Where Shadows Dance

By: C. S. Harris

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Drawing upon her background in ancient history and her experiences on archaeological digs, author C.S. Harris crafts authentic, compelling novels that appear regularly on best-seller lists and have won numerous awards. In 1812, surgeon Paul Gibson discovers a stiletto wound in the base of a corpse’s skull and immediately contacts Sebastian St. Cyr. And when another body turns up with the same injury, the lives of St. Cyr’s family are threatened if he doesn’t back off. Now, the pressure’s on to find the culprit before anyone else gets killed.

©2011 The Two Talers, LLC (P)2011 Recorded Books,LLC

Mystery with a little romance

I love this series. It combines great plot lines and mysteries that keep you guessing with some wonderful characters that I have grown quite attached to. Sebastian St. Cyr, the lead man, not only solves murder mysteries, but has many of his own mysteries to untangle in his own life. The characters have taken on a life of their own and I can't wait for the next installment in the series. The narrator has a wonderful English accent that blends well with the storyline and characters as well. Highly recommend - but try to read the first books in the series prior to this one.

Mystery with a little romance

I love this series. It combines great plot lines and mysteries that keep you guessing with some wonderful characters that I have grown quite attached to. Sebastian St. Cyr, the lead man, not only solves murder mysteries, but has many of his own mysteries to untangle in his own life. The characters have taken on a life of their own and I can't wait for the next installment in the series. The narrator has a wonderful English accent that blends well with the storyline and characters as well. Highly recommend - but try to read the first books in the series prior to this one.

Warning: Starts towards the end of a series

I really liked this book. I started it, heard something really intriguing which was a spoiler alert for previous books, and I decided to set it aside and start with the first book in the series. Unfortunately Audible only offers the last three in the series of eight books. I downloaded the first 5 books to Kindle and read them in order before going back to listen to this book. And I am so glad I did. I love this series. It has interesting individual mysteries, which are completed within each book while gradually unraveling the personal history of St. Cyr across the series. Davina Porter reads well, as always. She has particular musical quirks of intonation that don't work for every book, but I didn't find them off-putting. St. Cyr is an engaging and likable main character and I'm certainly hooked on the series. I'll definitely order the other two titles offered by Audible and hope someday the previous books will be available.

not cookie-cutter crumbly

This mystery-procedural is mostly solid listening, but with a few incredible scenes-- still with a better than average plot for the genre. The Regency rather than Victorian setting is a welcome change, too. There is some very nice historical detail but it's combined with quite a bit of psychological anachronism and, more unfortunately, the usual "quizzing glass" and "chit just out of the schoolroom" cliches. I'd download more from the series for easy listening - but feel no haste to burn off a credit for another right away,

Although there is some minor melodramatic derring-do and almost a formula bodice ripping scene, happpily it's closer to a cozy than a thriller or a Harlequin (no bodices are actually harmed in that manner in the production).

I love Davina Porter's narration ??? but I think a male narrator or a fresh voice would have been better for this listen.

An Oustanding Series

Sebastian St. Cyr's mysteries are outstanding. I love the Regency setting which is so skillfully brought to life by C.S Harris. The aura of mystery around the parentage of Sebastian adds to the story. We never really get the full facts of his parentage and the author only reveals a little in each novel. It is too bad that Audible does not have the whole series available.

This particular mystery is concerned with the political deals and the origin of the War of 1812 in the US. It concerns the plot of financial backing of various factions which result in murder and a little graverobbing to establish the muder.

As always this is a lively read and should not be overlooked by lovers of historical mysteries and lovers of G. Heyer.

the series continues to entertain

What did you love best about Where Shadows Dance?

The consistency of characters. Do not have to read the books in a particular sequence.

What other book might you compare Where Shadows Dance to and why?

Any of the other of the books in the series

Which character ??? as performed by Davina Porter ??? was your favorite?

Jarvis - so typical of the arrogance of the time.

Who was the most memorable character of Where Shadows Dance and why?

The Irish Doctor who was making scientific progress in his biologic endeavors to understand forensics.

Any additional comments?

a fast and easy read.

I plan to listen to more from this author

As an Anne Perry fan - especially the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series - I was very comfortable with this book. Ms. Porter uses her "Thomas Pitt" voice for the protagonist in this book, Sebastian St. Cyr. Like the Anne Perry novels, this is also historical fiction, taking place in 1812. For those interested, this book contains no "F" bombs, and the only romance scene is at the end with Sebastian and his new wife, but it is not objectionable, IMO.
I am a huge fan of Davina Porter, and she has done her usual fantastic job here.

Excellent Narrator

Any additional comments?

I didn't find this book overly noteworthy. Davina Porter's narration is what kept me using the skip button to get to the next portion of the story as I didn't like the protagonist.

Extra: For other parents/caregivers that like to know details like this to before they purchase for their teens to listen to... mine won't be:
a one off s3xual encounter that results in pregnancy, descriptive/sensual bedroom scene at the end of the book. Includes the 'usual' mention of adultery, mistresses and affairs.

Outstanding

Complicated plots and finely detailed characters are yet again the author's hallmark.

I couldn't put it down...

Love this series!!

I have loved all of these books! I wasn't crazy about the narrator at first but now I can't here the Characters in anybody else's voice... Porter has made them hers. My only complaint is the increasing sense of panic that rises with each completed book... I'm not ready for them to end! ......

.......(don't think this qualifies as a spoiler but don't read ahead if you don't want to risk it ;) ...



I have never like Kat... so I am very happy with the way this book ended! Hero is a much better match for him!