📖 Overview
C.S. Harris is the pen name of Candice Proctor, a bestselling author primarily known for writing the Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series set in Regency-era England.
Having earned a Ph.D. in European History, Harris brings detailed historical accuracy and scholarly insight to her novels. The Sebastian St. Cyr series, which began with "What Angels Fear" in 2005, follows a nobleman-turned-detective solving murders in early 19th century London.
Before writing as C.S. Harris, she published several historical romances under her real name Candice Proctor and has also co-authored thriller novels under the name C.S. Graham. Her academic background includes extensive research in European and Middle Eastern history.
The author's work consistently incorporates authentic period details and social issues of the Regency era, including class conflict, political intrigue, and the effects of the Napoleonic Wars. Her Sebastian St. Cyr series has grown to over fifteen books and continues to expand.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Harris's detailed historical research and her ability to capture Regency-era London's atmosphere. The Sebastian St. Cyr series draws consistent appreciation for its complex mysteries, character development, and integration of real historical events.
What readers liked:
- Accurate period details and social commentary
- Strong character relationships, especially Sebastian's growth
- Balance of historical fact with engaging plots
- Smart dialogue and intricate mysteries
What readers disliked:
- Early books in series can feel slow-paced
- Some find the historical details too dense
- Romance subplots occasionally overshadow mysteries
- Later books become formulaic according to some readers
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: Series averages 4.1/5 stars (35,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: Most books maintain 4.5/5 stars
- BookBub: 4.3/5 average rating
One reader noted: "Harris brings 1800s London to life without drowning the story in research." Another commented: "The mysteries keep you guessing, but it's Sebastian's personal journey that hooks you."
📚 Books by C.S. Harris
Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery Series:
What Angels Fear - In 1811 London, Sebastian St. Cyr investigates a murder when he himself becomes the primary suspect.
When Gods Die - St. Cyr investigates the death of a young noblewoman found stabbed through the heart with a family heirloom.
Why Mermaids Sing - A series of gruesome murders of young men from London's wealthy families leads St. Cyr into a dark investigation.
Where Serpents Sleep - The murder of several prostitutes draws Hero Jarvis and Sebastian St. Cyr into a complex conspiracy.
What Remains of Heaven - St. Cyr investigates the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury in a crypt.
Where Shadows Dance - A diplomatic crisis looms when a Foreign Office diplomat is found murdered.
When Maidens Mourn - The murder of a young antiquities scholar leads St. Cyr to investigate ancient artifacts and modern secrets.
What Darkness Brings - St. Cyr must solve the murder of a notorious diamond dealer to save an innocent man from hanging.
Why Kings Confess - The murder of a French physician leads to an investigation involving Marie Antoinette's missing son.
Who Buries the Dead - A murder victim found with a severed head leads St. Cyr to investigate connections to the American Revolution.
When Falcons Fall - St. Cyr travels to a rural village to investigate the death of a young woman with mysterious ties to his own past.
Where the Dead Lie - The brutal murder of a boy in London's slums leads St. Cyr to confront a ring of child traffickers.
Why Kill the Innocent - The murder of a palace musician during a harsh winter reveals dangerous royal secrets.
Who Slays the Wicked - St. Cyr investigates when his niece's abusive husband is found brutally murdered.
Who Speaks for the Damned - The murder of a disgraced former nobleman at a summer party reveals long-buried secrets.
What the Devil Knows - A series of murders mirrors a fifteen-year-old case, forcing St. Cyr to revisit an old investigation.
When Blood Lies - St. Cyr travels to Paris and becomes entangled in a case involving Napoleonic politics.
Who Cries for the Lost - The murder of an East India Company official leads St. Cyr to investigate colonial exploitation.
When Gods Die - St. Cyr investigates the death of a young noblewoman found stabbed through the heart with a family heirloom.
Why Mermaids Sing - A series of gruesome murders of young men from London's wealthy families leads St. Cyr into a dark investigation.
Where Serpents Sleep - The murder of several prostitutes draws Hero Jarvis and Sebastian St. Cyr into a complex conspiracy.
What Remains of Heaven - St. Cyr investigates the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury in a crypt.
Where Shadows Dance - A diplomatic crisis looms when a Foreign Office diplomat is found murdered.
When Maidens Mourn - The murder of a young antiquities scholar leads St. Cyr to investigate ancient artifacts and modern secrets.
What Darkness Brings - St. Cyr must solve the murder of a notorious diamond dealer to save an innocent man from hanging.
Why Kings Confess - The murder of a French physician leads to an investigation involving Marie Antoinette's missing son.
Who Buries the Dead - A murder victim found with a severed head leads St. Cyr to investigate connections to the American Revolution.
When Falcons Fall - St. Cyr travels to a rural village to investigate the death of a young woman with mysterious ties to his own past.
Where the Dead Lie - The brutal murder of a boy in London's slums leads St. Cyr to confront a ring of child traffickers.
Why Kill the Innocent - The murder of a palace musician during a harsh winter reveals dangerous royal secrets.
Who Slays the Wicked - St. Cyr investigates when his niece's abusive husband is found brutally murdered.
Who Speaks for the Damned - The murder of a disgraced former nobleman at a summer party reveals long-buried secrets.
What the Devil Knows - A series of murders mirrors a fifteen-year-old case, forcing St. Cyr to revisit an old investigation.
When Blood Lies - St. Cyr travels to Paris and becomes entangled in a case involving Napoleonic politics.
Who Cries for the Lost - The murder of an East India Company official leads St. Cyr to investigate colonial exploitation.
👥 Similar authors
Deanna Raybourn writes historical mysteries set in Victorian England featuring a female protagonist who solves murders while navigating upper-class society. Her Lady Julia Grey series includes romance elements and period details similar to Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr books.
Anne Perry creates mystery series set in 1800s London with detailed historical accuracy and complex murder investigations. Her William Monk and Thomas Pitt series follow detectives who uncover crimes among both nobility and common citizens.
Tasha Alexander produces Victorian-era mysteries starring Lady Emily Ashton, who solves murders across European settings. Her books combine elements of romance, historical political intrigue, and murder investigation.
Charles Finch writes the Charles Lenox series about a Victorian gentleman detective dealing with murders in London's high society. His mysteries focus on period-accurate investigative methods and social class dynamics.
Lauren Willig creates historical mysteries set in the Napoleonic era featuring spies and aristocratic characters. Her Pink Carnation series combines romance with murder mysteries and political intrigue in a similar time period to Harris's work.
Anne Perry creates mystery series set in 1800s London with detailed historical accuracy and complex murder investigations. Her William Monk and Thomas Pitt series follow detectives who uncover crimes among both nobility and common citizens.
Tasha Alexander produces Victorian-era mysteries starring Lady Emily Ashton, who solves murders across European settings. Her books combine elements of romance, historical political intrigue, and murder investigation.
Charles Finch writes the Charles Lenox series about a Victorian gentleman detective dealing with murders in London's high society. His mysteries focus on period-accurate investigative methods and social class dynamics.
Lauren Willig creates historical mysteries set in the Napoleonic era featuring spies and aristocratic characters. Her Pink Carnation series combines romance with murder mysteries and political intrigue in a similar time period to Harris's work.