Scan barcode
jlo615's review
3.0
I receive this book as an ARC. It was okay— the mystery in the center of the story was not transparent enough to be solved easily. The characters were introduced well and given sufficient description. The dramatic twists and turns kept me engaged, especially once the pacing picked up.
Mild Spoilers ahead?—
I got tired of the “white savior” feel that was unintentional. The “native” characters were not much of a focus of the story, even though the white characters were a focus of the story. I was also very confused about how Curran could be so very in love with Li An, yet the drama was forcing him to be pushed toward an interest in Harriet.
I don’t know why this book didn’t hook me, maybe I was burnt out? I wanted to like it more but was left with feeling it was okay.
Mild Spoilers ahead?—
I got tired of the “white savior” feel that was unintentional. The “native” characters were not much of a focus of the story, even though the white characters were a focus of the story. I was also very confused about how Curran could be so very in love with Li An, yet the drama was forcing him to be pushed toward an interest in Harriet.
I don’t know why this book didn’t hook me, maybe I was burnt out? I wanted to like it more but was left with feeling it was okay.
chloefrizzle's review
2.0
A slow murder mystery. Set in Singapore, but with mostly European characters. Not much character work.
Booktone = New York Pink (intellectual, plot focus). https://youtube.com/watch?v=AD4WKlAB0Jw
Booktone = New York Pink (intellectual, plot focus). https://youtube.com/watch?v=AD4WKlAB0Jw
zermeena's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the Harriet Gordon series. It is set in 1910 Singapore. Harriet has joined her brother Julian in Singapore looking for a fresh start in life. She is leaving behind various traumatic events and hoping to build a new life. Harriet has just begun working as a shorthand typist for Oswald Newbold when he and his house servant are brutally murdered. This is followed by another gruesome murder. The police don't have many leads until stolen jewels surface. Then the crimes begin to merge together.
We are introduced to Harriet, her brother and a few friends. We also get to know Inspector Curran and a few members of his police department. This book moves slowly until the last quarter. Then the chapters alternate between Harriet and Curran's POV. The chapters also become very short. The mystery was not too difficult to solve. It felt like the whole book was to set up relationships between the characters in the future.
We are introduced to Harriet, her brother and a few friends. We also get to know Inspector Curran and a few members of his police department. This book moves slowly until the last quarter. Then the chapters alternate between Harriet and Curran's POV. The chapters also become very short. The mystery was not too difficult to solve. It felt like the whole book was to set up relationships between the characters in the future.
msnyderk's review
4.0
Very unique first book in a new series. Love the setting in Singapore and the characters were diverse. The mystery was good too. There were a few times I thought it was a little drawn out but overall, good read!
bayni017's review
5.0
This book was right up my alley. A third person mystery set in a Historical fiction setting. Set in Singapore in 1910, we meet Harriet, who has come to live with her brother to basically escape her past and make a new life for herself. She lost her husband to illness and throughout the book we learn of her past. She is one of the leads I would say the other being Inspector Curran. I really liked both individuals, I was able to get invested into the story and the people in it, I loved the setting. A good whodunit and I am excited to read the next book in this series.
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
bibliopage's review against another edition
5.0
A multi-layered mystery (and first in the Harriet Gordon series) with a bevy of unforgettable characters! From the first page, the reader is transported to early twentieth-century Singapore and its colonial complexities. I can't wait to read about Harriet Gordon's next adventure!
cpjeanz's review against another edition
4.0
I loved my time with this. Interesting characters, slowly revealed complex mystery and good setup for the future.
Quick hits:
- Characters have solid backstories which make them feel real and flawed.
- Plot starts narrow and slowly expands.
- The reveal felt somewhat unexpected and unpredictable which I didn’t really like as I didn’t have much of a chance to guess.
- Solid ending setup for the series.
Overall, I’m excited to continue reading more. The reveal was a little too unpredictable but still enjoyable overall.
Quick hits:
- Characters have solid backstories which make them feel real and flawed.
- Plot starts narrow and slowly expands.
- The reveal felt somewhat unexpected and unpredictable which I didn’t really like as I didn’t have much of a chance to guess.
- Solid ending setup for the series.
Overall, I’m excited to continue reading more. The reveal was a little too unpredictable but still enjoyable overall.