When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris

Historical Mystery

I love this series and always love when a new one comes out and hate the fact that I will have to wait a year for the next book.  I had When Maidens Mourn on pre-order from Amazon and started reading as soon as it arrived.  While I like the mystery I have mixed feeling about the book as a whole.  It did not catch me like the previous book.  More about that after I share what Goodreads has to say about the book:

When Gabrielle Tennyson is murdered, aristocratic investigator Sebastian St. Cyr and his new reluctant bride, the fiercely independent Hero Jarvis, find themselves involved in an intrigue concerning the myth of King Arthur, Camelot, and a future poet laureate...

I don’t really think that is a very good description of the book.  The story picked up after Sebastian and Hero were married.  They have shared 4 passionate nights and 4 uncomfortable days.  Despite the passion of the night they are still wary and uncomfortable around each other during the day.  Sebastian suggests they travel to his country estate and Hero agrees but before they can leave Hero’s friend Gabrielle Tennyson is found murdered.  Their trip is put on hold and both move to investigate the murder but here their paths diverge.  There are secrets both keep for the other.

That is what gives me mixed feelings about the book.  I love when they work together and I have been pulling for them for a long time.  I for one never liked Kat and always thought Hero was a much better match for Sebastian.  The secrets Sebastian and Hero are keeping while they do their separate investigations are driving a wedge in their already fragile relationship.  Instead of kicking up the tension I just wanted to take both and shake some sense into them.  I did enjoy the mystery and was surprised when the crime was solved.  There were also some new elements and one very intriguing character introduced this time.

I checked C.S. Harris’ blog and the next book is already written and turned into the publisher and the book after that is in the works.  I will have both on pre-order when the time comes.  This is not my favorite of the series but it is a good solid book and I will be rereading while I wait for the next one.

Obsidan published When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris in 2012.

Musing Mondays, February 13, 2012

 

This week’s musing asks…

What is your favorite romantic book –or book that includes a love story? (an adult romance, young adult, kids’ story, anything)

This one took a little thought.  There are several love stories that I like.  I love the flow of the Sebastian St Cyr Historical Mystery series and the budding romance between Sebastian and Hero Jarvis.  Another slow developing romance I really like is in the Sarah Tolerance Historical Mystery series and is between Miss Tolerance and Sir Walter Mandiff.   Both of these series have book I like to reread but if I am looking for one book and not a series the Finders Keepers by Linnea Sinclair would have to be my favorite.  That is the book I take down from my comfort shelf and re-read the most.  Finders Keepers is also my all time favorite type of book to read, a Science Fiction Romance.

Waiting on Wednesday (WOW) February 8, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Only one book a year comes out in this series and I have been waiting almost a year for this one.  It will be out in March and I have it pre-ordered.


When Maidens Mourn (Sebastian St. Cyr #7) by C. S. Harris


From Goodreads:


When Gabrielle Tennyson is murdered, aristocratic investigator Sebastian St. Cyr and his new reluctant bride, the fiercely independent Hero Jarvis, find themselves involved in an intrigue concerning the myth of King Arthur, Camelot, and a future poet laureate...:

 

Where Shadows Dance, A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery by C.S. Harris

Mystery

The Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries are some of my favorites and I have been waiting for almost a year for Where Shadows Dance to be released.  It was worth the wait.  C.S. Harris has used the history of the time to write an outstanding mystery and I think Where Shadows Dance is one the best books of the series.  England in 1812 is dealing with problems with France, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.  The events during this time are the backdrop for the story in Where Shadows Dance.

Sebastian St. Cry’s friend, physician Paul Gibson, has just received the body of Alexander Ross from the resurrection men.  Hiring someone to dig up the newly dead is the only way for a physician to get bodies to study.  Paul wanted Alexander Ross because he was a young man who died in his sleep from a heart attack.   However, when he examined the body he found that Ross had not died from a heart attact but had been stabbed in the neck by a stiletto.  That is when he called his friend Sebastian to investigate.  Then a second body is found with the same type of wound.   What follows are more deaths and more questions.

Sebastian is dealing with more than the mystery of these deaths.  His relationship with Hero Jarvis is continuing to develop.  Hero has agreed to become his wife and she joins in helping him gain information needed to solve the cases.   While they work well together both hide information from the other and trust is a big issue between the two.

Where Shadows Dance is filled with both internal and external conflict and is a perfect blend of mystery and romance.  The relationship between Sebastian and Hero is a subtle dance.  C.S. Harris shows that less is more in portraying the attraction between the two.  The last chapter is the book is perfect.  It answers one question while leaving much to the imagination and setting the stage for future books. 

You can read Where Shadows Dance as a stand-alone but don’t.  So much of the overall plot is woven in each of the books that there is much you would miss by only reading this book.  Start with the first book and watch as conflict results from secrets both know and unknown.   The books in order are:

What Angles Fear

When Gods Die           

Why Mermaids Sing           

Where Serpents Sleep           

What Remains of Heaven

The next book in the series, book 7 titled  When Maidens Mourn, went to the publisher on March 1^st and will be released in March 2012.  Book 8 is also under contract and is scheduled to come out 8 months after book 7.   I will be among the first to buy both.

I had a hard time getting this written.  Every time I started to write I ended up rereading parts of the book and this was after I had read it twice.  Now I need to buy the two books I do not own so I can re-read the entire series any time I want.   That will have to hold me until the next book comes out.

Obsidian Mystery published Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris in 2011.

I pre-ordered Where Shadows Dance from Amazon.