Ariel Allison

An intriguing mystery with a lot of interesting history surrounding the Hope Diamond. I like it when a story surprises me and the ending chapters did just that. I also like to learn a little something while I am reading for pleasure, and I learned a lot about the Hope Diamond; but the question still remains, is the curse of the Hope Diamond real, or just a legacy of greed? This story is told in third-person through a variety of characters, both contemporary and historical and I thought the author did a great job of jumping from the past to the present time.

Dr. Abigail Mitchell, two jewel thieves (Alex and Isaac), a broker and Dow and DeDe are your main characters, and I must say I was never sure about some of these characters and who they really were till the end. And then some I thought I had figured out, I was pleasantly surprised to see I was wrong. Abigail has spent much of her life studying the Hope Diamond and its history. Alex and Isaac have spent most of their life stealing jewels for the "broker". Dow and DeDe are Abigail's surrogate parents as her real father doesn't give her the time of day. The story will build up to the Hope Diamond going on display at an event by Abby wearing it, when it will suddenly be stolen. I will not ruin this story for anyone, but just say reading this story was like watching a really good movie about a jewel thief and a lovely, but determined young woman. Be prepared to be surprised and entertained and educated all at the same time.… (more)

Is the Hope Diamond cursed? Does it bring misfortune to those who own it? The famed diamond, stolen from the eye of a sculpture of Sita in India, has traveled great distances and continents, and with its journey, it has built an history that fascinates.

Currently housed in the Smithsonian Institute, the Hope Diamond is claimed to have been cut from the French Blue, and Dr Abigail Mitchell is tasked with organizing and hosting an event celebrating the Hope Diamond. But there is an international gang of art and jewel thieves who are out to steal this. Security is stepped up but there are a few unexplained glitches which concern the head of security for the Smithsonian, but he's unable to persuade either Dr Mitchell or the Director to cancel the fundraising event. If anything, things take an odd twist and for the first time, the diamond is actually going to be removed from its protective case and worn by Dr Mitchell during the event. When the diamond is stolen off the neck of Dr Mitchell, chaos ensues, but who is responsible and can they get it back?

Interwoven with the novel is historical information about the ownership of the Hope Diamond from Jean-Baptiste Tavernier to Louis XIV to Henry Philip Hope, from whom came the name of the diamond, and to Evalyn Walsh McLean and their lives and tragedies while in possession of the diamond.

Thrilling with unexpected twists, this is a book I couldn't put down once I started it.… (more)

The Hope Diamond, a dazzlingly blue and brilliant diamond of tremendous size and worth, is powerful both for its allure and its infamous curse. Fist time novelist, Ariel Allison spins an intricate web of international intrigue, high-tech crime and romance in Eye of the God.

The diamond leaves a trail of ruined lives detailed in the historical flashbacks throughout the book. For Dr. Abigail Mitchell it becomes an obsession. From the setting of the Smithsonian Institute, the reader is taken on a journey to Brazil, South Africa and Paris, not to mention 17th century India and 18th century France.

While the book is part crime/detective story, part history lesson and part romance, interwoven throughout its pages is a tale of redemption. The main characters overcome personal failures, familial disappointments as they find hope in a new life. Oddly the dark reputation of the Hope Diamond works a breaking of the curse in their lives.

The pace of the book keeps one turning its pages, yet at times the historical flashbacks seem too disconnected from the plot to keep your interest. And while the book promises a Christian angle to the story coming from a Christian publisher and all, its Christian message is extremely subtle. In light of this, the list of discussion questions in the back seems out of place. Still the book delivers a well done plot that will certainly merit reflection and personal contemplation.

The book makes for a good read as long as one understands it won't be overly Christian. It's generally clean throughout, although some sexual innuendo is present. I recommend the book with these reservations.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Abingdon Press for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

An expanded version of this review is available at CrossFocusedReviews.com, where you can find book excerpts, giveaways, promotional offers, audio reviews and more.… (more)