Recommended Reads: Diamonds

"Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs." - Malcolm Forbes

This bibliography is presented in recognition of the diamond as the traditional birthstone for April.  This mixture of fact and fiction is meant to inform and celebrate this legendary precious stone.

Recorded cassette (RC), braille (BR), large print (LT), and digital (DB) copies of these books are available from the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Please contact the library to order any of these books.

Sergeant Verity and the Imperial Diamond by Selwyn Frances.
RC 10764
Mystery novel brings together portly Sergeant Verity of Scotland Yard and his colleague Sergeant Martock during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 in India. They are both searching for a young English girl taken into a harem.

The Jerusalem Diamond by Noah Gordon.
RC 13647
Harry Hopeman, a leading diamond dealer and biblical scholar, seems restless and unfulfilled until a search for a legendary diamond sends him to Israel. There, he winds up in the arms of a beautiful Yemenite art expert, and discovers his heritage. Some explicit descriptions of sex.

The Mystery of the Diamond in the Wood by David Kherdian.
RC 21661, BR 5710
While illegally hunting squirrels, Sam and Howie discover a stash of diamond rings in a hollow tree. Laughed at by the local police, they decide to capture the thief themselves. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

The Diamond Waterfall by Pamela Haines.
RC 22028
A family saga about three generations of British dynasty whose lives and destinies are linked through blood and through the inheritance of a priceless diamond necklace. Although the sparkling cascade was designed as a symbol of the wealth and power enjoyed by a Yorkshire family, it actually burdens the women who wear it, becoming for them an emblem of bondage and inherited tragedy.

The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton.
RC 22435
As Eleanor and Eddy follow the clues scratched on an attic window in their old house in Concord, Massachusetts, they become involved in a series of dreamlike adventures that are frighteningly real. Will Eleanor and Eddy be able to free the lost children and a prince, or will they too become trapped in the nightmare? For grades 4-7 and older readers.

Churchill Diamonds by Bob Langley.
RC 26176
In 1898 in the Sudan, Lieutenant Coffey of the Tenth Westmoreland Lancers penetrates a Dervish stronghold to rescue a missionary, his lovely daughter, and legendary diamonds. Later they are stolen, and only the elderly Lady Catherine knows the true purpose of the crime. Some strong language.

The Trouble with Diamonds by Scott Corbett.
RC 27784
To Ambrose Bunker, an amature sleuth and owner of the Westham Inn, "The trouble with diamonds" is the crooks want to steal them. He and Jeff Adams, a new employee, conspire to protect the diamond necklace of Mrs. Walling,one of the guests, from Mr Wolfe whom they believe to be a thief. For grades 4-7

The Case of the Disappearing Diamonds by Carolyn Keene.
RC 28499
Beatrice Crown asked Nancy Drew to prove that her daughter did not steal a fabulous set of diamonds. Soon after, Beatrice Crown's car plunges into a canyon and she disappears. While Nancy flies in search of her, her plane crashes. Now, the case is a matter of life and death. For grades 5-8.

The Diamond Tree: Jewish Tales from Around the World.
RC 36065
A collection of fifteen traditional Jewish tales drawn from ancient and modern sources and from all over the world. Included are "The Giant Og and the Ark," "Chusham and the Wind," "The Diamond Tree," and "The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster." For grades 2-4 and older readers.

The Last Empire: De Beers, Diamonds, and the World by Stefan Kanfer.
RC 43030, BR 9444
Kanfer, a journalist, discusses De Beers Consolidated Mines, which by an occasional show of power maintains its hold on the world's diamond and gold industries. He focuses on the exploitation of blacks in South Africa and on three men who have controlled the company since its 1880 founding -- Cecil Rhodes, Ernest Oppenheimer, and King Harry Oppenheimer.

Diamond: A Journey to the Heart of an Obsession by Matthew Hart.
RC 55703
Traces the history of diamonds and people's fascination with them from their geological origins through mining operations to their splendor as cut and polished gems. Includes background on De Beers, the longest running cartel; the work and culture of diamond cutters; and the 1990s discoveries of new diamond fields.

Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Deadly Path of the World's Most Precious Stones by Greg Campbell.
RC 56793
Journalist reports atrocities committed in West Africa and claims they result when diamonds are smuggled out of Sierra Leone to finance terrorist activities around the world. Discusses the role of the gems in the country's history and the unscrupulous manipulation of market value. Violence and some strong language.

Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming.
RC 65276, DB 65276 (BARD download only)
British secret agent James Bond infiltrates the illegal diamond trade. The trail leads to America, where Bond uses beautiful Tiffany Case to get close to a notorious smuggling ring. But once Bond himself becomes the target, he turns to Tiffany for help. Some descriptions of sex and some violence.

Oh! Where are Bloody Mary's Earrings? by Robert Player.
RC 7838
Historical mystery that traces the ownership of diamond earrings once worn by Mary Tudor, queen of England. Fact and fantasy blend in this comic, backstairs view of royalty.

The Books of Rachel by Joel Gross.
RC 15139
Traces the fortunes of a diamond-merchant family, the ancient Jewish Cuhenos, beginning in 1484 during the Spanish Inquisition. In each branch of the family, a huge, flawless diamond becomes the birthright of the Rachel born after her namesake has died. The last Rachel in the novel is seen marrying in New York in 1979.

The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding.
RC 68160, DB 68160 (BARD download only)
London, 1790. Streetwise beyond her tender years, orphan Catherine "Cat" Royal tries to find a diamond supposedly hidden in the Drury Lane Theater where she lives. This treasure hunt involves two bare-knuckled boxers, three enemies, and four hundred and thirty-eight rioters. For grades 5-8.

Heart of Fire by Linda Howard.
RC 69389, DB 69389, LT 2442
Archaeologist Jillian Sherwood travels to the Brazilian jungle in search of Amazon women warriors and a rare red diamond that her late father had also sought. Guide Ben Lewis joins Jillian's expedition and shares in her adventures. Commercial audiobook.

Stars by Nora Roberts.
BR 17867
The first two novels in the Stars of Mithra series. In Hidden Star, amnesiac Bailey hires PI Cade to investigate the diamond in her purse. In Captive Star, bounty hunter Jack learns his latest skip hides a diamond. Some violence, some strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex.

Treasures by Nora Roberts.
BR 18100
In Secret Star (1998), the third novel in the Stars of Mithra trilogy, Lieutenant Seth Buchanan must protect diamond-possessing heiress Grace Fontaine. In Treasures Lost, Treasures Found (1986), Kate Hardesty completes her father's quest. Sequel to Stars (BR 17867). Some violence, some strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex.