Gerald A. Browne (1924–2015)

Enjoyed it; it's as much a love story as one of intrigue, spies, diamond smuggling, and murder. The term "oligarch" isn't used here... but assume this shows how such lifestyles evolved; how does a Russian entrepreneur become "prosperous" enough to defect? Theft! Weird to be rooting for Russian characters, and more or less happy with the surprise ending, which brings all the questions together in the last few pages. Nikolai would be happy in Russia with his British love, Vivian, but he knows show more he can't support her in the lifestyle of wealth with a gambling habit; she has been provided for by her ultra rich British ex-husband who still loves her enough to keep providing valuable gifts she immediately sells. She has refused his request to marry again; and falls in love with Nikolai, after meeting at a sale of a Faberge piece his grandfather created, and permitting him to hold and examine it. The Faberge background of the story is perfect . show less

Entertaining read about a couple involved in "The System" - essentially the Diamond Cartel and a bred billionaire. Some clever plot items and scenes, including the theft of diamonds. The ending was a downer.

This is a reissue of a 1970s book, and it is very 1970s in feel, but it is still a rather fun read. Diamond merchant Chesser is becoming fed up with The System, the global diamond cartel that control the entirety of the diamond trade. After being passed over for higher-level diamond deals, Chesser decides to cut ties with The System, effectively ending his career. An eccentric billionaire takes an interest in Chesser, hiring him to find a diamond and later, to steal The System's inventory. show more So, Chesser decides to infiltrate one of the most secure organizations in the world. What follows is a slightly absurd and yet engrossing series of high-stakes moves, and flight from multiple double-crossing enemies. Everyone in this book betrays everyone else. No one is what they seem.

The 70s touches to this book are evident. There are open relationships (oooooh! scandalous!) Everything feels a bit James Bond-y, though Chesser is far less competent than James Bond. The plot moves quickly, and I was curious to see exactly how it would all end up. The ending is a bit of a letdown, but it's a fun read. show less

ISBN 042506154X - I was about 75 pages in before I actually cared whether or not I forgot the book on a bus - slow starter, a little meandering, but after that, it picked up. It was a little ironic to me that I was reading this book as the Roberto Calvi murder story was making news, and even more ironic that Calvi was murdered in 1982, the same year this book is copyrighted. Calvi's a lot like Gordon Winship - replace the High Board in the book with the Vatican, and Browne seems almost show more psychic.

Andrew and Norma Gainer were, for all the system knew, orphans - so the system tried to swallow them up. Norma, however, had different plans, and broke free of the system with her younger brother. They found themselves doing rather dubious things for money, but none of it compared to the dealings they had with the men at 19 Purchase Street. Carrying dirty money out of the country to be laundered, Norma thought she was working for the Mob and risked her life by skimming a little every time. When she paid with her life, her brother decided to get even.

He, too, thinks Norma was working for the Mafia. Indirectly, perhaps, but neither of them have a clue who the Mafia is working for. In an effort to clean large amounts of money faster, the Mafia turned to a banker, Gordon Winship, who took them to the cleaners. Soon, the Mob was working for the High Board - comprised on men of impeccable backgrounds, from wealthy families, in positions of great power in the U.S. And the High Board turned out to be far more ruthless than the made men ever expected.

The seedy, kind of small-time criminal element taking on what they think is the Mob leaves the reader cheering for one criminal element or another; there are no "good" guys to cheer for here. The way it all plays out, and some of the details Browne manages NOT to overlook (like Norma's "forgotten" ashes) make it worth reading. Of course, it's 1982. The technology is sometimes dated, and I'd bet Browne backed the wrong pony and bought a Betamax himself back in the day. A little gory, especially the murder of Norma, and if sex in your books bothers you, don't even pick this up. Mostly, though, a good read!

- AnnaLovesBooks show less