What Remains of Heaven (Sebastian St. Cyr, #5) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Aug 09, 2016 Mary Beth rated it really liked it

This is the fifth book in the series and was so good. I read this as a buddy read with a GR friend. It was full of surprises. I just love this series. A great historical mystery series. The books just get better and better. If you like a historical mystery this series is for you. I really can't tell what its about because it would give a lot away. I don't want to give anything away. This one is the best in the series so far and the ending will blow you away.

Two bodies are found in a crypt, and S ...more

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Nov 13, 2015 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nc-br-digital-library, mystery-suspense-thriller, 16000-in-2016, group-read

When the Bishop of London is found dead in a recently opened crypt, Sebastian is asked by his aunt to investigate. What follows next is one whiplash twist after another.

This might be the most complicated political mystery in the series to date. There are lots of principals, most we've seen before. Just as I thought I was unraveling the mystery, a new wrinkle and revelation would appear. I didn't even come close to the right answers. I loved it!

The revelations weren't limited to the murder myster ...more

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Dec 18, 2022 Anita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-libby-city, audio, historical-mystery

I love a multi-layered mystery and this one is just fantastic. Because these books lead directly on to the next it is difficult to write a review without spoilers for the earlier books, but I'll try. I am very happy to say that the mystery is a twisty one that surprised me in the end and the finale was a highlight of the book.

The Bishop of London, Francis Prescott, is a man known for his reformist views and as a good friend of Miss Hero Jarvis, who shares those views and helps advance them whene ...more

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Sep 19, 2013 Veronica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-mystery

This series has done several things right from the start. I admit to being no expert on 18th century London (or 18th century anywhere for that matter), but this series has always felt "right" to me in terms of bringing the time period to life, with all of its sights, sounds, and smells. Sometimes very vivid smells. *wink* That said, my investment in this series sky rocketed with the last book (book 4), Where Serpents Sleep, with the elevation of Hero Jarvis as a character to be reckoned with. No This series has done several things right from the start. I admit to being no expert on 18th century London (or 18th century anywhere for that matter), but this series has always felt "right" to me in terms of bringing the time period to life, with all of its sights, sounds, and smells. Sometimes very vivid smells. *wink* That said, my investment in this series sky rocketed with the last book (book 4), Where Serpents Sleep, with the elevation of Hero Jarvis as a character to be reckoned with. Now I love Sebastian as well, and have since book one. He's smart, dashing, dangerous, and sexy but he's needed a woman who could well and truly hold her own against him. For my money, that woman is Hero. So yes, while this series works quite well as a historical mystery, I'm not going to lie...I'm in this for Sebastian and Hero now.

This book picks up roughly two months after book four and finds Sebastian drawn into trying to solve two murders, 30 years apart, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his own Aunt Henrietta, the Duchess of Claiborne. I love Aunt Henrietta and I wish there was more of her in each book. She's a take-no-prisoners type of woman, a grand dame of high society, and she gives Sebastian the type of advice that he sorely needs to hear even when he doesn't want to hear it. I totally picture Maggie Smith a la the Dowager Duchess from Downton Abbey in my head when I read her parts. But I digress.

In the course of solving the latest murders, Sebastian unwittingly stumbles upon some pretty significant information about his past and his family. It's nothing that will come as a shock to readers as this reveal has been pretty well telegraphed since the first book still, it is interesting to read about Sebastian coming into this knowledge and how it upends his world. Some things are cleared up with the reveal but it also shakes the already fragile relationship between Sebastian and his father, the Earl of Hendon. Along with Sebastian and Hero, this father-son relationship is one I am also strongly rooting for, despite Hendon's wrong choices.

Kat continues to make the odd, but brief, appearance or two but I get the sense that she is going to be in rear view mirror from here on out at least as far as the major story arc goes. I just can't see that her character offers anything to the story, or to Sebastian, that can't be provided by one of the other characters. She does try to encourage the father-son relationship so I give her props for that.

But my most favorite bits were those that dealt with Hero...and with Sebastian trying to deal with Hero, lol. Hero is preoccupied with figuring out just how she is going to deal with some very real consequences stemming from the last book. Because if anyone can find a way, she can. Meanwhile, Sebastian spends his "free" time chasing her down from one London hot spot to another in his efforts to figure out the truth he is sure she is hiding. And all the while, there is the definite sense that while Hero exasperates and frustrates him, and he her, an attraction is growing as well as, perhaps, respect and a better understanding.

He had always thought of her as a formidable, intelligent woman of extraordinary courage and fortitude. But now, standing stiff-backed in the afternoon sunlight streaming in through the garden window, she looked suddenly vulnerable, and maybe a little afraid."

Bring on the next book!

**Re-read it in February 2014 and loved Sebastian and Hero just as much** ...more

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May 10, 2015 Lauren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: pregnancy, bluestocking-heroine, regency, historical-mystery, one-night-stand

What Remains of Heaven
4.5 Stars

When the body of a Bishop is discovered in an ancient crypt, the Archbishop of Canterbury seeks the help of Sebastian St. Cyr to solve the mystery of his death as well as that of the other, decades old corpse whose identity is unknown. As Sebastian gathers clues and suspects, he is also forced to confront the ghosts of his own past and stumbles across a devastating family secret.

While the mystery is well-crafted with smoothly interwoven historical detail and sever ...more

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Dec 17, 2015 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it really liked it

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

RATING: 4 STARS

I love the cover for book five, and it has definitely caught my eye at the library once or twice. The story, however, is a bit more fuzzy in my mind. I do remember Benjamin Franklin's son is this story, and there was a body found that was from historical times. I did rate this title four stars so it must have been a great mystery, but I do wish now, I wrote the review after reading it, lol. ...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Jo Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reread, paperback, romantic-elements, london-or-england, crime-mystery, own, 2025-read

Reread 2025 *5 stars*

Reread 2016 - Every time I finish a book in this series I wonder why it hasn't been optioned for TV (BBC I'm looking at you!). This series has it all - atmospheric prose, historical accuracy, captivating characters, engrossing story line and subtle but heartfelt romance. ...more

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Feb 14, 2014 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed-library, historical-fiction, mystery, 2014-books-read

I love this series! Just when I thought Sebastian's life couldn't have any more twists and turns, this one comes along and ups the ante. I loved that we see some interesting anti-American sentiments in the British ton leading up to the War of 1812. Great mystery with the same great characters. I can't wait to read the next one. ...more

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Dec 04, 2019 Eadie Burke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2019

Sebastian is asked by Archbishop of Canterbury to investigate two corpses found in an ancient crpt separated by decades. Many suspects. Page turner and lots of twists and turns keep the plot moving. This series just gets better and better. Keeps me wanting Sebastian and his love, Kat, to get back together. Looking forward to the next in the series and highly recommend to those who love historical mystery.

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Jul 13, 2013 Charlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: series-by-author, friends-recommendations, slavery, group-read, public-library, crime, historical-fiction, law-enforcement, religion-culture, rated-not-reviewed

This was a frustrating mystery to read, on several levels. However, Harris can write, and I am trying to wait another month to read the next book in the series. Some personal mysteries solved, some remain.

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