RATING: 4 STARS

Sebastian and Hero are married! I love that Harris did not draw this out like many series do with the whole "will they or won't they". I like that softness that Hero brings to Sebastian, but that it is not their romance that guides the story. As they are heading off to their honeymoon, there is a murder, of course. The woman murdered was a friend of Hero's so both get dragged into solving the crime. Just because they are now married does not mean that either of them has changed, and how they go about trying to solve the case. And, as a reader I love it. The banter between the two carries and that is what makes them fun to read about. Just because they are now married it is not happily ever after, but that they are a team that has to learn to be together. This case also touches on the myth of King Arthur, Camelot, and a future poet laureate. What I also love about this series is the historical fact that Harries weaves into her stories. At the end she has a historical note where she lets you know what is real and a bit about it. As a history buff, I have to usually go check out Wikipedia after. At book seven this series is still going strong!

The only negative thing about this book like its predecessors is the Kat drama. I am so fine with the repetitiveness. I hope Sebastian will finally put Kat behind him.

Also the mystery was one of the more better ones in this series. It took me by surprise and was surprisingly well executed.

When Maidens Mourn
4 Stars

Sebastian St. Cyr and his new bride are pulled into another case when the body of Hero's friend, Gabrielle Tennyson, is discovered floating in a boat near an archeological dig related to King Arthur's Camelot. When Gabrielle's young cousins are also revealed to be missing, Sebastian and Hero find themselves in a race against time to stop a ruthless killer before it is too late.

An enjoyable addition to the series. The character development is excellent as usual and the inclusion of elements from Arthurian legend is a huge bonus to the literary lover in me. It is always fascinating to realize the extent to which King Arthur's life has influenced British culture.

Sebastian and Hero find themselves working at cross purposes through much of the investigation, but once they begin confiding in one another, both the case and their relationship starts coming together. While it is still the early days of their marriage and they a have yet to completely trust one another, it is becoming clear that they may be formidable as individuals, but as a pair they will be a force to be reckoned with. 

Unfortunately, the murder mystery is the weakest in the series thus far as there are insufficient clues for the reader to figure out the culprit for themselves. Nevertheless, the twists and turns of the investigation are action packed and suspenseful.

All in all, this entire series is fantastic and I am eager to get to the next installment.

kindle

Another development in Sebastian's already complex story. Along with the Tennyson murders, and Hero's uncertain loyalties, the question of Sebastian's birth makes the story all the more interesting

Typical Sebastian St Cyr. A solid whodunit. I really like the relationship that's forming between Sebastian and, his now wife, Hero.

Harris is a master at creating characters. Even miner ones that barely make an appearance seem real; as if they have detailed complicated secrets we just don't know about yet.