Why Mermaids Sing: a Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery

by: C.S. Harris

Published by: Obsidian

Reviewed by Anne-Gigi Chan

It was September 1811 in Regency England. A serial killer was murdering the young sons of some of London’s most prominent families. The bodies were partially butchered, with strange objects stuffed in their mouths, and were dumped in very public places at dawn. Local magistrate, Sir Henry Lovejoy, was called in to investigate when the first body was discovered. After the identity of the victim, he enlisted the help of Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin.

As more bodies were discovered, the case takes Sebastian from the gritty world of London’s docks, to the rectory in a quaint Kentish town, to the luxurious drawing rooms of Mayfair. It appeared that the more that was uncovered during his investigation, the more puzzling and disturbing the case becomes. The series of murders were ritualized killings with a purpose– and the answer may lie in the stanzas of a poem, and with the fathers of the victims who were determined to keep a horrific secret, even if it meant sacrificing their own children.

With the help of his surgeon friend from his Army days, his young servant and his lover, Sebastian was inching closer to the truth, unless he too was silenced by those who did not want the truth to be known.

This is the third book in the Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery Series. With detailed description of the characters and masterful use of language characteristic of the period, Ms. Harris successfully transported readers to Regency England. Add to that a riveting plot and unexpected outcome, Why Mermaids Sing was definitely an engaging read that was hard to put down. Having thoroughly enjoyed this book, I know that I will go back and read What Angels Fear and When God Dies, the first two books of the series.

Armchair Interviews says: C.S. Harris (a.k.a. Candace Proctor) takes you to the England of the early 1800.