Sebastian St. Cyr is a wonderful character and Harris' writing is phenomenal. The novels are part regency romance, part detective novel, part Brontean/Eliotesque social novel. I have never not been surprised in reading one of these--things happen with the protagonist(s) that you would never suspect as a reader. In fact, Sebastian's personal history is just as engrossing as the novel itself. It is that, actually which keeps me wanting to read this series. It's almost like watching Spooks/MI-5 regency style. I'm still wondering if Bythill (sp?) is an actual medical phenomenon. If anyone who reads this knows for certain, please reply . . .