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  • Singapore Sapphire

  • A Harriet Gordon Mystery, Book 1
  • By: A. M. Stuart
  • Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
  • Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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Singapore Sapphire cover art

Singapore Sapphire

By: A. M. Stuart
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Summary

Early 20th-century Singapore is a place where a person can disappear, and Harriet Gordon hopes to make a new life for herself there, leaving her tragic memories behind her - but murder gets in the way.

Singapore, 1910 - Desperate for a fresh start, Harriet Gordon finds herself living with her brother, a reverend and headmaster of a school for boys, in Singapore at the height of colonial rule. Hoping to gain some financial independence, she advertises her services as a personal secretary. It is unfortunate that she should discover her first client, Sir Oswald Newbold - explorer, mine magnate, and president of the exclusive Explorers and Geographers Club - dead with a knife in his throat.

When Inspector Robert Curran is put on the case, he realizes that he has an unusual witness in Harriet. Harriet's keen eye for detail and strong sense of duty interests him, as does her distrust of the police and her traumatic past, which she is at pains to keep secret from the gossips of Singapore society.

When another body is dragged from the canal, Harriet feels compelled to help with the case. She and Curran are soon drawn into a murderous web of treachery and deceit and find themselves face-to-face with a ruthless cabal that has no qualms about killing again to protect its secrets.

©2019 A. M. Stuart (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Skillfully and seamlessly weaves actual people and events of the time with rich, multidimensional fictional characters.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“My favorite new mystery series! Set in a unique and compelling setting, and filled with fascinating historical research, deft characterization, and thrilling suspense, readers will devour Singapore Sapphire. One of the best books I’ve read this year. I can’t wait to read Harriet’s next adventure.” (Anna Lee Huber, best-selling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries)

Singapore Sapphire is a gem of a story! You will love the intrepid heroine and the exotic locale that bring this twisty tale to life. I loved every minute of this steamy adventure.” (Victoria Thompson, best-selling author of Murder in Trinity Place)

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What listeners say about Singapore Sapphire

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Really enjoyed this book

I love historical murder mystery books, most of which are located in England. This series has been set in Singapore and the descriptive writing really brings Singapore at that time alive. Good narration and thoroughly good plot that danced along at a good pace. I would highly recommend!

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I Loved It

I really enjoyed this book, listened almost without pause and looking forward to the next book. Narration perfect. Highly recommended

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Loved it

Great story. An interesting view of Singapore before the First World War.
Well read. Kept me interested until the end.

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Same old feminist cliches

the male character is useless and think the female needs their help when actually it turns out she is a wonderful genius who can solve the crime despite the prejudice nasty men, yawn.

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