The Diamond Hunters

by Wilbur Smith

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Classic adventure from bestselling novelist Wilbur SmithThe jet was a solid eighteen-inch column, a pillar of brown mud and yellow gravel and sea water that beat against the steel plates of the hull with a hollow drumming roar. In the few seconds since the explosion the cyclone was already half-filled with a slimy shifting porridge that rushed from wall to wall with the movement of the ship. It was like some monstrous jellyfish which each second gathered weight and strength.' The Van Der Byl show more Diamond Company, willed by its founder to his son Benedict, his sister Tracey and their estranged foster-brother Johnny Lance turns out to be a bequest of hatred. For it is couched in such terms as to offer Benedict the instrument of destruction of his bitterest rival. 'Destroy Johnny' is the old man's implacable message. And so, consumed with envy for Johnny, Benedict sets out in ruthless pursuit of this goal - and Johnny is plunged into a maelstrom of greed, vengeance and murder . . . show less

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4 reviews
It took 100 or so pages, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. I don't generally read older books for the same reason I don't watch older movies, but I found myself really feeling bad for Johnny as he'd just been crapped on his whole life. Granted, he chose to work with his step-dad after being treated as he was, but he was obviously searching for approval. I thought the twists near the climax were great! The way Tracy got herself on the Wild Goose as if Johnny had found out about the ruse was great. (She already knew about it but he didn't. Still, she was trying to get to him to tell her.) I'm going to start my second Smith book now, Wild Justice. Hope I'm just as pleased.
½
My first ever novel by Wilbur Smith, and I have to honest it was very enjoyable.

Johny Lance is the adopted son into a family run diamond finding business. Unfortunately things take a sinister turn after a childhood incident. Villified by all except his stepsister he continues to show loyalty to the company, even thinking he has gained acceptance when he is included in his stepfathers will. This turns out to be his stepfathers legacy that he be absolutely ruined.

His stepbrother, Benedict, makes it his lifes ambition to destroy Lance. This results in blackmail, smuggling and eventually even murder.

The only reason I give the book 4 instead of 5 was that I felt a bit too much of the plot was given away too early in the book.

Will def try show more this author again. show less
What an excellent, well written story of the challenges, risks and relationships in the world of hunting diamonds. The story of the Van Der Byl Company is fascinating and at the same time riveting in suspense. I highly recommend this book.
½
Johnny Lance y Benedict Van der Byl han sido criados como hermanos pero entre ellos existe una profunda rivalidad. Benedict nunca podrá alcanzar el éxito y la brillantez de Johnny en la gran compañía de extracción de diamantes de su padre. El viejo Van der Byl redacta un testamento que los enfrenta en una lucha que sólo puede resolverse con la destrucción de uno de ellos.En medio de los dos rivales aparece Tracey, la hermana de Benedict, cuya adoración infantil por Johnny está madurando en un sentimiento distinto, y Ruby, la bella y ambiciosa mujer de Johnny. La acción de Los cazadores de diamantes transcurre entre ciudad del Cabo y Londres, entre las tormentas de arena en el inhóspito desierto de la costa occidental de show more Sudáfrica y las heladas aguas del Atlántico Sur. show less

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Stories set on African soil
183 works; 2 members

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Common Knowledge

Canonical title*
Cacciatori di diamanti
Original title
The Diamond Hunters
Epigraph
[None]
Dedication
for Dee
First words
His flight had been delayed for three hours at Nairobi, and despite four whiskies he slept only fitfully until the intercontinental Boeing touched down at Heathrow.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Suspense & Thriller, Historical Fiction
DDC/MDS
813Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English
LCC
PZ4 .S6596Language and LiteratureFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction in English
BISAC

Statistics

Members
616
Popularity
46,761
Reviews
4
Rating
½ (3.40)
Languages
13 — Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
71
ASINs
18