Evil in Emerald - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: Evil in Emerald (A Harriet Gordon Mystery #3) by A.M. Stuart

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Between working at her brother’s school and typing up Inspector Robert Curran’s police reports, Harriet Gordon has little time for personal pursuits and she has been enjoying the rehearsals for her role in the Singapore Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society’s latest production – Pirates of Penzance. But Harriet quickly discovers tensions run deep within the theatre company and when the leading man is found murdered, suspicions abound, exposing scandalous behavior as well as some insidious crimes.

Inspector Curran once again turns to Harriet for help with this difficult case, but his own life begins to unravel as a mysterious man turns up on his doorstep claiming to know more about Curran’s painful past than he himself does. And after the one person he has always counted on delivers him some devastating news, the line between his personal and professional life begins to blur. Now, more than ever, Curran needs Harriet’s steadfast assistance, and when another cast member meets a violent end, Curran and Harriet will have to close in on a killer determined to make this case their final curtain call.

Genre: Mystery - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book:  I have really enjoyed the previous books in the series. 

My Impression:  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.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I cannot wait for the next book!

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical mysteries with intelligent and complex characters this is a series not to miss.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *