Alison Stuart Dazzles Readers With Her Harriet Gordon Mystery Series Set In The Enigmatic World Of Early Twentieth-Century Singapore

Photo: A.M Stuart, celebrated author of the Harriet Gordon Mystery series, brings historical Singapore to life with her extraordinary storytelling.

Trust And Betrayal In Colonial Singapore

Alison writes as A.M Stuart shares her creative inspirations, historical intrigue, and how life experiences shaped the gripping Harriet Gordon Mystery series set against colonial Singapore’s vivid backdrop and societal complexities.

A  ustralian author A.M Stuart stands as a shining beacon in the realm of historical mystery fiction. Best known for her gripping Harriet Gordon Mystery series, Stuart crafts narratives that transport readers to early twentieth-century Singapore, weaving a rich tapestry of intrigue, resilience, and human complexity. With an extensive career as a lawyer and her years of global travel—including time living in Africa and Singapore—Stuart possesses a unique perspective that lends depth and authenticity to her work. Her ability to transform fascinating historical settings into living, breathing characters is nothing short of masterful.

The Harriet Gordon series, commencing with the captivating Singapore Sapphire, introduces readers to a time and place rarely explored in fiction—the gentler pre-World War I era of Singapore. As the mysteries unfold, Stuart skilfully marries themes of colonial tension, personal trauma, and steadfast resilience, painting a vivid picture of humanity amidst societal transformation. Through Harriet Gordon’s tenacity and her complex partnership with Inspector Robert Curran, A.M Stuart explores profound themes of trust, betrayal, and redemption, all while immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of a bygone era.

Beyond her mysteries, Stuart’s prowess as a wordsmith shines in her historical romance and short stories, proving her versatility and commitment to storytelling across genres. Whether delving into the suffragette movement, weaving tales of military honour, or exploring the evolving dynamics of Singapore’s multicultural community, Stuart invites us into worlds where history and fiction converge seamlessly.

A.M Stuart is a masterful storyteller, blending historical authenticity, intricate mysteries, and compelling characters into captivating narratives readers adore.

This issue in Reader’s House, A.M Stuart graciously shares the inspirations behind her works, revealing the personal experiences and historical fascinations that have shaped her narratives. Prepare to be enthralled by the journey into her creative mind and the extraordinary attention to detail that defines her storytelling legacy.

What inspired you to write mysteries specifically set in Singapore, and how do you think the setting enhances the storytelling?

I was privileged to have the opportunity to live in Singapore for a few years in the early 2000s. I felt an affinity with Singapore and its history and took every opportunity to explore the hidden corners of the old Singapore that the casual tourist will never see. The unique position Singapore held as an entrepot of trade and the resulting mix of nationalities, coupled with its climate, gives it a unique setting, making the island a character in its own right.

“Singapore’s unique mix of nationalities and its climate make the island a character in its own right.” – A.M. Stuart

As a writer with a legal background, how do you incorporate your experiences in law into your fiction, particularly in the Harriet Gordon Mysteries?

Despite me years in legal practice, I have rarely brought my background to any of my writing. Harriet’s father is a Crown Prosecutor (and Harriet herself would have loved to have had the opportunity to study law). My background gives me a basic understanding of procedure and evidence but it is more my time spent in the military that comes through my writing.

In “Singapore Sapphire,” what motivated you to set Harriet Gordon’s story in early twentieth-century Singapore, and how does the historical context enhance the themes of mystery and personal reinvention in the narrative?

Much of the fiction set in Singapore centres on the experiences of World War 2. I wanted a gentler setting…that moment in time before World War 1 changed the face of the world forever. In 1910 Singapore nothing much of note happened! This gave me an empty stage on which to place my characters and the rich tapestry of life that surrounds them.

“I wanted a gentler setting before World War I changed the world forever.”– A.M. Stuart

How do Harriet’s experiences with trauma and her distrust of the police influence her actions and decisions throughout the investigation in “Singapore Sapphire,” and what message do you hope to convey about resilience in the face of adversity?

I have long wanted to explore the experience of the suffragettes and I don’t think I could have had the strength of character to do what Harriet did. The ability of humankind to survive grief, adversity and physical trauma is fascinating and overlaid with that sense of British ‘stiff upper lip’ and respect for authority is brought into play with Harriet. On the one hand she is expected to carry on despite the death of her husband and child but on the other any trust she may once have had in her own society has been betrayed by her experience with the legal system which makes for a good interplay with Curran in the first book.

In “Revenge in Rubies,” how do the personal challenges faced by Harriet Gordon and Robert Curran influence their partnership in solving the mysteries surrounding them?

I wanted to write two very human characters, both of whom are victims and survivors of trauma. In Revenge in Rubies, both their pasts begin to bubble to the surface… Curran is forced to face the reality of his father’s apparent abandonment and treachery and Harriet is put in a position where she has to relive her experience in Holloway. In doing so they begin to allow themselves to trust each other and Curran recognises Harriet has access to corners of society he can’t reach which makes her the perfect partner.

What themes of trust and betrayal do you explore in “Revenge in Rubies,” and how do these themes reflect the complexities of relationships during a time of colonial tension in Singapore?

The motto of the regiment at the centre of the story is Honour Before All and the honour of the regiment is everything and affects everyone from the commanding officer to the women and children of the regiment, of which Curran is one. It was a closed society and the murder at the centre of the story threatens everything that the regimental family holds dear. Within the military, trust is everything and it is his father’s alleged betrayal of that trust that shakes Curran’s world to its core, emphasising his position as an outsider. In writing this story I foreshadow the conflict that is to come and the beginning of the end of the colonial era.