A stranger is discovered dead in the woods beside Ashly House. The unusual stone and threatening letter found with the body opens up a mystery for Pamela, Lady Scawton. The stone's colour-changing property is at the heart of the story and takes the characters on a voyage to discover how past events are intertwined with the present. 'The Alexandrite' is a novel set in both England and New Zealand. The story is contemporary but as it involves family secrets, there are flashbacks to historical scenes which link the story throughout the 20th century. The trail leads from World War 1 to the present day and from an English country village to New Zealand farmland. As the story unravels, a history of class conflicts and social change determines how the characters face the future.