Where Serpents Sleep

Where Serpents Sleep (2008) C.S. Harris

I really like C.S. Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries. In fact, now that I’ve finished the latest, Where Serpents Sleep I’m depressed I’ll have to wait at least a year before the next book in the series comes out.

Sebastian has been leading a dissolute life following the events of the previous book, Why Mermaids Sing. He’s been trying to drown his misery in alcohol, trying to come to terms with his relationship with Kat Boleyn. And pretty much failing.

However, the death of eight women at the Magdaline house–deaths that were witnessed Hero Jarvis, daughter of Lord Jarvis, cousin of the Prince Regent and the true power behind the throne–draw Sebastian back into intrigue and murder.

Unlike previous stories, the narration is split between Hero and Sebastian, as they separately discover details about the murdered woman. The fact that Hero is strong-willed and cantankerous made the shift from Sebastian easier, because although I love spending time with him, it’s also interesting to see him from the perspective out an outsider.

The one thing I especially like about this series is that C.S. Harris does a good job of creating realistic characters who have reasons for acting as they do. Because they are upper class, neither Sebastian nor Hero would normally be involved in investigating a murder. But they searching because they are assisting the police, but because they want to know the truth, and because they value justice. That makes their eccentricities more reasonable.

If you have have not yet read any books in this series, than I strongly recommend that you pick up What Angels Fear. Although you could read Where Serpents Sleep without having read the previous three books, if you’re like me you’ll want to read all the Sebastian St. Cyr books, and it’s always better to read a series in order.
Rating: 9/10

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