Anne here, and today I'm talking to Alison Stuart, who, as AM Stuart, writes historical crime set in 1910 Singapore, and as Alison Stuart writes Australian historical romance set in colonial Australia, and a variety of other historicals set in different time periods. You can find them listed on her website.
I interviewed Alison when her first historical crime novel, Singapore Sapphire, was published in the USA, and you can read that interview here.
Her latest book, third in the series, is Evil in Emerald. But if you haven't read any of her books, you might want to start at the first in the series, Singapore Sapphire.
Anne: Welcome back to the Word Wenches, Alison, and congratulations on the publication of the third Harriet Gordon and Inspector Curran story. The first title contained sapphires, the second rubies, and now we're onto emeralds. What's the significance?
AM Stuart: Thank you so much for having me back, Anne. I love spending time with the Word Wenches J
The gem theme came about accidently… I had titled the first book Singapore Sapphire and the second The Colonel’s Lady is Dead but my editor jumped on the idea of the gems because she wanted a red cover (the first being blue). Unfortunately I hadn’t written any rubies into the second book so I had to do a quick re-edit! The Emerald (green cover) suggested itself naturally as the crime takes place on Emerald Hill which is a real locale in Singapore. It works beautifully and the books look so pretty together!
Anne: You've moved into a slightly different area this time — the world of amateur theater. What drew you to it? Do you have experience in it yourself?
AM Stuart: There is probably more of myself in Harriet’s books then there has been in anything else I’ve written. I drew on my long years in the military for the second book (REVENGE IN RUBIES) and in EVIL IN EMERALD I have gone back to a brief and inglorious career in the chorus of a Gilbert and Sullivan theatre group.
I rose to the grand role of Isabel in Pirates of Penzance which gave me ‘principal billing’ and a place in the principal’s dressing room. (That's Alison in orange on the left.) When I found a production of Pirates had been performed in the Victoria Hall around the time the story is set, it seemed a good fit and there is quite a bit of my own experience of the amateur theatrical world in the Singapore Amateur Dramatic and Music Society. Sadly Harriet never got to tread the stage in Victoria Hall. I think she might be off amateur theatre for a while!
Anne: The relationship between Harriet and Curran has been developing through the series. Can readers expect an eventual happy-ever-after for them?
AM Stuart: I can neither confirm nor deny – I have to see where the next book takes them. Interestingly the readers seem to be divided on the issue. Let’s just say I am a sentimental romance writer at heart and I do like a HEA.
Anne: Could you share a snippet from Evil in Emeralds, please?
AM Stuart: I have included a scene which, I hope, demonstrates something of the relationship between Harriet and Curran.
A fine motor vehicle stood drawn up at the gates, with a uniformed chauffeur in attendance. The man hurried forward with an umbrella, and Alicia turned to glance back at the cemetery.
“I hope you find his killer soon, Inspector. It is awful to think there is someone out there who could be so cruel. Mrs. Gordon, may I offer you a ride back to your home?”
Harriet looked to be on the verge of accepting, but Curran remembered the letters he had retrieved from Dowling’s bedroom.
“Actually, Mrs. Gordon, if you can spare an hour, I’ve got some work for you at South Bridge Road.”
Harriet cast a longing look at the Rolls Royce and sighed as she glanced at her watch. “Of course, Inspector.”
Fortunately, they did not have to wait long in the rain as an empty gharry trundled past. Curran hailed it and they clambered in. The roof leaked and Curran could have sworn the driver deliberately targeted every pothole in the road.
“What is it you want me to do?” she asked.
“I have some letters retrieved from Tony Dowling’s room. I thought a woman’s eye might read more into them than me.”
Harriet laughed. “Billet-doux?”
“I think so.”
“And I’m such an expert on love letters? I don’t think I’ve ever received one in my life. Have you?”
“Hardly.” Curran smiled in response. “Oh, I think I once received a Valentine from a friend of my cousin Ellie’s but it was anonymous, so I never knew who sent it.”
“And she’s probably nursing a broken heart to this day. Have you had any news from your cousin?”
Curran’s favorite cousin, Lady Eloise Warby, known to her family as Ellie, had met Harriet during Harriet’s time as a suffragette in London, and in August the news had not been good. Ellie had been involved in a hunger strike in Holloway and had been released close to death.
“Depends on who I believe,” Curran said. “According to Ellie, she’s back to her old self, campaigning for the WSPU and getting into scrapes but her husband writes her health has been badly affected.” He paused and looked at Harriet. “You would know.”
Harriet nodded. “It took me months to recover.” She touched her throat. “If I get overtired, the cough comes back. The force-feeding causes irreparable damage.”
“I can imagine,” Curran said. The more he read on the treatment of the suffragettes, the more his sympathy became aligned to their cause.
“Simon tells me that women have the vote in Australia. I don’t understand why Britain is so determined—” She broke off. “Sorry, Curran, not a subject to interest you.”
“But it does,” he said. “I told you when I first met you, I was sympathetic to the philosophy of the cause. What concerns me are the radical actions they are now resorting to.”
“‘Deeds not words’ is Mrs. Pankhurst’s new creed.” Her mouth tightened and just for a fleeting moment he thought he saw the pain of her own experience in her eyes. She took a breath and turned to him. “Why do you want me to look at these letters?”
“You’re better at reading handwriting than me.”
“I see.” She paused and gave him a cheeky smile. “You just don’t want to read all the silly sentimental drivel, do you?”
And that, he had to admit, was true.
Anne: Thanks for that. You've enjoyed writing books in a variety of time and place settings. Do you have a favorite? (And why do you enjoy it so much?) Could you tell us a little about your other books, please?
AM Stuart: My stories span the centuries from the English Civil War (mid 17thcentury) to the 1920s, with a bit of Regency and, more recently Australian historicals set in the 1870s. Which is my favourite is like being asked to pick my favourite child! My passion will always be the English Civil War but I have loved writing the Australian historicals and of course Harriet’ stories are closest to me but if I have to pick an absolute favourite it is the crazy ‘history, mystery, romance and ghosts’ book – GATHER THE BONES spanning Regency, WW1 and the 1920s – Downton Abbey on speed dial!
Anne: I know a number of Wenchly readers have enjoyed your Australian historicals. Thanks so much for joining us here, Alison.
Alison will be giving away a paperback of Evil in Emerald to some reader who responds to this question.
I would love to know what period of history is your favourite setting for historicals (mysteries or romances)? And if your answer is Regency, what other period of history would appeal to your reading tastes?