The Mystery of the Missing Frenchman: A Historical Mystery Women by H.L. MarsayMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Based on the real-life policewoman Dorothy Peto, this series has settled down into a pleasant cosy detective series with less emphasis on the accurate historical detail, although it is still there, just not so prominent. Dorothy has been seconded to Scotland Yard during WW1 to assist while so many men are on the Front. A charming Frenchman, Colonel Cartier approaches Scotland Yard on a delicate matter, his cousin the Marquis de Nagay has disappeared in London, together with three rather fine sapphires worth £50,000. Meanwhile, London is being plagued by a spate of thefts of jewellery from members of the aristocracy who are all baying for Scotland Yard to find their heirlooms.
They discover that the Marquis left London to visit Yorkshire and the home of Lady Birkbeck, the mother of a former school friend who was killed at the Somme, he was also expected to visit a local factory in which he had a substantial investment. Following her son's death, lady Birkbeck has thrown herself into trying to save other young men, even giving over most of her home to house a hospital for wounded soldiers.
As they try to track down the elusive Marquis Dorothy and the Colonel find themselves embroiled with Communists, Irish republicans, criminals, mysterious bandaged men, and men dodging conscription.
I enjoyed this, I suspected what had happened (although I got some of the logistics wrong). However, I did think Dorothy was a bit gullible.
Looking forward to the next one.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
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