London. 1814. The very end (hopefully) of Napoleon. And Sebastian St. Cyr is called in to help solve the vicious murder of a sadistic young lord. Many factors complicate the investigation, not the least of which is the fact the Lord Ashworth's widow is Sebastian's beloved niece who just might be a suspect in the murder.As Sebastian investigates, he finds more and more suspects, more people who are lying to him. And more deaths. Could it be the Russian princess attached to the retinue of the Grand Duchess of Russia? Or the furniture maker (and other merchants too numerous to count) who was owed a huge debt by the now dead lord? And what about the fortune teller whose daughter committed suicide after being raped by Lord Ashworth?
This is the fourteenth book in the series and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first one. In addition to a good mystery and characters I have grown to care for, the author gives the reader a good look at what life was like in England at the beginning of the nineteenth century. In a subplot, Sebastian's wife, Hero, works on a series of articles about life among the lowest of the low classes. Ever wonder how cesspits were cleaned out? You'll find out (and maybe wish you hadn't) when you read this book.
Number fifteen should be out next April. I can't wait!
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