Calhoun, Sebastian St Cyr’s manservant, comes to him for help. His
friend Nicholas Hayes, son of an earl, has been found murdered in
Pennington’s Tea Gardens. He has a young Asian boy with him who is
now with Calhoun’s mother, a rather notorious pub owner.
Nicholas was
convicted of killing a young Frenchwoman and sent to Botany Bay
eighteen years ago. Everyone believed he was dead until he returned
to England with the boy. Sebastian must answer the question of why
Nicholas would return to England where he has enemies who would be
eager to end his life, and who is the boy?
As Sebastian begins
to investigate, the boy disappears. Now he must try to find the child
as well as learn who the killer was. The more he investigates, the
more Sebastian realizes that the circumstances of Nicholas' conviction
and transport to Botany Bay are not as straightforward as he was led
to believe.
This is the
fifteenth novel in C.S. Harris’ Regency mystery series featuring
Sebastian St. Cyr. As usual, the historical detail is exceptionally
well researched. In this novel we get a glimpse of the festivities
sponsored by the Prince Regent celebrating the defeat of Napoleon.
Sebastian is a
character you want to follow. He’s grown emotionally and in his
detective skills throughout the series. One reason I enjoy the books
is following his development and enjoying his relationship with the
wife Hero, also helpful in his detective work.
If you enjoy well
written historical mysteries with realistic characters, you will
enjoy this book. You may also enjoy the complete series although this
book can be read as a standalone.
I received this book
from Net Galley for this review.
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