Where It Just Keeps Getting Better

What Remains of Heaven by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great book.

This series, IMO, is written at a consistently high level, and I'm loving every bit. Every element--character, setting, plot--is given proper attention and it shows.

The main character, Sebastian, is a likable and believable protagonist, and he is joined by many other sympathetic recurring characters. His relationships with his father, his romantic interests (Kat and Hero), his friends, other family members, and professional acquaintances all continue to evolve in ways that keep me interested without leaning toward soap. Lots of interesting arcs. You could make a case that there's a bit of melodrama here, but I'm good with that; it works well, especially with a Regency setting.

Speaking of which--the setting is used to good effect here as well as in the previous books. This story brings details of American Revolution and its new government into the plot, exploring some of the generational repercussions back in England, and I found it both informative and interesting. (Benjamin Franklin's son is a person of interest in the story, drawn into the plot in a clever way, and I'll admit I knew very little about him before this.) The various locales, from society drawing rooms and government offices to rural churches waterfront dives, come off as realistic, contributing a strong sense of place.

And, as always, the mystery plot is well planned and executed. There is a bit of luck and randomness in the story, and Sebastian has some timely help from other characters, but most of the forward motion and the accumulation of clues that lead us to the truth come from his initiative and efforts, which I find very satisfying. The teasing out of the hidden facts and the pacing in general is brisk throughout, keeping readers like me entertained at a couple different levels.

Anyway, this is lots of fun. I started the series very recently, so I'm psyched to have years of the author's hard work already laid out for me to read whenever I like. That's one advantage to being late to the party.

Recommended.

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