What Cannot Be Said

Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries, Book 19

By: C.S. Harris

Narrated by: Amy Scanlon

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A seemingly idyllic picnic ends in a macabre murder that echoes a pair of slayings fourteen years earlier in this riveting new historical mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Who Cries for the Lost.

July 1815: The Prince Regent’s grandiose plans to celebrate Napoléon’s recent defeat at Waterloo are thrown into turmoil when Lady McInnis and her daughter Emma are found brutally murdered in Richmond Park, their bodies posed in a chilling imitation of the stone effigies once found atop medieval tombs. Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy immediately turns to his friend Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help with the investigation. For, as Devlin discovers, Lovejoy’s own wife and daughter were also murdered in Richmond Park, their bodies posed in the same bizarre postures.

A traumatized ex-soldier was hanged for their killings. So is London now confronting a malicious copyist? Or did Lovejoy help send an innocent man to the gallows?

Aided by his wife, Hero, who knew Lady McInnis from her work with poor orphans, Devlin finds himself exploring a host of unsavory characters, from a vicious chimney sweep to a smiling but decidedly lethal baby farmer.

Also coming under increasing scrutiny is Sir Ivo McInnis himself, along with a wounded Waterloo veteran—who might have been Laura McInnis’s lover—and a charismatic young violinist who moonlights as a fencing master and might have formed a dangerous relationship with Emma. But when Sebastian’s investigation turns toward man-about-town Basil Rhodes, he quickly draws the fury of the Palace, for Rhodes is well known as the Regent’s favorite illegitimate son.

Then Lady McInnis’s young niece and nephew are targeted by the killer, and two more women are discovered murdered and arranged in similar postures. With his own life increasingly in danger, Sebastian finds himself drawn inexorably toward a conclusion far darker and more horrific than anything he could have imagined.

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A winner!

What a strong entry in this series!! Harris tends to group related plot lines over 2-3 novels. This latest is the third of the grouping set in 1815.

An excellent mystery and lots of Sebastian & Hero time! Harris also seems to be seeding future plot twists: in the inevitable confrontation between father-in-law Jarvis and son-in-law Sebastian and their spouses; the continued aging of Lord Hendon and his duchess sister; how best to parent the two young boys in the viscount’s family. I truly hope at least one of them will still be alive when Sebastian’s parenting mystery is resolved.

Looking forward to the climactic crisis of the Year Without a Summer in 1816.

Thank you, dear author! And thanks to the publisher for a wonderful new narrator! RIP Jenny Sterlin - so sad!

Great Historical Fiction Series

This 19th book in the Sebastian St Cyr series was very well written. Some of my favorite characters took a backseat in this one But the mystery was well constructed with a host of suspects. And every time I read one of these books I learn more about life in England storing the Regency time period.

Wonderful Narrator

Really brings the book alive. Amazed at the talent for different voices throughout. Story is so full of twists you don’t know who done it until the author tells you.

Eagerly Awaited.

The St. Cyr mysteries are one of my favorites. This one didn't disappoint. C.H. Harris is just a great storyteller. I appreciate that she is filling out the supporting cast's characters while spinning a great new tale, I can't wait for the next novel in this series.

I know finding a narrator after the retirement of Davina Porter can't be easy. I am afraid Amy Scanlon didn't do it for me, I was distracted by her interpretation of the characters and who was speaking was hard to follow.

Harris / St Cyr did not disappoint

Great plot and continuity of series. The plot kept me guessing . The action well written as usual. Read first time and anxiously waited for audible. Sadly the the narrator shoulfd have just read all as the main characters did not carry their characterazation as had previously been shaped in theseries. Cynical edge for Sebastian an high pitch for Love joy plus Tom did not sound like he was raised on the streets. will recommend reading book. Still looking forward to reading next in series.

The historical setting has its particular pleasures

The beautiful voice of the narrator enhances the pleasure of this already fine experience. I had trouble suspending my disbelief toward the end but all and all a satisfying episode in the life of some fascinating characters. More please.

Amazing as always

Great writing, plot, characters and narration. Impressive that 19 books in, this series just gets better and better. Looking forward to the next installment.

Narrator Issue

The story is good but the narrator’s poor distinction between the individual voices is so disruptive to listening that I had to force myself to finish the book. Her voice on the general narrative is excellent. However, her voice on individuals, particularly the two main characters, Devlin & Lovejoy, make them virtually indistinguishable from one another unless you note Devlin’s voice sometimes sounds as if he is on some kind of tranquilizer. I had to increase the speed just to make Devlin sound somewhat interested in what he was saying. Of course, that makes other characters sound like they are racing through conversation. Additionally, every book in the series notes that Lovejoy has a high-pitched voice. Apparently this narrator is unaware of that since she makes no effort to distinguish Lovejoy’s voice in that way. Again, it sounds the same as Devlin’s voice. If I am not carefully attuned, I have to go back to remind myself which one is talking. If the next book uses this same narrator, I will either pass on the rest of the series or read the book. This narrator is just too much work. Unfortunate, because I have really enjoyed listening to this series, more than once.