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Diamond District Mystery #2
Murder is Not a Girl's Best Friend
Journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth Mimi Rosen is back with her father Max for another action-packed tale of murder and intrigue in New York City's Diamond District.
A Reverend from Africa has found a sparkling $20 million diamond that he hopes will free his continent from the scourge of blood diamonds. But this attempt to do good soon turns very bad. After the diamond is stolen and leads to a series of murders, Mimi discovers both the diamond and the Reverend have a less-than-sparkling history.
Soon, Mimi is investigating a web of secrets involving a shady billionaire, a corrupt politician, Africa's diamond fields, offshore companies, as well as an activist, filmmaker, computer genius, and police detective who may or may not be as noble as they appear. Is the prized gem actually a blood diamond?
A Reverend from Africa has found a sparkling $20 million diamond that he hopes will free his continent from the scourge of blood diamonds. But this attempt to do good soon turns very bad. After the diamond is stolen and leads to a series of murders, Mimi discovers both the diamond and the Reverend have a less-than-sparkling history.
Soon, Mimi is investigating a web of secrets involving a shady billionaire, a corrupt politician, Africa's diamond fields, offshore companies, as well as an activist, filmmaker, computer genius, and police detective who may or may not be as noble as they appear. Is the prized gem actually a blood diamond?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
6 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Rob Bates
4 books87 followersRob Bates has written about the diamond industry for 30 years. He is currently the news director of JCK, the leading publication in the jewelry industry. He has won 12 editorial awards for his work.
His first novel in the Diamond District Mystery Series, A Murder is Forever, was published by Camel Press in October 2020. It was called a “sprightly debut” by Publishers Weekly, which said that “readers will look forward to Mimi’s further adventures.”
The second novel, Murder is Not a Girl’s Best Friend, was published by Camel Press in February 2022. Booklist said it offers “not only an engaging sleuth with an amusingly snarky sense of humor but also a cleverly constructed plot rich with fascinating tidbits about the diamond trade.”
His first novel in the Diamond District Mystery Series, A Murder is Forever, was published by Camel Press in October 2020. It was called a “sprightly debut” by Publishers Weekly, which said that “readers will look forward to Mimi’s further adventures.”
The second novel, Murder is Not a Girl’s Best Friend, was published by Camel Press in February 2022. Booklist said it offers “not only an engaging sleuth with an amusingly snarky sense of humor but also a cleverly constructed plot rich with fascinating tidbits about the diamond trade.”
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 9, 2022
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
MURDER IS NOT A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND by Rob Bates is the second entertaining Diamond District amateur sleuth mystery featuring Mimi Rosen, ex-journalist, now working for her father’s diamond business in New York’s Diamond District. This mystery can easily be read as a standalone.
Mimi Rosen and her father attend a conference about the international diamond trade. Reverend Kamora is from the ADR (African Democratic Republic) who finds a rough piece on his property which is cut into a sixty-six carat D Flawless diamond worth $20 million. He and a diamond broker set up an auction to benefit his country and the diamond miners.
Before the auction can take place, the diamond broker is murdered and the diamond is stolen. Mimi is once again drawn into a murder investigation and discovers everyone is hiding a secret, from a shady billionaire, a corrupt blood diamond industry, an activist, and a documentary filmmaker.
I always learn something new in these Diamond District mysteries. From the strict Jewish traditions in the Diamond District and the type of trade deals made. Mr. Bates demonstrates his knowledge of the diamond industry without slowing the pace of the plot. Mimi is a main character who is likable, but wavers between being at times naïve and at times shrewd when making decisions and understanding clues. This mystery has an eclectic cast of characters who kept me guessing right up until the climax of the story.
Overall, this is a fun amateur sleuth mystery which also educates the reader.
MURDER IS NOT A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND by Rob Bates is the second entertaining Diamond District amateur sleuth mystery featuring Mimi Rosen, ex-journalist, now working for her father’s diamond business in New York’s Diamond District. This mystery can easily be read as a standalone.
Mimi Rosen and her father attend a conference about the international diamond trade. Reverend Kamora is from the ADR (African Democratic Republic) who finds a rough piece on his property which is cut into a sixty-six carat D Flawless diamond worth $20 million. He and a diamond broker set up an auction to benefit his country and the diamond miners.
Before the auction can take place, the diamond broker is murdered and the diamond is stolen. Mimi is once again drawn into a murder investigation and discovers everyone is hiding a secret, from a shady billionaire, a corrupt blood diamond industry, an activist, and a documentary filmmaker.
I always learn something new in these Diamond District mysteries. From the strict Jewish traditions in the Diamond District and the type of trade deals made. Mr. Bates demonstrates his knowledge of the diamond industry without slowing the pace of the plot. Mimi is a main character who is likable, but wavers between being at times naïve and at times shrewd when making decisions and understanding clues. This mystery has an eclectic cast of characters who kept me guessing right up until the climax of the story.
Overall, this is a fun amateur sleuth mystery which also educates the reader.
March 4, 2022
This is an entertaining and informative murder mystery set in the diamond district of New York City. Mimi is a fun heroine. She is persistent but is also a bit naive, sometimes saying or doing things that really derails solving the mystery. The plot was a bit messy. I was amazed that Mimi would find a definitive clue to the murderer near the end of the book in a room where a murder had occurred and the police had taped off. The clue was in an open safe and I would think the police would have searched it earlier. It made for good suspense but it was somewhat unbelievable.
The informative aspect of the novel deals with international diamond trade and, unfortunately, diamond smuggling. I was glad to see in the author's Afterward that there are several organizations active in honest sourcing and fair trading of diamonds. Bates knows the diamond industry well and it shows. The novel addresses some difficult aspects of the diamond industry and Bates provides resources to find out more about them.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The informative aspect of the novel deals with international diamond trade and, unfortunately, diamond smuggling. I was glad to see in the author's Afterward that there are several organizations active in honest sourcing and fair trading of diamonds. Bates knows the diamond industry well and it shows. The novel addresses some difficult aspects of the diamond industry and Bates provides resources to find out more about them.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
March 2, 2022
3.5 stars
The diamond found by the Reverend really is a blood diamond and his intentions to use it to combat the dark side of the diamond trade in Africa seems to be doomed. This becomes particularly obvious when murders follow the theft of the jewel and then journalist Mimi Rosen begins to unearth an unholy collection of bad guys engaged in corruption worse than many understand.
Mimi is already frustrated by having to work for her diamond seller father rather than pursuing her journalistic career but working in the Diamond District at least gives her some investigative advantages regarding the Hope for Humanity diamond that does indeed embody hope but also deep distress. It soon becomes plain that there’s a lot of dark history in the diamond trade and Mimi, along with the film-maker, Anita, that Mimi is working with discover that trust is difficult to find.
Murder Is Not a Girl’s Best Friend is an entertaining read complete with an intriguing plot and interesting characters both good and bad. Although it’s the second book in the series, it stands well on its own and I recommend it.
The diamond found by the Reverend really is a blood diamond and his intentions to use it to combat the dark side of the diamond trade in Africa seems to be doomed. This becomes particularly obvious when murders follow the theft of the jewel and then journalist Mimi Rosen begins to unearth an unholy collection of bad guys engaged in corruption worse than many understand.
Mimi is already frustrated by having to work for her diamond seller father rather than pursuing her journalistic career but working in the Diamond District at least gives her some investigative advantages regarding the Hope for Humanity diamond that does indeed embody hope but also deep distress. It soon becomes plain that there’s a lot of dark history in the diamond trade and Mimi, along with the film-maker, Anita, that Mimi is working with discover that trust is difficult to find.
Murder Is Not a Girl’s Best Friend is an entertaining read complete with an intriguing plot and interesting characters both good and bad. Although it’s the second book in the series, it stands well on its own and I recommend it.
March 11, 2022
In Murder Is Not A Girl's Best Friend, book two of The Diamond District Mystery Series, author Rob Bates transports the reader to New York City's Diamond District located on 47th Street between Fifth and Six Avenues, for another intriguing mystery story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.
Just when Mimi Rosen thinks she won't be pulled into another murder investigation, she finds herself once again putting on her amateur sleuth hat, and finds out that Murder Is Not A Girl's Best Friend.
Mimi Rosen is a journalist turned amateur sleuth, who for the past year has worked as the bookkeeper at her father's gem store, Max Rosen Diamond Company. When Abraham Boasberg, a prominent diamond dealer is murdered in his office and a rare and valuable 66 carat polished diamond with a D Flawless grade goes missing, Brandon Walters, a human rights activist who exposes the diamond industry's dark business is accused and arrested for his murder and the stolen diamond. Mimi is requested to help with Brandon's defense, and to investigate the murder case, and find the valuable diamond.
What looks like a classic murder case is anything but that when Mimi starts to dig into the diamond industry. The more Mimi digs into the diamond dealing business and the diamond industry, the more she finds out about corruption within the industry, and she is warned to leave it alone, but she is determined to reveal the truth and find the murderer, and hopefully locate the diamond as well.
Author Rob Bates weaves a slow-building and suspenseful tale that follows Mimi's investigation to uncover the truth behind the murder of the diamond dealer and the location of the diamond. I loved reading this action-packed story. Mimi's observations and digging during the investigation kept me intrigued as she slowly put the pieces of the mystery puzzle together.
The reader will be easily drawn into this richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as long hidden secrets, family dramas, a growing list of possible suspects, motives, and clues are uncovered, while leaving the reader completely shocked by the surprise ending.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the author's rich description of New York City's Diamond District, and I was fascinated by the background into the Jewish culture and community, who are the mainstay of the diamond industry on 47th Street.
I look forward to hopefully reading more of Mimi's amateur sleuth investigative adventures in The Diamond District Mystery Series.
Murder Is Not A Girl's Best Friend has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Just when Mimi Rosen thinks she won't be pulled into another murder investigation, she finds herself once again putting on her amateur sleuth hat, and finds out that Murder Is Not A Girl's Best Friend.
Mimi Rosen is a journalist turned amateur sleuth, who for the past year has worked as the bookkeeper at her father's gem store, Max Rosen Diamond Company. When Abraham Boasberg, a prominent diamond dealer is murdered in his office and a rare and valuable 66 carat polished diamond with a D Flawless grade goes missing, Brandon Walters, a human rights activist who exposes the diamond industry's dark business is accused and arrested for his murder and the stolen diamond. Mimi is requested to help with Brandon's defense, and to investigate the murder case, and find the valuable diamond.
What looks like a classic murder case is anything but that when Mimi starts to dig into the diamond industry. The more Mimi digs into the diamond dealing business and the diamond industry, the more she finds out about corruption within the industry, and she is warned to leave it alone, but she is determined to reveal the truth and find the murderer, and hopefully locate the diamond as well.
Author Rob Bates weaves a slow-building and suspenseful tale that follows Mimi's investigation to uncover the truth behind the murder of the diamond dealer and the location of the diamond. I loved reading this action-packed story. Mimi's observations and digging during the investigation kept me intrigued as she slowly put the pieces of the mystery puzzle together.
The reader will be easily drawn into this richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as long hidden secrets, family dramas, a growing list of possible suspects, motives, and clues are uncovered, while leaving the reader completely shocked by the surprise ending.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the author's rich description of New York City's Diamond District, and I was fascinated by the background into the Jewish culture and community, who are the mainstay of the diamond industry on 47th Street.
I look forward to hopefully reading more of Mimi's amateur sleuth investigative adventures in The Diamond District Mystery Series.
Murder Is Not A Girl's Best Friend has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
March 18, 2022
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Maybe yes. Maybe no. One thing is for sure. Murder is not a girl’s best friend.
Once again Mimi is putting herself in danger. Doesn’t she ever learn? She keeps telling herself and others that she won’t do any investigating. Ha! She just can’t leave it alone.
There are many twists and turns in this book. So many that you’ll probably not figure out who the bad guys are. There just appear to be so many of them.
Thank you, Mr. Bates, for another trip through the Diamond District and through the eyes of Mimi Rosen. I enjoy the way she just keeps on muddling through and look forward to her next adventure.
***Book provided by PICT without charge.***
Once again Mimi is putting herself in danger. Doesn’t she ever learn? She keeps telling herself and others that she won’t do any investigating. Ha! She just can’t leave it alone.
There are many twists and turns in this book. So many that you’ll probably not figure out who the bad guys are. There just appear to be so many of them.
Thank you, Mr. Bates, for another trip through the Diamond District and through the eyes of Mimi Rosen. I enjoy the way she just keeps on muddling through and look forward to her next adventure.
***Book provided by PICT without charge.***
March 25, 2022
An amateur engaging sleuth mystery that will keep you entertained and reading to the end to find out who committed the murder. The protagonist,Nina, though she is an intelligent journalist turned “detective”,she sometimes comes across as a scatterbrain to me. Hidden secrets and family drama lead to more than Nina imagined. The author did a great job with details about the diamond trade, diamond smuggling and the corruption within this huge industry. I could definitely imagine myself there. Elements of mystery and a sarcastic sense of humor make it a good book for a period of entertainment.
Many thanks to #partnersincrimevbt and the author, Rob Bates, for an ARC copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Many thanks to #partnersincrimevbt and the author, Rob Bates, for an ARC copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 28, 2022
Entertaining, educational, unique. Rob Bates writes another winner.
May 22, 2022
2nd book of his. Loved it. Kept my attention and fast paced. If you have visited the Diamond District it's a must read.
March 23, 2025
3.5 stars. 2nd installment of the diamond district mystery series, just like the first installment a fast read with very few surprises and unlikely events
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews