Author: R. J. Koreto
Series: Frances Ffolkes Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (November 7, 2017)
Description: One-named stunning actress Helen mysteriously vanished 30 years ago. An elderly family friend is unable to bear not knowing any longer and commissions Lady Frances Ffolkes to track her down. Taking on the role of Lady Sherlock, with her loyal maid Mallow drafted as her Watson, Frances finds herself immersed in the glamorous world of Edwardian theater and London’s latest craze―motion pictures.
As Frances and Mallow make their way through the theaters, they meet colorful figures such as George Bernard Shaw and King Edward II. Tracking the theaters seems like a dead end. That is until one of Helen’s old suitors is suddenly murdered. With the stakes raised, Frances and Mallow work quickly to uncover a box of subtle clues to Helen’s whereabouts. But someone unexpected wants that box just as badly and is willing to kill to keep it shut.
The stage is set for murder and Frances and Mallow are determined to unravel the decades-old conspiracy in Death at the Emerald, R. J. Koreto’s third installment in the captivating Lady Frances Ffolkes mysteries.
My Thoughts: Lady Frances Ffolkes and her intrepid maid/assistant Miss Mallow have another case. Lady Torrance has heard about Frances's previous cases and has hired her to locate her daughter who ran away from home about thirty years earlier.
Lady Frances's investigations take her into London's theater world where Louisa fled taking the stage name of Helen. While Frances finds men who loved her, Helen is long gone. When Helen learns that one of the men who loved her has been killed, she knows that she is on the right track.
Lady Frances and Mallow investigate and try to retrace Helen's path. There are secrets within secrets in this story complicated by the fact that theater folks are used to illusions, secrets, and disguises. Meanwhile, Frances is considering how her work as London's first female private investigator is going to mesh with her marriage to a prominent solicitor.
The setting was great. I enjoyed the mystery and thought it was a nicely complex story. I enjoyed the glimpse into the motion picture industry. I also enjoy that Frances is a suffragist while still being part of the upper class and not even really realizing how privileged her life is.
Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this one.
Favorite Quote:
She thought of Mary's impending motherhood. Mothers were a theme here. Lady Torrence, losing her daughter as an adult, and Emma Bradley's mother, losing her daughter as a child. And some mother losing the baby they found in Helen's grave.I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
It would no doubt become clear later. Meanwhile, it was back on her bicycle to the suffrage meeting.
This sounds like "my cup of tea" as I like lady sleuths, mysteries and historical settings.
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