When Blood Lies

Written by C. S. Harris

Narrated by Jenny Sterlin

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, has spent years trying to unravel his family's tragic history. But the secrets of his past will finally come to light in this gripping new historical mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of What the Devil Knows.

March 1815.
The Bourbon King Louis XVIII has been restored to the throne of France, Napoléon is in exile on the isle of Elba, and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his wife, Hero, have traveled to Paris in hopes of tracing his long-lost mother, Sophie, the errant Countess of Hendon. But his search ends in tragedy
when he comes upon the dying Countess in the wasteland at the tip of the Île de la Cité. Stabbed—apparently with a stiletto—and thrown from the bastions of the island’s ancient stone bridge, Sophie dies without naming her murderer.

Sophie had been living in Paris under an assumed name as the mistress of Maréchal Alexandre McClellan, the scion of a noble Scottish Jacobite family that took refuge in France after the Forty-five Rebellion. Once one of Napoléon’s most trusted and successful generals, McClellan has now sworn allegiance to the
Bourbons and is serving in the delegation negotiating on behalf of France at the Congress of Vienna. It doesn’t take Sebastian long to realize that the French authorities have no interest in involving themselves in the murder of a notorious Englishwoman at such a delicate time. And so, grieving and shattered by his
mother’s death, Sebastian takes it upon himself to hunt down her killer. What he learns will not only shock him but could upend a hard-won world peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705020296

C. S. Harris

C. S. Harris is the national bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries. Under the pen name C. S. Graham, she co-authored a thriller series with former intelligence officer Steven Harris and, as Candice Proctor, wrote seven award-winning historical romances. A respected scholar with a PhD in nineteenth-century Europe, she is also the author of a nonfiction historical study of the French Revolution. She lives with her husband in New Orleans.

Reviews for When Blood Lies

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sebastian has finally tracked down his mother - only to come upon her dying and a mystery left behind. Set during the return of French royals and the escape of Napoleon from Alba, there is a larger scene of conflict that serves as the backdrop for the murder of Sophie.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sebastian finally finds his mother floating in the Seine by the Ile de Cite. His search for her killer and why are complicated by her Royal and Napoleonic connections. A good mystery set in a perilous and exciting time as Bonaparte returns from his Elba exile.

[sandyamcpherson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Different setting (in France) when Bonaparte has been imprisoned (and then escapes). Enjoyable although a bit unsatisfactory in the aspect of St. Cyr looking for his mother. Hero's involvement throughout the story was a diverting adventure which 'made' the novel for me.

[jorgeousjotts · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The mystery didn't feel quite as satisfying in this one and there weren't quite as many interactions with the usual cast of secondary characters, which I missed. But, there were plenty of good parts and the history aspects were interesting. So overall it's probably in the lower half of my ranking for this series, but I'm still pleased to have read it.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another intriguing installment in the Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series. With the Bourbon monarchy restored in France, Sebastian goes to Paris, where he hopes to make contact with his mother. However, his mother is murdered and Sebastian commits himself to uncovering her killer, even when one Napoleon Bonaparte arrives back in France and turmoil follows. This mystery has all the compelling elements and characters which I have come to enjoy in this series and I eagerly anticipate the next book.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Note: There are necessarily spoilers for previous books in this series.Although this is the 17th book in this series, C.S. Harris does an outstanding job of providing enough background in every book - without making it seem tedious or out of place - so that any of the books could be read as standalones.The Sebastian St. Cyr historical crime fiction series began with the first book set in 1811, the year that George, Prince of Wales (known by the public as “Prinny”) began his nine-year tenure as Regent of the British Monarchy. (A prince regent is a prince who rules in the place of a monarch who is still the titular king but has been deemed unfit for any reason, such as age, or physical or mental incapacity. In this case, the Prince of Wales was standing in for his father George III, thought to be mad. On the death of his father in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV.)The Regency Era is a popular setting for fiction. For one thing, these were very interesting times historically. Most of Europe was at war, for and against Napoleon, depending on the year. Social mores were in an uproar as well: the rights of both women and slaves were being debated everywhere. And the conflict between the classes, especially in England, proved to be rich fodder for romantic plots. [You may also wish to consult my post on "An Introduction to the Regency Era.”]In this installment, it is now the spring of 1815, and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is in his early 30s, has been married for three years to Hero, and has a two-year-old son Simon. Devlin is heir to the powerful Earl of Hendon, but is not actually Hendon’s son. His mother Sophie had an affair, and left her husband and children when Devlin was 11. His father told them the lie that Sophie was lost at sea. When Devlin finally learned the truth, he was determined to find her and also discover who his real father was. As this story begins, Devlin and his family have come to Paris where his mother, calling herself Sophia Cappello, was said to be living. He does indeed find her - she is dying, having been stabbed and thrown over a bridge at the tip of the Île de la Cité. She lived just long enough to whisper to him her recognition by uttering “Sebastian.”Devlin finds out that Sophia had been living with her lover of many years, General Alexandre McClellan, one of Napoleon’s generals. Devlin bears a remarkable resemblance to the picture of McClellan in Sophie’s house. But he sets that insight aside for the nonce; his priority is finding out who killed Sophie and why.His investigatory efforts are set in the chaotic world of a changing France, where a Bourbon king, Louis XVIII, is in power and Napoleon has been exiled to Elba. Ominously, Devlin learns Sophie had recently traveled to Elba. Could that have had something to do with her murder?The political quagmire through which Devlin has to wade is complex and dangerous. As Devlin reflected:“…the people of this land had risen up against the grinding inequality and injustice of their age, only to lose their way in a morass of hatred, bloodshed, and terror . . . . the reimposition of the oppressive rule of the Bourbons made a brighter, more just future seem somehow less likely than ever….”The author, who has a PhD in nineteenth-century European history, guides us through the machinations of the powerful (and those aspiring to be powerful) so that readers learn a great deal of history while Devlin is trying to solve the crime. I especially loved the ongoing account, parallel to Sebastian’s story, of Napoleon’s progress through France after returning from Elba; it had its own elements of suspense and excitement. Evaluation: I love the recurring characters in this series and their evolving interactions. In addition, one always learns a great deal of well-researched history about this fascinating and horrifying period, with a number of crimes thrown in to add tension and interest. This series is entertaining, educational, and well worth delving into.

[barbararogers-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best things about the entire series is that it totally captivates you – both emotionally and intellectually. I always learn so much history right along with solving a complex, convoluted, and twisted mystery. I would say this is one of the best books in the series, but you wouldn’t believe me because I say that about each new book! It is truly a wonderful read and I devoured each and every word of it. It was so bittersweet with Sebastian finally finding his mother and then getting so little time with her. Sebastian and Hero have grown so close to each other and they are so loving and supportive – I just love that part of the story.It is March of 1815; Napoleon has been exiled to Elba for a year; The Bourbons have been restored to the throne of France; Ex-Pats have returned to France; There is a conference being held to determine the future of France, Europe, and Napoleon. Unrest among the French citizens is also quietly present – they aren’t openly opposed to the Bourbons nor are they openly supportive of a return by Napoleon – but they are tired of the way they are being treated. Sebastian, Hero, and the two boys have traveled to Paris during these turbulent times so Sebastian can search for his mother, Sophie.As a melancholy and frustrated Sebastian walks near the Seine, he finds a very badly injured woman – a woman he recognizes – his mother. She recognizes him immediately – but can only utter his name before he picks her up and rushes her to his leased home. When she dies from her wounds without saying anything else, Sebastian and Hero vow to solve the case – no matter where the evidence leads. And goodness does it take some strange twists and turns. Was his mother involved in espionage? Where had she been on her recent trip – and what was its purpose? Is she involved – directly or inadvertently – in Napoleon’s escape from Elba? Oh! What a tangled web of intrigue and deception for Sebastian and Hero to work through before they finally discover the truth.I highly recommend this book and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. The writing is superb, the characters are unique, interesting, and compelling, and the mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Then, if you add in all of the very descriptive historical details, you’ll feel as if you are right there with the tensions rising as Napoleon escapes Elba and heads toward Paris. Truly an excellent read!I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[n.w.moors-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While I've enjoyed all the St. Cyr mysteries, I do love the first few books that set up the meta-mystery around Sebastian's parentage. We've now returned to that central mystery in a setting I did not expect, post-exile Napoleon Paris. Sebastian has finally found his mother but it's a tragic moment as she is murdered as she comes to meet him. He and Hero are determined to find the murderer but the shifting loyalties and factions set a lot of obstacles in their path. All the major characters (the Earl of Herndon, Hero's father Jarvis, their children Simon and Patrick) are here as well as some fascinating new people, some historical and others based on historical figures.It's an intriguing period of time, one I don't know much about so I loved learning about it. Ms. Harris is a thorough historian and researcher who throws little tidbits into the story to make it even more interesting. The French Revolution still has a great impact on France as well as the Napoleonic wars. The Bourbons are attempting to re-establish their rule (badly) and the allies are just trying to keep the peace and Napoleon on Elba.Devlin and Hero do their best but it's not easy to solve a murder in this political environment. There's a bit of a cliff-hanger ending and I can't wait for Devlin to meet Alexandre McClellan (hopefully in the next book). This is such a wonderful series and I gobble up the books as they arrive each year.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When Blood Lies by C.S. Harris is a 2022 Berkley publication. Sebastian and Hero are in Paris following a possible lead to the whereabouts of Sebastian’s mother. A shocking event changes the trajectory of their mission sending them headlong into an intensely emotional and dangerous search for a killer. I was very surprised by this turn of events. I never would have guessed things would turn out like this for Sebastian. That said, it made for a very absorbing murder mystery. This series is, at its core, is a procedural, but it is the historical details and the atmosphere, along with the amazing characters makes it stand out. The climate in France at this critical juncture is handled incredibly well and is very interesting all by itself. But the situation is heart wrenching for Sebastian. And as always, he melts my heart. My immense respect for Hero climbs up another notch in this installment. The mystery this time around is an emotional one, but the intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. This is one of those series, I wait impatiently for each installment and then must force myself to slow down and relish every dark, splendid detail. This series is, at its core, is a procedural, but it is the incredible historical details and the atmosphere, along with the amazing characters makes it stand out. The story ends on an intriguing note and is yet another stellar installment in one of my all-time favorite series!