Death at the Emerald (Lady Frances Ffolkes Mystery #3)

by R. J. Koreto

Overview

Amateur sleuth Lady Frances Ffolkes investigates an actress’ mysterious vanishing—only to uncover a pandora’s box of secrets
 
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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683313380
Publisher:	CROOKED LANE BOOKS
Publication date:	11/07/2017
Series:	Lady Frances Ffolkes Series , #3
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	339,127
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Like his heroine, Frances Ffolkes, R. J. Koreto is a graduate of Vassar College. He has spent most of his career as a financial journalist. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America, and his work has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. He lives in New York, NY. This is his third Lady Frances historical mystery following Death Among Rubies.

Editorial Reviews

09/18/2017
In Koreto’s unremarkable third Edwardian mystery featuring suffragist Lady Frances Ffolkes (after 2016’s Death Among Rubies), Lady Beatrice Torrence, who knew Frances’s late parents, learns that Frances has gained a reputation as a private detective and decides to ask for help locating her missing daughter, Louisa. In 1875, Louisa, then 20, fell in love with the life of the theater, which led her father to plan to ship her off to India to find a husband among the British officers stationed there. Instead, Louisa ran away from home, leaving only a note stating that she would pursue a career on the stage. More than three decades later, Lady Beatrice implores Frances to find out what happened to Louisa, and Frances, aided by her laconic maid, Mallow, tries to pick up the cold trail. Such a plot choice instantly makes the prospect of a successful resolution improbable, and Koreto fails to rise to challenge. In addition, Frances is more a type than a fully realized character. Agent: Cynthia Zigmund, Second City Publishing Services. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Death at the Emerald:
"An intriguing series."
—Deadly Pleasures

"Engaging...A good bet for fans of Rhys Bowen and Kate Saunders and for lovers of Downton Abbey."
—Library Journal

“Beautifully appointed and written with measured authority...A reprinting of an authentic novel from the early 20th century.”
—Kirkus Reviews

"Flawless historical detail and character mannerisms...A delight."
—Historical Novels Review

“R. J. Koreto does not disappoint in the third novel in this series, and we look forward to many more adventures with Lady Frances and Miss Mallow.”
—Manhattan Book Review

Praise for Death Among Rubies:
“Appealing...Koreto nicely blends international intrigue and affairs of the heart.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Koreto’s second case for his title heroine is devilishly clever and written with unmistakable verve.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Koreto skillfully contrasts the feminist milieu of 1907 England with the establishment class structure. Lady Frances and Mallow are an effective pairing.”
—Booklist

“The character dialogue is fantastic. The female leads are simply wonderful...I can tell the writer loves this time period, as he handles the era’s mannerisms and conventions masterfully. All in all, this is a delightful read.”
—Historical Novels Review

"A charming Edwardian mystery with a delightfully unconventional heroine...Fans of Rhys Bowen, Charles Todd and Jacqueline Winspear are sure to enjoy."
—Shelf Awareness

“A very enjoyable series...Koreto has definitely made a mark in the writing world: He is a superb writer of the beloved upstairs/downstairs mystery.”
—Suspense Magazine

“I loved every minute...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!”
—Historical Novel Society, Editor’s Choice

“Is Lady Frances Ffolkes going to be the next hot new thing? I certainly hope so...Here’s to a new cozy heroine to add to your must-read list...May she and her creator march to success.”
—BookReporter

From the Publisher

10/01/2017
Private enquiry agent Lady Frances Ffolkes receives a commission from the elderly mother of a beautiful actress named Helen who disappeared 30 years ago. With the assistance of her trustworthy maid, Mallow, Lady Frances plunges into the Edwardian theater world to find Helen. But someone doesn't want Helen found, as connections to a buried past begin to emerge and one of Helen's old suitors is murdered at the Emerald Theater. Lady Frances and Mallow must upstage a murderer and close the curtain on past conspiracies. Suffragette and bicycle enthusiast Lady Frances is a strong, unconventional female lead, depicted with verve and vigor, and her relationship with Mallow is distinct and remarkable for the period. Koreto also does an excellent job in capturing the mannerisms and social structure of 1906 England. VERDICT Lady Frances's engaging third case (after Death Among Rubies) is a good bet for fans of Rhys Bowen and Kate Saunders and for lovers of Downton Abbey.—ACT

Library Journal