Sir Henry Lovejoy, chief magistrate for Westminster at Queen’s Square, assisted by chief constable Maitland is investigating Miss York’s murder. Jewelry worn by the victim was not taken, so robbery is ruled out as a motive. They learn she had scheduled a meeting with St. Cyr and that she’d said, “His lordship’ll pay handsomely.”

Sebastian is being pressured by his father to settle down, marry, and assume responsibilities. Since his return from military service on the continent, he has leading a wild, rakish life. The most recent scandal involving him is that he wounded Captain John Talbot in a duel. It is believed that Melanie Talbot, the captain’s wife, is Sebastian’s mistress. In fact, the duel was in retribution for Talbot’s beating his young wife. Sebastian has promised to keep his knowledge of her abuse secret.

Even though Lovejoy is not convinced that there is sufficient evidence to arrest Sebastian, Lord Jarvis, a powerful royal advisor, is pushing him to make the arrest and close the case. Lovejoy questions Sebastian about his whereabouts during the time it is believed Miss York was killed. His alibi of being out walking cannot be substantiated.

During the moments that Sebastian is being escorted into a hackney to take him to Queens Square, Maitland pulls a knife on him, and a young constable accidentally falls on the blade. Maitland blames Sebastian. Sebastian knows that his situation has become more dire so he engineers an escape.

Just as all good heroes in his predicament would do, Sebastian knows the only way to clear his name is to find the killer himself. He enters the underworld of London rarely seen by persons of his rank to make inquiries. His investigation brings him into contact once again with his former mistress, Kat Boleyn, another actress and associate of the victim. He will discover that Miss York was extorting money from several highly placed men and members of his own family are involved.

What Angels Fear is the first in a series of historical mysteries by C. S. Harris featuring Sebastian St. Cyr as the hero. This is a new pen name and literary direction for Candice Proctor, whose historical romances were highly regarded.

While it eventually comes together, the story’s whodunit sometimes seems of lesser significance than showcasing Sebastian’s wide-ranging abilities. Fortunately, a goodly number of people were privy to various aspects of Miss York’s life and are convinced to share them with the fugitive lord. As Sebastian travels around seeking answers, there is ample opportunity for him to meet persons he would ordinarily never come in contact with as well as explore locales far removed from his upper class environs. The identity of the villain is only gradually revealed along with a whole cast of red herrings.

In introducing a new series, it is necessary to give the main characters sufficient depth that readers’ interest will be sustained well past the last page of the first book. In this, Ms. Harris is most successful. Sebastian is dashing and resourceful and altogether the very model of the noble hero. (His extraordinary hearing and eyesight the author credits to his having inherited a genetic mutation, Bithil Syndrome, the existence of which I was unable to verify.) His surviving family members, father and sister, have their own issues; even his deceased mother has a tinge of mystery. He picks up a young sidekick Tom who is able to pop up at the most opportune moments. His romance with the lovely and brave Kat Boleyn is destined to be an ongoing thread. And Lovejoy is interested in recruiting him for future criminal investigations. All in all, there’s lots for the author to explore in future installments.

Readers who enjoy historical mysteries as well as Ms. Proctor’s many fans will want to check out her new endeavor. I will be looking forward to further adventures of Sebastian St. Cyr with the same interest I formerly held for the author’s historical romance novels.

--Lesley Dunlap