Book Blurb:
An important visitor casts a shadow of darkness and death over Singapore.
Harriet Gordon, newly settled in her new role as a teacher at a girls' school in Singapore, faces uncertainty in her budding relationship with Robert Curran, who has just returned from months in Kuala Lumpur. Curran's expected promotion turns sour when the position is given to an old adversary from his Scotland Yard days.
The arrival of the Colonial foreign secretary, Sir Henry Cunningham, revives memories of one of Curran's unresolved cases. The death of a schoolgirl at a lavish ball, hosted by the Governor in honour of the visitor, brings Curran into direct conflict with his new superior officer. When he confides his suspicions to Harriet, she inadvertently betrays his trust, threatening his already shaky career.
With their relationship on the brink of irreparable damage, a second death changes the course of the investigation. Can Harriet and Curran bring justice to a grieving family and emerge from this ordeal with their connection intact?
Delve into the captivating world of the Harriet Gordon mysteries. Grab your copy today for a tale of intrigue and suspense set in the tropical heat of colonial Singapore.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/pCduZ
Author Bio:
Australian author, A.M. Stuart's love affair with Singapore began in 2000 when she moved, with her family to Singapore, where she lived for 3 years, throwing herself into exploring the history and the different cultures of the island.
The idea for the Harriet Gordon Mysteries was born in the microfiche room of Singapore's National Library when she came across an advertisement in a 1905 edition of the Straits Times… "An Englishwoman undertakes Typing and Shorthand… She guarantees… absolute secrecy"!
The first Harriet Gordon Mystery, SINGAPORE SAPPHIRE, was published in 2019 and has been followed by REVENGE IN RUBIES and EVIL IN EMERALD. The fourth, and final, episode in Harriet's adventures TERROR IN TOPAZ will be published in 2023.
Born in Kenya, her family came to Australia when she was ten years old. Outside writing, she enjoyed a varied career as a lawyer in a wide number of fields including the military and as a senior executive in the fire services. She also writes historical fiction as ALISON STUART.
Editorial Review:
One of the strongest points in the book is character development. They are real, relatable, and you want to root for a good outcome for everyone. The relationship between Harriet and Curran is engaging and realistic, and it’s complex with depth. Harriet is an incredibly likeable protagonist, and I found myself cheering her on throughout.
Their bond is tested when a schoolgirl is murdered at an extravagant celebration held in honor of visiting dignitary Sir Henry Cunningham. Curran's shaky relationship with Harriet and his employment are further threatened when he clashes with his new supervisor over his misgivings about the case. Stuart creates a romance that is as genuine as the mystery itself by deftly examining the tension between professional and personal allegiances.
Unexpected turns and a flawlessly paced plot keep the reader interested. Stuart creates tension through complex character relationships and a gradually growing sense of peril rather than by using cliches. Harriet and Curran must negotiate a labyrinth of deceit and ulterior intentions as a result of the second death that occurs after the first murder, adding yet another level of complexity. Stuart's ability to create a truly unforeseen mystery is demonstrated by the case's complexity, which caused me to repeatedly reevaluate my theories.
Harriet sat back and studied her notes. Oliver Strong had struck her on their brief meeting as a solid, respectable young man, not given to secret trysts with young girls but Amelia was very attractive and to have a pretty, young lady all but throwing herself at you, was an offer too good to refuse. It would have ended in tears, of course, and once again she thanked God, she would never be fifteen again.
Had they met up at the ball?
Was it possible that the rendezvous had gone wrong? She shut the book and sat looking at it. Curran needed to know about Oliver Strong.
She scrawled a hasty note and summoned Aziz
The expertly formatted and edited text gives a seamless reading experience. Stuart's writing is accurate and poetic, conjuring up strong pictures of colonial Singapore while keeping the plot interesting and moving quickly. Readers are further transported to the time period by the clear and period-appropriate dialogue.
Another significant aspect of Agony in Amethyst is continuity. This is so important, especially in a mystery. While maintaining the story's accessibility for new readers, the novel expands on the relationships and events that were formed in the earlier works. While leaving the door open for future possibilities, this episode provides a satisfying end to long-running character arcs for those who have followed the Harriet Gordon Mysteries from the start.
The outcome is incredibly fulfilling, giving Harriet and Curran emotional closure as well as justice for the victims. In order to make the characters' journeys feel complete and to give readers the opportunity to speculate about what could happen to them in the future, the finale, which avoids spoilers, finds a balance between triumph and melancholy contemplation.
Another characteristic of this work is its uniqueness. It differs from many historical mysteries just by virtue of its locale, which provides a novel and intricately detailed look at a location and period that are rarely examined in the genre. Agony in Amethyst is a remarkable work of historical crime fiction because it combines colonial politics, cultural crossings, and an engaging murder investigation.
Agony in Amethyst is a must-read for fans who appreciate clever, historically significant mysteries with compelling, fully realized characters. You will not want to say goodbye to such an incredible heroine when you finish this book. Whether you are an avid follower of the series or a first-time reader looking for a gripping historical mystery, this book has everything you are looking for.
Highly recommended!
5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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