What Cannot Be Said is the 19th Regency murder mystery featuring Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr by author C.S. Harris. Released 23rd April 2024 by Penguin on their Berkley imprint, it's 368 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's
worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of
contents as well as interactive links.
This series has been consistently strong from the first book. Although
the actual mysteries are self contained in each volume, the characters and story arc
develop throughout the series. Since the series itself is so well done
and engaging, reading them in order will reward the reader and is recommended.
The plotting and pacing are seamless with varying dramatic tension throuout. Sebastian is a complex and three dimensional character with a believable family
and retinue and it's always enjoyable revisiting the series with each new volume and seeing how his young coach-boy Tom is
developing as well as visiting his dogsbody/valet Calhoun, and his
redoubtable wife, Hero and now, their children.
This is just a top quality historical murder mystery series with meticulous
background research and beautifully written. It would make an admirable summer binge/buddy read or a long mystery book club project.
The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 11 hours, 43 minutes and is read by Amy Scanlon. This is her first foray reading in this series (it has had a rotating cast of narrators thus far) and it's not an entirely seamless crossover. She has a distinct and somewhat abrasive voice and at any speeds over regular narration, it loses definition and clarity. Sound and production quality are high throughout.
Five stars for both the series as a whole and this, the 19th book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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