Death on the Sapphire

Lady Frances Ffolkes #1

by R.J. Koreto

An extraordinary woman living in extraordinary times, Lady Frances Ffolkes is an Edwardian-era suffragette who has an uncanny ability to attract danger and romance.

When Major Colcombe, a family friend and war veteran, dies under mysterious circumstances, Lady Frances discovers that he was working on a manuscript about South Africa’s bloody Boer War, which reportedly revealed a scandalous mistake that cost the lives of many brave soldiers. Now, it’s up to Frances and her loyal lady's maid, June Mallow, to track down the missing manuscript and bring the killer to justice. Despite clashes with Scotland Yard and the British Secret Service, Frances never backs down and finds herself in several very unfortunate positions--and one very fortunate love triangle.

Death on the Sapphire is R. J. Koreto's witty and winsome debut of a series that is sure to be fan favorite for years to come.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, Edwardian

292 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 2016

About the author

R.J. Koreto is the author of the Lady Frances Ffolkes mystery series, the Alice Roosevelt mystery series, and the Wren Fontaine Historic Homes series. His short stories have been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

In his day job, he works as a business and financial journalist. Over the years, he’s been a magazine writer and editor, website manager, PR consultant, book author, and seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Like his heroine, Lady Frances Ffolkes, he’s a graduate of Vassar College.

With his wife and daughters, he divides his time between Rockland County, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm trusting you, Franny. I'm giving you this information in return for which you won't get involved in something you shouldn't. Now does that satisfy your curiosity?"

Kinda like puttin' a bowl of colorful M&M's in front of a dazzled toddler. Guaranteed to catch the eye and leave a trail of evidence behind.......

Lady Frances Ffolkes (Don't ya love that spelling, folks?) involves herself in a multitude of life situations here in 1906. She's certainly not typical of the Edwardian ladies of her upper social class who leave their calling cards on sterling silver trays. Frances Ffolkes is associated not only with double consonants, but with double continents as well being a product of England/Europe and of being educated in America. She's a gem of a woman who dabbles in women's suffrage rights and serious causes involving the poor and the voiceless.

Although wrapped in a gorgeous cover, Death on the Sapphire is not a piece of empty fluff. R. J. Koreto hands his heroine a solid and weighty set of circumstances involving a missing manuscript. Frances has been alerted to the theft by her friend, Kat Colcombe, whose brother had written this manuscript before passing away recently. Daniel Colcombe was a member of the Empire Light Horse Brigade involved in the bloody battles of the Boer War in South Africa. Koreto fills us in on the horrors of this war and the incredible impact it had on the British soldiers who fought it.

As the story unfolds, Frances believes that this was no accidental death. The deeper she digs, the higher the smoke wafts. Someone doesn't want anyone else to read what is contained in this manuscript. Koreto arms Frances with a new lady's maid named June Mallow as the two women work together to unmask the thief. Mallow brings a practical voice and a bevy of life experiences to this duo. Both women, on different social levels, run into demeaning male roadblocks so evident during this time period.

Death on the Sapphire is the first book of this series. I'm very intrigued as to what new adventures Lady Frances will find herself facing in the next two books. I've read Koreto's book, Alice & the Assassin, some time back and enjoyed that fictional snippet into the life of mischievous Alice Roosevelt as a young girl. Teddy Roosevelt certainly had his hands full.

Death on the Sapphire has the scaffolding of life typical during the Edwardian period, but it also has the crisp snap of determined women seeking more than just aprons and spotless white gloves. A very entertaining read.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was an excellent introduction to an intrepid heroine and life in 1906 England. Lady Frances Ffolkes is the daughter and sister of a Marquess. However, she doesn't fit very well into the society lady mold. She was sent to America to attend Vassar. Now back home in London, she is living in an exclusive lady's hotel being served by her loyal maid June Mallow. She fills her days with committee meetings and charitable activities. She is a suffragette.

When the sister of a family friend - Major Daniel Colcombe - comes to beg assistance in locating her late brother's manuscript, Franny finds herself in an investigation that has many implications. She learns more about Danny's role in the Boer War and the contents of his missing manuscript.

She also encounters others who want the manuscript for various reasons. Both the Special Branch and the Secret Service are interested in locating it. So are others with different political agendas. Franny's investigations wind their way through the upper classes of Britain.

Franny also is being courted by two very different men. Lord Gareth Blaine is exciting and runs with the fast crowd. Henry Wheaton is the family solicitor and a very successful lawyer. Franny isn't interested in marriage yet which she views as putting an end to her work as a suffragette.

I liked the setting of this mystery. England in 1906 was going through many social changes. Lady Frances is a intriguing combination of the old views of class and privilege and the new more modern equality. She expects that her name and family connections will give her priority with the police who should be delighted to serve her. At the same time, she sees what it is like for the poor when she spends her evenings working in a soup kitchen. Her relationship with her maid also reflects this conflict. June is proud to serve in an upper class family. She delights in her position. She is quick to defend her mistress from those who are too familiar. But Lady Frances and June are also forming a friendship and a partnership in the mystery.

Fans of female amateur detectives and fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this one. I look forward to further adventures for Lady Frances.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Frances Ffolkes has embarrassed her noble family by campaigning for women's suffrage, volunteering at a soup kitchen and moving to a hotel for ladies with only her maid for a chaperone. Conventional Lady Frances is not, but she IS a loyal friend and when a family friend, Kat Colcombe, comes crying for help finding her late brother Daniel's missing manuscript, Lady Frances is only too happy to help. She begins to have her suspicions that Danny, an ex-soldier, did not die in a gun cleaning accident nor did he commit suicide. The manuscript he was working on was a memoir of his service during the Boer War- a war that most people want to forget. Lady Frances vows to obtain justice for Danny and those who died a horrific death in South Africa. As Frances investigates, she attracts the attention of Scotland Yard, the Secret Service, two suitors and who knows how many villains!

This is a fabulous light mystery set in the early 20th century. It is similar to a cozy mystery, not having much violence and no gore with a light romance. Though not set in a small town, the story is similar to a cozy mystery because it features an amateur sleuth and focuses on solving the mystery behind the murder and largely on character development. At first I felt like the reader was dropped into a story in progress. I had questions about why Lady Frances knew the Superintendent and how and where she had been educated. The answers come out slowly as Frances fills other characters in on her backstory. Then I couldn't put it down! I didn't guess who the villain was but I did guess someone else would turn up dead halfway through and who and why. I only gave this 4 stars instead of 5 because of that slow reveal backstory and also because there were too many characters to keep track of and some of the history felt forced into the story and not part of the story. My only other quibble would be that Frances and Mallow spend a LOT of time discussing fashion yet the details are sketchy. What designers is Frances wearing? What exactly do her clothes look like? There are some great resources out there. Let Frances show off her designer gowns!

I love Lady Frances! She's intelligent, feisty, shrewd, with a touch of the naivety that comes from being a woman of her class in her time. She fights for what she wants and knows how to get it. I love how she handles the men who doubt her intelligence and how she is one step ahead of the police. She isn't too modern for her time. She wants to be bold and daring and claim the century as her own, but she is also sometimes really innocent and ignorant at times. I didn't get a sense that Frances was a modern woman plunked down into the Edwardian era. She does resemble women like the Pankhurts. Frances is so kind hearted without being generous to a fault. She wants to solve the world's problems and that may cause her some problems later on.

I also love Mallow! June Mallow is not your typical ladies' maid. She's learned a lot from watching Frances. Frances treats Mallow more like a sister than a servant. They have gotten into mischief together, experienced tragedy and now they are sleuthing partners. She's loyal to Frances but not in a subservient way. I think Mallow enjoys the sleuthing they are doing together in this book. It gives her a chance to use her brains.

Major Daniel Colcombe, the victim, sounds like he was a really great person. Though he was an adventuring type, he was kind, loyal and brave. He went through hell and survived only to get murdered. That is so unfair. Some parts of his story surprised me but others did not.

Frances has two suitors who could not be more different. Lord Gareth is a fun-loving, pleasure seeking second son whose kisses are divine. I did not like him or trust him from their first meeting. Frances seems to trust him but can he keep that trust? Hal is a nerdy solicitor but because of Frances, he has revised his beliefs about what women are capable of, which makes him wonderful in my eyes (Frances agrees). His mother is pushing him towards Frances, that much is obvious, but he kindly plays along with his mother's schemes. He's kind, caring and considerate. Too bad he's kind of nerdy and shy.

The other major characters are government and military men hiding dark secrets that could have led to Danny's missing manuscript and possible murder. None of them were all that appealing and I had a hard time keeping them all straight.

The Inspector on the case is a good foil for Frances. He's wry, observant and doesn't seem to doubt her intelligence. I was surprised by him. Could he be a potential suitor? Not in this book but I'm hoping in the future.

Read this if you love Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries TV series. Frances and Mallow reminded me of Phryne and Dot.

There are some scenes of wartime violence and one barroom brawl scene. There is also hints of men wanting improper things from ladies and a subplot revolving around a child born out of wedlock.

[J. Else · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Frances Ffolkes is an extremely busy woman. Along with chairing the Women’s Political Equality movement, meetings with the Ladies’ Educational Improvement Club, volunteering at the soup kitchen, and managing her own finances while living independently in Edwardian-era London (specifically 1906), she also finds herself hunting for a lost manuscript. After her friend, Major Daniel Colcombe, dies under mysterious circumstances, his war manuscript, a record of his activities during South Africa’s bloody Boer War, goes missing. Lady Frances quickly discovers that it may contain scandalous secrets, and that her friend’s death may not have been an accident. With the help of her loyal maid, June Mallow, Lady Frances goes toe-to-toe with Scotland Yard, the British Secret Service, and greedy politicians in a quest to recover her friend’s stolen war memoir. But there are men following close on Lady Frances’s heels who would do anything to keep the truth about what happened on South Africa’s Sapphire River a secret.

The characters and setting of this book breathe so deeply that readers are easily drawn into the story. The dialogue and character mannerisms build up the novel’s authenticity in an enchanting way. Lady Frances is a thoughtful, witty, and mature woman. While she may be the daughter of a marquess, she works hard and approaches each challenge with sensibility and courage. She’s often undervalued and underestimated for being “just a woman,” but Lady Frances rises to the occasion each time – and I loved every minute. The author never rushes, so plot and character development are things to savor, and leading ladies like Frances are marvelous to read about.

With a memorable heroine, rich atmosphere, and intriguing mystery, Koreto has created a book that will engage and entertain readers. I eagerly await book 2. Highly recommended!

I read this as a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. Review posted via their website at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
APPEARED IN: HNR Issue 77 (August 2016)

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this introduction to a young progressive woman of the Edwardian period who determines that she is the one to help uncover the mystery surrounding the death of a childhood friend as well as the disappearance of a manuscript he had written documenting a particular battle in the Boer War. I will definitely read any following books in this series because it has been quite a while since I have read a book that just made me smile.

[Mary Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not miss this book

A woman before her time brings us into the twentieth century and solves a crime while doing it. So much history of the social strata of the first few years of women’s suffer age.
Lady Francis could be appropriate for this day and age. I can see her leading the “ Me Too Movement” and a woman’s right to chose. Read these books in reverse order and was not disappointed. Looking forward to the fourth book starring Lady Francis fFolks.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first decade of the 20th century, Lady Frances Ffolkes is involved in politics. She is working for women’s right to vote, feeding the hungry as well as several other good causes. But, since this is England, there are many people, mostly men, who want to treat Frances, and all women, as though they are incapable of thought.

When Frances is asked to find a certain book, it introduces her to an entire new side of British Government. And many more men who do not believe women, Frances in particular, can have an intelligent thought.

Frances and her brother, Charles, grew up with Danny. They were all good friends. Danny and her brother were in the army during the Boer War. When Danny returned from the war, he was an invalid, both physically and emotionally. He was never the same. He wrote a book about his experiences in the war. Then Danny died. It could have been an accident, or he may have committed suicide. Or he could have been murdered.

When his sister asks Frances to help find the book Danny was writing, she immediately agrees. That ;agreement leads Frances and her maid Mallow down a rabbit hole.

Evidently someone, who is a power in the government, does not want the book to be found or to be published.

Frances is a very intelligent woman. And fortunately her maid, Mallow, is also a very intelligent woman. Between the two of them, they are able to solve puzzles and find the correct answers.

Frances went to the United States and attended Vassar College for Women. In England it would have been difficult for her to attend a university. She learned many things at Vassar, but the most important things were how to think analytically as well as how to reason through a problem.. All that she learned has served her well.

Mallow grew up in a poor area of London, and she learned many things. Most importantly she learned how to learn and how to put herself forward in order to move up in the world.

These two women are a team to be admired.

There are many interesting secondary characters in this story. Each of them add a new dimension to the story. The reader is introduced to the different areas of the British government. The reader also learns that holding on to power is a good motive for murder.

There are many powerful men who are interested in acquiring the book. There are many powerful men who do not want anyone to find the book.

Frances does not trust very many people. Slowly she does learn that there are good men who support her ideas about changing England. There are also men who want to find a murderer and bring justice for Danny. It takes her some time, but Frances does find a few good men.

This is a very well done mystery. There are a great number of characters, so the reader must be very alert to who is who. The plot moves along at a good pace. And the reader is a participant in the steps toward a solution.

I am a fan of historical British mysteries. This book is a fine example of the genre.

R J Koreto is a new to me author. I have enjoyed this book very much and I find there are at least two more books about Frances, Mallow and a mystery.

[Diane Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in London, 1906

Lady Frances Ffolkes is a very independent and modern lady for her time. She speaks on women's suffrage, works in a soup kitchen, and is always looking for ways to improve the lives of those less fortunate. She also controls her own finances and lives in a residence hotel for ladies, mostly for the freedom it gives her.

The story begins with a missing manuscript after the death of a family friend. The manuscript concerned a battle and a group of soldiers during the Boer Wars. Frances and her maid, June Mallow, go about solving the mystery.

I found the mystery to be rather ho-hum. The reader isn't given all the clues, it's more of a reveal. It also became a little silly towards the end. But my biggest complaint is that I felt I was constantly being instructed about customs and society during Edwardian times.

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Nancy H]

With a heroine every bit as wonderful as Maisie Dobbs or Kate Shackleton, this story is set in early twentieth-century London. When Lady Frances Ffolke learns of the mysterious death of a friend of her brother, and a missing manuscript which would damage many reputations in high society circles of London, she decides to investigate. She is already in some disgrace with her family because of her suffragist views and choice of living independently, but this life style gives her the freedom to track down the solution to several deaths and to locate the missing manuscript. Of course, along the way, she just happens to meet some eligible bachelors who just might possibly make her change her views on marriage.

[Deb Haggerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Underestimate the Power of a Determined Woman

R. J. Koreto has written a delightful book about an even more delightful heroine. Lady Frances Ffolkes, Fanny to her friends, sets out to find the manuscript her dear friend, Danny Colcombe, was writing when he died, and which was stolen from his home. And off we are on an adventure. The logic of Sherlock Homes wrapped up in a petite noblewoman. What fun! Five stars.

[Linley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to chill on the sofa. This novel tries a little hard, but the net result is fun (and I would love the publisher to fix the awful cover picture!)

Recommended to older readers who like their main character to have some oomph!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read novels and am always on the lookout for one that is clean with fun characters and a good story. This answered all of them (and I only bought it because I liked the cover!). I also bought the 2nd one in the series so have something to look forward to.

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining and atmospheric Edwardian mystery. Full review for Shelf Awareness.

[Sharon Schlegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I hope there are more in the series.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Frances Ffolkes, sister of Charles Seaforth, 7th Marquess of Seaforth took the opportunity of her brother’s marriage to move from the family home to enjoy residence at Miss Plimsoll’s Residence Hotel for Ladies with her lady’s maid, Miss June Mallow. Lady Frances loves her independence as she had her first taste during her college years in America. She fills her days volunteering at the Ladies’ Christian Relief Guild soup kitchen and participating in the League for Women’s Political Equality and various clubs and associated committees. The intrigue begins when a manuscript is discovered missing after the death of Major Daniel (Danny) Colcombe. Has the manuscript been destroyed or will secrets about the Boer War finally be shared with the public?

Character delights, investigation highlights, and a touch of romance:
• The independent and adventurous nature of Lady Frances.
• Lady Frances and Miss Mallow have a formal relationship in public but more of a companion and friend in private yet Miss Mallow always defers to a formal response to Lady Frances if there is any question of proper reply or circumstance.
• The unwavering decision by Lady Frances to find the missing manuscript and the steps of her investigation
• In a British cozy mystery, the amateur sleuth generally interacts with a local police constable or inspector but this investigation includes conversations with the elite at Scotland Yard, Special Branch, War Office, and retired military officers that provided different catalysts and red herrings.
• I always applaud when the romantic sparks that light up a sleuth’s face are with a gentleman or triangle other than a detective. Kudos for the sparkling selections for Lady Frances.

Lady Frances and Miss Mallow reminded me of Lady Cecilia Bates and her friendship with Miss Jane Hughes although Miss Hughes is not in direct service to Lady Bates as created by Eliza Casey (pseudonym of Amanda McCabe) in the Manor Cat Mysteries. I recommend adding both series to your tbr list. I’m up-to-date on the Manor Cat Mysteries so I can’t wait to spend more time with Lady Frances and Miss Mallow.

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book but nothing noteworthy or reread able

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In DEATH ON THE SAPPHIRE BY RJ KORETO we get acquainted with Lady Frances (Frannie to her friends) Ffolkes Lady Francis is a young woman who is well into the suffragette movement , a titled lady who serves soup to the poor and who is very set in her ways both in her private life as well as her public. In DEATH ON THE SAPPHIRE, Lady Frances good friend Major Colcombe dies and a manuscript he has been working on disappears. Lady Frances tries to find the missing manuscript and in the process stirs up a hornets nest that reaches all the way up and thru the Special Branch. She has also proved that her friend did not die of natural causes nor was it suicide but murder. Lady Frances and her maid June Mallow join together to find the manuscript but uncover a plot that will rattle the Kingdom. I am more that happy I found a new A list author and a character that I can enjoy over and over again

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Frances Ffolkes has a college degree from Vassar, is passionate about women's suffrage and social welfare, and does many things a gently brought up lady ought not.

When a friend asks her help to find a stolen manuscript, written by a recently deceased veteran of the Boer War, Frances is on the case. While she has never investigated anything, she has an alert and noticing eye, a tidy, organized mind, an understanding of humanity, and June Mallow, her lady's maid. Really, it's all she needs to find out what is behind the theft...

First in a series of Edwardian mysteries featuring Lady Frances and Mallow.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Frances (Franny) Fflokes is independent of her family and living with her Lady's Maid, June Mallow, in Miss Plimsole's Hotel for Ladies.

When a friend of the family's dies by gunshot wound and his brutally honest manuscript from the Boer War goes missing, Franny is asked to find it.

In between her investigation she attends Suffragist meetings, works in a soup kitchen, & begins an acquaintance with two very different men.

The book was well written, flowed nicely, had likable characters, and was easy to read.

I was surprised to learn that the author is male, like C.W. Gortner, Koreto does well with a woman protagonist!

I have already begun to read the 2nd in the series.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1906, and Lady Frances Ffolkes is an unconventional young lady—she wants women to be treated as equals, and to be given the right to vote. She and her intrepid maid, Mallow, are determined to solve the mystery of a missing manuscript, despite all of the obstacles presented by men who think they should stay out of such dangerous business. An excellent historical mystery with engaging characters.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a captivating historical mystery! This book was simple yet clever and I felt very submersed into this world. I love that Lady Frances is intelligent, independent, and strong-willed, yet she’s also kind, compassionate, and caring. There are some really lovable characters and also some horrible villains which made the story was enchanting and also fun! I thought this was a very enjoyable cozy mystery.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series I really enjoy. I like the time period and the characters, strong women, but very pleasant. The mysteries are fun. The author gives us good info of the times and is a good writer. I read Death at the Emerald first. I even like this one better, and I have ordered Death Among Rubies and it is on the way 👏

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a while. I love reading books set in the Edwardian period. This one has a wonderful heroine and a great plot. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[Linda Huigens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was full of humor and intrigue. I will look for similar books by this author.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love finding a good new series.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love with this fiesty suffragist, woman ahead of her time. Oh, and she solves mysteries. I liked the way she thought of other people below her rank and tried to help them.

[Misaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every words in this book!　I loved all thr aspects of this story and charming characters. Lady Frances Ffolkes is absolutely and entirely my favorite character, indeed.

[Brianne Lawton-O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy the historical genre, particularly those based in England and loved that this had the added bonus of mystery in it. Great story line and plot; kept me engaged during my long commute!!

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intelligent, humble Lady Franny. Move over Ms Marple. Delightful read