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Revenge in Rubies

(Harriet Gordon Mystery #2)

A.M. Stuart (Goodreads Author)

4.23 · Rating details · 418 ratings · 101 reviews

When Harriet Gordon receives word from a friend about a tragic death, she and Inspector Curran are thrust into a web of family secrets that threatens to destroy them both in this all-new mystery from the author of Singapore Sapphire. Singapore.

1910 Singapore. Harriet Gordon has found fulfillment at last. Her young ward, Will, has settled into his new home with Harriet and ...more

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Paperback, 384 pages

Published September 15th 2020 by Berkley

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Nov 13, 2020 Yun rated it really liked it

Revenge in Rubies starts off immediately in the thick of things: Sylvie Nolan, the new and much-younger wife of a commanding officer, has been brutally bludgeoned to death in her bedroom. At first, it seems like a simple case, but it quickly becomes clear that something altogether more complex and malicious is afoot. Soon, more tragedy follows, and Inspector Curran and Harriet Gordon must act quickly if they are to prevent additional deaths.

This story has so many of the characteristics of my bel Revenge in Rubies starts off immediately in the thick of things: Sylvie Nolan, the new and much-younger wife of a commanding officer, has been brutally bludgeoned to death in her bedroom. At first, it seems like a simple case, but it quickly becomes clear that something altogether more complex and malicious is afoot. Soon, more tragedy follows, and Inspector Curran and Harriet Gordon must act quickly if they are to prevent additional deaths.

This story has so many of the characteristics of my beloved Agatha Christie. There are a small set of characters at play, so whoever is responsible must be among them. There are clues galore, so I can assume my detective hat and puzzle out the mystery right along with our main characters. And there are the essential red herrings and startling twists, so every time I thought I had it all figured out, an unexpected happening would force me to rejigger my entire theory.

One reason I fell for this series is its compelling lead characters. Set in colonial Singapore, Harriet Gordon is the exact sort of strong and unflinching female lead I adore. In this book, we learn more of her backstory and her courageous involvement with the suffrage movement, which makes her even more endearing. And Inspector Curran continues to be kind, sharp, and thorough in his investigation of the crime.

I thought the first book in the series was a little uneven in pacing due to the introduction of all the characters and backstories, but that's all been ironed out in this one. Stuart's clear and straightforward writing style keeps the pacing taut and the focus on the unfolding mystery. It was a page turner from the very first beginning to the very end. She also, yet again, captures the lush humidity and oppressive heat of this region. Reading her story, I felt transported to this place and this time.

After searching high and low, I think I have found a contender for modern-day Agatha Christie. Stuart hit it out of the park with this story. It cements it as my new favorite mystery series. I wait with bated breath for the next book, and can only hope it's not too long. ...more

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Feb 12, 2021 Luffy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, cozy-mystery, let-down, historical-mystery, overhyped

Don't understand the high ratings. What a rip-off. The writing is good, but it looks like marble was used to build a grain silo.

The book seems very well grounded in its time frame. As a historical fiction, it hits the target. But as a police procedural and as an adventure it falls flat.

My interest in this series killed right here. Instead of solely concentrating on who wore what fabric, efforts should have been made in giving life to the characters. The best books do that. ...more

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Sep 13, 2020 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-authors, 2020-release, historical-mystery, arc, own-read, read-on-kindle, net-galley

With Harriet Gordon accompanying her employer, Inspector Robert Curran, to the home of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan to provide comfort to the family of the victim, she had no idea of the horror and grim circumstances which would confront them. Nor what it would lead to. The brutal murder of Nolan’s young wife was a shock which rippled through the community and Curran’s job would be a tedious and drawn out one.

With the military closing ranks on all concerned and Curran finding his way stymied a ...more

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Sep 14, 2020 eyes.2c rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, historical-mystery, singapore-fiction

Fabulous historical Singapore mystery!

Once again Harriet Gordon becomes involved in murder. The British Crown Colony of Singapore, 1910 —the young wife of the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan of the First Battalion South Sussex Infantry is found battered to death in her bedroom. Inspector Robert Curran is called to investigate. Curran it seems has personal conflict with the regiment and some of its members. He runs up against the disdain of the forces, the closing of the battali ...more

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Oct 24, 2020 Helen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is another brilliant and awesome story in this series, I loved it and found it very hard to put down, another murder in Singapore in 1910 that finds Harriet and her boss Inspector Robert Curran working hard to uncover the murderer with lots of twists and turns along the way and I was guessing to the very end. A must read.

When Harriet finds out about the death of a member of one of her friends family, she makes her way to Pris Nolan’s family home in support of Pris and finds out that Pris’s This is another brilliant and awesome story in this series, I loved it and found it very hard to put down, another murder in Singapore in 1910 that finds Harriet and her boss Inspector Robert Curran working hard to uncover the murderer with lots of twists and turns along the way and I was guessing to the very end. A must read.

When Harriet finds out about the death of a member of one of her friends family, she makes her way to Pris Nolan’s family home in support of Pris and finds out that Pris’s sister in law Sylvie Nolan has been murdered in a brutal way. Inspector Curran arrives to start the investigation, with Sylvie being the wife of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan, Curran knows that he is going to come up against a brick wall in the investigation as the military close ranks to protect what they call family. Sylvie was a lot younger than her husband and well- liked by the younger military men.

Harriet is always willing to help with the investigation and this time as friends with the victim’s sister in law she is more than confident in finding some answers to help the inspector, of course with so much happening the investigation keeps having more added to it with more murders that appear to be linked to Sylvie’s murder they need to find the murderer and quickly.

Harriet seems very settled in her life in Singapore now she is happy looking after her young charge Will and she really enjoys her job typing up reports for Inspector Curran, she has an eye for detail and even though the inspector is not always happy with the way Harriet does a little investigating herself, he really is appreciative and together they are becoming a great team.

I cannot highly recommend this book and series enough, beautifully written it takes a reader back to Singapore in 1910 to the heat and ways of life then, MS Stuart makes me feel that I am there during the investigations. The characters come to life on the pages, it is a book that I wanted to get to the end of but didn’t want it to finish, bring on the next book I say, I can’t wait a fabulous story that I loved.
...more

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Aug 13, 2020 Jaclyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley, arc, amateur-sleuth, historical-mystery, armchair-travel, lady-detectives

A.M. Stuart brings Harriet Gordon back in Revenge in Rubies, a history mystery set in Singapore in 1910. This mystery follows closely after the events of Singapore Sapphire and fleshes out Harriet's character as well as that of her friend (and new employer), Inspector Curran.

After the gruesome death of military wife, Slyvie Nolan, Harriet finds herself embroiled in Curran's investigation since she is acquainted with the sister-in-law of Mrs. Nolan. The military would rather close ranks and solv A.M. Stuart brings Harriet Gordon back in Revenge in Rubies, a history mystery set in Singapore in 1910. This mystery follows closely after the events of Singapore Sapphire and fleshes out Harriet's character as well as that of her friend (and new employer), Inspector Curran.

After the gruesome death of military wife, Slyvie Nolan, Harriet finds herself embroiled in Curran's investigation since she is acquainted with the sister-in-law of Mrs. Nolan. The military would rather close ranks and solve this murder "in house", which makes Curran's job much harder, and is further complicated by a ghost from his past as well as a malaria flare up. Luckily, Harriet is willing to put to use her social capital and her conversations with those involved ultimately end up being necessary to cracking the case of Mrs. Nolan's murder (as well as those that follow after).

Like the first book, the author does a fabulous job of creating a sense of place in Singapore in the early twentieth century. The details that the author includes make for this to be a highly atmospheric read and the character development for Harriet and Curran fully flesh out the novel making it more than just a mystery. Harriet and Curran are both intriguing characters and discovering more about each character's history is what kept me reading (the mystery was good too!). Typically authors set up two characters like Harriet and Curran to be romantic as well as investigative partners, at this point in the series, that doesn't seem to be the case. Normally that would be something that I would have felt to be missing here, but the author does a fabulous job making both Harriet and Curran interesting individually and giving both of them fully fledged lives outside of the mystery. And with Curran already being involved with someone, I don't know that I really want to see a romance between Harriet and Curran! (The romance reader in me is shocked!)

Revenge in Rubies is another clever and historically charged mystery from A.M. Stuart. This series is perfect for fans of C.S. Harris and Abir Mukherjee.

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. ...more

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Sep 29, 2020 Daniele rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2020

Not having read book one in this series (SINGAPORE SAPPHIRE), I had no problem jumping right into REVENGE IN RUBIES without feeling lost. The Singapore setting is novel and a nice change of pace form my usual historical mysteries set in England. Granted, the story takes place in British colonized Singapore in the early twentieth century, but it is still exotic while being firmly grounded in the familiar.

This tale finds police typist and stenographer Harriet Gordon settling nicely into her new li Not having read book one in this series (SINGAPORE SAPPHIRE), I had no problem jumping right into REVENGE IN RUBIES without feeling lost. The Singapore setting is novel and a nice change of pace form my usual historical mysteries set in England. Granted, the story takes place in British colonized Singapore in the early twentieth century, but it is still exotic while being firmly grounded in the familiar.

This tale finds police typist and stenographer Harriet Gordon settling nicely into her new life with her cleric brother Julian and ward Will after leaving behind her traumatic past in London. She finds herself embroiled in the investigation in the gruesome murder of the young wife of the local regiment’s Lieutenant Coronel. As a friendly acquaintance of the deceased’s sister-in-law, she finds herself fully invested in the mystery, especially when her boss, Inspector Curran, is mostly incapacitated by a malaria flare-up. There are plenty of suspects both among the military and Sylvie’s own family, and as the body count rises and secrets are revealed, Harriet and Curran both find themselves searching for answers.

I really like Harriet. She is strong, intelligent, and curious without being annoyingly nosy. Curran is stalwart in his occupation and dedicated to moving beyond his father’s disparaging military reputation. I appreciate author Stuart allowing Curran to be both vulnerable having a debilitating illness and sharp with his investigative mind. I also respect Stuart’s willingness to realistically portray the inequitable treatment of the Chinese and Indian residents of Singapore during this time in history.

The murder mystery is nicely plotted and quite the puzzle. The supporting characters are varied and well developed. There are plenty of suspects and motives to keep readers guessing throughout the book. I did not figure out the culprit until very near the end of the tale.

REVENGE IN RUBIES is a nice change of pace in the historical mystery world, and I look forward to helping Harriet and Curran solve many more mysteries in future installments. Highly recommended.

I gratefully received and ARC of this title from Berkley through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
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Oct 19, 2020 Cel Jel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I so enjoyed this second book in the series which revealed more of the history of Harriet's life before coming to Singapore, and of Inspector Curran's father. A death leads to many different ruth reads being woven through the story of this book.
As soon as I started reading I felt at home, sighing and relaxing as I read on. I like the way A.M.Stuart includes the varied cultural and racial groups to the story and not just the colonial rulers. The twist towards the end, and the revelation of the cu ...more

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Sep 04, 2020 Robin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5/5⭐️

Always nice to discover a new mystery series I enjoy! This was the second in series so I plan to go back to read the debut.

Harriet Gordon is a widow transplanted from India now living in Singapore with her minister brother. She is a stenographer/typist for the local police (the only woman on the payroll) and finds herself interested in the cases of her friend Inspector Curran. This one involves several murders centered around the local military base and had me guessing until the end.

Col ...more

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Sep 06, 2020 Kat rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

I have recently become a HUGE fan of historical mysteries, and books like this are now the reason I thirst for them. Revenge in Rubies is the second book of A. M. Stuart's Harriet Gordon Mystery series. It was positively delightful and I breezed right through it. Did I miss a little bit from not having read the first book? Yes, I admit I did. This mystery stood alone, but I wish I knew more of the characters' backstories that were no doubt introduced in the first installment. However, in no way I have recently become a HUGE fan of historical mysteries, and books like this are now the reason I thirst for them. Revenge in Rubies is the second book of A. M. Stuart's Harriet Gordon Mystery series. It was positively delightful and I breezed right through it. Did I miss a little bit from not having read the first book? Yes, I admit I did. This mystery stood alone, but I wish I knew more of the characters' backstories that were no doubt introduced in the first installment. However, in no way did it impede my enjoyment of this book. As a matter of fact, today I am ordering Singapore Sapphire in audiobook form.

It's 1910 in Singapore, and Harriet Gordon is overcoming her tragic past. She lives with her brother Julian and her young ward, Will, plus she's a typist for the Straits Settlements Police Force. Harriet's friend and employer, Inspector Robert Curran, is called to investigate the brutal murder of the young wife of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan. Harriet visits the family to offer comfort, as she is friends with Nolan's sister. The military community is hindering Curran's investigation, and Harriet thinks her relationship with Pris Nolan might be helpful in gathering clues. In the course of the investigation, both Harriet and Curran are forced to once again face painful pasts.

Both Harriet and Curran are fascinating characters. The story was excellent, but these two are what made the story so compelling. Harriet is employed as a typist for the police force, which at that time was wholly unusual. Her past was extremely brutal, yet she was strong and able to forge a new life for herself. She and Curran had both a good friendship and working relationship. Curran was just as interesting. He had a past I definitely want to learn more about, especially his romantic relationship with An Li, a Chinese woman. The supporting characters were all finely drawn, and I especially liked Harriet's brother Julian and physician Euan MacGregor. 1910 Singapore is a character in itself, and I enjoyed reading about some of its history. The mystery was well done and I kept changing my mind as to who the culprit was! I hope I don't have to wait long for the further adventures of Harriet and Curran!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed were entirely my own.
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Sep 22, 2020 Cathleen Ross rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Very easy to fall headlong in to the second of the Harriet Gordon mystery series.
Harriet is working and living a satisfying life until Sylvie, a high ranking member of the army's wife, is murdered. All sorts of secrets are revealed and slowly Harriet is able to put the clues together to find out what really happened on the night Sylvie dies.

This would make a very good tele movie series.

...more

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Jun 03, 2020 Bebe (Sarah) Brechner rated it it was amazing

I adore this series! Stuart has done a fabulous job in creating an atmospheric, historically authentic mystery with a sympathetic and intriguing heroine in Harriet Gordon. Harriet's background, covered in the first book and amplified in this second one, brings a layered, fully realized character to the story. She has suffered the loss of her husband and son to typhus in India. She returned to England and was caught up in the suffrage movement, imprisoned and horribly tortured. Harriet has now mo ...more

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Sep 28, 2020 Carol C rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It was a delight to delve back into historic Singapore with Harriet Gordon again to enjoy another murder mystery, this time set in the barracks of the South Sussex Infantry. The colonel’s lady has been brutally murdered and there’s a cast of likely suspects to draw upon, each with dark secrets and hidden pasts. Further deaths and unusual clues leave Harriet and Curran pondering and their investigation is hampered by malaria and the closed ranks of the military community. A killer is lurking inte ...more

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Sep 25, 2020 Roslyn Stillman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Murder, mystery, intrigue, suspense underlying stories and all set in a country full of culture and at a time when the world was changing. What more you could you want in an excellent read. This is the second in the series and was just as good as the first. You don’t need to read the first but it is nice to meet old characters from the last book. This book kept me turning the page and unlike a lot of murder mysteries, it didn’t take more than a few pages to get straight into the story. I liked t ...more

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Sep 07, 2020 Patricia Revzin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Revenge in Rubies is the second in the Harriet Gordon series but can be read as a stand-alone. Readers who have already enjoyed Singapore Sapphire will delight in new details of both Harriet Gordon and Police Inspector Curran’s backstories. Harriet, who has lost her beloved husband and young son to typhus in India, has settled into her brother Julian’s household in 1910 Singapore. She is currently employed as a steno/typist at the Straits Settlement police station and assists in murder investiga ...more

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Sep 12, 2020 Jeremy Reppy rated it really liked it

"Revenge in Rubies" was an enjoyable murder mystery. One of the things that sets this book apart is that it is set in Singapore, not a typical setting for the murder mystery novels I tend to run across. If I have read other books set in Singapore, it cannot be more than one or two. The story takes place in 1910, when Singapore was still a British colony, and focuses on the First Battalion of the South Sussex Regiment. Sylvie Nolan, the new young wife of Lieutenant Colonel Nolan, the regimental c "Revenge in Rubies" was an enjoyable murder mystery. One of the things that sets this book apart is that it is set in Singapore, not a typical setting for the murder mystery novels I tend to run across. If I have read other books set in Singapore, it cannot be more than one or two. The story takes place in 1910, when Singapore was still a British colony, and focuses on the First Battalion of the South Sussex Regiment. Sylvie Nolan, the new young wife of Lieutenant Colonel Nolan, the regimental commander, has been found brutally murdered. As she is a civilian, the murder falls under the jurisdiction of the Straits Settlement Police Force and the investigation is led by Inspector Robert Curran. However, because most of the plausible suspects are members of the First Battalion South Sussex Regiment, and Sylvie's father, Colonel Gentry, is the commanding officer of the South Sussex Regiment in England, the military police, under Major Goff, want to take over the investigation, which they are not allowed to do, much to Major Goff's consternation. It does not help that Major Goff and Inspector Curran have an unpleasant history from when they served together as military police in South Africa. The members of the regiment are also less than cooperative, not wanting to "air their dirty laundry" to civilians. Assisting Inspector Curran is Harriet Gordon, who officially is just the typist for the police force, but finds herself involved because of her connections to some of the interested parties and because she seems to have a knack of getting herself involved in matters.

The story has lots of twists and turns, with additional murders happening and lots of secrets being revealed. Even when the mystery of Sylvie's murder seems to be solved and Lieutenant Colonel Nolan wants the case closed so he and the regiment can focus on their duties, there are some inconsistencies that bother Curran and result in further investigation and more secrets being revealed.

Singapore had a fairly sizeable Chinese population and a decent Indian population (many of them as servants/aides to the military or civilian government) at the time. The police force contains some Indian officers, who are quite good at their jobs, but face prejudice from the English population in Singapore, especially members of the Regiment. Some of the Indian and Chinese servants/aides are also treated as "less than" by some members of the English population. I appreciated that the author, in the afterword, stated that the intolerance shown to non-Europeans would be considered abhorrent today but that was how it was in Singapore in 1910 and it would be "unbalanced" for her to imply otherwise; I am glad she chose not to "whitewash" history to appease modern political correctness. I also appreciated that the author incorporated Singapore traditions into the storyline, as they lend an air of authenticity to the story and because they introduce readers (such as myself) to aspects of foreign culture with which many readers are likely unfamiliar. I would definitely recommend "Revenge in Rubies" and I am interested in exploring other books by Mrs. Stuart.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review. ...more

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Oct 03, 2020 Judy Beetem rated it really liked it

Revenge in Rubies is the second in the Harriet Gordon mystery series. A delightful historical fiction set in the early 1900s in Singapore, this is a great novel to curl up and spend the day in. Harriet works as a typist for the Straits Settlements Police Force and loves her job. She has a ward, Will, who has finally become used to his home with Harriet and Julian, her brother and she is content in her life. The peace is shattered when her boss and good friend Robert Curran is called to investiga ...more

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Nov 23, 2020 Jenna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars
I liked this one better than the first one. I think the writer is getting better. This story was more developed.
The mystery was very good. There were a lot of clues & suspects. I had so many theories. (and i was really good & didn't peek ahead...)
I think as w/the first book, it is a little long but the story slowly develops engrossing the reader as the investigation deepens.
I liked the characters. I like Harriet & that she was making more friends w/the other women. (ie. Li An-Curran's ...more

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Oct 27, 2020 Cryssa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was looking forward to reading the next instalment in this series and it did not disappoint! It had all the elements I enjoyed with the first story (exotic, unusual historical setting, characters I was invested in) combined with a new mystery that literally kept me guessing until the end made this a wonderful read. Without giving spoilers, what a twist.
Highly recommended! Waiting now for #3.

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Nov 03, 2020 Mary rated it really liked it

I actually finished this a while back but forgot to rate or review it. This is the second book in the Harriet Gordon mysteries, set in Singapore in 1910.

Sylvie Nolan, the new and much younger wife of Lt. Col. John Nolan, has been bludgeoned to death in her bedroom. While Harriet tries to find some answers, she is also forced to face some issues from her past.

This is a good series, and I will most likely continue reading it as new books are published.

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Sep 29, 2020 Krista rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Harriet's friend Priscilla has a new young sister in law that is found dead. Curran is called in to investigate but he is walking a fine line between civilian and military as young Sylvie is the Commander's wife. It becomes more entangled as more deaths occur and the MP and Curran have an unpleasant history. To make matters worse, Curran is learning that things might not have been as he thought with his father's death in battle. Revenge in Rubies is filled with intrigue from the main plot line a ...more

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Jan 07, 2021 Suzanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the second in the series and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. Situated in Singapore, during the British colonization, Harriet is once again the secretary with strong detective leanings when it comes to murders.

I love all the formalities such as afternoon tea, formal dress, opera etc. The story meanders along slowly as is becoming to the tropics. In this environment I do like slow and steady.

I’m looking forward to reading her third book which I think is coming out later this year!

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Oct 25, 2020 Mary G. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-mysteries

There is only one word to describe this book and that word is Wow. The characters, the setting and mystery was great. I felt that I was in Singapore with Harriet and Curren. The secondary characters were wonderfully well developed.

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Jun 08, 2020 Gail rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I love smart cozies that feature intelligent, ethical people meeting life's challenges with courage and integrity. This series checks all the boxes for me.

The exotic, early 20th Century setting enhances the sense of time and place for the reader, but the main characters exhibit decidedly modern sensibilities regarding the roles of women and minorities in that colonial, male dominated society.

Main characters Harriet Gordon, widowed and living with her minister brother at a boys' school in Singap ...more

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Jun 25, 2020 Nanci rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, read-in-2020, historical-fiction

This is the 2nd installment in the Harriet Gordon Mystery series. I really enjoyed book #1 so I was looking forward to reading this next book. It didn't disappoint! I am going to recommend that you read this series in order. At least read book #1 before you read any other (once there are more than 2 offerings in the series). Book #1 sets up the characters and gives you some of the background you need in order to fall in love with the characters. Book 2 builds on this and does give you a little b ...more

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Jul 17, 2020 Danelle The Librarian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book! When I first began Revenge in Rubies, I was having trouble settling in. You meet a lot of people early on. But once I got to know the characters, Inspector Curran and Mrs. Harriett Gordon, I really began to enjoy the story. I know almost nothing about Singapore and even less about Singapore a century ago. Reading about life in a British colony was fascinating and troubling in our 21st century lens. The treatment of people of color and the class system was sad to read. ...more

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Jul 25, 2020 Danelle The Librarian rated it really liked it

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Jun 04, 2020 Brenda Freeman rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Harriet Gordon is back for n the case to help Curran discover the killer of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan’s younger wife. Curran is fighting off malaria which gives Harriet more freedom to get involved. We also get to hear more about her time in prison and the suffrage movement in England.

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Sep 13, 2020 Jean Kolinofsky rated it it was amazing

In 1910 Singapore, Sylvie was the wife of Colonel John Nolan. When she is discovered bludgeoned to death, her sister-in-law Priscilla summons Harriet Gordon and her brother Reverend Julian Edwards for emotional support. Although Sylvie was considerably younger than her husband, the family paints a picture of the perfect hostess and companion for Nolan but further enquiries reveal a very different woman. Sylvie was a flirt who had eyes for one of Nolan’s young officers. On the night of her death, In 1910 Singapore, Sylvie was the wife of Colonel John Nolan. When she is discovered bludgeoned to death, her sister-in-law Priscilla summons Harriet Gordon and her brother Reverend Julian Edwards for emotional support. Although Sylvie was considerably younger than her husband, the family paints a picture of the perfect hostess and companion for Nolan but further enquiries reveal a very different woman. Sylvie was a flirt who had eyes for one of Nolan’s young officers. On the night of her death, her husband and the officers of his regiment all attended a dinner that went late into the night. During that time only one officer was called away when a fight broke out between two enlisted men. This was the same officer who was devoted to Sylvie. When an autopsy reveals that Sylvie was pregnant he becomes the chief suspect.

Inspector Curran has not ruled out Nolan, who was aware of her infidelity. Pris had supposedly taken something to make her sleep but she also harbored resentment against Sylvie. Not only had she taken Pris’ place as Nolan’s hostess, but the officer in question had been courting Pris before her arrival. Among the items retrieved from the crime scene was a button from a military uniform. When a second body is discovered with a matching button it leads to a closer look at Sylvie’s past. Curran discovers that back in England Sylvie was connected to another death of a young officer.

Beside assisting her brother in his position as the head of a school, Harriet is also a typist for the police, working for Inspector Curran.. While she is not a part of his investigation, he values her observations and insights and she can not help but get involved. While they have a good working relationship, they are also friends and she does not hesitate to help, even when it is not requested.

A.M. Stuart’s novel paints a true picture of the time. It reflects the hierarchy in the military as well as the prejudices against the common residents of Singapore. Curran was given the case because Sylvie was a civilian, causing resentment among some of the officers. His job was made even more difficult when his Asian officers were refused interviews or co-operation. Harriet’s story also looks at women’s suffrage. She is asked to speak to a group of ladies about her experiences in London, where she was arrested during a demonstration, engaged in a hunger strike and was force-fed to a point where it left her damaged and near death. Even now she fears that revealing her story could lead to the loss of her job with the police and her brother’s position.

This is a mystery that will keep you guessing to the very end while reminding you how far we have come in some areas and how far we still have to go in others. This is a highly recommended historical mystery and I thank NetGalley and Berkeley Publishers for providing this for my review. ...more

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Oct 14, 2020 Lynne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Another winner from this new author! The Harriet Gordon mysteries are promising to be an excellent entry - plenty of suspense and so many twists and turns that spotting the murderer is almost impossible. Stuart also gives a real flavor of 1910 Singapore and it's mix of both the eastern and western cultures, when it was a British Crown Colony. And Harriet Gordon has the makings of an excellent sleuth as well as a very likable central character. Highly recommended and extremely enjoyable read! ...more

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About A.M. Stuart

A.M. Stuart

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Australian author, A.M. Stuart, began her writing career half way up a tree in the school playground where she wrote her first (unpublished) historical romance. She now writes historical romance as Alison Stuart (a Goodreads author).
Born in Kenya, her family came to Australia when she was ten years old. She has also lived in Singapore.
In her life outside writing, she enjoyed a varied career as a l ...more