"A perplexing tale of vicious murders and many possible perpetuators!"
Reviewed by Audrey Lawrence
Posted March 21, 2019
Mystery Historical
Called to the scene of a vicious crime by Bow Street
Magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy, Sebastian St. Cyr (Lord
Devlin) is not surprised that someone would want to murder
the vile Viscount Ashworth. In fact, he often desired to
murder him himself, but Sebastian is perplexed by the few
clues that could point to the identity of the murderer. Some
seem to indicate the perpetrator could be a man; yet, others
seem to point to a woman. This perplexing situation really frustrates Sebastian. Not
only is it confusing, but it also puts him in a conflict of
interest as his own niece, Stephanie, is the estranged wife
of the corrupted and cruel gentleman who was definitely not
a gentleman in life nor in death. Stephanie has good reasons
to want Lord Ashworth dead, but is she also responsible for
the other murders later discovered? What will he do if he
finds out she is guilty? Set in London in 1814, WHO SLAYS THE WICKED is the 14th book
in the Sebastian
St. Cyr Regency Murder Series written by C.S. Harris
(aka Candice Proctor). Harris' saga of St. Cyr's quest to
find the murderer of Anthony Marcus Ledger, Viscount
Ashworth takes the reader deep into lives of the rich and
poor in Hanoverian England as he checks out possible
suspects from rag pickers and shopkeepers to the Russian
entourage of Grand Duchess Caroline. Proctor/Harris is considered to be one of the best
historical writers due to her extensive knowledge of
European history, and that shows in this series. Her writing
talent makes her diverse characters very authentic,
especially in their attitudes and mannerisms as well as
making places and situations spring vividly to life. This
was particularly well done by incorporating fascinating
facts in the research being done by Sebastian's wife, Hero,
on London's poor, including interviewing "pure finders"
(people who collect dog feces) to corner sweeps. Another captivating feature of WHO SLAYS THE WICKED (also
done in the previous books in the series) is
how well the author clearly demonstrates the stark contrast
between the lives of the lowly poor and the lords as St. Cyr
moves from filthy pubs to lavish parties as he pursues the
people he wants to get access to for more information to
puzzle things out. While WHO SLAYS THE WICKED can easily be read as a
standalone mystery, having read a few other books in the
series will certainly add to the richness of the story.
Harris' many fans will certainly appreciate the continuity
and updates on Hero and Sebastian in their relationship as
well as to other characters in their complex family situation. If you love good historical fiction or enjoy mysteries, do
not delay to find out WHO SLAYS THE WICKED! There is much to
intrigue and delight as you follow the clues to the very
surprising ending in this very unusual and perplexing Whodoneit!
SUMMARY
The death of a fiendish nobleman strikes close to home as
Sebastian St. Cyr is tasked with finding the killer to save
his young cousin from persecution in this riveting new
historical mystery from the USA Today bestselling
author of Why Kill the Innocent.... When the handsome but dissolute young gentleman Lord
Ashworth is found brutally murdered, Sebastian St. Cyr,
Viscount Devlin, is called in by Bow Street magistrate Sir
Henry Lovejoy to help catch the killer. Just seven months
before, Sebastian had suspected Ashworth of aiding one of
his longtime friends and companions in the kidnapping and
murder of a string of vulnerable street children. But
Sebastian was never able to prove Ashworth's complicity. Nor
was he able to prevent his troubled, headstrong young niece
Stephanie from entering into a disastrous marriage with the
dangerous nobleman. Stephanie has survived the difficult birth of twin sons. But
Sebastian soon discovers that her marriage has quickly
degenerated into a sham. Ashworth abandoned his pregnant
bride at his father's Park Street mansion and has continued
living an essentially bachelor existence. And mounting
evidence--ranging from a small bloody handprint to a woman's
silk stocking--suggests that Ashworth's killer was a woman.
Sebastian is tasked with unraveling the shocking nest of
secrets surrounding Ashworth's life to keep Stephanie from
being punished for his death.
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