Death Among Rubies: A Lady Frances Ffolkes Mystery

Death among Rubies, the second installment in R.J. Koreto’s Lady Frances Ffolkes Mysteries will not be a disappointment to those who loved her first.

Koreto masterfully tackles the mores and language of Victorian Britain and gives the reader insight into the many issues an independent woman would have faced at that time.

Lady Frances is an attractive, aristocratic woman who has caused quite a stir in her circles by living alone and doing work for the suffragette cause. While traveling with her friends, Gwen and Thomasina, back to Gwen’s family’s country estate, Frances finds herself once more caught up in a murder investigation when Gwen’s father is found stabbed with a Turkish blade in his study during a house party. To make matters even worse, Thomasina has received vicious threats to expose her and Gwen’s relationship and thus destroy her reputation and call into question her suitability to inherit the estate. Lady Frances must once more do her best to convince the local police that her deductions are valid. Luckily, this time she has Scotland Yard on her side.

I was quite surprised to discover that the author, Koreto, is, in fact, a gentleman. He has created female characters who are quick witted, intelligent, and determined, and I applaud him! I cannot wait to see what Lady Frances gets up to next!