The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies

Over the last few weeks I’ve been reading The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies. You may remember the author’s name as I really enjoy reading her books and have reviewed some of them here over the last few years. Today I wanted to tell you a little about her latest book, The Sapphire Widow.

Ceylon, 1935.

Louisa Reeve, the daughter of a successful British gem trader, and her husband Elliot, a charming, thrill-seeking businessman, seem like the couple who have it all. Except what they long for more than anything: a child.

While Louisa struggles with miscarriages, Elliot is increasingly absent, spending much of his time at a nearby cinnamon plantation, overlooking the Indian ocean. After his sudden death, Louisa is left alone to solve the mystery he left behind.

Revisiting the plantation at Cinnamon Hills, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn towards the owner Leo, a rugged outdoors man with a chequered past. The plantation casts a spell, but all is not as it seems. And when Elliot’s shocking betrayal is revealed, Louisa has only Leo to turn to . . .

So, what did I think of The Sapphire Widow? I enjoyed this book and read it quite quickly, looking for train journeys when I could indulge in a few chapters, or going to bed early to read a few pages. I loved the setting of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and find the author is always really good at painting a picture of the setting so you really feel like you can imagine the sights and smells.

I found this book really easy to read. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about the main character Louisa though. Without giving too much of the plot away, her husband dies and she discovers he was living a double life. You can’t help but wonder how she either didn’t notice or let him be like that.

I really enjoy reading a Dinah Jefferies book and I’m glad I read this one. I love reading books about life in the old British Empire and would love to visit Galle and Colombo myself one day to experience the food, the sounds and smells, which are all depicted in the book. It’s a great story which kept me hooked to the end. It’s perfect escapism for a rainy British day and would be a great book to pack for a beach holiday.

Disclosure – I received a copy of this book via NetGalley to read and share my opinion on.

You may be interested in my other reviews of books by Dinah Jefferies:

Before The Rains by Dinah Jefferies

The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies

The Silk Merchant’s Daughter by Dinah Jefferies