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Resurrectionist #2
The Gentleman's Thief
Book #2 in a new historical M/M series
Word count 67,391 words.
Tuesday 28th December 1897. Mr. Benedict Hannan, the owner of Hannan’s Auction House in Fitzrovia, London, receives an unexpected visitor at his Bloomsbury home. The man on his stoop sends Benedict’s heart into a flutter, and on inviting the mysterious stranger into his house, he is inviting mystery, adventure, and volcanic desire.
Sebastian Cavell—master thief, gives the impression he has sought out Benedict for the sake of business, but the kind of business Sebastian has in mind has nothing to do with making money!
Cavell has been tasked with finding the whereabouts of a missing German aristocrat. With Benedict’s society connections, Sebastian gains access to his Gentleman’s Club and to men whose behavior is not so gentlemanly!
Benedict is pulled into the circle of a dangerous secret society and he not only learns the truth about the mysterious Sebastian Cavell, but learns the truth about himself and all he truly desires.
FYI: This is historical Gay romance and contains scenes of a graphic sexual nature.
Word count 67,391 words.
Tuesday 28th December 1897. Mr. Benedict Hannan, the owner of Hannan’s Auction House in Fitzrovia, London, receives an unexpected visitor at his Bloomsbury home. The man on his stoop sends Benedict’s heart into a flutter, and on inviting the mysterious stranger into his house, he is inviting mystery, adventure, and volcanic desire.
Sebastian Cavell—master thief, gives the impression he has sought out Benedict for the sake of business, but the kind of business Sebastian has in mind has nothing to do with making money!
Cavell has been tasked with finding the whereabouts of a missing German aristocrat. With Benedict’s society connections, Sebastian gains access to his Gentleman’s Club and to men whose behavior is not so gentlemanly!
Benedict is pulled into the circle of a dangerous secret society and he not only learns the truth about the mysterious Sebastian Cavell, but learns the truth about himself and all he truly desires.
FYI: This is historical Gay romance and contains scenes of a graphic sexual nature.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2020
About the author
Isobel Starling
65 books245 followersAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF GAY ROMANCE.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art in Ireland. Now she writes full-time and runs her publishing company, Decent Fellows Press.
The Shatterproof Bond series is Gay Romance bestseller in the US, Germany and France. It is also a bestseller in audiobook format, narrated by Gary Furlong
Isobel is currently working on "The Dark Harvest", (The Quiet Work #2) The follow up to her successful Fantasy novel "Apple Boy"
When that book is done Isobel will be working on "Infernal Vices" book #3 of the Resurrectionist Historical MM series, and then "The Rebel Candidate " Book #6 in the Shatterproof Bond series.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art in Ireland. Now she writes full-time and runs her publishing company, Decent Fellows Press.
The Shatterproof Bond series is Gay Romance bestseller in the US, Germany and France. It is also a bestseller in audiobook format, narrated by Gary Furlong
Isobel is currently working on "The Dark Harvest", (The Quiet Work #2) The follow up to her successful Fantasy novel "Apple Boy"
When that book is done Isobel will be working on "Infernal Vices" book #3 of the Resurrectionist Historical MM series, and then "The Rebel Candidate " Book #6 in the Shatterproof Bond series.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 16, 2023
This is such a good historian novel 🖤. 4.5 ⭐ But I had no idea the ending is sort of a cliffhanger 😭. I need #3 NOW
September 26, 2020
"All of those warm, writhing bodies, beautiful cocks, and fountains of cum. I love it, Ben, I love it. The only element missing was you.”
Goodness! also..ewww
These guys and I mean almost every guy in the book is obsessed with sex and would be lost if their dick fell off.... which soon if they don't cease and desist soon!
Not sure if I consider this a mystery or an adventure. Benedict is falling in love with Sebastian and enjoys his time with him. Sebastian comes and goes at random like the true thief that he is, he seems smitten though.
Yet Benedict still goes to church to listen about what an evil sin sodomy is..why? stay home and eat peeled grapes man!
Narrator was perfect with his yummy accent.
Anyway here it is:
a gangbang, cum drinking, a voyeur, an asshole with drugs, a horny Twink, a charming thief, a delusional impotent, dildos and cross dressing 😁
Goodness! also..ewww
These guys and I mean almost every guy in the book is obsessed with sex and would be lost if their dick fell off.... which soon if they don't cease and desist soon!
Not sure if I consider this a mystery or an adventure. Benedict is falling in love with Sebastian and enjoys his time with him. Sebastian comes and goes at random like the true thief that he is, he seems smitten though.
Yet Benedict still goes to church to listen about what an evil sin sodomy is..why? stay home and eat peeled grapes man!
Narrator was perfect with his yummy accent.
Anyway here it is:
a gangbang, cum drinking, a voyeur, an asshole with drugs, a horny Twink, a charming thief, a delusional impotent, dildos and cross dressing 😁
September 11, 2020
Isobel Starling is brilliant and Gary Furlong is a dream. I can't believe how long it's taken me to finish this review, but till then just know: this is an amazing series, and even better in audio. Just wonderful!
August 5, 2025
4.5 stars. Audiobook. Trilogy, must be read in order, must read all three for full resolution to the story. Victorian era London plotting and scheming with a side of kinky cult. Well written, very interesting and sexy. Audio narration was just right, Gary Furlong does an exceptional suave British gentleman.
Some suspension is required, as we get a bit OTT. Keep in mind that this is a time when science was rarely believed and spiritualism, seances and rituals was a popular past-time of the bored wealthy class. It’s imaginative and entertaining, everything that fiction should be. The romance is A+, sweet, tender, secretive and spicy.
HEA, trilogy, read in order, London, Victorian era, m/m, vers, mild angst, mild drama, machinations, ritual, kinky sex cult.
Some suspension is required, as we get a bit OTT. Keep in mind that this is a time when science was rarely believed and spiritualism, seances and rituals was a popular past-time of the bored wealthy class. It’s imaginative and entertaining, everything that fiction should be. The romance is A+, sweet, tender, secretive and spicy.
HEA, trilogy, read in order, London, Victorian era, m/m, vers, mild angst, mild drama, machinations, ritual, kinky sex cult.
June 12, 2020
I don't usually enjoy historical books and its not my genre of choice but this one was rather good.
In a time when homosexuality was illegal in the late 1890's, a secret movemnet springs up which entangles our MC.
I liked Benedict as a character and Seb as well.
This does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so glad book 2 is due out in less than a week.
** i am not sure whats happening here. I borrowed the first book The Shooting Season from KU and the actual book was this one so thats why my review is 6 days before the release.
In a time when homosexuality was illegal in the late 1890's, a secret movemnet springs up which entangles our MC.
I liked Benedict as a character and Seb as well.
This does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so glad book 2 is due out in less than a week.
** i am not sure whats happening here. I borrowed the first book The Shooting Season from KU and the actual book was this one so thats why my review is 6 days before the release.
February 9, 2026
Постараюся сильно не задумуватись, що враження від першої книги, від "навмисної несерйозності і навіть карикатурності", були - можливо, хто знає, не думаю про це - зовсім не навмисним розумним ходом, а посереднім текстом. Схоже, авторка з обличчям обличчя писала цю книгу точно, а (знову ж) розчаровуватись в своїх судженням про попередню не хочу. Останню книгу теж колись подужаю, тільки з розумінням, що саме читаю.
June 23, 2020
The Seeds of Love!
A Victorian sexy, intriguing adventure full of exploits, scoundrels, and steampunkness between “pious” Antique Dealer Benedict & “Gentleman Thief” Sebastian. Such a cleverly written, a bit literary story. Ms Starling is such a wordsmith, which she uses to paint in vivid details this historical era. I love everything about this yarn, the MCs, the co-characters, the antique details, and the setting. More harrowing adventures to come I’m sure!
A Victorian sexy, intriguing adventure full of exploits, scoundrels, and steampunkness between “pious” Antique Dealer Benedict & “Gentleman Thief” Sebastian. Such a cleverly written, a bit literary story. Ms Starling is such a wordsmith, which she uses to paint in vivid details this historical era. I love everything about this yarn, the MCs, the co-characters, the antique details, and the setting. More harrowing adventures to come I’m sure!
May 7, 2025
** 3.5 Stars **
July 30, 2020
Compared to book one of this series, The Gentleman’s Thief is a lengthier read. I was so glad that the author continued the story of the thief Sebastian Cavell and the slightly older gentleman Benedict Hannan. In this book we know who the characters are and we know a bit about Sebastian’s life of many disguises. It is still interesting to see him take on other personas, but it is nice knowing that there is one person who knows the truth about who he is and will keep his confidence. Since the story is told from Benedict’s point of view, I don’t feel like we truly know Sebastian as well as I’d personally like to, but what I do know has made him a character I love to see in action. I do believe he has a good heart and his work is intended to be righting past wrongs.
Benedict is still a bit prudish, and I don’t mean that in a negative way in regards to him. His religion and his one past relationship with a man have made him believe his desires are truly wrong. Still the heaven he feels in Sebastian’s arms makes Benedict feel like what they share can’t be wrong. I feel for Benedict and I hope that the more time he spends in his relationship will help him eradicate those feelings of guilt once and for all.
In this book, we get to see Benedict help Sebastian in one of his escapades. Instead of stealing a precious artifact or artwork from someone who gained it through dishonest means, he must retrieve a person who was lured away by a cult of men who enjoy homosexual acts and believe that they can achieve immortality through the consumption of certain bodily fluids. The leader of the cult is quite the schemer and I am unsure of his end game. Benedict’s boyhood lover Euan, who tried to trick Benedict in the first book also makes an appearance in this book and is the subject of the somewhat cliffhanger ending that happens in this book. I am feeling fairly confident in the romance that is taking place between Benedict and Sebastian but I have a feeling that the ex lover might try to throw some wrenches in the pending HEA. There are several questions that I hope will be answered in the next book and I will be sure to pick it up when it comes out.
Benedict is still a bit prudish, and I don’t mean that in a negative way in regards to him. His religion and his one past relationship with a man have made him believe his desires are truly wrong. Still the heaven he feels in Sebastian’s arms makes Benedict feel like what they share can’t be wrong. I feel for Benedict and I hope that the more time he spends in his relationship will help him eradicate those feelings of guilt once and for all.
In this book, we get to see Benedict help Sebastian in one of his escapades. Instead of stealing a precious artifact or artwork from someone who gained it through dishonest means, he must retrieve a person who was lured away by a cult of men who enjoy homosexual acts and believe that they can achieve immortality through the consumption of certain bodily fluids. The leader of the cult is quite the schemer and I am unsure of his end game. Benedict’s boyhood lover Euan, who tried to trick Benedict in the first book also makes an appearance in this book and is the subject of the somewhat cliffhanger ending that happens in this book. I am feeling fairly confident in the romance that is taking place between Benedict and Sebastian but I have a feeling that the ex lover might try to throw some wrenches in the pending HEA. There are several questions that I hope will be answered in the next book and I will be sure to pick it up when it comes out.
November 19, 2020
This was a good follow up tale in this series - when notorious larcenist (he of myriad faces and disguises) Sebastian Cavell makes another intrusion into Benedict Hannan's seemingly regimented, controlled and largely isolated life. And again, Ben gets entangled into another crazy affair - this time involving a kidnapped continental youth, a cabal of prominent societal men and the reappearance of an unwanted person from Ben's past. And like Ben, I had such fun trying to determine how Sebastian manages to inveigle his way into various settings and homes with his disguises. The plot pacing was good, the mystery-adventure was intriguing enough, with the romantic arc between the MCs further developed. 3.5 stars.
May 12, 2026
Four Stars!
This is the highest rating I've ever given to an Isobel Starling book. We're getting there, buuut we're not quite there yet.
Let's go through the good things:
- Benedict gets a personality.
- There's good smut in this book.
- The plot is quite good.
And very quickly, let's go through the bad:
- Isobel Starling has accidentally turned her main characters into the real villains of this story. And she has no idea.
Sebastian and Benedict reach a mutual understanding: they wanna be together, and they wanna be exclusive. Sebastian vows to earn Benedict's trust, and Benedict agrees to let him. It's good! I do genuinely like the relationship between these two.
HOWEVER, I'm not sure why we're having them do what they're doing here. See, Sebastian has a new task: rescue 18-year-old German nobleman Leopold from his "captors". It's understood by Sebastian that Leopold is being held against his will. That he's brainwashed and is now in the company of a group of "dangerous men" who are taking advantage of his innocence.
But, but. I feel as though nothing could be further from the truth! Leopold wants to be there. He's engaging in perfectly consensual, albeit slightly unorthodox, sex with men he likes. He's of age, he's not being mistreated. In fact, he's having the time of his life. Who the hell are Sebastian and Benedict to decide for him?
It's part of my old issue with Sebastian. He's not a thief for the people. That's what Starling is trying to gaslight us with. He gets paid to steal things back for the original owners, and somehow that's supposed to be enough to claim he's a thief--but he's a good thief!
Worst still in this case, we're talking about a person. He literally knows nothing of Leopold, other than he's been "missing" for a while, and his tutors or whatever, want to get him back. Sebastian is being paid to kidnap a man. And what if Leopold ran away because he was being mistreated by said tutors? What if the men he's having sex with are actually his friends? It's not so far fetched to think that Sebastian is the villain here, and by extension, Benedict.
And this is where Benedict's hypocrisy becomes impossible to ignore. He has spent thirty years agonizing over his own desires: the celibacy, the self-loathing, the desperate pursuit to get the staff of Asclepius FOR HIMSELF. Grudgingly, he achieves acceptance with Sebastian, and the staff remains in his closet, unused. Now that he's finally allowed himself to love Sebastian, you'd think he might extend that same grace to others. You'd be wrong.
His acceptance extends exactly as far as his own bedroom door. The moment he sees other men enjoying the same freedoms he's finally allowed himself, he recoils. It's not debauchery when he does it. It's love. It's not wrong when Sebastian touches him. But Leopold? Those poor gay men whose only sin is liking group sex? Suddenly it's all "dangerous" and "corrupt." It's okay for him to want the staff of Asclepius, but when other men want it, it's occultism and heresy.
When he and Sebastian find Leopold—an 18-year-old man engaging in consensual sex with willing partners—Benedict doesn't see a young man exercising his own autonomy. He sees "debauchery." He sees something "wrong." Never mind that he's doing the exact same things with Sebastian.
The book never calls him on this. It lets him play the hero while drugging and kidnapping a consenting adult, delivering him to shadowy men on a dock, and sailing away with a clean conscience.
That's not heroism. That's hypocrisy with a kidnapping charge.
My heart goes out to Lawrence Blake, Benjamin Cavendish, Charles Ashe, and all other members of Fratres Seminis—the REAL victims of this book. A message for you, my boys: what you're doing isn't wrong. It's alright to want to live forever, and it's alright to engage in consensual group sex wit your bros. You guys are doing great and you're not hurting anybody, so don't let any sanctimonious, hypocritical prick tell you there's something wrong with you!
And on that note, let's just say that I really enjoyed the "rituals" these men engage in. Super hot. Totally worth it. Hence, this book gets 4 stars. The only reason I took off 1 star is because Isobel Starling appears to have confused the meaning of villainy for the time being. Let's hope our brothers of the seed get their revenge in next book!
This is the highest rating I've ever given to an Isobel Starling book. We're getting there, buuut we're not quite there yet.
Let's go through the good things:
- Benedict gets a personality.
- There's good smut in this book.
- The plot is quite good.
And very quickly, let's go through the bad:
- Isobel Starling has accidentally turned her main characters into the real villains of this story. And she has no idea.
Sebastian and Benedict reach a mutual understanding: they wanna be together, and they wanna be exclusive. Sebastian vows to earn Benedict's trust, and Benedict agrees to let him. It's good! I do genuinely like the relationship between these two.
HOWEVER, I'm not sure why we're having them do what they're doing here. See, Sebastian has a new task: rescue 18-year-old German nobleman Leopold from his "captors". It's understood by Sebastian that Leopold is being held against his will. That he's brainwashed and is now in the company of a group of "dangerous men" who are taking advantage of his innocence.
But, but. I feel as though nothing could be further from the truth! Leopold wants to be there. He's engaging in perfectly consensual, albeit slightly unorthodox, sex with men he likes. He's of age, he's not being mistreated. In fact, he's having the time of his life. Who the hell are Sebastian and Benedict to decide for him?
It's part of my old issue with Sebastian. He's not a thief for the people. That's what Starling is trying to gaslight us with. He gets paid to steal things back for the original owners, and somehow that's supposed to be enough to claim he's a thief--but he's a good thief!
Worst still in this case, we're talking about a person. He literally knows nothing of Leopold, other than he's been "missing" for a while, and his tutors or whatever, want to get him back. Sebastian is being paid to kidnap a man. And what if Leopold ran away because he was being mistreated by said tutors? What if the men he's having sex with are actually his friends? It's not so far fetched to think that Sebastian is the villain here, and by extension, Benedict.
And this is where Benedict's hypocrisy becomes impossible to ignore. He has spent thirty years agonizing over his own desires: the celibacy, the self-loathing, the desperate pursuit to get the staff of Asclepius FOR HIMSELF. Grudgingly, he achieves acceptance with Sebastian, and the staff remains in his closet, unused. Now that he's finally allowed himself to love Sebastian, you'd think he might extend that same grace to others. You'd be wrong.
His acceptance extends exactly as far as his own bedroom door. The moment he sees other men enjoying the same freedoms he's finally allowed himself, he recoils. It's not debauchery when he does it. It's love. It's not wrong when Sebastian touches him. But Leopold? Those poor gay men whose only sin is liking group sex? Suddenly it's all "dangerous" and "corrupt." It's okay for him to want the staff of Asclepius, but when other men want it, it's occultism and heresy.
When he and Sebastian find Leopold—an 18-year-old man engaging in consensual sex with willing partners—Benedict doesn't see a young man exercising his own autonomy. He sees "debauchery." He sees something "wrong." Never mind that he's doing the exact same things with Sebastian.
The book never calls him on this. It lets him play the hero while drugging and kidnapping a consenting adult, delivering him to shadowy men on a dock, and sailing away with a clean conscience.
That's not heroism. That's hypocrisy with a kidnapping charge.
My heart goes out to Lawrence Blake, Benjamin Cavendish, Charles Ashe, and all other members of Fratres Seminis—the REAL victims of this book. A message for you, my boys: what you're doing isn't wrong. It's alright to want to live forever, and it's alright to engage in consensual group sex wit your bros. You guys are doing great and you're not hurting anybody, so don't let any sanctimonious, hypocritical prick tell you there's something wrong with you!
And on that note, let's just say that I really enjoyed the "rituals" these men engage in. Super hot. Totally worth it. Hence, this book gets 4 stars. The only reason I took off 1 star is because Isobel Starling appears to have confused the meaning of villainy for the time being. Let's hope our brothers of the seed get their revenge in next book!
December 31, 2020
3.5 stars It’s the year 1897, men are not allowed to lay with men.
Benedict Hannan is fifty years old and doesn’t want to be touched, only, being near Sebastian Cavell gives his skin opposite sensations. He yearns to be touched by him.
Cavell is thirty-five years old and among other things he’s a thief, he observed Benedict for months before he approached him. He’s smitten by Benedict and sees him as the man he is, who prefers men over women, wise, integer, and attractive.
Benedict has all kinds of feelings for Cavell, he’s is struggling, his religion and his lust don’t combine.
Cavell must find and return a pretty young baron to his parents. He needs Benedict’s help. There is a cult of men using chemicals and lust to hold a young man in their claws. Their leader wants Benedict to join the cult so he can enjoy the fluids of the young beauty. Benedict doesn’t understand why they especially want him.
I didn’t verify it but historically the story felt plausible. This author always writes in a way as if you’re there, in the past, everything is so clearly visible. It’s a widely written narrative, there is a lot going on, quite intriguing, with secret rooms, smugglers tunnels, occultism, spiritualism, theosophy, christianity, rituals, but also aristocrats, ballrooms, tea, beautiful dresses, all in the spirit of that particular time.
While the big picture is good and captivating, the pace of the story was a little slow for me, sometimes I lost my focus. In relation to the intriguing plot, the outcome at the very end was for me a bit disappointing, but that’s on me.
Overall it all made sense, I did enjoy this story and certainly felt the atmosphere of that time.
Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews
Benedict Hannan is fifty years old and doesn’t want to be touched, only, being near Sebastian Cavell gives his skin opposite sensations. He yearns to be touched by him.
Cavell is thirty-five years old and among other things he’s a thief, he observed Benedict for months before he approached him. He’s smitten by Benedict and sees him as the man he is, who prefers men over women, wise, integer, and attractive.
Benedict has all kinds of feelings for Cavell, he’s is struggling, his religion and his lust don’t combine.
Cavell must find and return a pretty young baron to his parents. He needs Benedict’s help. There is a cult of men using chemicals and lust to hold a young man in their claws. Their leader wants Benedict to join the cult so he can enjoy the fluids of the young beauty. Benedict doesn’t understand why they especially want him.
I didn’t verify it but historically the story felt plausible. This author always writes in a way as if you’re there, in the past, everything is so clearly visible. It’s a widely written narrative, there is a lot going on, quite intriguing, with secret rooms, smugglers tunnels, occultism, spiritualism, theosophy, christianity, rituals, but also aristocrats, ballrooms, tea, beautiful dresses, all in the spirit of that particular time.
While the big picture is good and captivating, the pace of the story was a little slow for me, sometimes I lost my focus. In relation to the intriguing plot, the outcome at the very end was for me a bit disappointing, but that’s on me.
Overall it all made sense, I did enjoy this story and certainly felt the atmosphere of that time.
Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews
August 8, 2020
Audio review:
Overall – 5
Story – 5
Performance - 5
I loved this and I'm ready for more.
OMG – the voices that Gary Furlong does in this book! I adore his French accent and the others are pretty good, too. 😊
The Gentleman's Thief is told in first person by Benedict Hannan. It picks up where The Shooting Season left off but you don't need to have read it to understand and enjoy this one. The author recaps all of the necessary details from that story so you won't be lost at all.
The main characters have a bit of an opposites attract relationship. Benedict is ashamed of his desire to be with men. He is an upstanding businessman and has remained celibate for many years. Sebastian Cavell is a man of many faces and is sort of a Robin Hood; he is not ashamed of who he is or of desiring men. The two make a connection and things really start to sizzle by chapter six.
There is a lot of intrigue and mystery, as well as danger, in this captivating story. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger but as much as I want to listen to the next book once it's released, I wasn't left with the overwhelming feeling that I was at the end of book one. This absolutely doesn't mean that I didn't love this story because I did; I think it was actually great writing on the author's part. She left me wanting more but not wanting to strangle her. LOL
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall – 5
Story – 5
Performance - 5
I loved this and I'm ready for more.
OMG – the voices that Gary Furlong does in this book! I adore his French accent and the others are pretty good, too. 😊
The Gentleman's Thief is told in first person by Benedict Hannan. It picks up where The Shooting Season left off but you don't need to have read it to understand and enjoy this one. The author recaps all of the necessary details from that story so you won't be lost at all.
The main characters have a bit of an opposites attract relationship. Benedict is ashamed of his desire to be with men. He is an upstanding businessman and has remained celibate for many years. Sebastian Cavell is a man of many faces and is sort of a Robin Hood; he is not ashamed of who he is or of desiring men. The two make a connection and things really start to sizzle by chapter six.
There is a lot of intrigue and mystery, as well as danger, in this captivating story. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger but as much as I want to listen to the next book once it's released, I wasn't left with the overwhelming feeling that I was at the end of book one. This absolutely doesn't mean that I didn't love this story because I did; I think it was actually great writing on the author's part. She left me wanting more but not wanting to strangle her. LOL
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
May 16, 2023
4.5 stars
Continuing the erotic adventures of my favorite totally repressed yet totally horny protagonist, Benedict Hannan. I thought he might have lightened up a bit after the climactic events of the first book, but thankfully no. He constantly feels appalled, disgusted, outraged, etc but also aroused, has a big stiffie, his loins are on fire, etc. In other words, he's still a complete hypocrite and I found this juxtaposition hilarious, I mean LOL hilarious. Just me or was that the author's intention?
Ol' Ben may be relaxing somewhat by the end of the book, which brings me to -- where is book 3? This was written three years ago and no sign of the next book, not even an announcement. I hope the author has not abandoned this series, as I'm really looking forward to more!
Other aspects I enjoyed: The MCs spend the book on an adventure, working together, not getting butthurt (sorry) about minutiae and fighting for most of the book. Three cheers for this. Too many MM romances have one or both Ms acting like stereotypical hysterical Fs and getting upset over nothing, and that is all the plot we get. Thank you, Isobel Starling! A mystery involving is 100% preferable to petty arguing.
Gary Furlong is a pitch-perfect narrator. Need to find more books narrated by him.
Continuing the erotic adventures of my favorite totally repressed yet totally horny protagonist, Benedict Hannan. I thought he might have lightened up a bit after the climactic events of the first book, but thankfully no. He constantly feels appalled, disgusted, outraged, etc but also aroused, has a big stiffie, his loins are on fire, etc. In other words, he's still a complete hypocrite and I found this juxtaposition hilarious, I mean LOL hilarious. Just me or was that the author's intention?
Ol' Ben may be relaxing somewhat by the end of the book, which brings me to -- where is book 3? This was written three years ago and no sign of the next book, not even an announcement. I hope the author has not abandoned this series, as I'm really looking forward to more!
Other aspects I enjoyed: The MCs spend the book on an adventure, working together, not getting butthurt (sorry) about minutiae and fighting for most of the book. Three cheers for this. Too many MM romances have one or both Ms acting like stereotypical hysterical Fs and getting upset over nothing, and that is all the plot we get. Thank you, Isobel Starling! A mystery involving is 100% preferable to petty arguing.
Gary Furlong is a pitch-perfect narrator. Need to find more books narrated by him.
February 9, 2021
This begins just from where The Shooting Season ends.
Sebastian shows up at Benedict's door and they are quite enjoying their time together. But Sebastian is trying to find a pretty young baron who vanished from London to return him to his parents. But while doing this they find themselves involved with a cult of homosexual men who believe that the consumption of semen (and a bit os sexual magic) will grant them eternal life.
The cult's leader is someone from Sebastian past, and Euan, Benedict's former lover and the antagonist from book 1, is part of it. All it's tangled with the artefact stolen by Sebastian in the first book, so yes, you probably should read the first story to really get this one completely.
Benedict is still struggling with his desires, although he cannot believe that what he feels while in his lover's arms is a sin, so things are improving :)
The storyline is really interesting and I really enjoyed it. And Gary Furlong does, as always, a great job with the narration.
Sebastian shows up at Benedict's door and they are quite enjoying their time together. But Sebastian is trying to find a pretty young baron who vanished from London to return him to his parents. But while doing this they find themselves involved with a cult of homosexual men who believe that the consumption of semen (and a bit os sexual magic) will grant them eternal life.
The cult's leader is someone from Sebastian past, and Euan, Benedict's former lover and the antagonist from book 1, is part of it. All it's tangled with the artefact stolen by Sebastian in the first book, so yes, you probably should read the first story to really get this one completely.
Benedict is still struggling with his desires, although he cannot believe that what he feels while in his lover's arms is a sin, so things are improving :)
The storyline is really interesting and I really enjoyed it. And Gary Furlong does, as always, a great job with the narration.
August 19, 2020
I'm so happy to be back with Benedict and Sebastian once again! In this second installment in the series we get an adventure and a mystery, but what's most important to me is that we get a continuation of the relationship between Benedict and Sebastian. They are such delightful opposits that attract, Benedict being kind of repressed and cautious when it comes to his attraction to men in general and the free-spirited Sebastian in particular, and Sebastian being, well free-spirited, comfortable with who he is, and rather adventurous. I also love that Benedict is of a mature age.
The villains of this story are interesting and quite horrible and that side of the story is well thought out and interesting.
You don’t have to have read the first book in this series to enjoy this one, but I recommend that you do.
Gary Furlong's narration is absolutely wonderful! His voice is so perfect for this book, his voices for everyone is great, but I especially love his voice for Benedict.
The villains of this story are interesting and quite horrible and that side of the story is well thought out and interesting.
You don’t have to have read the first book in this series to enjoy this one, but I recommend that you do.
Gary Furlong's narration is absolutely wonderful! His voice is so perfect for this book, his voices for everyone is great, but I especially love his voice for Benedict.
September 1, 2020
Really liked this audiobook! Gary Furlong did an amazing job, as he always does, with the accents and emotional impact in every word. The performance was spectacular, masterful, Thrilling. Fell in love with the story so much because of how it was narrated.
This book is so well written, the research behind it is extensive, the language rich and the plot twisting and mysterious.
Benedict is pulled into the erotic cult of Brothers of the Seed, following the evens of the first book, he meets with Sebastian again and they embark in a dangerous tale of secrecy, desire and deception.
I love Sebastian's character, he is so interesting, accomplished and passionate. Benedict is the poor man that got sucked into this and has to fight his way out.
If you love Historical Romance, mystery and at-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense this is definitely the book for you.
This book is so well written, the research behind it is extensive, the language rich and the plot twisting and mysterious.
Benedict is pulled into the erotic cult of Brothers of the Seed, following the evens of the first book, he meets with Sebastian again and they embark in a dangerous tale of secrecy, desire and deception.
I love Sebastian's character, he is so interesting, accomplished and passionate. Benedict is the poor man that got sucked into this and has to fight his way out.
If you love Historical Romance, mystery and at-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense this is definitely the book for you.
June 2, 2021
I should have probably started with the first book, but I don't think I missed too much. The relationship certainly did not seem to be much advanced, and there is a bit of retelling of the prior adventure, so it worked out well enough.
That said, I did not care too much for the writing. I'm not really sure what it is, but I found reading the book somewhat tedious and slow, though it does get a little better over time.
I don't want to spoil too much, but the story is certainly unusual and different, so even though I did not care too much for the characters and thought the storytelling was too superficial, it's at least interesting.
That said, I did not care too much for the writing. I'm not really sure what it is, but I found reading the book somewhat tedious and slow, though it does get a little better over time.
I don't want to spoil too much, but the story is certainly unusual and different, so even though I did not care too much for the characters and thought the storytelling was too superficial, it's at least interesting.
August 18, 2020
~4.5 STARS~
I love the way the author creates a detailed world with mystery and scandal. It’s a wonderful addition to the first and I’m excited for the next installment.
Benedict starts to trust Sebastian and even tries to help him with solving his cases. I love how the two interact together.
I do have some unanswered questions, but the stories not over…
Gary Furlong did an exceptional job. I love the way he expresses emotion and the voices he uses for the characters. I was easily pulled into the story.
I love the way the author creates a detailed world with mystery and scandal. It’s a wonderful addition to the first and I’m excited for the next installment.
Benedict starts to trust Sebastian and even tries to help him with solving his cases. I love how the two interact together.
I do have some unanswered questions, but the stories not over…
Gary Furlong did an exceptional job. I love the way he expresses emotion and the voices he uses for the characters. I was easily pulled into the story.
June 4, 2021
3.5*
I didn’t like that s one as much as I remember liking the first one.
However, I did enjoy Ben and Sebastian again, them fumbling their way to a defined relationship.
The mystery of the missing young man was mor secondary and took them blindly into the world of fraternity sects - it could have all been much worse! Lots of excuses for men to have sex it seems.
And way, lots of historical references to look up which I enjoy though the italics puzzled me.
Will carry on the series.
I didn’t like that s one as much as I remember liking the first one.
However, I did enjoy Ben and Sebastian again, them fumbling their way to a defined relationship.
The mystery of the missing young man was mor secondary and took them blindly into the world of fraternity sects - it could have all been much worse! Lots of excuses for men to have sex it seems.
And way, lots of historical references to look up which I enjoy though the italics puzzled me.
Will carry on the series.
January 18, 2023
Narrated by Gary Furlong, another favorite of mine. I found Benedict to be entirely too anxious and bleating about everything. Caval, the titular thief, is cooler. The plot of this one was unexpected, and I had mixed feelings about the resolution. The ending is rather abrupt, and there is no sign of the promised book 3 yet.
KU + personality
KU + personality
August 16, 2024
I think the author redid the cover on this book. I found the story lacking on many levels. The new covers look AI, but hey, to each they're own. Not sure why the writer changed the covers, but whatever. The story felt really flat. I couldn't shake the feeling the author was trying really hard to be taken seriously but it didn't work for me.
November 1, 2025
60% amazing victorian gay crime caper, 40% non-consenting surprise cult
If there had been content warnings that talked about the sex trafficking and the non-consent and sexual assault, it would have gotten at least another star for me. So here is my CW list for future readers: religious trauma, sexual assault, molestation, sex trafficking, drugged non consent.
If there had been content warnings that talked about the sex trafficking and the non-consent and sexual assault, it would have gotten at least another star for me. So here is my CW list for future readers: religious trauma, sexual assault, molestation, sex trafficking, drugged non consent.
March 27, 2026
I picked the first book up because it was Gary Furlong narrating and Audible fed it to me, and it was a freebie, so sure, I'll try it. I didn't LOVE Book 1 but was interested enough to carry on.
ehhh. It's not for me. Questionable consent practices and the whole cult / Eyes Wide Shut business is...not my thing. Won't be continuing.
ehhh. It's not for me. Questionable consent practices and the whole cult / Eyes Wide Shut business is...not my thing. Won't be continuing.
July 30, 2020
I read and listened to The Shooting Season at the end of last year, and knew I had to read this second book as soon as it came out. The continuation and growth of a relationship between Benedict and Sebastian is everything that I love, and is set against a backdrop that held my attention from the first page to the last. The language alone takes me right back to the end of the 19th Century and this is then combined with richly drawn descriptions of life at that time.
I love any narration by Gary Furlong, but his style definitely suits this author's novels. The rather pompous voice of Benedict is amusing, but then his softer side begins to creep in more often, with an apt change in tone to go with this. I love the way Sebastian calls him "Dear Heart" and how Benedict just seems to melt. The different voices and accents continue to bring all of the characters to life and I particularly adored Leo.
A 5 star story and narration that leave me longing for Book 3 in this series.
I love any narration by Gary Furlong, but his style definitely suits this author's novels. The rather pompous voice of Benedict is amusing, but then his softer side begins to creep in more often, with an apt change in tone to go with this. I love the way Sebastian calls him "Dear Heart" and how Benedict just seems to melt. The different voices and accents continue to bring all of the characters to life and I particularly adored Leo.
A 5 star story and narration that leave me longing for Book 3 in this series.
October 23, 2025
Another excellent installment in The Resurrectionist series! I love how much was revealed, which parts were kept a mystery, and the development of the central relationship.
I’m quite looking forward to continuing!
I’m quite looking forward to continuing!
May 10, 2025
Idk what I thought this book was gonna be about, but men believing that consuming each others semen is the key to immortality wasn’t even on the list of possibilities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2025
The premise is utterly ridiculous but I want to know what happens next and I like the MC’s. If you don’t think too much about what you’re actually reading it’s enjoyable
March 3, 2026
Super enjoyable. Get it.
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