There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting historical mystery.

"A seemingly idyllic summer picnic ends in a macabre murder that echoes a pair of slayings fourteen years earlier in this riveting new historical mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Who Cries for the Lost.

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 chimney sweep 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."

You know, there are just not enough evil baby farmers in literature anymore.