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A review by marilynw
Revenge in Rubies by A.M. Stuart
4.0
Revenge in Rubies (Harriet Gordon Mystery #2) by A.M. Stuart Author
I enjoyed this second dive into the world of Harriet Gordon, now employed as a typist at the Straits Settlements Police Force, in Singapore. She still works part time for the boys' school that employs her brother, in order to earn her place in his school provided household. And she and her brother are the guardians of ten year old Will, which helps to ease the pain of Harriet's loss of her husband and son, to typhoid three years ago.
Harriet is summoned to the home of a friend whose sister in law has been brutally murdered. As Harriet's employer, Inspector Robert Curran, investigates the murder, he runs into the obstacle of the military community closing ranks against any outside investigation of the death since the young woman was the wife of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan. Another obstacle is that the military community will not consider any interference by Curran's native police officers. Even Harriet's military attached friends are obviously hiding secrets that could help with the investigation but Harriet is able to dig deeper into what is going on, in an effort to help Inspector Curran, whose recurring illness is hampering his ability to work.
As they dig, the murderer(s) may be striking again. Even with this additional threat the military continue to close ranks. I enjoyed this police procedural and seeing just how little the investigators have to work with to solve this crime. Autopsies aren't a pleasant experience in even the best of conditions so hot, humid, fly infested Singapore, where a body is decaying the minute the life has left it, makes for gag worthy scenes, which doesn't help an already sick Curran. And both Harriet and Curran are dealing with their pasts, Harriet, the loss of her little family, and Curran, the vicious rumors of his long lost father being a traitor to his country. I look forward to book three, as we continue to learn more about Harriet and Curran and the world of 1910 Singapore.
Pub September 15, 2020 by Berkley Books
I enjoyed this second dive into the world of Harriet Gordon, now employed as a typist at the Straits Settlements Police Force, in Singapore. She still works part time for the boys' school that employs her brother, in order to earn her place in his school provided household. And she and her brother are the guardians of ten year old Will, which helps to ease the pain of Harriet's loss of her husband and son, to typhoid three years ago.
Harriet is summoned to the home of a friend whose sister in law has been brutally murdered. As Harriet's employer, Inspector Robert Curran, investigates the murder, he runs into the obstacle of the military community closing ranks against any outside investigation of the death since the young woman was the wife of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan. Another obstacle is that the military community will not consider any interference by Curran's native police officers. Even Harriet's military attached friends are obviously hiding secrets that could help with the investigation but Harriet is able to dig deeper into what is going on, in an effort to help Inspector Curran, whose recurring illness is hampering his ability to work.
As they dig, the murderer(s) may be striking again. Even with this additional threat the military continue to close ranks. I enjoyed this police procedural and seeing just how little the investigators have to work with to solve this crime. Autopsies aren't a pleasant experience in even the best of conditions so hot, humid, fly infested Singapore, where a body is decaying the minute the life has left it, makes for gag worthy scenes, which doesn't help an already sick Curran. And both Harriet and Curran are dealing with their pasts, Harriet, the loss of her little family, and Curran, the vicious rumors of his long lost father being a traitor to his country. I look forward to book three, as we continue to learn more about Harriet and Curran and the world of 1910 Singapore.
Pub September 15, 2020 by Berkley Books