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Lynn Franklin
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The Blue Diamond: Kimberley West Gemstone Mysteries Book 1 Kindle Edition

by Lynn Franklin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 212 ratings
Diamonds, Danger and a Dash of Humor

Gemologist Kimberley West’s world turns upside down when she interrupts an armed robbery in her grandfather’s jewelry store. Before being rushed to the hospital, Grandpa entrusts her with guarding a five-carat, flawless blue diamond.

There’s just one problem: Small-town jewelers seldom deal in rare gemstones worth millions.

A puzzling phone message connects the diamond to the murder of Grandpa’s best friend. As the attacks continue, Kim realizes everyone she loves remains in danger unless she can solve the mystery surrounding the diamond.

Armed only with her standard poodle, Kim races to uncover the diamond's secrets before someone else dies.

This fast-paced whodunit weaves diamond legend and lore, a feisty heroine and a dash of humor into a captivating mystery that will keep you guessing. The Blue Diamond is the first in an award-winning cozy mystery series that can be read in any order.

Kimberley West Gemstone Mysteries:
The Blue Diamond (book #1)
The Pirate's Ruby (book #2)
The Carolina Emerald (book #3)
The Turquoise Treasure (book #4)

What readers are saying about the series:
“Took me back to that oh-so-delicious time when I couldn’t put a book down.”– Amazon 5-star review
"Wonderful series! Warm, funny and just delightful!" – Amazon 5-star review
“A perfect whodunit with characters you will love and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end. Could not put it down.” – Amazon 5-star review
“These are characters so real you want to call them up and visit. And get invited for dinner.” – Amazon 5-star review
"Perfect reading for these very imperfect times." Amazon 5-star review
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Kimberley West Gemstone Mysteries
  2. Print length
    564 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 25, 2012
  5. File size
    3.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

cozy mystery diamonds dog

The Blue Diamond Cozy Mystery

Cozy Mystery Diamond and Dogs

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007Y4XBWY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Franklin & Franklin; 2nd edition (April 25, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 25, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 564 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 212 ratings

About the author

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Lynn Franklin

Lynn Franklin

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Free Mystery eBook: https://LynnFranklin.com

EXCERPT FROM A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH LYNN FRANKLIN:

WHO WOULD ENJOY YOUR MYSTERIES?

Anyone who likes their mysteries fast-paced but without all the sadness, blood and gore. All my stories feature a strong female amateur sleuth, a dog sidekick, likeable characters, humor and a touch of romance. The idea is to entertain and leave the reader smiling.

WHAT MAKES YOUR MYSTERIES DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?

I’m a big fan of books that not only tell a good story, but also pull you into new worlds. Kimberley West, for example, uses her knowledge of jewelry and gemstone lore to solve the mysteries. Readers say it's great fun learning about Cleopatra's influence on her favorite gemstone, why turquoise appealed to ancient desert dwellers, how a certain actress lost money on her famous diamonds.

SO THE GEMSTONE STORIES IN THE BOOKS ARE REAL? THERE REALLY ARE ANTS THAT MINE GARNETS LIKE YOU DESCRIBE IN THE PIRATE'S RUBY?

(laughing) Yes, all of the gemstone stories are true. The Carolina Emerald, in fact, is based on a real museum burglary that was never solved.

The human fascination with gems, gold and everything bright and shiny creates some interesting tales.

Take amethyst, for example. During the height of the Roman Empire –- a period known for its decadence –- people believed that wearing amethyst would protect them from getting drunk. After all, wine is purple and so is amethyst . . .

As I keep discovering, gemstone lore often reveals more about human psychology than the gemstones themselves.

WHAT ABOUT RORY AND AL, THE DOG SIDEKICKS? ARE THEIR ANTICS REAL?

Absolutely. Anyone who’s lived with a dog of any breed will recognize some of Rory's and Al's behaviors, from finding creative ways to steal food to ecstatic running and leaping. As members of our human families, dogs contribute much to our emotional well-being –- including providing comic relief when life grows too intense.

YOU'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE REALISM IN YOUR BOOKS. SO WHY IS YOUR NEWEST BOOK, THE POODLE WHO SANG UNDERCOVER, ABOUT A PAIR OF WISECRACKING DOGS?

My main goal in writing The Poodle Who Sang Undercover was to make people laugh. But there's more realism in that story than you'd expect. Anyone who's ever lived with a pet will recognize the dogs' banter as something they'd imagined their own furry friends saying. And seeing the world through the dogs' perspective sheds light on some of the silly things we do.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
212 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this murder mystery book for its well-paced plot and engaging story involving gemstones. The book features believable characters, with one review highlighting the strong bond between the heroine and her intelligent dog. Customers appreciate the detailed information about diamonds and find the writing style easy to read. They value the book's educational content, with one customer noting they learned about both gemstones and dog training, while another appreciates the relationship between the protagonist and her grandfather.

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35 customers mention "Plot twists"35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in this murder mystery, describing it as a tale of intrigue with well-paced suspense.

"...Like the historical mysteries I usually read, this book has a well-developed setting, interesting characters who fit into that setting like puzzle..." Read more

"...This is a well-written book with well-defined characters, a tangled web of clues, and many tantalizing facts about diamonds." Read more

"...slices of human history through the powerful prism of gems, offering insight into how these remarkable bits of sparkle can fuel crazy human behavior..." Read more

"Really very good. Mystery kept me intrigued until the very end. Thanks for the romance without making me feel like a voyeur...." Read more

27 customers mention "Readability"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read, with one mentioning it kept them reading into the night.

"...What I liked best about this book: * likeable, logical, believable heroine * information about diamonds, real and artificial *..." Read more

"...And, of course, it is always divine to read without the interruption of bad grammar and punctuation errors!!..." Read more

"...vibrant tone and style that will appeal to anyone looking for a delightful read...." Read more

"Really very good. Mystery kept me intrigued until the very end. Thanks for the romance without making me feel like a voyeur...." Read more

24 customers mention "Character development"21 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly the believable heroine, with one customer noting the strong bond between the characters.

"...These books feature intelligent, interesting heroines with unusual and fascinating careers and hobbies, and the novels are often set in interesting..." Read more

"...This is a well-written book with well-defined characters, a tangled web of clues, and many tantalizing facts about diamonds." Read more

"...Franklin has populated "The Blue Diamond" with strong personalities that dance together through the plot, never getting in each other's way or..." Read more

"...I will definitely be reading the next one. I love the characters." Read more

21 customers mention "Information about gemstones"21 positive0 negative

Customers thoroughly enjoy the book's information about gems, particularly its many tantalizing facts about diamonds.

"...likeable, logical, believable heroine * information about diamonds, real and artificial * scary villains *..." Read more

"...well-defined characters, a tangled web of clues, and many tantalizing facts about diamonds." Read more

"...that offers wonderful slices of human history through the powerful prism of gems, offering insight into how these remarkable bits of sparkle can..." Read more

"...The author also relates interesting information about gems, geology, and the diamond market. All in all, the book was a wonderful read...." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing style"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting it has fewer typos than most published books.

"...in its professionalism: It is excellently formatted, has fewer typos than most books pubbed by New York these days, and is beautifully written, with..." Read more

"...Those things, combined with no coarse language and no inappropriate sexual content, make Ms, Franklin an author whose work I will seek out, for..." Read more

"...This is a well-written book with well-defined characters, a tangled web of clues, and many tantalizing facts about diamonds." Read more

"...Franklin's first in a series has it all--- a well-written, gripping story with a relatable, psychologically interesting heroine who we really care..." Read more

11 customers mention "Fun"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun and educational, with one customer particularly appreciating the gem knowledge and another noting the fascinating careers and hobbies presented.

"...intelligent, interesting heroines with unusual and fascinating careers and hobbies, and the novels are often set in interesting places...." Read more

"...I don't know much about the precious jewels market, so it was educational and enjoyable to read such a well-written story...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the gem knowledge and history in the story and of course the dogs!..." Read more

"...Well-plotted, real characters, fun complications on many levels and two dogs you want to adopt [if Kimberley would let you!]...." Read more

9 customers mention "Family bond"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the family bonds in the book, with one mentioning the wonderful relationship between Kim and her grandfather, while another notes the close connection between the protagonist and her intelligent dog.

"...Her relationship with her grandfather is wonderful and complex. The love between them is obvious throughout the story...." Read more

"...I loved the relationship between Kim and her poodle Rory, and appreciated the realistic training and interaction...." Read more

"...Toss in complicated family dynamics, the world of fine gems, an unexpected love interest who has his own reasons to be involved in finding answers..." Read more

"...The information about gemstones is fascinating, as is the family and friend interactions...." Read more

6 customers mention "Knowledge base"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the knowledge base of the book, with one customer noting it provides a good foundation in gemstones and dog training, while others describe it as smart.

"...The hero is Kim, a smart, savvy young woman who deliberately veered away from the family jewelry business in a Maryland beachside town because she..." Read more

"...Kim is also a trained gemologist - Franklin is an accredited jewelry professional...." Read more

"...are charming, the stories are great, and I learned so much about both gemstones and dog training!!..." Read more

"...Even the dogs can't steal the story, cute and smart as they are." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Shauna S. Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery set on the Chesapeake Bay
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    For decades, I've read almost exclusively historical mysteries. But a growing new breed of cozy mystery novel has lured me into reading books with contemporary settings. These books feature intelligent, interesting heroines with unusual and fascinating careers and hobbies, and the novels are often set in interesting places. I was first hooked by the cats and old books on the covers of the books in Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile Mystery Series, whose heroine restores old books. Next I discovered Linda O. Johnston's Pet Rescue Mystery Series, with pets frolicking on the covers.

    So when I heard about THE BLUE DIAMOND, which is set along the Chesapeake Bay and whose psychologist heroine is a near-expert on geology and gems, I couldn't wait to read it.

    THE BLUE DIAMOND more than lived up to my expectations. At the heart of the novel lies the strong bond between the heroine, Kim, and her grandfather, an expert jeweler who has taught her everything he knows about gems. After thieves almost kill Kim's grandfather, Kim will do anything to discover who's behind the crime and to stop them from finishing the job.

    Among those helping Kim is her delightful standard poodle, Rorschach, whose bravery is tested many times and who saves Kim's life.

    Like the historical mysteries I usually read, this book has a well-developed setting, interesting characters who fit into that setting like puzzle pieces, and a densely woven plot with twists and turns.

    What I liked best about this book:
    * likeable, logical, believable heroine
    * information about diamonds, real and artificial
    * scary villains
    * Kim's varied and assorted helpers, who include several old ladies and a mischievous dachshund
    * believable plot with lots of action
    * a great potential boyfriend whose manhood isn't threatened by independent, brainy, determined Kim

    If you are tired of ditzy heroines who are TSTL (too stupid to live) or rude heroines who beat up huge bad guys while wearing short, tight miniskirts and stiletto heels, read this book. If you like mysteries in which the heroine's family and pets liven things up, for good and for ill, read this book. If you like jewelry, read this book. In short, read this book.

    If you are picky about ebook readability, have no qualms about THE BLUE DIAMOND. The book is a model for ebooks in its professionalism: It is excellently formatted, has fewer typos than most books pubbed by New York these days, and is beautifully written, with not a single sentence to stumble over.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Carol Hensley
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Fast-Paced, Engaging New Series; Dare I Say, a True Diamond!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    4.25 Stars!! It's wonderful to find a new cozy mystery author who can keep you wanting to read through the night! For me, Lynn Franklin is that author. I loved reading "The Blue Diamond." I don't know much about the precious jewels market, so it was educational and enjoyable to read such a well-written story. I also enjoyed getting to know Kim, her family, their friends, potential love interests, and Rory and Al! And, of course, it is always divine to read without the interruption of bad grammar and punctuation errors!! Those things, combined with no coarse language and no inappropriate sexual content, make Ms, Franklin an author whose work I will seek out, for many years to come!! Thankfully, there is already a second book in this series, which I will begin reading immediately!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • C Dunlap
    5.0 out of 5 stars Diamonds, dogs, and doting grandaughter . . . a great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Kimberley West is living a quiet life as an assistant psychology professor at the University of Oregon when she receives a cryptic phone call from Grandpa who owns a jewelry store in Osprey Beach, Maryland.

    With Rorschach, her black Standard Poodle, Kim makes the cross-country drive to Maryland arriving just in time for her and Rory to fight off a knife-wielding attacker intent on killing her grandfather. Before being rushed to the hospital, Grandpa hands Kim a small envelope and tells her to "hide it". Inside she finds a rare blue diamond.

    The police think the robbery is part of a series that has plagued the sleepy town but Kim disagrees. The blue diamond was unknown outside of Grandpa's jewelry contacts. Her suspicion deepens when Grandpa is attacked in the hospital. With Grandpa helpless in a medically induced coma and the police looking in the wrong direction, Kim sets out on her own quest to unmask the killer without becoming his next victim.

    Meanwhile, someone has to run the jewelry store while Grandpa is incapacitated and, since Kim grew up tagging along with Grandpa and learning the business, she is the most logical choice. However, taxing her psychology training and her equanimity are an odd-ball assortment of relatives, including three jewelry-loving aunts, Emerald, Saphire, and Ruby, who use their father's store as their own personal jewelry box.

    (Author Lynn Franklin is an Accredited Jewelry Professional and most of the details about gemstones throughout this book are meticulously accurate.)

    The story twists with the arrival of college professor Scott Wilson whose inventor uncle, a close friend of Grandpa's, was recently murdered under mysterious cicumstances. Kim will need all of her wits to avoid hit men, solve a kidnapping, and protect her beloved grandfather.

    This is a well-written book with well-defined characters, a tangled web of clues, and many tantalizing facts about diamonds.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Suzy B.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and fun
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I started out liking the book but felt it was overly long and repetitive in places. I enjoyed it but thought it was overdone as far as characters and gem information -- some careful editing would have made a better book.
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