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Death on the Sapphire: A Lady Frances Ffolkes Mystery

Review

Death on the Sapphire: A Lady Frances Ffolkes Mystery

It’s always refreshing to find a first-time novelist introducing us to a cozy detective series. It’s every author’s dream to see their book move up the bestseller list and, better yet, have fans clamoring for the next one. Is Lady Frances Ffolkes going to be the next hot new thing? I certainly hope so.

Lady Frances Ffolkes lives in England just as the British Empire is dramatically changing from aristocratic rule to a more working class society following World War I. The heir to a title, she and her brother, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, live in one of the great houses and enjoy all the privileges that go with it. However, Frances has just returned from America after earning a degree from Vassar. She chooses to move out of the estate to live in the very respectable Miss Plimsoll's Residence Hotel for Ladies in London. She ably manages her own finances but takes one of her family’s household maids, June Mallow (old habits die hard), whom she elevates to lady’s maid. This is a big step in those days for young women who go into service. Miss Mallow finds her new job with Frances unlike any traditional lady’s maid as she becomes what would be referred to in later years as a sidekick.

"DEATH ON THE SAPPHIRE works as a historical novel and a cozy detective story that, if one was to compare it to another of its kind, might be reminiscent of Elizabeth Peters’ series of mysteries starring Amelia Peabody. "

Frances has developed a bit of an American attitude at Vassar and jumps into the suffragette movement. In her spare time, between board meetings and fundraisers, she volunteers at a homeless shelter. She yawns at the idea of attending teas and social soirees designed for single women of her status to meet a suitable mate.

DEATH ON THE SAPPHIRE revolves around finding the stolen manuscript left by a friend of Frances’ brother, who purportedly died in a gun accident or committed suicide. Family and friends believe that he was murdered because he was known to be writing about a hushed-up incident that occurred during the Boer War when he was an officer in Africa. Frances, friend of the dead man’s sister, is called in to help settle the estate and comes across some evidence that points to murder. With her many connections among Members of Parliament and her forthright attitude, she marches straight to Scotland Yard --- something that is just not done for single young women --- and presses her point to England’s stalwart and singularly male bastion of law enforcement.

R. J. Koreto seems to tick all the boxes with this lively protagonist: An adventurous and fearless young woman forging her way in a man’s world. A locale and time familiar and perhaps wistfully mourned by fans who might have binge-watched “Downton Abby” and other British female detective cozies. DEATH ON THE SAPPHIRE works as a historical novel and a cozy detective story that, if one was to compare it to another of its kind, might be reminiscent of Elizabeth Peters’ series of mysteries starring Amelia Peabody. This is not to say that Frances is in any way derivative, but there is some of that same humor and surprise as she marches forward into her venture that made Amelia so much fun.

Here’s to a new cozy heroine to add to your must-read list. Of course, there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, so we can be rest assured that Lady Frances Ffolkes will be back. May she and her creator march to success.

Reviewed by Roz Shea on July 15, 2016

Death on the Sapphire: A Lady Frances Ffolkes Mystery
by R. J. Koreto