When Maidens Mourn vs Where Serpents Sleep: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Sebastian Saint Cyr, London, Fiction
When Maidens Mourn
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Regency England, August 1812: Sebastian St Cyr's plans to escape the heat of London for a honeymoon are shattered when the murdered body of Hero's good friend Gabrielle Tennyson is discovered drifting in a battered boat…
Where Serpents Sleep
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Fourth in the “moody and atmospheric” historical mystery series starring “a troubled but compelling antihero.”(Booklist)London, 1812. The brutal slaughter of eight young prostitutes in a house of refuge near Covent…
Side by side
The verdict
- Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
- When Maidens Mourn has the widest readership — 295 ratings behind its score.
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Scores by source
| When Maidens Mourn | Where Serpents Sleep | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | 3.9 (16) | 3.9 (14) |
| Apple Books | 4.5 (295) | 4.5 (251) |
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Reception
| When Maidens Mourn | Where Serpents Sleep | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 295 | 251 |
| Editions | 1 | 3 |
| Pages | 352 | 341 |
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Questions readers ask
Which is rated higher: When Maidens Mourn or Where Serpents Sleep?
When Maidens Mourn has the higher combined reader rating across sources (When Maidens Mourn 4.4/5, Where Serpents Sleep 4.4/5).
Which is shorter to read: When Maidens Mourn or Where Serpents Sleep?
Where Serpents Sleep is the quickest read. Estimated at 225 words per minute: Where Serpents Sleep (341 pages, ≈ 6 h 19 m); When Maidens Mourn (352 pages, ≈ 6 h 31 m).
Which is harder to read: When Maidens Mourn or Where Serpents Sleep?
Estimated difficulty, based on era, reader shelves and length — When Maidens Mourn: Moderate; Where Serpents Sleep: Moderate.