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74th out of 788 books
—
1,641 voters
What Remains of Heaven (Sebastian St. Cyr #5)
by
C.S. Harris (Goodreads Author)
Another gripping mystery in the series that has won six starred reviews, set in the glittering yet dangerous world of 1812 London, where nobleman and former spy Sebastian St. Cyr courts personal disaster in his effort to expose a murderer.
The latest request for help from Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin--from the Archbishop of Canterbury, no less--is undeniably intrigu...more
The latest request for help from Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin--from the Archbishop of Canterbury, no less--is undeniably intrigu...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
November 3rd 2009
by NAL Hardcover
(first published October 14th 2009)
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This is more of a 3.5 rather than a flat 3 star rating.
Set in Regency Era England, Sebastian St. Cyr (the Viscount Devlin) is a cross between Mr. Darcy and Sherlock Holmes with a little sprinkling of James Bond thrown in for good measure. In this installment of the C.S. Harris’ series Sebastian finds himself investigating two murders victims found in a recently opened crypt; the murder of the Bishop of England and a 30 year old unsolved murder. C.S. Harris’ strengths continue to be her ability t...more
Set in Regency Era England, Sebastian St. Cyr (the Viscount Devlin) is a cross between Mr. Darcy and Sherlock Holmes with a little sprinkling of James Bond thrown in for good measure. In this installment of the C.S. Harris’ series Sebastian finds himself investigating two murders victims found in a recently opened crypt; the murder of the Bishop of England and a 30 year old unsolved murder. C.S. Harris’ strengths continue to be her ability t...more
The Bishop of London is found bludgeoned to death in an ancient crypt beside the corpse of an unidentified man murdered decades ago. With great reluctance Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, allows the Archbishop and his aunt to persuade him to help with the investigation. On the trail of the murderer he finds himself forced to confront the secrets of his own family's past. A shocking truth is revealed that could change everything.
What Remains of Heaven kept me utterly enthralled. C.S. Harris is...more
What Remains of Heaven kept me utterly enthralled. C.S. Harris is...more
4.5 stars. ***possible spoilers but no giveaways**** This would be a 5 star review if I could have a complete experience on the romance front, but this is still unresolved and it's the 5th book. It ends on a bit of a cliffy- I need my HEA!
I'm a little bit in love with all the recurring characters, so now I am committed to the rest of the series. But an even more compelling reason is that I must know what happens between St. Cyr, Hero, and Kat! I'm not used to having the romance take a less-than-...more
I'm a little bit in love with all the recurring characters, so now I am committed to the rest of the series. But an even more compelling reason is that I must know what happens between St. Cyr, Hero, and Kat! I'm not used to having the romance take a less-than-...more
The drama just doesn't stop for Sebastian St. Cyr. After the revelations of a previous book, he found himself in an unplanned situation that has led to something else unplanned. But first - the mystery he finds himself involved in brings about truths that have been kept secret. And family secrets are the worst secrets because when they are revealed, they cut to the bone.
The Bishop of London, in line to be the Archbishop of Canterbury, is counseling Miss Hero Jarvis about a new - shall we say - d...more
The Bishop of London, in line to be the Archbishop of Canterbury, is counseling Miss Hero Jarvis about a new - shall we say - d...more
I have just enjoyed another Sebastian St. Cyr mystery by C.S. Harris. Her research is impeccible and she tells a great story. I love it when I can't pick the murderer until the end. Don't read it if you want to dwell in Regency drawing rooms, Sebastian rarely spends much time in one. He is more often in dark alleys or in the case of this one, ancient church crypts. Harris' Regency world is a dark one, so accurately described you can see, smell and almost taste it. I delighted in every sentence o...more
This is one of the better historical mystery series I’ve read in ages. There are many Victorian mysteries but Harris carves out a time period about 50 years earlier and the early 1800’s in England is quite different than the Victorian era if for no other reasons they’re reeling from a loss in the Colonies and a mad King at the helm.
This is, I believe, book 5 in the series and the one that came just before this one probably should be read first but even without that, the subplots can be discerned...more
First Sentence: His breath coming in undignified gasps, the Reverend Malcolm Earnshaw abandoned the village high street and struck out through the lanky grass of the churchyard.
Families and their secrets take center stage. The bishop of London, leading candidate for archbishop of Canterbury, has been found dead in a recently opened crypt. The bishop is not the only murdered body. Along with him are the remains of a man who was stabbed in the 1700s. During his investigation, St. Cyr uncovers a co...more
Families and their secrets take center stage. The bishop of London, leading candidate for archbishop of Canterbury, has been found dead in a recently opened crypt. The bishop is not the only murdered body. Along with him are the remains of a man who was stabbed in the 1700s. During his investigation, St. Cyr uncovers a co...more
This is number 5 in the series (there are 7 so far), all of which are in the best traditions of regency romances (see Georgette Heyer, for an earlier great example). I chose this one to recommend for our book group because it gives us a terrific look at the hero of these novels, Sebastian, and the emerging heroine, Hero (yes, Hero). It’s a fast read and tugs at your romantic heart-strings a lot. Harris is from New Orleans and writes (with her husband) a series of war-fantasy novels as well. But...more
CS Harris presents the fifth installment of her moody, suspenseful Sebastian St. Cyr series. To solve his latest murder case, Sebastian must explore the decades old family secrets of the victim. In so doing, he confronts truths about his own life, while still fighting his feelings for the forbidden Kat. Hero Jarvis is also a major presence in this book, as she continues to alternately infuriate and assist Sebastian.
This action in this book did build slowly, despite two dead bodies discovered in...more
This action in this book did build slowly, despite two dead bodies discovered in...more
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Mar 13, 2010
Sue
added it
Sebastian St. Cyr is drawn into another murder investigation when the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Aunt Henrietta ask him to discover who murdered the Bishop of London who was found dead in an ancient crypt, along with the body of a man who had been dead for decades. Complicating matters, St. Cyr must remain watchful as a man he served with in the army is seeking revenge and wants to kill him. He also learns that Hero Jarvis, who helped him with a previous case, is pregnant from an liaison t...more
What Remains of Heaven is the fifth and latest installment in the Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries, and is another winner.
It's 1812 and this time Sebastian is sought out by his own aunt to help in a murder case. Two corpses have been found in an ancient crypt - one fresh, one there for decades. Are the murders related or was it pure coincidence?
Sebastian again finds himself plunged into London's seedy underworld, coming across the lowest of the low. One unique suspect he comes across is a son of an A...more
It's 1812 and this time Sebastian is sought out by his own aunt to help in a murder case. Two corpses have been found in an ancient crypt - one fresh, one there for decades. Are the murders related or was it pure coincidence?
Sebastian again finds himself plunged into London's seedy underworld, coming across the lowest of the low. One unique suspect he comes across is a son of an A...more
Another tale in the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, this installment furthers the relationship of Viscount Devlin and Hero Jarvis, daughter of the Prince Regent’s powerful advisor. What began in the last book between this pair has repercussions here that may affect them both. But this isn’t Devlin’s main problem as he investigates the Bishop of London’s murder. As more bodies turn up, Devlin probes traitorous secrets, infidelity, and blackmail as he rushes to find the killer before his own personal...more
Sebastian St. Cyr is back on the case when his beloved aunt cons him into investigating the suspicious death of the Bishop of London. The Bishop's body has been discovered in a recently unearthed crypt outside the city ... and a second body, of a much older murder, is also found. St. Cyr is convinced the deaths are related and the search takes him from the halls of Whitehall and the upper reaches of British government to the back alleys of Smithfield where the stones run with blood.
Yet again, C...more
Yet again, C...more
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I am finding this series to be very gripping reads. There is so much turmoil in Sebastian St. Cyr's personal life and he is such a tormented sole, that this would usually be too much for me to enjoy the novel. I ready for pleasure, relaxation, and yes, escape from the troubles and turmoils in my life. So, I usually don't want to read this sort of strife in my books.
However, Sebastian is such an intriguing character. I really like him and find myself needing to learn more about him as the stories...more
However, Sebastian is such an intriguing character. I really like him and find myself needing to learn more about him as the stories...more
Good mystery. I was, as usual, fascinated with Sebastian's personal relationships. I wanted to know what would happen there. No spoilers, so I will say no more.
It is important to read these in order to watch Sebastian's story unfold.
The only annoying thing I found was the author's tendency to latch on to a word and use it repeatedly in a description. The phrase "old exquisite" began to get on my nerves. That was minor though. Harris does a good job of letting you "see" the atmosphere.
I once to...more
It is important to read these in order to watch Sebastian's story unfold.
The only annoying thing I found was the author's tendency to latch on to a word and use it repeatedly in a description. The phrase "old exquisite" began to get on my nerves. That was minor though. Harris does a good job of letting you "see" the atmosphere.
I once to...more
Once again a very solid mystery from C.S. Harris with odds and ends serving as compelling red herrings for our intrepid hero and -- most pleasingly -- his sleuthing friend Hero Jarvis. I have to say, formidable really is the best adjective for her. She manages to get through the layers of lies and societal conventions without destroying a single item of clothing, which is something Sebastian has an awful lot of trouble with.
I hate to wave shipping banners, but I really do hope that something clo...more
I hate to wave shipping banners, but I really do hope that something clo...more
just love the St. Cyr mysteries, especially now that Hero Jarvis has a more prominent role. She's so much more interesting than Kat Bolyn was. In this one, Devlin's aunt talks him into investigating the murder of the Bishop of London, who was found in a recently opened crypt with his head bashed in and lying beside the body of someone who was stabbed to death 30 years earllier. While on the case, he discovers yet another of his father's lies ~ this one the most explosive of all yet one that exp...more
I read the first installment in the Sebastian St Cyr mysteries several months ago and picked this one up recently, this is book five in the series and much has happened in between! I will need to get books 2-4 to fill in the blanks in the characters lives.
The book itself is not a sequel in plot and stands very well on its own. One of the best attributes of the St Cyr mysteries is that all the major players are there in the beginning of the book and there is no surprise protaganist who doesnt app...more
The book itself is not a sequel in plot and stands very well on its own. One of the best attributes of the St Cyr mysteries is that all the major players are there in the beginning of the book and there is no surprise protaganist who doesnt app...more
A very enjoyable read. The entire series is quite remarkable. The body of man who has been missing for a generation is found in a crypt that has been boarded up for a generation, along with the body of his much younger brother who is the Bishop of London. In addition to the two murders, the book is filled with family mysteries involving the Ct.Cyr family, the family of the murdered man, and the Jarvis family.
One of the other reviewers objected to the fact that the end of this book sets up a majo...more
One of the other reviewers objected to the fact that the end of this book sets up a majo...more
Another excellent entry in this historical series set in the 1810's in London. A bishop is murdered, struck down in a crypt that had been blocked up 30 years previously--and when the bishop's body is discovered, another body--also murdered--is found nearby. The Archbishop of London, well aware of Viscount Devlin (Sebastian St. Cyr) and his knack for solving difficult murders, implores him (with the help of his aunt, whom he dotes on) to find the killer. Sebastian is intrigued by the case, given...more
Excellent!!! 4.5 would not be amiss - lovely mystery, yet more personal revelations for Sebastian (although no real surprises on this score - I definitely knew this reveal was coming, but the manner of discovery was well done), and the more I learn about Hero, the more I adore her as a strong, female character. Also was very interesting from a political perspective on the American Revolution from a British perspective - sounds odd, but even in Canada the Revolution story tends to side with the U...more
Sebastian St. Cyr, nobleman and investigator of murder, continues his unseemly habit - in the eyes of society - of looking into mysterious deaths in this novel. What Remains of Heaven opens with the discovery of a murder victim in a crypt that was sealed for thirty years and the subsequent murder of a bishop in the same crypt. As Sebastian delves into the murder, he discovers long covered secrets, a few of which are significant to his own past. What Remains of Heaven is an enjoyable read, and I...more
When an old crypt is opened by accident in 1812 and a body is found, the Bishop of London, who is a candidate for the Archbishopric of Canterbury, rushes off to see the dead man--and is killed himself. The aging, ill Archbishop asks Sebastian St. Cyr to find the bishop's killer. St. Cyr is sure, however, that the killings are linked in some way, although they took place decades apart. The last thing he expects to find in his investigation is hidden information about his own life, but his mad inf...more
These books are so much fun. Sebastian is embroiled in yet another murder and finds himself in a huge mess with his family tree. Is he the son he thought he was or not? The story this time starts in a crypt with corpses and ancient coffins where a dead man is found who vanished thirty years ago. There is a knife in his back so he obviously didn't die from natural causes. Who killed him and locked his body away in the crypt? I was not disappointed with the excitement of this latest installment by...more
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as some of the others in the series. This may, however, be because I read it so quickly after book 4. The mystery in this book seemed a bit more muddy and convoluted to me. I also found myself annoyed with Hero Jarvis for the first time; I was disappointed with how she is dealing with the conflict between herself and Sebastian. Hopefully this will resolve itself satisfactorily in the next installment. I should probably put off reading book 6, but I've decided...more
This was a satisfying mystery, one in a series by this author. The plot moves along at a good clip and the author provides adequate intelligent clues that if you wanted to, you could probably guess the killer. But they're not too obvious that you don't feel like reading to the end.
My only small complaint is that the subplot concerning the personal relationship between the main character and another recurring character gets little resolution. Clearly the author will continue the subplot in future...more
My only small complaint is that the subplot concerning the personal relationship between the main character and another recurring character gets little resolution. Clearly the author will continue the subplot in future...more
I'm enjoying this series more and more as it goes on. The historical detail continues to be perfect without being too distracting from the plot. The mysteries continue to be involving and puzzling. And the character interactions and relationships get more and more fascinating, if some of the details border a little on soap opera-esque. But it's a soap opera I want to keep watching. I'm dying to see how this develops. The author has done a fantastic and rare job of finding a way to keep the serie...more
What Remains of Heaven brings back everything I love about the Sebastian St. Cyr series, and it was a huge relief to read this after the slight disappointment that was
Where Serpents Sleep
.
With her usual vivid setting and lovable characters, C.S. Harris once again leads her readers on a murder mystery investigation led by the dashing Viscount Devlin. In the style of earlier books in this series, the murder was engaging and not too predictable, and the solution was satisfying.
But of course, it w...more
With her usual vivid setting and lovable characters, C.S. Harris once again leads her readers on a murder mystery investigation led by the dashing Viscount Devlin. In the style of earlier books in this series, the murder was engaging and not too predictable, and the solution was satisfying.
But of course, it w...more
I read this because I wanted some light escapism. I've enjoyed other books by this author in the past, but I was glad to finish this one.
We have a bishop murdered in a crypt (crypts sound like about the most horrible places on earth) and a body 30 years dead found in the same crypt. Sebastian St. Cyr normally wouldn't involve himself in something so declasse, but his aunt asks him to, so he does her the favor.
I noticed that Sebastian's detective work mostly consists of going around asking people...more
We have a bishop murdered in a crypt (crypts sound like about the most horrible places on earth) and a body 30 years dead found in the same crypt. Sebastian St. Cyr normally wouldn't involve himself in something so declasse, but his aunt asks him to, so he does her the favor.
I noticed that Sebastian's detective work mostly consists of going around asking people...more
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Candice Proctor, aka C.S. Harris and C.S. Graham, is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen novels including the Sebastian St. Cyr Regency mystery series written under the name C.S. Harris, the new C.S. Graham thriller series co-written with Steven Harris, and seven historical romances. She is also the author of a nonfiction historical study of the French Revolution. Her books...more
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Aug 06, 2012 05:27pm