Where Book Two Doesn't Disappoint

When Gods Die by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the past year, I've given up several series--three, actually--that I thought I was gonna like. I struggled a bit in book one, found I totally disliked book two, and reluctantly did not finish. In each case I had bought a couple books ahead, even. Dumb.

But I'm glad this series turned it around. I liked the first and I liked this second one more, if anything. I'm looking forward to the third as well, which I already bought ahead, having learned nothing at all from my previous experience....

Sebastian St. Cyr is an interesting character, both in terms of his personality and his in-between place in society. He's a good guy, honorable and fair, though he's seen some things and is capable of some things, too. As he's a member of the noble class, welcomed to the parties and dances and salons of the upper class, he's able to follow his investigations anywhere necessary, and while this and some other oddities about him put him a bit on the outs with good society, he doesn't care. Working class men couldn't possibly make headway on cases involving the upper class, and he's one of few noblemen who would be willing to try.

Of course, fitting in at one end of society means he sticks out at the other end, in the dodgy parts of town, which is why he has taken on Tom--an independent, resourceful street kid--as his "tiger." Tom goes where Sebastian can't, chatting up servants and skulking around low-class dives. And Sebastian's great love, Kat, an actress, has her own contacts and resources that are useful to him (though she helped him a bit more in book one than two).

This novel's about a woman who appears to have been murdered by the Prince Regent at a party. Of course, there's a lot of intrigue behind the affair, but what draws Sebastian into the investigation is the necklace she was found wearing--one that belonged to his mother, who was supposed to have died in a shipwreck years before. Good setup, that.

In brief: excellent action, good pacing, lots of anxious conflict, terrific mystery. I'm happy to have settled in to a series to my liking. :)

Recommended, of course, for readers of historical mysteries.

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