As with other readers of this series, I have my own theories regarding this tangle and other things related to Sebastian St Cyr, but they are a bit too fantastic. Then I thought “Well, there are witches (living or dead) in this story and a necklace with power, so why not?” Still, I wouldn’t dream of posting them here publicly, not while this series is still running. Perhaps (sorry) when everything is finally revealed to us, there could be a book discussion on this series?

I think my feelings could be more accurately characterized as liking both Hero and Kat rather than favoring one over the other. I almost wish Sebastian didn’t have to pick between them.

One example was a character in 1812 mention sado-masochism. Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the man whose name became the source of the term, wasn’t born until 1836. And that was just one of the most obvious errors.

I do rather like what I saw of Hero, but not enough to put up with the errors that could have been fixed with a Google search or two.

I haven't been a regular reader of the genre since I was a teenager. When I read mysteries these days, I tend to filter out the very same information that mystery fans are probably filing away to see if they can figure out the solution to the crime. I really don't care about solving the crime myself, and untangling the clues makes my head hurt, so it's hard for me to assess the worth of this book as a straight mystery, except to say that I was impressed by how neatly all of the pieces fit together in the end. … my real interest is the setting and the continuing characters.

This describes me exactly. :D

I loved the way that Hero and Sebastian worked as a team and didn't realize it. They have an interesting and exciting relationship.

I agree. I felt a little disappointed that Sebastian mostly seemed concerned about his obligations to Hero in this book – while yearning for Kat – but I figure there’s time for that to change. Neither Sebastian nor Hero are the types to indulge in a lot of silly mental lusting, anyway.

Are these along the same lines as the Julia Spencer-Fleming novels, but Regency? She loved that series, which is what is pushing me in the direction of getting her these.

I haven’t read the Julia Spencer-Fleming series, though I have the first two books waiting for me to read (I think they were available as free downloads, oh, maybe a year or so ago?). I have heard good things about that series. I have to say that I really like the Regency setting of the Harris mysteries, but I’m a big historical fan in general, anyway.

I have only one question-what is with the cover?? Girl in diaphanous dress, barefoot, on staircase-WTF??? I guess she is supposed to be coming out of the crypt, but sheesh.

You know, I hardly noticed that (I bought the ebook). That is a bizarre cover, now that I think about it. I will never understand cover art, though.

I didn't read the review because of your spoiler warning so I'm not sure if you covered this, but is this one of those series I need to read in order? I want this – have to admit barefoot/dress/staircase cover won me over – but am thinking I might need to start at the beginning.

Probably. There’s a lot of carry-over from previous books. The mystery is stand-alone, but all the other stuff in Sebastian’s life is not. It may be explained well enough for someone who hasn’t read previous books to get it, but I think you’d be missing out by not reading these in order.

LizC, I still think Sebastian and Kat have an almost unworkable amount of baggage attached to their relationship. I think I’d believe that even if Hero weren’t in the picture, though Hero’s presence definitely makes me even more doubtful about Sebastian and Kat.

I think I said this in my review of the last book in the series – I feel a bit bad preferring the bluestocking spinster heroine over the experienced actress heroine. I am one of those readers agitating for edgier heroines! But while I like Kat, Hero is just a more interesting character at this point, and though I feel kind of bad about it, I think she’s more right for Sebastian.

I absolutely admit that I do not read these novels for the mystery. At least not the stand alone mystery. I read for Hero and I read for Sebastian’s personal issues.

I actually expected to come out of this book with almost no hope for Team Hero because I figured Sebastian would finally learn that the thing keeping he and Kat apart was a lie but surprisingly I’m more hopeful.

I can’t believe I have to wait a year for another book.

Are these along the same lines as the Julia Spencer-Fleming novels, but Regency? She loved that series, which is what is pushing me in the direction of getting her these.