Rob Bates

Book three of the Diamond District Mystery Series, this book focuses on the mystery of a supposedly cursed diamond. Mimi, the main character and sleuthing journalist, works with her diamond dealer father, and her fiancé cop to solve a murder left in the wake of the diamond. I started reading this series with this book, which can easily be read as a stand-alone, though I now have the first two books on my to-be-read list after reading this adventure. Though the beginning did start slower show more than I'd like typically, the approach did work for this book - especially seeing as this is the first of the series I've had the pleasure to read. I enjoyed the build-up of the story and the character interactions and dynamics the author showcased. show less

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 show more 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.blogspot.com/2022/03/murder-is-not-girls-best-frie... show less

Book three of the Diamond District Mystery Series, this book focuses on the mystery of a supposedly cursed diamond. Mimi, the main character and sleuthing journalist, works with her diamond dealer father, and her fiancé cop to solve a murder left in the wake of the diamond. I started reading this series with this book, which can easily be read as a stand-alone, though I now have the first two books on my to-be-read list after reading this adventure. Though the beginning did start slower show more than I'd like typically, the approach did work for this book - especially seeing as this is the first of the series I've had the pleasure to read. I enjoyed the build-up of the story and the character interactions and dynamics the author showcased. show less

In A Murder Is Forever, book one 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 an intriguing mystery story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Just when you think diamonds are forever ... Mimi Rosen finds out that A Murder Is Forever too ...

Mimi Rosen is an unemployed journalist who works part-time as the bookkeeper at her father's gem store, show more Max Rosen Diamond Company. When her cousin Yosef Levine, a small-time diamond dealer is murdered in a robbery, Channa Morgenstern, Yosef's newly engaged fiancee, doesn't think Yosef's murder was random but rather a set up, and she asks Mimi to investigate the murder.

What looks like a classic robbery / murder case is anything but that when Mimi starts to dig into the Diamond District's industry located on 47th Street, and comprised mostly of Orthodox / Hasidic Jewish families and companies. The more Mimi digs into her cousin's diamond dealing business and the diamond industry, the more she is warned to leave it alone, but she is determined to reveal the truth and seek justice for her cousin's murder, even if someone wants to permanently stop her.

Author Rob Bates weaves a slow-building and suspenseful tale that follows Mimi's investigation to uncover the truth behind the murder of her cousin. 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 reading the next book in The Diamond District Mystery Series.

A Murder Is Forever 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.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-murder-is-forever-by-rob-ba... show less