I really enjoyed this book. It was well written piece of historical fiction. Did Louisa ever really know her husband Elliot. When he died she found out so much about his that she wasn't aware of. A real eye opener. You can't help but feel sorry for her. There are many twists and turns and it very eventful. A very good read and one I would recommend.

Betrayal, Tragedy, Passion and Triumph

The story is set in Ceylon in 1935. Louisa Reeve and her husband Elliot live in the coastal town of Galle. Her life is comfortable and she adores her dashing and handsome husband, but the sorrow of two recent miscarriages and her inability to fall pregnant again are always in the back of her mind. Elliot works with Louisa’s father Jonathan in the sapphire trade but is always full of ideas and schemes on how to broaden his financial interests and is often away from home.

One evening he is killed in a car crash on the road to Colombo while supposedly out sailing with a friend, and the mystery deepens when the police tell Louisa that he was driving his friend’s car. The bottom falls out of her world, and in the aftermath of the tragedy, while she is trying to pick up her life again, she discovers bit by bit that Elliot was not what he appeared to be, that he was a consummate liar and that he had been leading what amounted to a double life. She had loved and trusted him implicitly, and these continuing revelations caused her world to collapse around her all over again.

The title of the book is a dead giveaway, and I was not looking forward to what I expected to be a predictable and underwhelming read that in my mind I had labelled as ‘chick-lit’. It was a pleasant surprise to discover it developing into an intriguing and fascinating tale with twists and turns at every corner, with believable characters, well written and full of substance. It was enjoyable and not too heavy or demanding, and I can recommend it as the ideal book to take with you on a long flight ...

Bennie Bookworm

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Richard and Judy bookclub picks very rarely fall short for me, and this was yet another gem (see what I did there?). Somehow, despite being an avid reader, I have never read a Dinah Jefferies book before so I didn’t know what to expect. This novel was so easy to read, I actually finished it in two days. It was beautifully written, I felt I was in Sri Lanka- the smells, sights and sound were so fully described. I really felt for the characters, and felt this was a brilliant look at a bygone era when men held the cards.

I love Dinah Jefferies novels, mostly for the settings. This book is set in Ceylon in the 1930's. I can still smell and hear the sounds, that the author has portrayed. The story is uplifting and weaves throughout the magical backdrop. This is a book to get lost in and a pleasure to read. I loved the atmosphere that Dinah Jefferies creates. The book is not always as it seems and it has a mystery to it. It is a love story but that is not the only thread. For those who have read other books by the same author, they may recognise the appearance of 'Gwen" from The Tea Planter's Wife, to me this was a lovely touch and it made me feel very connected.

Set in Celon 1935, interesting historical with mystery and romance mixed in. Enjoyed this book, quick read.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley.

This is a historical fiction novel set in Ceylon in 1935, and follows a young married couple called Louisa and Elliot. They have a rocky marriage at times, as Louisa is struggling to carry a child, having had many miscarriages, and Elliot has gambling and drink problems. Louisa couldn't have predicted just what else her husband was hiding from her though. His death in a car crash, when he should have actually been sailing, opens Louisa's eyes, and leads her to question how well she ever really knew her husband at all.

I love how Dinah Jefferies spins mini mysteries into her historical fictions. I love historical fictions, and enjoy the settings and the descriptions in every single book she writes. The mysteries really help pull me into the stories too though. This mystery was no exception, and Elliot was quite the piece of work. I would never have predicted the mess that he left Louisa in, which led to many twists and turns. My mind did go a little into disappointed overdrive though, as I kept over complicating my guesses as to what would happen as the novel went on. This did lead to some disappointment from me on that front, as things were much simpler than what my mind had created.

I did find parts of this story dragged a little. Once I had got past the initial introduction to the book, become settled down in the time period and surroundings and the initial mystery started, the plot took a bit of a dip for me. At times I had to force myself along with the story. This only lasted for around ten percent of the book though. Then things really started to heat up again, as the true measure of just how terrible a person Elliot had been, really came to light.

I love Dinah Jefferies writing, and I can't wait to get stuck into more of her wonderful settings and mysteries. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a historical fiction set somewhere totally unique, and enjoys mysteries too.

Louisa is married to Elliott and living in Ceylon. Elliott is working with her father polishing and sourcing gems but also has a number of other businesses that he spends a lot of time working at and travelling to. The only problem Louisa has is that she has not become a mother and at the start of the book she is mourning the loss of a baby. However her life is soon turns upside down with Elliotts death in a place that he is not supposed to be. She goes on to discover things about Elliott that she never knew. he has lead a double life and has spent a lot of time on a cinnamon plantation that becomes central to Louisas story.
I enjoyed this story. the description of Ceylon and the environment that Louisa and Leo live in are very colourful and exotic. This is the first Dinah Jeffries book I have read but I will definitely read more.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC of this book in return for a review

A lovely story that got deeper with every layer pealed away. Just when you felt you knew what was happening there was another spanner in the works that caused a twist in the tale. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book and the characters were alive in my mind.

I enjoyed this book, although it was quite predictable as to what the story line was all the way through.. An easy read for the summer.

Louisa is the daughter of a successful gem trader and appears to have a charmed life as she has a charismatic husband. Although the one thing that she pines for is a child of her own. She struggles with the fact that she has had to cope with several miscarriages.

Her husband Elliott is not all that he seems. When he tragically dies in a car accident we get a glimpse of the fact that he was rather deceptive.

Most enjoyable read.

This was just to predictable and slow.
How it became a Richard and Judy read I will never know.
Not for me.

I have not read any of Dinah Jefferies books before, but I know that if it is on Richard & Judy list then it must be ok. I found it readable but predictable. Not for me.too colourful and eventless for me.

Enjoyed this fairly predictable journey through the tea and cinnamon plantations of Ceylon. Enjoyable read, and attractive characters. A small orphaned boy, and a cheated widow. Obvious where the plot was going, but enjoyable all the same

2.5/5 This book has a lot of potential, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. There was a lot of drama and excitement, but it was written in such a way that it just didn't hold my attention. I found myself not really caring what happened to any of the characters.

This is another great read by Dinah Jefferies. Maybe we don't always know the people close to us or what they/we are capable of.
The closeness between father and daughter is wonderful and shows how we support our children whatever.
For those readers who have been to Sri Lanka and visited the places mentioned it brings back many great memories, if not it urges you to travel and explore.

Another engaging read from this author. I liked the way the characters from her previous novel made appearances in this one. I did not enjoy it as much as the Tea Planters Wife but still a good read.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

When I read Dinah Jefferies’ novels, I find myself in a pleasant sensory overload and her latest book, The Sapphire Widow, is no exception. It’s the fourth historical fiction I’ve read by her and it’s a beautifully told story set in Ceylon in 1935. Having spent her early childhood in Malaysia, she sets her books in the exotic beauty of the East, and she draws on her own personal experience of love and loss in her writing, as is evidenced in its authenticity.
Louisa, our protagonist, has been married to Elliot for 12 years and he had been given a senior position in her father’s gem cutting and polishing business. Sadly, they have no children, as Louisa has suffered a still birth as well as two miscarriages. Louisa is still grieving for her losses, but tries to remain optimistic that one day they will be blessed. She loves her life in Galle and her husband, but as in most families, there are stresses and strains. Whilst Elliot is very charming and attentive, he spends a great deal of time away from home and a history of drinking and gambling is alluded to. When he dies in a sudden road accident, everything in Louisa’s life, her marriage and her hopes for the future, come crashing down. As she delves into his estate to unravel his financial affairs, her investigation takes her to Cinnamon Hills plantation where there are more unpleasant surprises waiting for her. But the splendour of the landscape and her encounter with the enigmatic Leo have a profound and lasting impact on Louisa’s circumstances.
Dinah Jefferies’ writing style is powerfully evocative and so easy on the mind. It summons up our senses - the scorching heat, the monsoon, the colours, the rich wildlife and the tropical lushness. The plot and characters take us on a journey of intrigue, but it is also life-affirming where new relationships are tentatively explored following betrayal.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Books (UK) and Dinah Jefferies for the opportunity to read and review The Sapphire Widow.

I am a great fan of Dinah Jefferies so it was with some anticipation I read The Sapphire Widow. I love her descriptions of life in the tropical heat. However, despite sharing the same stillborn daughter's name as Louisa I felt little empathy with her unchallenging character. Many times I could have cheerfully shouted, "Ask the ruddy question, rather than turning on your heels and walking away." There were though some practical tips : You couldn't hang about in the heat of the tropics; the bodies went off too quickly. Well it wouldn't do to have an off smelling body even if it was your husband! No, it was a bit too Mills & Boon for my liking and not at all like her previous novels. And if I ever read breeze, salt and ocean in the same sentence again, I think I might throw myself in!

Not as good as the other books I have read by this author. The ending was predictable early on in the Book. I usually love her books.

Louisa Reeve leads a happy life with her husband Elliott although tinged with sadness at the loss of her baby daughter and miscarriages. Elliott spends days away with his spice business but she accepts this is necessary. When Elliott is suddenly killed in a car accident, her world is turned upside down. As she starts the journey of taking over his business, she finds he has deceived and betrayed her in the worst possible way when she discovers an illegitimate son following an eight year affair.. She finds friendship in Leo McNairn and she slowly starts to trust and love again whilst dealing with the mess left behind by Elliott.
A gentle paced book that tells the story love, betrayal and trust and is a great relaxing read. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this.