A Curse in Nuala

The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #16

by Harriet Steel

Ceylon has gained its independence from Britain and Inspector Shanti de Silva is adjusting to his new boss, Police Commissioner Fernando, who much to Shanti’s annoyance hints that he doesn’t have enough to do. Fernando is soon proved wrong when a deposed Indian maharajah who has come to live at the former Residence is murdered, and the Star of Ceylon, a priceless sapphire from his royal collection, is stolen. The jewel is reputed to be cursed and when more suspicious deaths occur, fears that supernatural forces are at work mount. With his wife Jane’s help, can Shanti break the spell and prove his worth to Fernando?

Genres: Mystery

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2026

About the author

Harriet Steel wrote several historical novels before turning to crime with the Inspector de Silva mysteries, inspired by time spent in Sri Lanka (the former Ceylon)). Her work has also appeared in national newspapers and magazines. Visit her website, https://harrietsteel.com/ to sign up to her monthly newsletter for information on new releases and offers.
Harriet is married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Reviews

[Sophia]

A former maharajah is murdered, his legendary cursed sapphire stolen, and Inspector de Silva has his first murder case with a new boss under independent Ceylon’s government. I’m so thrilled Harriet Steel continued the Inspector de Silva Mystery series beyond the great milestones of WWII and Independence with the sixteenth installment, A Curse in Nuala.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 5.27.26.

[Georgia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read A Curse in Nuala as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team and received a copy from the author but this does not alter my review in anyway.

There are few things more comforting than sinking into a new book from a series you love. You know it’s going to be well written and you know the story is going to be good. I was therefore delighted to pick up A Curse in Nuala, having read several from this long series before.

Ceylon is now independent from the British, and Inspector Shanti de Silva has a new boss. One he is concerned about serving under. However, when an Indian maharajah is murdered and a priceless sapphire stolen, de Silva is pleased with the way his boss, Police Commissioner Fernando, gets things in motion and the support he gives him, without taking over. The sapphire is rumoured to be cursed, which affects many of the staff at the Residence, where the maharajah was living with his wife. And while Shanti doesn’t believe in such things as curses, it still makes him edgy, especially when there are more suspicious deaths linked to the first.

This is a wonderful series of detective stories. I can see it as a television series, actually. The characters are great, the plots sufficiently involved, and the outcomes satisfactory. Although these books are standalone you will get much more from the series if you start at the beginning, as life evolves for Shanti and his wife, Jane, as the stories progress.

Highly recommended.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visit to Ceylon is always looked forward to as I have enjoyed all 16 of the books in this series.
This one features the theft of a valuable sapphire. Inspector de Silva is still adjusting to the change in boss but still maintains relations with the old one. The solid relationship between the inspector, his wife and their cats remains foundational. Once started, I cannot put down one of Harriet Steel's books.

Kindle Unlimited

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the summer of 1949 and Inspector Shanti de Silva is adjusting to the changes in his working life since Ceylon is now independent of British rule. He’s unsure how his relationship with the new Police Commissioner will work after the friendly relations he had with Archie Clutterbuck, the previous Commissioner, especially since Police Commissioner Fernando seems to think de Silva hasn’t got enough work to do.

This situation changes dramatically when an Indian maharajah, who has been exiled and is now living at what used to be the Residence, is murdered and a priceless jewel from his collection stolen. The sapphire, known as the Star of Ceylon, is reputed to be cursed and a good number of the maharajah’s staff are on edge.

Despite his initial misgivings, de Silva finds his new boss to be extremely helpful and quick to take action while allowing de Silva to work as he sees fit. The investigation begins with the maharajah’s wife and son along with the large contingent of live in staff leading to more deaths which appear to be connected to the case.

I was quite surprised to realise we’re at the 16th book in the series. I’ve enjoyed each story and how the cast of characters have developed, and also how the historical changes in Ceylon have been incorporated into the stories.

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inspector de Silva mysteries go from strength to strength. In this 16th novel in the series Shanti is dealing with the changes caused by Ceylon’s independence. Having achieved a good working relationship with Archie Clutterbuck, his previous boss, he must now deal with new methods introduced by the dynamic new Police Commissioner. Aided by discussions with his supportive, intelligent wife, Jane, he works through the suspects living in the murdered maharajah’s mansion but finding proof may require modern solutions.

It was good to see Archie’s forthright wife, Florence, adapting to their retirement by developing their new garden and inviting all her friends to see the beautiful results. Remaining in Sri Lanka rather than returning to Britain was obviously a good decision. I also enjoyed reading about Shanti’s interactions with his beloved cats, Billy and Bella, and the delicious meals he enjoys.

As more bodies mount up, the pressure to solve the case increases, but Shanti is a skilled investigator and can be trusted to find the murderer despite the curse of the missing sapphire. For new or returning readers to the series there is an excellent summary of the main characters at the front of the book.

[Erik Tolvstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the 15th(and most recent) in the series.

A very well written murder and jewel theft tale. Plenty of red herrings/full blown deceptions, unreliable alibis, and a short list of wealthy and arrogant suspects.

Inspector de Silva is a carefully thorough and persistent detective, rather than the brilliant "aha" intuitive crime solver, neither is he a rock-em-sock-em tough guy. He treats his subordinate officers and colleagues with respect and keeps them all abreast of what he knows, or thinks, and they respond in kind. He works at keeping an open mind about cases and sifts through evidence and inferred knowledge bit-by-bit. De Silva also calls on his intelligent wife Jane to serve as a sounding board to help him organize his thoughts and make suggestions - Jane de Silva plays a similar role to the keenly intelligent Madame Maigret, from the Simenon books.

As always, with the de Silva mysteries, the world of hill-country Sri Lanka is an important part of the tale. de Silva greatly enjoys his native cuisine and he's an avid gardener and lover of the lush countryside.

Heartily recommended. Read the whole series too!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable mystery

I enjoy the Inspector de Silva mysteries so much! The books are always good mysteries with lots of other information to keep my interest. I’m an armchair traveler and find all the descriptions quite fascinating. The development of the characters has added great depth to the books as they have been published. Harriet Steel has a knack with storytelling that keeps me looking forward to another book.
This latest book is just as entertaining as the previous Nuala mysteries, and I recommend them to anybody looking for a good book with which to spend time.

[Fran Tarshish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable mystery in this series. If I could give a 3 1/2 I would. The book runs along the same line as the previous books except Ceylon is now independent and De Silva has a new boss. My two quibbles are: the author seems to have found a formula and so it seems very much like all the previous books and the end of the book when the mystery is solved is very rushed and a bit confusing. I would still recommend the book.

[Patricia Vroman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So pleased that Inspector de Silva continues to solve mysteries in the tiny hill town in Ceylon despite losing Archie as his boss after India gained its independence from Britain. After misgivings he finds his new boss, Fernando, helpful. As ever Jane's intuition and social contacts help solve the murders connected to the shah who replaced Archie at the Residence, and to the precious sapphire. Wish I knew how to cook or even find the delicious spicy dishes that de Silva enjoys.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1949. With independent Inspector de Silva has a new boss. Now an ex-maharajah living in Nuala has been murdered and the rare and expensive Star of Ceylon stolen.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait for the latest installment in this amazingly good series. Inspector de Silva and his wife keep solving cases in the hill country of Sri Lanka. An excellent detective story I strongly recommend.

[sheli nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all 16 books

These lovely characters will be missed. I enjoyed them all so much and am grateful that the world created by the author is a marvelous lens into Ceylon, now Sri Lanka that one day I hope to visit.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy the setting of Ceylon, this time after independence. I enjoy the Inspector and his wife Jane. The mystery is not as compelling—the motivation not as clear but all gets solved at the end and it looks as if Shanti will be happy with his new boss Fernando.

[Sharron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable ending in no way diminished the story or its characters. 3.5 stars

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does not disappoint

I love this series and always look forward to the next book.
This one doesn't disappoint.
Hopefully video won't have to wait to long for the next one.