A.M. Stuart Books in Order

How to Read the Harriet Gordon Mysteries

The Harriet Gordon Mysteries are the absolute highlight of A.M. Stuart's bibliography. Set in Singapore in the early 20th century (specifically beginning in 1910), the series follows Harriet Gordon, a schoolmaster's sister fleeing a tragic past in England, who runs a typing service and finds herself helping Inspector Robert Curran solve complex murder mysteries.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the best experience, readers have two options. You can read the books in order of release, or start with the prequel novella. If you want the full character development as originally written, start with Singapore Sapphire. However, if you want to know Harriet's exact backstory before she starts her typing business, start with The Umbrella.

Here is the chronological order of the Harriet Gordon Mystery books:

1. The Umbrella (Prequel Novella, published 2023) - This short story details Harriet's arrival in Singapore and the events that led to her setting up her commercial typing service.
2. Singapore Sapphire (Book 1, published 2019) - The main series entry where Harriet meets Inspector Robert Curran while typing up reports, only to get drawn into a murder investigation.
3. Revenge in Rubies (Book 2, published 2020) - Harriet and Curran team up again to look into the death of an aide's wife, exposing high-society secrets in the process.
4. Evil in Emerald (Book 3, published 2022) - Set against the backdrop of amateur theatrics in Singapore, Harriet is pulled into a web of blackmail, theft, and murder.
5. Terror in Topaz (Book 2.5/4, published 2023) - Curran and Harriet travel to the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, where a simple visit turns deadly.
6. Agony in Amethyst (Book 5, published 2024) - Harriet and Inspector Curran face their most personal and dangerous case yet back in Singapore.

Writing as Alison Stuart: The Historical Romances

If you enjoy A.M. Stuart's rich attention to historical detail but want more romance, you should check out her works written under her real name, Alison Stuart. She has written across different historical periods, from Victorian Australia to the English Civil War.

Maiden's Creek Series

Set in the Victorian goldfields of Australia in the 1870s, this series blends romance, family secrets, and Australian frontier history. They are best read in publication order:

1. The Postmistress (2019)
2. The Goldminer's Sister (2020)
3. The Homecoming (2023)

Guardians of the Crown Series

This historical trilogy is set during the turbulent years of the English Civil War (1650-1660) and centers on soldiers, spies, and the fight for the crown. The recommended reading order is:

1. By the Sword (2007)
2. The King's Man (2007)
3. Exile's Return (2022)

Standalone Historical Novels

For a quick, self-contained read, Alison Stuart has published standalone novels:

• Lord Somerton's Heir (2014) - A Regency romance about a soldier inheriting a title and a dowager looking to escape her past.
• And Then Mine Enemy (2015) - A historical romance set during the English Civil War.
• Secrets in Time (2016) - A time-slip novel transitioning between the present day and 1914.

What to Know Before You Start

Stuart's mysteries stand out for their exceptional sense of place. Having lived in Singapore for three years, she captures the climate, the colonial hierarchy, and the multicultural fabric of the city. Her background as a lawyer and former military Major provides her stories with structural realism, particularly when writing about policing, local laws, and soldierly protagonists. While the mysteries are central to the Harriet Gordon series, the evolving professional and personal dynamic between Harriet and Inspector Curran is a major draw for readers.