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Kudos to Heather Webb, the Author of ‘The Hope Keeper” for this dazzling, captivating and intriguing masterpiece., gem of a story. Heather Webb has done extensive research on “The Hope Diamond” and the history surrounding it. The Genres for this book are: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Romance and Fiction. The timeline for this unique story is set in the Jazz Age, in Washington, D.C. I love that parts of the story are actually spoken by ‘The Hope Diamond”. A quote from the introduction from Heather Webb, “ I am born of fire and earth. I lie in wait for him to find me. I don not count days or years:I do not measure time, for I am immortal. Sam a talisman, a keeper of secrets, and my dark-blue depths a well of misfortune, or so it is said. But perhaps you should read on. Perhaps you should decide the truth for yourself.”
The author vividly describes the timeline, the scenery, the costumes, and the dark and dramatic characters. The characters can be described as complex, complicated, flawed, toxic, jealous, and greedy. There are betrayals, threats, danger, and deaths. The Hope Diamond is perfection, seduction, and beautiful. Can it be a curse? Elizabeth Beaumont, comes from a well known jewelry family, Beaumont Jewelers. After a tragic death of her twin brother, Elizabeth is forced to run the company while her father is still grieving. Elizabeth visits wealthy Evalyn McLean, the keeper and owner of The Hope Diamond. Elizabeth is hoping to expand and sell jewelry pieces, or even get paid to take care of the precious stones. Evalyn runs in the most elite circles in society and interacts with a variety of wealthy characters. Evalyn has given Elizabeth this job, and buys her dresses, and pays for Eliabeth to have her hair done to fit in with the other women. Elizabeth notices the cruelty and pettiness among the women. They is plenty of liquor, and food, and the women gossip. The husbands tend to be flirtatious, and also often drunk.
As Elizabeth views this lifestyle, she wonders if she wants to remain in the jewelry family business, or work in a museum. There seems to be accidents and tragedies to those people who are near “The Hope Diamond”. After a major falling out with Evalyn, Elizabeth has choices to make. I highly recommend this memorable, thought-provoking Historical Fiction novel.
Linda's Book Obsession: 