Where Serpents Sleep (Sebastian St. Cyr, #4) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Nov 04, 2022 Anita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-libby-city, audio

I love this series. This book is just full of twists and turns and no lack of suspects for the baddie. I listened to the audio but had too many distractions and feel that I missed a lot of what was going on. I'm going to read the books in the future. I love Sebastian’s mystery-solving abilities and the people who help him help him find the baddie and deliver justice, Tom his young Tiger, Paul Gibson the surgeon/coroner of all dead things/people, and Sir Henry Lovejoy who gets a promotion in this ...more

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Feb 18, 2016 Jonetta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, group-read, 16000-in-2016, historical-mystery

Originally posted on The Book Nympho

Hero Jarvis was interviewing Rose, one of the former prostitutes taking refuge at a home sponsored by the Quakers when the house is besieged and everyone is murdered. Hero narrowly escapes and enlists Sebastian St. Cyr's help in finding the killers and discovering their motives.

Another outstanding story in an extraordinary series. What first appears to be a simple murder investigation leads down so many varying paths that expose sexual abuse, a criminal consp ...more

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Sep 16, 2013 Veronica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-mystery

This is definitely my favorite book in the series so far. It once again presents an interesting murder mystery, with origins rooted in the darker aspects of mankind, wrapped up in some political intrigue and all the hallmarks of the regency period in which it all takes place. But this series has consistently done that since the first book so what changed with this one? What bumped it up to a four star book for me? Well, for starters, there was blessedly little of Kat this time around. Maybe the This is definitely my favorite book in the series so far. It once again presents an interesting murder mystery, with origins rooted in the darker aspects of mankind, wrapped up in some political intrigue and all the hallmarks of the regency period in which it all takes place. But this series has consistently done that since the first book so what changed with this one? What bumped it up to a four star book for me? Well, for starters, there was blessedly little of Kat this time around. Maybe the author is making it up to the readers for the excess of Kat in the last book (to my mind anyway), but she makes only three very brief appearances here. And when I say brief, I mean less than a page total for two of them and even those seemed completely shoehorned in.

Sebastian remains the cool, yet passionate and sexy Earl's son that we've come to know and love. This book picks up about eight months after the events of the last book and it seems that Sebastian has spent those intervening months in something of a drunken stupor, pining away for his lost love...which, cry me a river because that's how little I care. I'm just grateful that we were spared that eight month emo fest. Clearly, Sebastian needs a kick in the breeches...something to spark his interest in life again, in living. It could be a woman, or it could be a murder. It could be both.

Which brings me to the real reason that I enjoyed this book so much: Hero Jarvis. Miss Jarvis is a character that was first introduced in book one when Sebastian briefly kidnapped her to ensure his safe escape. She's the daughter of Sebastian's political nemesis who also happens to be the Machiavellan power behind the British throne. Since that first introduction though, Hero has been sparingly used which is a damn pity because, to paraphrase Sebastian himself, "if ever there was woman who could take care of herself, it was Hero Jarvis." Hero takes center stage in this book or at least she shares it with Sebastian and I loved it! As the sole survivor of a brutal assault that leaves eight other women dead, and stymied by her father in her request to launch an official investigation, Hero turns to the only person in her acquaintance - however strained that acquaintance might be - who has even the slighest knowledge in how to proceed with a murder investigation. She turns to Sebastian. What follows is a curiously entertaining dual investigation by two people who at times seem to barely tolerate each other. And yet, there are definite moments of humor and a begrudging sense of admiration. Don't get me wrong, Sebastian isn't losing his heart to anyone new but, oh, how I feel the stirrings of hope. THIS is the chemistry that I've been looking for and which, in my opinion, has been sorely lacking in the Sebastian/Kat department.

"I suspected it was you," said an amused voice, "from my majordomo's description. I don't know that many tall, haughty gentlewomen with the manner of a Turkish pasha."
She swung to face him. "I don't know any Turkish pashas."
"Which is probably a good thing," he said, leaving the door open behind him. "They like their women obsequious and agreeable."
"Like most Englishmen."
"Like most men," he agreed, advancing into the room.

Hero is no shrinking violet and she's no damsel in distress. *cough*Katinbookone*cough* I don't know about Sebastian, but she completely won me over. I think I know what might be coming next because the foreshadowing was of the hit-you-over-the-head-it's-so-obvious variety but I don't even care. I'm tentatively excited (hopeful?) to see what Hero can bring to the story next and how Sebastian will deal with it.

**Re-read February 2014 and it was just as good the second time around.** ...more

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Apr 24, 2015 Lauren rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: assassins, virgin-heroines, bluestocking-heroine, kick-ass-heroines, regency, love-hate-relationship, historical-mystery, favorites, politics, one-night-stand

Where Serpents Sleep
5 Stars

***Warning***: This review contains minor spoilers for the first three books.

During her visit to a local house sheltering former prostitutes, Hero Jarvis is witness to a horrific crime. Dissuaded from investigating by her father, the powerful force behind the Regent, Hero seeks the aid of Sebastian St. Cyr, who has no difficulty sticking his aristocratic nose into matters that do not concern him. As Sebastian and Hero begin to unravel the sordid details behind the dea ...more

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Jun 05, 2014 Angela rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, historical-mystery

This series just gets better and better. While I had an inkling who the murderer was, the ending was still a surprise as it took an unexpected turn. Sebastian continues to be a great sleuth as pieces of information are discovered and Hero Jarvis proved a wonderful addition to Sebastian's crime solving team. ...more

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Oct 08, 2021 Sandra Hoover rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery-thriller

Another fantastic book in this series! I think I see where this is headed, but can't wait to read the next one! ...more

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Jul 19, 2014 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: britain, fiction, historical-mystery, 1800s, mystery, suspense, historical-fiction

RATING: 4.5 STARS

Where Serpents Sleep was the book that made this series even better for me. I love Sebastian but I have not cared for his romance with Kat. I think she is an interesting character for sure, and adds to the series. I just don't like her for Sebastian. In this novel, we see him work with Hero Jarvis, and I am sold on their banter. Hero is also an interesting character in her right. Being the daughter of Charles Jarvis, you expect her to be a certain way, but she has bucked her fat ...more

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Apr 01, 2019 Eadie Burke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2019

The savage murder of eight prostitutes at a London house of refuge provides Sebastian St. Cyr with yet another challenging puzzle. Hero Jarvis, the fearless and independent daughter of his mortal enemy asks St. Cyr's help in tracking down those responsible. The amateur detective finds no shortage of suspects, ranging from the pimp of some of the dead girls to Bow Street magistrate Sir William Hadley, who had patronized them.
There is a lot of action in Harris' books which keeps the plot moving a ...more

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Feb 25, 2016 Jo Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2025-read

Thoroughly enjoying my reread of this excellent series! The overall story arc really gets going for me once we have Hero - an amazing heroine!!! - becoming a bigger part of the narrative.

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Mar 03, 2014 Veronica rated it really liked it

Four and a half stars on this reread!

My original review ...more

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Apr 01, 2019 Brenda H rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4 stars. Review to come

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Mar 23, 2016 Charlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: group-read, regency, friends-recommendations, series-by-author, crime, adult-themes, law-enforcement, rated-not-reviewed, historical-fiction, public-library

This might be 4.5 stars, not sure.

Reading for group discussion; definitely an interesting, historical (Regency) murder and political mystery.

Will plan to read the next book.

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