Book 12
Why Kill the Innocent by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Even thirteen books in, Sebastian and Hero's stories haven't gotten stale. Harris's sense of time period is excellent and seriously DO read the author's notes afterwards. The most insane thing about this book is nearly all of this crazy stuff happened.
I have to admit I wasn't thrilled to see Princess Charlotte and her reigning (and obnoxious) father playing such a huge role in this story. I get annoyed with historical mysteries eventually butting up with what the leaders of the day were doing but in many ways with Sebastian being a titled lord and Hero's father, Jarvis, in the middle of politics it was inevitable (I just hope it's not a recurring theme)
In this one, Charlotte (isolated horribly by her father, which yes did happen) had a piano teacher, Jane who is found murdered (by Hero) and because of that connection Jarvis et al tried to sweep it under the table and write it off as an accident in the frigid weather (appropriate since I finished it on a snow day). Hero and Sebastian aren't satisfied with that of course. Almost every suspect is a huge player politically from prominent Whigs (including Charlotte, though the teenager isn't a suspect), to her mother and her minions, to Jane's brother and his best friend, to her abusive husband and even to Jarvis himself.
All of this is set against the backdrop of the Frozen fair on the Thames (which were things back in the day because it's not every winter it's brutal enough to freeze a river solid) and against the political turmoil of Charlotte trying to force her into a marriage with a Dutch prince who doesn't actually want her (he's gay, he just wants the power of the alliance) . Mixed into this is Sebastian's personal drama with his niece who marriage a nasty abusive man (she's pregnant and he is a lord too) leaving me wondering when he'll be investigating Ashworth's death (and will he be blamed).
I love Sebastian and especially Hero who's bluestocking ways get to shine a bit here though some of the side story with her did get a bit draggy. It was there to show just how big the gap was between the rich (Hero) and the destitute (like getting to watch a 17 year old mother hang for stealing a ham after her husband had been stolen away (impressed) by the British navy).
Can't wait for the next one. If you're new to this series, I wouldn't start here but I would recommend this series to anyone who loves historical mysteries.
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