For a historical fiction writer and author, I was largely unfamiliar with Regency writing. It’s a period that has many devoted fans, so I recently jumped on the wagon to see what all the fuss was about. My first foray into Regency historical fiction was a mystery titled What Angels Fear by author C.S. Harris.
The story’s protagonist Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is a young veteran of the Napoleonic wars, now back in London and haunted by his dreadful experiences. Then, just a few days before the installment of Prince George as Regent, a beautiful actress is found murdered in a small church in Westminster. Police discover Devlin’s pistol near her body, and Sebastian becomes the prime suspect in the killing.
Left with few options but to defend himself, Sebastian sets out to find the true killer, helped along the way by his former lover Kat Boleyn and a clever street urchin Tom. But as he begins his pursuit through snowy, fog-filled London streets as well as taverns and exclusive city clubs, he uncovers evidence of a vast conspiracy that may reach not just Britain’s government but also his own aristocratic family.
What Angels Fear is an enjoyable start to a new series. C.S. Harris’s prose is clear and her pacing brisk, and she researched the period thoroughly. After reading the novel, I felt like I had learned a lot about the history of the Regency era, and I’m looking forward to learning more from the next installments. I highly recommend What Angels Fear for historical fiction, mystery, and romance lovers.
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If you like historical mysteries, you may enjoy Silent Water, a Jagiellon Mystery Book 1, set at the 16th century royal court in Cracow. It’s available in ebook and paperback on Amazon and FREE to read on Kindle Unlimited.
P.K. Adams 
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