Another terrific read from A.M. Stuart. There's twists and turns galore, and the side story involving his family will have you rooting for Inspector Curran in this, the third in the series.

I was so excited to get this next book in the series. There are some twists in this one that I didn't expect. I really like the atmosphere this author creates. I can see myself in the setting. I love her characters and how she moves the mystery along. I look forward to the next one.

I liked this book well enough but I think I will be fine with the author wrapping it up with the next book.

Evil in Emerald deals with the murder of the leading man of an amateur production of Pirate of Penzance. There were several avenues of investigation, from business/financial to romantic/personal. I though that the author did a good job of having Harriet be naturally in the right place to learn information to help Curran without her being nosy or annoying. Curran himself didn't come off too well in this book however. The murderer- I'm not sure. The author once again is using the mental instability equals murdery trope which I enjoy less and less as time goes on.

A really great mystery! I love it when everything makes sense. I had the killer pegged almost from the beginning because I could tell there was something off about that character. I’m really excited about book 4! I am loving the evolving dynamic with Robert and Harriet! I find his new family dynamic really interesting! Long lost relatives always stir the pot.

Great mystery, great characters! Keep writing! This series is one of my favorites!!!

Stuart's mysteries are complex and fascinating reads, and bring the setting to life with evocative language. In addition to the mystery, there was a lot of character development that left me waiting for the next installment!

Have been unable to review due to illness. Review coming soon! This novel looks fantastic and I highly recommend this author to everyone! Can't wait to read this one!

A very atmospheric and rewarding mystery. I loved the characters.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a favorite series of mine. Harriet Gordon is a very intriguing character as Stuart has given her a strong backstory and an empathetic character. The fascinating setting is Singapore in 1910. Harriet has joined her brother Julian in his ministry as head of a boys school over the last year or so and is now enjoying her part-time work as a typist at the local police station. Inspector Curran secured the position for her and is now part of her cautious life. In this story, Harriet is involved in a local theater group. The accident or possible murder that happens at the ramshackle building brings the reader into a fascinating and flawed group of characters. This is a series that gets richer and more satisfying. I love this series.

It's 1910 in the British expat community in Colonial Singapore and a local production of Pirates of Penzance causes quite a stir as Harriet Gordon, part-time police typist and sometime cast member is pulled into an investigation into the murder of the leading man. Once her boss, Inspector Robert Curran, is put on the case, Harriet and her keen eye for detail are called upon to assist in the investigation. As the case heats up, ghosts from Curran's past show up and complicate matters. I enjoyed Evil in Emerald's many twists and turns, along with Stuart's creative plotting. This a terrific read and a well developed mystery.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Talk about escapist reading! Evil in Emerald, the third book in the Harriet Gordon series, transports readers to early twentieth century colonial Singapore where it’s the rainy season and murders overshadow preparations for the local production of The Pirates of Penzance. There is far more at play than meets the eye, and Inspector Curran and typist Harriet dive deep to solve the crimes in this stunning historical mystery.

Harriet Gordon’s days are full with helping her brother Julian run his school, caring for their ward, secretarial duties for the police, stepping out with Australian journalist Simon, and rehearsing for the upcoming show with the local amateur theater. The theater group has given her the opportunity to make new acquaintances among the English set. Everyone is shocked when their leading man Tony’s body is found in the burnt remains of a fire at the group’s headquarters. When it is revealed that Tony was murdered and the fire intentionally set, Harriet finds herself in a unique position to assist Inspector Curran with his investigation among the group’s members. As the body count and threat rise, secrets and fraud are revealed that affect everyone.

This series is wonderful. Author A.M. Stuart does a fantastic job world building. I felt the humidity and the electricity in the air with approaching storms…smelled the acrid smoke and curries…heard the Gilbert and Sullivan melodies while reading. The story is engrossing with many layers, subplots, and complex characters. I enjoy Harriet’s intelligence and independent spirit. People feel comfortable talking to her, and her sympathetic nature is never trite. Inspector Curran, always complicated, is even more so here as he deals with the unraveling of his personal life. His sensitivity to other cultures is stark in comparison to many of his colonizing counterparts. Stuart finds the right balance with these other characters’ prejudice acknowledging the past wrongs without sacrificing authenticity to the period. All of the characters face real and relatable issues, and I like getting to know them as the series continues.

The mystery of Tony’s death at first seems simple, but as the story progresses the tangled web of relationships becomes more and more complex and exciting. I felt invested in the tale right away and had a hard time putting the book down. I did guess whodunit pretty early on, but this did not deter my enjoyment, and I doubted myself for about half of the book. As a fan of musical theater/opera/operettas, I enjoy the amateur theater group’s antics and the author’s nod to Gilbert and Sullivan. The operetta’s lighthearted nature is in direct opposition to the seriousness of the murders and Inspector Curran’s personal situation. And, my heart does break for what Curran is going through. He is utterly devastated by loss and learning more about his absent father. I look forward to being by his side as he works through his troubles and am excited to see where his next assignment with the police will lead him. I cannot wait to see how his and Harriet’s relationship evolves.

Evil in Emerald’s setting makes it feel fresh and exotic. The characters keep me coming back for more. It is excellent reading. Highly recommended.

I’ve been itching to read Evil in Emerald for what seems like forever as I enjoyed the first two Harriet Gordon mysteries so much. This story is a perfect conclusion to Harriet’s adventures in Singapore—for now—and a rip-snortingly good murder mystery as well. Peopled with many of the same cast as the first two books in the series, Evil In Emerald allowed me to reacquaint myself with familiar faces like journalists Simon Hume, a love interest of sorts for Harriet, and Griff Maddocks as well as Inspector Robert Curran’s capable crew of police. Sergeant Gurshuran Singh is a perfect foil for Curran, who turns to his whisky at one point in the story. I loved Singh’s dry wit and enthusiasm for dousing Curran in water.
The story itself moves along at a cracking pace with murders aplenty as well as the odd spot of arson. I had an inkling as to the murderer’s identity but really there were so many red herrings I was kept guessing to the end, where I was thrilled to learn that Harriet and Inspector Gordon will be back, but next time in Malaysia. I can’t wait!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
The third in a series but the first for me. I had no trouble following the plot but I want to read the first. Much to my surprise, this is not a cozy .mystery though the cover makes it feel like one.
There is nothing superficial about these characters who are richly developed with loveable main characters. Look forward to more.

EVIL IN EMERALD is the fabulous third entry in the Harriet Gordon mystery series. It is historical mystery writing at its finest, and I tremendously enjoyed the complex characters and multi-layered mystery.

Police typist Harriet Gordon adds a bit of fun to her life by participating in the local amateur theater group’s production of THE PIRATES OF PINZANCE. Things take a dark turn when there is a fire at the group’s headquarters and the leading man is found dead among the ashes. When it becomes clear that he was, in fact, murdered, Harriet does all she can to help Inspector Curran find the culprit. Secrets and dirty dealings are revealed as the body count rises and danger ensues.

The series is set in Singapore in 1910, and author A.M. Stuart’s descriptive writing imparts a strong sense of time and place. Stuart is sensitive to the plight of the non-British with the racist attitudes of the colonial residents, but she remains true to the period. Harriet is a strong protagonist – easy to talk to, inquisitive, independent. Plus, she really cares about those around her. Her involvement in the local amateur theater makes her investigating seem organic. Inspector Curran is not at his best as his personal life crumbles and he learns about his father, but he still puts his all into the investigation. I admire his strong desire for justice.

EVIL IN EMERALD is ultimately about relationships, and I care deeply about these characters and their fates. I highly recommend this to any reader who enjoys a quality puzzle to solve, a vibrant historical setting, and characters that jump off the page.

I received an ARC of this title from Berkley Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here. #NetGalley #EvilInEmerald

I really enjoy this series and was so excited for this one. I love the setting and have really come to love the characters as well. Harriet has a tragic past and while she has her issues she doesn't let it weigh her down and make her prickly. Curran also has a tragic past but he is as prickly and damaged as a character can be and still be functional. I liked that we got a bit more backstory to him as well as seeing him at a serious low point.

The side characters are more developed with Harriet's brother, Julian, taking more of a confidant role with Curran as well as a mysterious figure from the previous book stepping out of the shadows. As well, since Harriet is involved with the suspects in more of an organic role because of her involvement with the society instead of just in an official capacity, I felt like we saw more of the working of society in Singapore which was interesting.

The mystery started out seemingly simple but plunges into the relationships of the Dramatic society with a look into Singapore politics and attitudes at the time. There are plenty of motives for why the leading man was killed but up until the pieces really come together none of them seem strong enough to kill him. I felt like Harriet really took the lead in this book and most of the investigation is seen through her eyes with some guidance from Curran.

I really enjoyed this book and was glad to see Harriet, Julian, and Curran again. I cannot wait for the next book as the end felt a bit like a watershed moment for the whole of the series that needed to happen but I'm not sure where it will go from here.

Inspector Curran has a real mystery on his hands- who murdered the handsome Tony and then set his body on fire and why? And, he's got some personal surprises to deal with in this well crafted tale set in 1910 Singapore. He relies heavily on Harriet Gordon, who is meant to be a secretary for the police but as it turns out is incredibly useful as a sleuth as well. There's more than onstage drama with Tony's theater group and he's been involved in some business that touches on one of Curran's cases. And there are more murders ahead. Fans of the series should know that this focuses mostly on Curran, not Harriet, but she remains the lodestone around which the plot circles. Although Stuart gives very good backstory, I do think this will be most enjoyed by those who are familiar with the characters (how Harriett and Will ended up in Singapore, Li Ann, Curran, and so on). There are some good twists in the mystery of Tony's death as well as in Curran's life and the atmospherics (the rain alone!) are wonderful . Don't miss the author's notes at the end! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I very much enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next installment.

This is another brilliant story in this series, I do love my visits to 1910 Singapore and catching up with Harriet Gordon, Robert Curran and the rest of the wonderful characters that have played a big part in this series. A M Stuart brings the setting, the era and characters to life with a well-researched story, I could barely put it down.

Harriet has been thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Singapore Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society as they are rehearsing for their big night with The Pirates of Penzance, all seems to be going well that is until the leading man is found dead, brutally murdered, Harriet is shocked although if the rumours are true there has been some scandalous behavior going on with other cast members.

Inspector Curran starts his investigation and asks Harriet for her help again to unravel this case, there is a lot going on and the investigation can go a few ways with the thoughts on the reasons for the murder and when another member of the society is found dead this throws another twist in the investigation.

Curran is also having a problem with his personal life when the person he has relied on leaves him devastated and another person comes into his life he really is unravelling and Harriet is there to offer her help, but the case keeps turning in other directions with another body being found, will they ever work out who the murderer is and if it is the same person and why are they being murdered.

This story had lots of twists and a lot going on in it, it is fast paced and so very well written, I was guessing to the end to realize truth of what was going on. I love Harriet and Curran and with their lives changing and an unknown future for them this is a book and series that I would highly recommend, I can’t wait for book four and getting back to them all, there is a wonderful cast of characters that are very easy to make friends with it really is a must read.

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

Evil in Emerald is a historical mystery set in 1910 Singapore. Harriet Gordon is working on a production of Pirates of Penzance when she gets involved in solving a mystery with Inspector Curran.

I wanted to read this novel because I was particularly intrigued by the combination of setting (Singapore) and time period. The historical details in this book are evocative and I greatly enjoyed the setting as well.

This is the third book in the mystery series and I had no problem catching up with the characters and enjoying it as a stand alone read. Now, of course, I do want to go back and read the other books in this series!

Recommended enthusiastically for fans of historical mysteries.

Harriet Gordon had been enjoying her part in the rehearsals of Pirates of Penzance with the Singapore Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society, listening to the lyrical voice of the lead singer/artist and her partner while checking costumes and drinking tea. But when fire roared through the costumes room, and the body of the leading man was found inside, the shock reverberated around the members. Harriet was doing her bit to help Inspector Curran with the investigation as it turned out Tony had been murdered, but as secrets surfaced, Curran could see there was much more to the murder than previously thought.

Curran’s private life was unravelling, something Harriet was aware of, and with more bodies being found, they knew the race was on. Was it only to do with the theatre company? Or was it much more involved than that? Curran was sure he knew one side of the puzzle but couldn’t come around to the other. Could Harriet? And would Curran sort his own life out before he wrecked his career?

Evil in Emerald, eagerly awaited, is the 3rd in the Harriet Gordon Mystery series by Aussie author A.M. Stuart and I’m thrilled to know there’ll be a #4 soon. Another excellent addition to the series, with Curran’s life falling around him and Harriet’s ongoing care of Will, her brother Julian and her ward whom she loved like her own. I’m loving this series – the characters are well-written and very likeable, and the verbal pictures of a hot and humid Singapore, perfectly painted. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Harriet Gordon, who works two jobs in Singapore in the early 20th century, partners with Inspector Robert Curran to investigate a murder in a local production of Pirates of Penzance. She's a member of the theatre group putting it on, so has a kind of insider's view most helpful to the investigation. I loved the exotic setting, inclusion of theatre, the relationship between Helen and Curran, and the deft way the narrative unspools to keep the reader entranced. Highly recommended for lovers of histfic mysteries set in enticing locations. Out March 29.

Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#evilinemerald #BerkleyPub # AMStuart #NetGalley

This was by far my favorite book in the series. When a murder happens at the local theatre company, the intrepid Harriett Gordon finds herself knee deep in figuring out what's going on. Even with turmoil in her private life, she takes an interest in the acting society murder and again finds herself in potential danger.