Agony in Amethyst

Harriet Gordon #5

by A.M. Stuart

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.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Crime

397 pages, ebook

Published October 28, 2024

About the author

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, EVIL IN EMERALD, TERROR IN TOPAZ and AGONY IN AMETHYST. There will be more to come!
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.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Inspector Robert Curran returned - finally - from Kuala Lumpur, Harriet Gordon was extremely happy to see him. As he was, her. He was expecting a promotion, so when he went to the station, he was disheartened to be told someone else had the job over him. But he was horrified to discover his new boss was an old nemesis from Scotland Yard, the very reason Curran had left England. But other unwelcome news was that Sir Henry Cunningham would arrive on the same ship, with his wife and entourage - could the news get any worse?

The ball to celebrate Sir Henry's arrival in Singapore, was an elegant affair. School children sang for the guests, with dancing, food and drinks, the evening ending in fireworks. But the horrific death of one of the school children left a pall over the guests; Curran's work began immediately, as it was obvious the death was not accidental. In constant conflict with his superior, Curran continued on regardless. When a second death also proved to be murder, Curran was frustrated and desperate for the answers needed. But would his suspicions prove founded?

Agony in Amethyst is the 5th (and probably the final) in the Harriet Gordon series by Aussie author A.M. Stuart and I loved it. It was so good to catch up with Harriet, Curran, Julien, Will, Singh and others - I feel I know them well. Set in Singapore in the early 1900s, where DNA, fingerprinting etc was relatively new, the police had their work cut out. The evidence needed to be iron-clad or the culprits would walk free. And Curran was determined that wouldn't happen! I've really enjoyed this series and would be quite happy if the author wrote another :) But whatever she writes, I'll read and enjoy! Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant story in this awesome series, and it had me up very late last night, a one sitting read for me because I could not put it down, Robert Curran has just arrived back in Singapore after being in Kuala Lumpur for months solving another case and on his return not only is he looking forward to catching up with Harriet but he is expecting a promotion, when the promotion doesn’t happen and he is told who is getting the job Curran is not happy an adversary from his Scotland Yard days.

With the arrival of Sir Henry Cunningham, Colonial Foreign Secretary this sets Curran on edge seeing he now has two people in Singapore that are both involved with one of his old unresolved cases that had been pushed under the rug so to speak, but at a ball to celebrate Sir Henry’s arrival there is a murder, a young school girl and the conflict is there as memories of that old case come to life.

Harriet is now working at a girls school and thoroughly enjoying it after that happened before, and she is thrilled Curran is back and hopping that their relationship will grow, she is there when the murder happens and as we all know Harriet gets involved to the annoyance of the new chief of police and when her and Curran discuss what happened and he opens up about the past case, Harriet is more determined to get answers but will that cause more problems to Curran especially when she opens up about what he told her?

When there is another two murders the stakes are getting higher and Curran must get the answers he and Harriet are getting closer to the answers but getting the evidence that will prove what happened is not easy in 1910, but we know how determined they are, will the culprit or culprits get away with murder?

I loved this one so much Harriet and Curran are one of my most favourite couples and even though this looks like it might be the last in the series I really do hope that we see more of them, the ending is just perfect, it truly is and I can’t highly recommend this one and the series enough A.M. Stuart is a fabulous author who pulls her readers in, makes them feel part of the story the setting is wonderful and the many fabulous characters add so much to the story, a must read.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following Harriet Gordon and Curran’s relationship since the beginning. I have loved every word of their adventure, misadventures, of their mistakes, their disappointments, their triumphs and their abilities to keep going despite the odds. In this latest all that’s present.
A young girl is murdered, Curran is confronted by some ugly moments in his past, Harriet finds herself. Powerful people are confronted.
I absolutely loved these two.

[Kerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agony in Amethyst is the [most likely] final in this series set in colonial era Singapore. A tragic death of a school girl at a gala event filled with British elite creates ripples of suspicion for the Governor & his VIP guests. Complicating matters even more is a possible connection with one of Curran's prior cases that lead to him leaving England in the first place.

There are a number of suspects along with a multitude of clues and several efforts to cover up any possible crimes. The finale for this series didn't showcase Singapore as much as prior books, but it still conjures up a feeling of traveling not only to the past, but to another country & culture - all of the good & the bad of the time period.

A perfectly satisfying end to the Harriet Gordon story. While I'll be sad to not read more of Harriet & Curran with all of their friends & family in Singapore, Agony in Amethyst has tied up their story arcs along with another clever murder mystery to satisfy.

For those unfamiliar with this series, each book can work as a stand-alone, but for a full enjoyment of the stories, I really recommend reading them in order. You won't be sorry!

Many thanks to #AMStuart and #OportetPublishing for a chance to read the ARC and in exchange provide an unbiased honest review.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was generous enough to send me an ARC of her book in exchange for an honest review. I got hooked on this series last year, and I love Harriet and Curran's characters, as well as the supporting cast. I confess that I knew next to nothing about Singapore before I started reading these. I love history and have enjoyed learning about the country.
In this book, Curran has just returned from London, after testifying about the events that took place in Kuala Lumpur. He is expecting a promotion, and thinking of proposing to Harriet. The position he was expecting is given to an incompetent officer that he had worked with previously. If that isn't bad enough, a government official that he has had previous run ins with, is visiting.
A young girl is killed at a party, and events unfold.
Harriet and Curran did finally get married. I'm hoping there will be at least a few more books. in the series. Maybe one that takes place when Julian gets married. (HINT!)
"After the Speeches" was cute, and I hope that it will be in the released book, and was not just an extra for the beta readers.
Thank you to the author for all the enjoyment this series has given me, and the opportunity to review this book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Happy to see this continuation of a well-written historical mystery series with flawed but cheer-worthy characters at its heart.

I enjoyed this addition as it moves Harriet and Curran forward into unchartered territory, and we begin to see different nuances of their evolving relationship as partners on every level.

I'm hoping that this will not be the final episode for this story and these protagonists as I feel like there could be more in store for them as they enter a different phase in their lives.

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, set among the British community in colonial Singapore in the early 20th century. This probably-last-for-now book is just as good if not even better than its predecessors, showing all the same historical detail, great sense of setting and character, and tightly plotted mystery of the earlier books. This book sees Harriet caught up in murder among the British political elite in the colony, and she and police inspector Curran have to negotiate all the political sensitivities associated with that while trying to solidify their own recent switch from close friends to romantic partners. The book is a compelling mix of the dangers of privilege and the complications of very believable personal relationships. If this is the last book with these characters for a while at least, I think readers will be very satisfied with the resolution. Thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and are freely offered.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forced myself to read this slowly when I can usually devour a 400 page book in 2-3 days. I love these characters so much that I wanted to savor the time with them. It was wonderful to have all the characters from this series back and all the action take place in Singapore again.

Loose ends are tied, but I really hope this isn’t the end. Of course, I’m about to dive into the bonus chapters mentioned in the afterward.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

I think I’ve said that about every book in this series. Harriet and Curran are very engaging characters, drawing you along with them as they seek to solve the mystery and bring a killer to justice.

The suspense of ‘Will this be one time the killer gets away with it?’ kept me turning the pages. I flew through this one!

Love this series!

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you to the author for providing me with an early copy of this work in exchange for an unbiased review.

Second - I just love this series! All of the characters are so well-developed and I really feel like I know them after five books. The characters are all great, the mysteries are enjoyable, and the setting is so interesting. If you have any interest in historical fiction and mysteries, especially those that are set in this time (early 1900s) and place (Singapore), you should absolutely check the entire series out!

One thing I really enjoy about these books is that they are cozy-ish, but also deal with serious issues and the characters and stories have depth. They are adult books that aren't too dark, but also aren't too light. Each book deals with a serious crime and we see the characters navigating these crimes, and the real pain that comes with them, as they are also facing their own personal challenges. The stories feel real and I've come to care about the characters.

I highly recommend! But I also want to point out that you REALLY should read the whole series. They are all wonderful and, while you probably could read the different books as standalones, I think I would find the relationships between the characters and the context of the different stories to be a bit confusing if I didn't read them in order.

In my review of the last book, I think I expressed why I enjoy this series so much. As I said in my previous review:

Side characters from the other books join us in KL...Harriet's brother, Maddox the newspaperman, and Sergeant Singh. All of the characters are very well drawn and because their characters have been so well-drawn throughout the series, they really feel like old friends and it's a relief when they appear to help both Harriet and Curran get through these latest murky circumstances.

Harriet really is a great character. She's vulnerable, intelligent, emotional, caring, and strong throughout the series. Curran continues to grow through a series of increasingly difficult life circumstances and throughout the novel you hope that he can get past these challenges to a happier and stabler life.

This is apparently maybe the end of this series - at least in its current form, and I am happy to say that it ends well. There are many happy endings, while also opportunities for future character story lines to be explored. (Would actually love to see more of Sergeant Singh and his remarkable wife...I could also see a fun spin-off with Maddox and his new lady friend reporting on all the local gossip in scandals in colonial Singapore!)

[Linda L]

Agony in Amethyst is amazing. (I received an ARC copy for review). Since this is Book 5 of the Harriet Gordon series please read the series in order to understand the full development of the characters, especially this heroine.
Agony in Amethyst is amazing for two reasons. The reader is drawn in from the beginning of the book and carried through by artful description, action and dialog. And the action definitely presents a-maze, twisting, turning scenes, high emotions, and surprising outcomes, in relationships and murder investigation.
The book opens with a peaceful scene as Harriet settles back home in Singapore. Peace does not last when Curran arrives home and informs Harriet of upcoming changes to his job and the personnel involved. One person, specifically, is the new Chief Inspector –with whom Curran has a difficult history from Scotland Yard. Readers will be caught up in the story from the first pages, there is no waiting for the action and interaction of characters to begin. Throughout the story, Harriet and Curran’s relationship is tested and yet deepened.
As the Singapore elite celebrate the crowning of King George, the death of a school girl at the ball starts the ominous maze of action that requires the detective skills of Curran and the investigative prowess of Harriet. The investigation is difficult due to the stilted methods of the new Chief Inspector who proceeds to cover up any wrongful death with the blanket story of an accident.
As the action proceeds with a cast of many characters, the evidence of murder cannot be overlooked even by the placating Chief Inspector Wallace. The author skillfully weaves interviews, conversations, personalities and culture as murders and intrigue multiply.
Our heroine must face the difficulties and tragedies of her past head-on as she is confronted with turbulent emotions and recalcitrant antagonists. Curran, too, has many confrontations with his new Chief Inspector and other English visitors who would thwart his search for the truth. His methods and reputation are questioned at every turn, but he proceeds with his work assertively.
The realities of life in this historical era in a British Colony and the roles of men, women and native individuals combine into the rich fabric that makes this historical mystery amazing.

[laineyyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the fifth Harriet Gorden mystery, Harriet and Curran are back in Singapore after the sojourn in KL in the previous book. There's a murder connected to a high-ranking minister and a link to one of Curran's old cases in Scotland Yard. Harriet is also navigating a new job and a new relationship (with Curran).

Despite having all the elements I adored in the previous books, I am disappointed by this installment. Harriet doesn't do much detecting, and just reacts to the people around her. Curran seems very inept and constantly has to re-assure Harriet she didn't mess up the investigation even though she totally did. Their relationship, despite the slow buildup, feels forced. Where's that passion we saw when Curran was with Li An?

I like this series but I'm beginning to wonder if the Harriet Gordon mysteries has run its course.




Full disclosure: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. The characters almost feel like real people to me. I’m so glad she wrapped it up with an extremely satisfying ending but if this is the end I’ll be devastated. Like death in the family devastated. I just think their needs to be more so I hope there is! She did write a follow up novella to expand on the ending’s ultimate scene but is it enough? Not for me! I truly appreciated her ruminations on British colonialism and who either flourished or perished in the colonies and I would love more. If not with Harriet & Curran than maybe some others.

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry in the series, but took me a long time to read bc it was making me sad. The first murder victim is a 15yo girl.

Still loved the Singapore setting and the development in Curran and Harriet’s relationship.

[Steph B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every book in this series, and this newest addition did not disappoint! It was another engaging mystery with a captivating cast of characters.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this literary adventure series in colonial Singapore and hope that it will continue.

[Jill Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. I like an author who knows how to ends series well.

[Rena Geroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

AM Stuart has once again re-created Singapore as an outpost of the British Empire in the early 20th Century, in this lastest instalment ofvthe Harriet Gordon novels. She has created another page-turningly good historical crime novel, touched with romance as the main characters deal with the stifling social mores of the time and place. Harriet & Curran solve a crime & navigate their complex relationship. As always, it is excellently researched & historically accurate, but more importantly, an exciting & dnjoyable read. I couldn't put it down & ended up finishing the book at 3am.

[Jim Krovontka]

Harriet Gordon's last mystery. It had me on the edge of my seat while I was reading. I personally think this was her best mystery. The author kept things moving throughout the book. Her rocky relationship with Robert Curran is kept in doubt until the very end.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable audiobook! Unique settings, distinctive characters, terrific story telling and narration.

[tenjen20 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong entry in this not-cozy-but-somehow-gentle mystery series set in British colonial Singapore - aside from the plot of this one (a child dies a violent death - 😬). Harriet and Curran make a wonderful crime solving duo and I hope to see Harriet even more involved in future escapades.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of this series, set around 1911 this book and series is unique in the location, I love reading about Singapore, the diversity of people and cultures living there at the time it is so interesting. In this book when there is a murder at Government House at an event Harriet is hosting and Curran sets to investigate you know Harriet will involve herself in the investigation. Harriet and Curran work well together and are a highlight of this series. I do love this author’s writing, the range of characters and the storyline make it all a great read that I recommend. I hope there is more to come for this series.

[Baby Snakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably the weakest of the 5 books in this series, and the author's note that indicates that these characters have completed their arc is a really valid reflection. I thought book 4 was the end, but the author got offered the opportunity to do book 5. It was nice to have one more visit with these characters, but the party ended about an hour ago and these guys should be on their way. If they come back too soon, hanging with them would be a chore.

[Karren Hodgkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series. Each one with a unique story. I struggled a little with the storyline. I have no doubt there are very powerful people who 'get away' with things. I shudder when the abuse is of young people so just be something to be aware of.

There is an overall happier personal arc which was very satisfying

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous books in this series. The earlier books were much more detailed in atmosphere and content. Here, Harriet's and Curran's relationship felt forced.. The plot started out well, but the conclusion grew flat and unsatisfying. The writer claims this is the end of the series - I won't miss it much.

[Doreen Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many Ineresting Twists

I enjoy stories where I have to think about the evidence and the perpetrators are not obvious from the beginning. This story had me changing my mind a few times. I also like the fact that there can be romance and emotions in the story without descriptive sex. My kind of mystery story.

[Teresa Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I hope it is not the last one. Harriet and Curran need another adventure.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Publication Day! Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed spending some more time with Harriet and Curran and I thought that the mystery in this one was stellar. Curran has returned from London, expecting a promotion after the events in the last book, but instead his nemesis, Wallace, has come from Scotland Yard to take the job that Curran thought should be his. To make matters worse, another thorn in Curran's side is also coming to town, Sir Henry Cunningham is coming to celebrate King George V's coronation and he is a serial pedophile. Curran and Wallace clashed on the case when a boy killed himself after attending Cunninghan's soirees where young boys and girls, under the guise of mentorship, were being groomed and abused by Sir Henry. A letter exposing his evil ways went mysteriously missing from the case file and Sir Henry got off. Now, he seems a shell of himself, suffering from some ailment that has left him weak and tired. He is accompanied by his wife and a cadre of staff and servants, including his secretary, Gilmore, his valet, Ellis, and Mary Brown, his wife's maid. On the night of the welcome gala, one of the young girls from the choir, Amelia, goes missing and is later found dead on the patio where it appears that she fell or jumped from the gallery above. Her school uniform is gone and instead she is dressed in an amethyst ball gown that is too big for her. Was Sir Henry grooming her? Is he responsible for her death. Wallace forbids Curran from interviewing Sir Henry but when Wallace falls ill, Curran is put in charge of the investigation. He begins interviewing those in attendance that night, including his sister, Samrita, and her art teacher and lover, Tom Barker, who painted Lady Cunningham's portrait, Harriet and her brother, Jullian, Jullian's girlfriend and head of the girl's school that Amelia attended, Esme, and Grif Maddocks and his fellow reporter, Sarah Bowman, who has a copy of the missing latter in the Sir Henry case and wants to use it to bring the politician down. But when Sir Henry is also murdered, this time by poison, Curran admits that he might have been wrong about Amelia's death. The immediate suspect in Sir Henry's death is Mary Brown, who is the sister of the boy who killed himself. When arsenic is found in her room, it is assumed that she killed Sir Henry in revenge. But why did she wait 2 years? Before Curran can question her, she escapes and runs to her friend, Tom Barker, for help. He was friends with her brother and has been hiding evidence that Mary has collected that will prove that Sir Henry is an evil man. They ask Harriet for help in putting Mary in contact with Sarah so that she can use the evidence in her article. She reluctantly agrees on the condition that Mary turn herself over to Curran afterwards. But Mary never makes it to the meeting and is found dead, floating in the pond, and the evidence is missing. When Harriet visits Samrita in Tom's studio, she sees a picture that Tom painted of Samrita in an amethyst gown and it is clear that Tom is the murderer. He and Lady Cunningham were having an affair and Amelia accidentally caught them when she snuck off to rendezvous with a boy. Tom killed Mary because she also saw the painting and knew that he had killed Amelia. Lady Cunningham killed Sir Henry, who she was keeping sick with low amounts of arsenic so that he wouldn't go after her own daughters. Once she heard about Sarah and her article, she decided that she had to kill him to avoid a scandal. By the end of the book, Curran is promoted, he and Harriet are married, Jullian and Esme are engaged and Will, Harriet's ward is off to boarding school. There were a few things that kept this from being a 5 star book for me. Curran seemed too mellow, constantly forgiving Harriet's interference in the case without even a harsh word, which is not keeping in character with his behavior in the previous books where he could hold a grudge for quite a while. Also, the whole side story with Will asking about his father was misplaced in this book and should have been in an earlier book since the events with his father happened in the first book of the series. But all in all, this is a good end to the series.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank the author and Oportet Publishing for an advance reader copy of Agony in Amethyst. All opinions and comments are my own.

The past of an influential man catches up with him in Agony in Amethyst, the latest Harriet Gordon and Robert Curran mystery, set in a hot in and sultry 1911 Singapore. But first will come the investigation into the death of a young girl at a fancy party, and then the death of the man himself, from poison. The powers that be would like it to all go away, but that’s not going to happen. Curran will see to that -- with Harriet at his side to help, of course. At the end, we have justice, of a sort, with expectation of more to come, in faraway England.

Readers will get to experience a thorough police investigation with some intriguing twists and turns, which includes the lengths that persons will go to protect positions and reputations, always motives for murder. There’s also a secondary story that involves the search for some jewel thieves that will be fraught with personal danger for Robert Curran, but never fear, everything turns out fine.

In addition, author Alison Stuart never lets us forget about the personal relationships of Harriet and Robert and their family and friends, which we readers have been following for five books now. The author gives us a very satisfactory, “human” finish for these fictional people, and although she does say (in “Author’s Notes”) that this story arc has concluded, I would hope the door is always open for more books. I for one would be happy to see that there is something for the intrepid policeman and his lady to ferret out.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet Gordon and Robert Curran return in book 5 of this series following Curran's return from an exhausting and traumatic case in Malaya. They are quickly plunged into solving several murders that at first appear to be suicides. An old case of Curran's from when he was in London may be connected, a tragic crime with dark overtones.
Singapore is steamy, and the relationship between Harriet and Curran heats up as they work together against the clock to prove who the guilty party is in the death of a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl, and shortly thereafter, of a high-ranking government official. The resolution has an elegant and poignant twist.
From the earlier books, there is a wonderful cast of secondary characters who reappear and whose lives are progressing alongside the main characters. Expect to see progress in Julian and Esme's relationship, and young Will preparing to leave St Tom's to continue his education in Malaya. Curran's half-sister, Samrita, is attracting a great deal of attention with her considerable artistic talent, and even Wallace, Curran's nemesis in London, undergoes some redemption for his earlier ineptitude. I really like Sgt. Singh and his wife, Samreet Kaur too. They are a delightful example of married bliss and an excellent foil for some other characters.
While it appears this may be the final story in the series, nothing is absolute, but the ending is beautiful, nothing less than what such great characters deserve. I like to imagine Harriet and Curran dining at Raffles, or sipping a gin or whisky on the verandah at the end of yet more cases together.
Well done, Ms Stuart!