THE FIRE DIAMOND

In Wilson’s novel, a jewelry expert gets caught up in an increasingly intricate investigation as she attempts to track down a missing diamond and clear her twin sister’s name.

In this first installment of the author’s Gem Hunters series, readers are introduced to Taylor Hunter, the daughter of a renowned jewel thief who works alongside her twin sister, Hope, buying and selling estate jewelry for their grandmother’s Starlight Estate Jewelers business. Taylor is also employed on a contract basis as a “diamond detective”—someone who tracks down missing jewels for insurance companies and police agencies. She must solve the most important case of her life when the famed Peak Diamond is discovered to be a fake, and Hope, having been the last person to handle the actual gem, becomes the main suspect. Things get even more complicated when an “opportunistic diamond dealer” turns up murdered at the local inn and Taylor discovers that the Peak may not be the only fake jewel in circulation. Now, she must reluctantly join forces with the annoyingly handsome police chief and her on-the-run father (who may have his own disreputable reasons for showing interest in the case) to clear her sister’s name once and for all. Wilson has crafted an intelligent whodunit, with enough twists and turns to keep even seasoned mystery readers guessing. Taylor proves to be a superbly complex protagonist whose narrative voice is by turns warm, witty, and just a touch sardonic: “Armed with nothing more lethal than a nail file, I figured there was at least a fighting chance [Hope] might listen to reason instead of committing homicide.” While some plot points come together a bit too neatly, the crisp action keeps things moving toward a deliciously satisfying open-ended conclusion that perfectly sets the stage for potential sequels. The realistic dialogue and compelling plot make for a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery.

A smart and sassy investigative thriller with a cast of delightfully quirky characters and genuine mystery.