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A Matter of Love and Death: A Jack and Frances 1930s mystery
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 20, 2026
While we have Frances, a telephone exchange operator, and Jack, the owner of a night club, coming together to solve a crime, the main attraction of this novel to me was the setting which is so beautifully done.
This is Adelaide, South Australia in the Great Depression. Yes, there is poverty among some of the characters of the novel. Not the grinding poverty of not knowing how to put a meal on the table, or indeed of how to keep a roof over the family. This is more the more ordinary poverty where you watch every penny spent; you make a meal for two stretch to four; you do almost anything to keep a job because your pay is what keeps your life possible; and you do all this while still helping neighbours, and those in really bad situations. In other words, the experience of millions of people all over the world in those years of the early 1930s.
Although I admit I am old, I am not old enough to have experienced those times. But the patterns of speech and the easy introduction of what were common enough sayings and slang usages of those times I can vouch for as they were the way of speech for those of my parents friends who were old enough to have experienced the 1920s and the Depression. It's pure nostalgia for me to see again terms like "ear-wigging", "chin-wag", "between you, me and the lamp post" and many others. The term "boss-cocky" may have weathered the test of time as I am sure I have heard it much more recently. For those who need it, there is a handy glossary at the end of the book.
Anyone who lived in an Australian rural or regional area as recently as the 1950s or even early 1960s will understand about the local telephone exchange where calls were routed by skilled operators rather than today's automatic exchange. It was a common belief, probably mostly apocryphal, that the girls at the exchange listened to calls as an amusement when not busy. As an operator, Frances doesn't want to be accused of "listening in" which would certainly lead to her dismissal.
And yet, Frances did hear something that might have to do with a major crime. And that is the main theme of the novel. She worries about how to sort matters out without appealing to the authorities, which might cause her to lose her job. Fortunately she makes a friend in Jack who proves to be a rock that she can rely upon.
In brief, it is more than satisfactory as a light detective novel. It is excellent as a slice of the times in what was then a more minor Australian city.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is Adelaide, South Australia in the Great Depression. Yes, there is poverty among some of the characters of the novel. Not the grinding poverty of not knowing how to put a meal on the table, or indeed of how to keep a roof over the family. This is more the more ordinary poverty where you watch every penny spent; you make a meal for two stretch to four; you do almost anything to keep a job because your pay is what keeps your life possible; and you do all this while still helping neighbours, and those in really bad situations. In other words, the experience of millions of people all over the world in those years of the early 1930s.
Although I admit I am old, I am not old enough to have experienced those times. But the patterns of speech and the easy introduction of what were common enough sayings and slang usages of those times I can vouch for as they were the way of speech for those of my parents friends who were old enough to have experienced the 1920s and the Depression. It's pure nostalgia for me to see again terms like "ear-wigging", "chin-wag", "between you, me and the lamp post" and many others. The term "boss-cocky" may have weathered the test of time as I am sure I have heard it much more recently. For those who need it, there is a handy glossary at the end of the book.
Anyone who lived in an Australian rural or regional area as recently as the 1950s or even early 1960s will understand about the local telephone exchange where calls were routed by skilled operators rather than today's automatic exchange. It was a common belief, probably mostly apocryphal, that the girls at the exchange listened to calls as an amusement when not busy. As an operator, Frances doesn't want to be accused of "listening in" which would certainly lead to her dismissal.
And yet, Frances did hear something that might have to do with a major crime. And that is the main theme of the novel. She worries about how to sort matters out without appealing to the authorities, which might cause her to lose her job. Fortunately she makes a friend in Jack who proves to be a rock that she can rely upon.
In brief, it is more than satisfactory as a light detective novel. It is excellent as a slice of the times in what was then a more minor Australian city.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 19, 2026
I am loving these Jack and Frances books! Warm and emotional, but not too sappy, with a bit of mystery thrown in. This is the first of the series, and mostly serves as the set up for the other volumes. Fortunately/unfortunately, I accidentally picked up the 2nd volume first, but it wasn't a problem as a stand alone novel. Depression era Australia is the setting, Frances is a telephone operator and 'Uncle' Sal and Frances' mother are all welcome additions to the story. In addition, Frances has a lodger, Phil, who takes her to the Top Note nightclub. Frances has overheard a suspicious conversation while working and she's in a quandary. If she reports it, it is a breach of confidentiality and illegal, but she is compelled to act. and she recognizes that Jack, the nightclub owner/operator is someone she can perhaps trust, and takes him into her confidence. The rest is a dangerous hunt for a potential criminal. I would recommend this series, in particular this book, to anyone looking for a mystery - cozy and maybe a bit of not so cozy. All good fun!
This ARC was provided by BookSirens and the publisher, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.
This ARC was provided by BookSirens and the publisher, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.
July 19, 2026
Depression era in Australia in the 1930's we find Francis, a woman working to keep her home. She lives there with her mom, her retired magician Uncle Sal and border Phil. She is a switchboard operator and that brings warm happy memories to me, personally, because that is a job I had for ten years. What Francis hears is two people planning a murder. If she tells her boss, she will loose her job. What she does do is tell nightclub owner Jack and together they go about town trying to find the who, where and why of a murder plot to stop it from coming to fruition. The every day lives and character interaction brings you into their home. A smooth and catchy story line. There will be more trips into the world of fiction and I am hoping it will be more than three books!
August 25, 2026
Mixed signal murder
This Great Depression era cozy is a fabulous read. Although I will admit I did have to pause to google some of the Aussie slang lol. It does start off a bit slow as we are introduced to Frances and her family but the world building is wonderful and on point. The juxtaposition between the haves and the struggling was something else. I cannot imagine living through that era. I loved Jack he’s a bit of an enigma but he dapper and clever and handsome. Love when the two worlds cross that of Frances and her family quiet, working and just getting by and Jack night club owner, wealthy, a but flashy, rough yet incredibly kind. The mystery is a head scratcher and quite a clever concept for sure. I enjoyed this book very much!
This Great Depression era cozy is a fabulous read. Although I will admit I did have to pause to google some of the Aussie slang lol. It does start off a bit slow as we are introduced to Frances and her family but the world building is wonderful and on point. The juxtaposition between the haves and the struggling was something else. I cannot imagine living through that era. I loved Jack he’s a bit of an enigma but he dapper and clever and handsome. Love when the two worlds cross that of Frances and her family quiet, working and just getting by and Jack night club owner, wealthy, a but flashy, rough yet incredibly kind. The mystery is a head scratcher and quite a clever concept for sure. I enjoyed this book very much!
August 16, 2026
This series is a mixed bag. As the first book in the series it dealt with establishing the main characters and setting up the balance of sleuthing and sexual tension.
The murder mystery was a distant second. I downloaded the next book iin hopes that the next adventures of Jack and Frances would have more body.
The murder mystery was a distant second. I downloaded the next book iin hopes that the next adventures of Jack and Frances would have more body.
August 17, 2026
I received a free copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review. This book was a wonderful surprise! I loved the plot and the characters. It is written in a light, engaging style that holds your attention from start to finish. The historical details about daily life during that era, the alcohol prohibition, and post-war restrictions were fantastic. It was a great and easy read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews