Death at the Emerald: A Frances Ffolkes Mystery
Author: R. J. Koreto
Genres: Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publication date: 7 November 2017
Hardcover: 272 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1683313373/EBook ASIN: B06XWF3K5Z
Synopsis:
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.
Character Guest Post by R. J. Koreto
I am Lady Frances Ffolkes, whose adventures in turn-of-the-century London have been recounted in three books written by R.J. Koreto. As this is a blog devoted to books, I thought it would be a good idea to present an annotated collection of some of my favorite books.
1. Middlemarch, by George Eliot. With more than 300,000 words, it's not everyone's cup of tea. But the richness of the characters and Eliot's uncanny insights into the human condition make every one of those words worth it. It's a pity Eliot had to publish under a man's pen name to be taken seriously.
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arthur Conan Doyle. I count Sir Arthur as one of my friends, and we once spent a most entertaining afternoon discussing different ways to poison people. I suggested to my invaluable maid and assistant June Mallow that she may want to read some Sherlock Holmes stories. She said she was happy to help me solve murders, but didn't want to read about murders in her spare time. I sympathize.
3. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Few authors are more entertaining to read out loud than Dickens. Last Christmas, I read it out loud to Mallow. She knew the poverty Dickens describes more than I ever could, and was deeply moved. I confess we both cried at the end when Scrooge was converted and Tiny Tim lived.
4. Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. It was my great privilege to be born in London, the most civilized city in the world. So I think of the last lines a lot: "But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before." I did get to meet Mr. Twain (actually, Mr. Clemens) briefly while I was in America and enjoyed discussing the book with him. My fiancé, Hal Wheaton, says this is his favorite novel. Young Finn has a point: It might be fun to not be civilized.
5. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. There's no question that women have insights into characters men don't. This was another book I read out loud to Mallow. She never did warm to Mr. Darcy and said he wasn't very pleasant, which is no doubt true. She said if she had her choice, she'd rather marry Mr. Bingley, and I'm not sure she's wrong. I told Mallow that Hal was like Mr. Bingley, only intelligent, and she said, "I'm sure you're right, my lady."
About The Author
R.J. Koreto is the author of the Lady Frances Ffolkes mystery series, set in Edwardian England, and the Alice Roosevelt mystery series, set in turn-of-the-century New York. 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.
Connect with R. J. Koreto via his Website (includes a sign-up form for his weekly newsletter), Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
Purchase Death at the Emerald: A Frances Ffolkes Mystery by R. J. Koreto via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Indiebound.
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