Revenge in Rubies

A Harriet Gordon Mystery, Book 2

By: A. M. Stuart

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Harriet Gordon receives word from a friend about a tragic death, she and Inspector Curran are thrust into a web of family secrets that threatens to destroy them both in this all-new mystery from the author of Singapore Sapphire.

Singapore, 1910 - Harriet Gordon has found fulfillment at last. Her young ward, Will, has settled into his new home with Harriet and her brother, Julian. And Harriet’s employment as a typist at the Straits Settlements Police Force has given her an intriguing way to occupy her time and some much-needed financial independence. But when her friend and employer, Inspector Robert Curran, is called to the scene of a brutal murder and Harriet is asked to comfort the victim’s family, her newfound sense of contentment is abruptly shattered. 

Sylvie Nolan, the new and much-younger wife of Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan, has been bludgeoned to death in her bedroom. The tightly knit military community in Singapore quickly closes ranks to hinder Curran’s investigation, and Harriet realizes that her friendship with the colonel’s sister might prove useful. 

But to get close enough to the family’s secrets, Harriet must once again face her painful past, and Curran is forced to dredge up some long-buried secrets of his own. And when more shocking deaths occur that all seem linked to Sylvie’s murder, Harriet and Curran discover that they too are in the sights of a callous killer....

©2020 A. M. Stuart (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Very entertaining!

I really enjoyed this second book in the Harriet Gordon mystery series. What a terrific storyline, with wonderful writing and an interesting cast of characters. And of course, with great reading by Katherine Lee McEwan.

I was initially annoyed that they changed readers because I adored Saskia Maarleveld, the woman who had read the previous book. But Ms. McEwan rose to the occasion and I got over my bias.

I am so looking forward to the next in the series.

Why Change the Narrator?

For my money, this just wasn't as good as the first in the series. It may be because the narrator drove me up the wall. The reading was oddly wooden, and with a strange kind of 'little girl' kind of voice thing going on that drove me BATS. I actually only kept listening because I liked the first one, and Harriet, so much. All that having been said. This wasn't Bad. It just wasn't as good. No sizzle between Harriet and Curran, and a Very convoluted plot that was kind of a mash up of a bunch of British Colonial/Honor of The Regiment type stuff. I'll hope the third, when it arrives, is a bit stronger.

Ruined by wooden stilted narration

I enjoyed the gentle drama of the first of the series, brought to life by beautiful narration, This is the opposite, killed by dreadful, stilted narration. I gave up after a couple of chapters.

Loved it

Can’t wait for her next book. Hope she continues with these characters . Narrator was great.

Second of 2 fun murder mysteries

Harriet Gordon is a great character. Set in 1920 Singapore like the first novel her character appears in, Harriet continues to be an unofficial assistant to the chief detective who grudgingly but appreciatively accepts her help.
One hopes this is not the last we will hear from her!

page turner

I got caught up in this story, and accomodated my ear to the narrator, who differed from that of Singapore Saffire. Twists and turns, intrique and secrets.

Even better than the first!

I was predisposed to like this novel as I adore mysteries set in distant locales. It’s got just enough of everything: plot, interesting characters, a good twist to the finish and a pleasant reader.

Definitely recommend, but...

Must confess I was SO disappointed when I started listening to this and realised the fabulous narrator from book 1 had been replaced. The characters sounded all wrong and I had to stop listening... But, after a break, I returned and the change in voices didn’t grate and I was able to enjoy another fab tale by A.M. Stuart. Just loving this series... really interesting time & place, strong characters and a enjoyable level of murder & mystery (not lots of gore or psychological creepiness). The narrator sounded a bit computerised at first, but was just fine once they got going, although I did speed it up a bit (1.1x). Definitely recommend, but don’t rush from book 1 to book 2, the voices sound all wrong!

Very Enjoyable

Better than the first Harriet Gordon book. Characters developing well and new ones from different backgrounds create interest.
I found the narrator a bit slow and listened at 1.1 X speed, but she read clearly and has pleasant voice. Accents not great, but not overdone.
Hopefully a third book will come along.