Jack of Diamonds

Jack is released early from prison to help uncover the murder of a Russian mine manager. Detectives choose him because of his former dealings with the Russian mafia. An oligarch is the prime suspect and Jack changes his identity to avoid danger. He begins to penetrate the billionaire's business web and enters a murky underworld of diamond smuggling and mining. Jack's trail leads to romance and the discovery of diamonds on a volcanic island. An extraordinary mining boom follows with totally unexpected outcomes. ---- At last, a highly unusual diamond thriller with a great plot, strong dramatic scenes and unexpected twists. Jack reminds me of Dick Francis' likeable, vulnerable lead characters who are easy to identify with. I enjoyed learning much about diamond mining and the gems market. - Julian Gray, author, Interrogating Ellie