Cat Sebastian

This is something new I am trying out to provide more content, as well as write about things I love and that spark joy. So some of the book posts are being posted before the day I wrote them just to add content. Today is actually Aug 17, 2025 and I just finished The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian. Cat is an author whose name was dropped in some conversation or chat at some point and I kept it in my brain. Cat writes, usually, queer historical fiction. Her books are such a pleasure to read. The writing is easy, the stories and characters are super engaging, and the bedroom exploits are never explicit - except in a somewhat historical manner. Here is a lay out of the books I have read of hers...so far.

I'm not sure how she maps out her books and her writing. My experience with them is that she writes a book, likes the possibilities of a side character and the next book is about that character. So the first grouping of books that I read is called the Sedgwick Series. It starts with "It Takes Two to Tumble" which tells the story of ... well her description on her website sums it up perfectly, as well as giving you an idea of her style. She says "it is the story of a free spirited vicar and a grumpy sea captain. It's basically a gay, regency Sound of Music, with far fewer children and no musical numbers." It is the story of Ben Sedgwick (vicar) and Philip Dacre (sea captain).  What follows is "A Gentleman Never Keeps Score" which is the story of Hartley Sedgwick and Sam Fox who end up doing a crime to get back some paintings. The last in the series is "Two Rogues Make a Right" featuring Will Sedgwick and his best friend Martin Easterbrook. It is a classic friends to lovers story. I read these in October, and November of 2021, and July of 2022. While these all deal with gay male to male relationships, there is some diversity in other characters.

The next series I read in 2023 was the Turner Series. I started with book #2 which shows that these do not need to be read in any sort of order. They are all stories within the same universe, as it were. The first book in this series is "The Soldier's Scandal", again taking place in the Regency era, and in London (and neighboring areas). This features an opposites attract story with Jack Turner, a man who grew up poor, and Oliver Rivington. The second book is "The Lawrence Browne affair." about Georgie Turner, a con man, who works as a secretary for Lawrence Browne who is unwilling to leave the estate he lives on. Sparks fly. The final book (sort of) is "The Ruin of a Rake." This book doesn't have any specific Turner in it, but two side characters from The Lawrence Browne Affair. This last book has two female leads - a maid from The Soldier's Scandal, and a lady companion. It is a short, light read - A Little Light Mischief. This last novel I read this year, while the others I read all in 2023.

The next two series are only two books each (so far). Continuing the Regency Era books, she came out with the London Highwaymen books. The first is The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, the follow-up is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes. I read Queer Principles back in March, while I just finished Perfect Crimes. I would recommend reading them back to back because Crimes is somewhat an alternate telling of Queer Principles...or at least they have an overlap in time and story. So they fit really well together. And while Perfect Crimes focuses on a straight appearing relationship, both of the lead characters have had same-sex experiences and I feel it queers their growing relationship. 

Finally the last series that I have read is the Page & Sommers series. This is a two book series, so far, and takes place in the 1940's rural England, towards the end of WWII. Hither Page introduces us to Leo Page (somewhat of a spy, or at least doing underground government work for England), who ends up in a small town and needs a place to stay. James Sommers, the village doctor who is a veteran who dealing with some demons from the war, allows him to stay in his house. From there a mystery is taking place, as well as a growing romance. These two leads also figure out a mystery in the second book The Missing Page. Sebastian's tag line for this series is "Agatha Christie, but make it gay." And she does. Utterly charming books. So charming that I read both books back to back finishing Jan 3 of this year. 

Finally she has a single book named "You Should Be So Lucky" which was another really enjoyable read. 1960's Baseball season with a rookie to a new team - Eddie O'Leary, who has a reporter - Mark Bailey, who is trying to write a cover story about him. There is, as usual, budding romance between them but now in 1960's American sports. Again, I thought it was charming and really sweet. Some great characters. Plus I read it in July which is baseball season.

If you look at her website, she has a couple other books out. Another solo book that is on my list, a few more series including what looks to be a standard male/female romance series...but you never know with Sebastian. If you are looking for something new, quick, and fun to read - take a look for her works. I would recommend stopping by the Irreverent Bookworm in Mpls - an independant queer bookstore that is also just charming as heck.